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Interesting read. It sort of touches on the idea that, just as people of religious faith have a particular concept of God in mind when they assert that God exis
by alllow 4y ago
Interesting read. It sort of touches on the idea that, just as people of religious faith have a particular concept of God in mind when they assert that God exists, most atheists have a particular concept of God in mind when they state that God does not exist.
In particular, this essay concerns itself with atheism of the 'supreme being' type of God, with commandments and instructions laid down by a authority figure. Just as the family courts decreed a Saturday-only custody arrangement for Frank, Yahweh states a Saturday-only prohibition on work for Michael.
This essay may have been quite different if the author's atheism was focused against panentheistic gods, or other god-like concepts. But culturally in the Western world, atheism, at least as a reaction to existing religious structures, isn't so concerned about these.
- EntropyIsAHoax 4y agoI normally agree that western athiests over-focus on rejecting a monotheistic abrahamic god, but how do you see this particular article being different if the author had a more global worldview? For instance the analogy could easily be adjusted with Buddhists instead of Jews. The company offers a vegetarian option for Buddhists at some meal, and the athiest author takes the vegetarian option because he just happens to be a vegetarian. I don't think this observation is overly western
- padjo 4y agoAtheism only exists in opposition so it is necessarily defined in terms of whatever theism is knocking about in the local environment. If I’m not dealing with a religious person I’m just going about my day. I’m not constantly thinking about what I don’t believe in. “Atheism” has no impact on my life whatsoever.