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> that's what an atheist is Generally atheists claim to be skeptical of all religion and mysticism regardless of whether it claims a "creator god". If you want

> that's what an atheist is Generally atheists claim to be skeptical of all religion and mysticism regardless of whether it claims a "creator god". If you want to be pedantic and say someone who believes in ghosts, but not God is still be an atheist, well ok. My point is that almost all people hold unexamined beliefs as non-material and unscientific as any religion. Hence they are not inherently more rational. > be excellent to each other I think the rule you are describing is not well defined at all. Are you treating them well because it's right, or because it's a benefit to you? If it's just comfort, then it only makes sense when it's convenient for you, or likely to be reciprocated. Should you do what makes other people feel good? Or what is actually good for them? After all, it "sucks" when people try to make you do things. How would you know when to violate your rule of being "excellent"?

ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
> Generally atheists claim to be skeptical of all religion and mysticism regardless of whether it claims a "creator god". Is it true, though, that that's what atheism means? As an atheist myself, I'm not sure it is. Certainly doesn't seem true - seems like someone who is atheist is simply more likely to also be areligious and aspiritual, possibly as a result of rationality. But if you want to be pedantic, you can try making a case to redefine the term. In fact, I've found that self-described "theists" and "atheists" are both smart enough to know that theism involves a god, not just any religion or spiritualism or mysticism or belief. Indeed, ask any layperson on the street what it means for someone to be atheist, and most answers will say that it means "they don't believe in god". > My point is that almost all people hold unexamined beliefs Maybe, but certainly not all as irrational as theism. Your post tried to conflate concepts like humanism (essentially, "be excellent to each other", hardly an "unexamined belief"), which don't require magic, to the belief of theism, which does - this conflation didn't work for the reasons described above: both may involve principles of one form or another, but only the latter is magical and supernatural, and thus less rational to believe true. If we're both on the same page there, we can move onto other topics, like: > I think the rule you are describing is not well defined at all.
- commonlisp94 3y ago
  > humanism (essentially, "be excellent to each other") That's definitely not what humanism means. No I don't think this conversation will lead anywhere. Goodbye.
  - ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
    ...says the person who doesn't realize atheism is a-theism, or that theism refers to a god, not just any belief or concept you want it seems you have no point that isn't based on pedantry, arguing semantics, trying to redefine theism, or falsely and failingly conflating a non-magical concept with a magical belief I would have liked for you to respond to the subject of my posts instead, but since you couldn't: bye, friend!
    - deleted 3y ago
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ImPostingOnHN 3y ago

> Generally atheists claim to be skeptical of all religion and mysticism regardless of whether it claims a "creator god". Is it true, though, that that's what atheism means? As an atheist myself, I'm not sure it is. Certainly doesn't seem true - seems like someone who is atheist is simply more likely to also be areligious and aspiritual, possibly as a result of rationality. But if you want to be pedantic, you can try making a case to redefine the term. In fact, I've found that self-described "theists" and "atheists" are both smart enough to know that theism involves a god, not just any religion or spiritualism or mysticism or belief. Indeed, ask any layperson on the street what it means for someone to be atheist, and most answers will say that it means "they don't believe in god". > My point is that almost all people hold unexamined beliefs Maybe, but certainly not all as irrational as theism. Your post tried to conflate concepts like humanism (essentially, "be excellent to each other", hardly an "unexamined belief"), which don't require magic, to the belief of theism, which does - this conflation didn't work for the reasons described above: both may involve principles of one form or another, but only the latter is magical and supernatural, and thus less rational to believe true. If we're both on the same page there, we can move onto other topics, like: > I think the rule you are describing is not well defined at all.

commonlisp94 3y ago
> humanism (essentially, "be excellent to each other") That's definitely not what humanism means. No I don't think this conversation will lead anywhere. Goodbye.
- ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
  ...says the person who doesn't realize atheism is a-theism, or that theism refers to a god, not just any belief or concept you want it seems you have no point that isn't based on pedantry, arguing semantics, trying to redefine theism, or falsely and failingly conflating a non-magical concept with a magical belief I would have liked for you to respond to the subject of my posts instead, but since you couldn't: bye, friend!
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]