Quote:
Originally Posted by jcinsov
that makes them skeptical not atheist. i can believe in god and not be a Methodist.
|
I think your distinction between skepticism and atheism is a largely ficticious one, perhaps based on the rather unfair definition of atheists as god-deniers or those who say 'there is no God'.
The skeptic has
"1 : an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object" disbelief in some thing, for example, gods.
"2 a : the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain b : the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of skeptics" not knowing 'a- gnosticism' Not knowing about things such as gods.
All that an atheist is is someone that has no knowledge of any gods and what you don't know is there, you shouldn't believe in.
An atheist had no good evidence to show there is any god and so much reason to suppose there isn't a 'personal' god that he may be forgiven for saying there isn't one or even that he 'knows' there is no god. In the same way, you might say that you 'know' there are no dragons or fairies.
Logically, you don't Know that, but your scepticism is so well based that you would feel yourself justified in not believing in them and in thinking that anyone that did believe in them had something wrong with their brains.
That's how atheists feel about gods and the people who believe in them.
- Main Entry: athe·ist
- Pronunciation: \ˈā-thē-ist\
- Function: noun
- Date: 1551
: one who believes that there is no deity
—
athe·is·tic \
ˌā-thē-
ˈis-tik\ or
athe·is·ti·cal \
ˌā-thē-
ˈis-ti-kəl\
adjective
—
athe·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\
adverb
(Websters)
This reflects a theist viewpoint and it's an understandable one, though the 'thinking' atheist woudl prefer the definition 'one who does not believe that there is a deity.'
It may seem a small matter but it is more correct because it is the theist that has the belief, not the atheist. The atheist has the non - belief.
Main Entry: skep·ti·cal
Pronunciation: \-ti-kəl\
Function: adjective
Date: 1639
: relating to, characteristic of, or marked by skepticism <a skeptical listener>
— skep·ti·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Main Entry: skep·tic
Pronunciation: \ˈskep-tik\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin or Greek; Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos, from skeptikos thoughtful, from skeptesthai to look, consider — more at spy
Date: 1587
1 : an adherent or advocate of skepticism
2 : a person disposed to skepticism especially regarding religion or religious principles
Main Entry: skep·ti·cism
Pronunciation: \ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1646
1 : an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object
2 a : the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain b : the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of skeptics
3 : doubt concerning basic religious principles (as immortality, providence, and revelation)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
