Why are atheists so intent on scorning "believers"?

by Chariklo 553 Replies latest jw friends

  • cofty
    cofty

    CA - I think the crux of the matter is not the degree of certainty. Atheism is more of a passive or negative position, "disbelief" rather than a positive "there is no god" position.

    Most people are either believers, or as Dawkins said they "believe in belief".

    Atheists just go a bit further and say something like, "I don't believe in god due to lack of evidence and I don't think belief or faith is a virtue I am missing out on".

  • Christ Alone
    Christ Alone

    Sounds reasonable, cofty. Thanks.

    So what would you call someone that expressed the positive "There is no God". Does there need to be a term for the negative and another definition for the positive? Or is this splitting hairs.?

  • Knowsnothing
    Knowsnothing
    So what would you call someone that expressed the positive "There is no God".

    Generally, that's what's called an anti-theist.

  • Chariklo
    Chariklo

    I'd call them an atheist.

  • still thinking
    still thinking

    Oxford English Dictionary: about as authoritative as it gets.

    atheism: disbelief in the existence of god; godlessness.

    Nope...LOL

    god·less (gdls)

    adj. 1. Recognizing or worshiping no god. 2. Wicked, impious, or immoral.

    Definition for godlessness:
    Web definitions:
    atheism: the doctrine or belief that there is no God

    doc·trine /'däktrin/
    Noun:
    1. A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.
    2. A stated principle of government policy, mainly in foreign or military affairs: "the Monroe Doctrine".

    I'm finding it quite funny finding a definition.

    I like coftys so far

  • Satanus
    Satanus

    'So what would you call someone that expressed the positive "There is no God".'

    That's the antichrist. No wait, the antichrist says there is no christ.

    S

  • Chariklo
    Chariklo

    Take it up with the Oxford English dictionary, still thinking. I just copied straight from the page.

    let us know how you get on.

  • cofty
    cofty

    So what would you call someone that expressed the positive "There is no God" - CA

    I might use that expression as a shorthand but there would be an implied "subject to the vanishingly small possibility of, as yet unknown, evidence to the contrary".

    If somebody means they can prove 100% that no version of god could possibly exist I would call them foolish.

  • Christ Alone
    Christ Alone

    Thanks Cofty. I think that's fair. So the dictionary definition holds with a qualifier as all words usually do.

  • cofty
    cofty

    Yes its all about context I think. Words are imperfect tools.

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