Athiests - cut it out already
By Latrivia
@Latrivia (2878)
United States
August 25, 2008 11:11pm CST
I'm getting tired of watching my fellow atheists making the same stupid logical fallacies as many theists do. Those atheists labeled as "strong" atheists have a nasty habit of asserting that Gods do not exist yet provide no proof to back up their assertion, while at the same time mocking theists who do the same thing. Some will argue that is the burden of proof lies with theists, because they assert the existence of God. This is simply not true. By asserting ANYTHING as truth, you place upon yourself the burden of proof, whether or not you're asserting that something exists, or something does not exist.
Most atheists are not guilty of this. Most of us maintain that there is no proof for the existence of Gods, and therefore no reason to believe he exists other than personal preference. This earns us the title of "weak" atheists, but I find the term agnostic atheist to be far more accurate. Our atheistic outlook is not so much a belief as it is an observation of the evidence at hand. If, however, you're going to positively assert that Gods do not exist, either put up, or shut up. If you make an assertion, you have to support it. Merely stating that the lack of evidence for a God disproves that he exists IS NOT adequate evidence for your position.
3 people like this
6 responses
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
26 Aug 08
I agree with you 100% about them needing to just knock it the hell off. Personally I follow no set religion, not saying that I don't believe that there is something more out there I just don't think or believe it's what most "book" religions would have us believe.
I am a rational thinker and although I believe in something greater than us, I also believe in science.
I believe despite the fact that so many say it can't be proven, why you may ask, because it hasn't been disproven eitehr.
Frankly I say live and let live. If you want to believe great, just let others who don't alone. Same for if you don't want to believe.. that's great.. just leave the believers alone.
People need something, so just let em have whatever it is that helps them get through the day.
Frankly I say live and let live. If you want to believe great, just let others who don't alone. Same for if you don't want to believe.. that's great.. just leave the believers alone.
People need something, so just let em have whatever it is that helps them get through the day. 2 people like this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
8 Mar 10
Latrivia, may I ask why do you not believe in the possibility of some kind of deity. I am not asking this question to challenge you, I actually want to know. You are the sort of Atheist I can respect because you are honest enough to say that there is no proof for the existence of Gods but also acknowledge that their is no proof that deities do not exist. I am currently struggling with my belief in a deity and am looking for some perspective from an agnostic atheist.
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
8 Mar 10
Well, I believe there's always a possibility. I don't believe the world will end in 2012 but it's still possible, albeit highly improbable.
My stance is one of recognizing my own ignorance. I don't know if gods exist or not. I can't prove it, and I wouldn't know where to start to try and prove it. Absence of evidence is not proof of absence, and all that jazz.
Might I ask what has encouraged you to question your beliefs? Was there a catalyst for this?
1 person likes this
@headhunter525 (3548)
• India
26 Aug 08
Well, I am a theist and I believe that what you posted here is so true. And I think it will also be good to critique each other without being nasty, or rather hitting below the belt. Theists are nasty sometimes in their critique, and so are atheists too. I felt that if both the parties can critique each other out with due civility and rationality that will do lot of good to us all. Though there are nasty remarks from both sides I choose not to hit below the belt. And I don't appreciate both when they resort to crossing the limit of civility. Blessings!
1 person likes this
@DawGwath (1042)
• Romania
24 Oct 08
I agree with you, this is not a way for the good atheist. There are also the pseudo-atheists which a friend of mine used to talk about, people that rise over night and have the need to tell you they're atheists in any discussions. Example:
"I don't read fantasy because I'm an Atheist. I never did this or that because I'm an Atheist."
It's kind of silly and annoying, and that's not just it, they can't even make a good argument or statement about their beliefs, they'll just throw out some over-used phrases.
I would disagree with one point though, it depends on what God your talking about. If it is about a personal God (in the christian view) I think it is possible to prove his non-existence, just because of the contradictions that appear in his definition and because of the imposibility of us having any knowledge of him.
As for the others, there could be many debates I really couldn't take part of, because of my lack of documentation.
@Glugster (30)
• South Africa
11 Sep 08
As I always say. Thank God I'm an Atheist!
The bottom line is this. Just as much as religious people cannot prove that God exists, so can Atheists not prove that God does not exist. Even though it often makes for great debate between the believers and the non-believers out there, at the end of the day, each side will continously go around in circles and never truly be able to convince the other of their case.
It's an interesting dilemma. A Christian BELIEVES that God exist, without needing proof. I BELIEVE God does not exist. Believe seems to be prevalent in both cases.
