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I did try a search but didn't find a thread addressing this.
I'd be glad to save the space here and read one if it's existing and you provide me a link.
A comment in another thread led me to this question since it's my thinking that atheists generally aren't looking for something or someone else to guide their thinking and lives.
Can atheism and liberal thinking coexist as it pertains to government involved issues?
Atheism can coexist with any governmental philosophy, except theocracy. Although some nominally atheist governments, usually Marxist, turn into de facto theocracies.
There really isn't one single atheist "type." If you visit the Internet Infidels boards, you will see debates and arguments among the non-believers there that are as fierce and unyielding as any you will see anywhere else. Being atheist is like not believing in Santa Claus--in the sense that it leaves pretty wide open what you do believe.
Myself, I'm an atheist-leaning agnostic in religion, and a libertarian-leaning reluctant Democratic voter in politics. But that doesn't make me any more or less valid as a non-believer.
I did try a search but didn't find a thread addressing this.
I'd be glad to save the space here and read one if it's existing and you provide me a link.
A comment in another thread led me to this question since it's my thinking that atheists generally aren't looking for something or someone else to guide their thinking and lives.
Can atheism and liberal thinking coexist as it pertains to government involved issues?
Must be??
I have no idea.
That's why I'm asking.
Perhaps if I mull over it for a couple few hours myself I might come to my own conclusions but if I only wanted to talk to myself I wouldn't come to CD
it's my thinking that atheists generally aren't looking for something or someone else to guide their thinking and lives.
I can't imagine that there are many educated atheist (and I doubt that there are many uneducated atheist) who haven't look to philosophers from Spinoza to Julian Baggini for the formation of their own morality for which to guide their lives and thinking. So I don't think that assumption is correct.
[/quote]Can atheism and liberal thinking coexist as it pertains to government involved issues?[/quote]
Again, you would have to define what you mean by liberal because I can see how liberalism by definition can be in a state of contradiction with atheism, and I am speaking as a life long atheist and as a born again liberal.
Location: Sitting on a bar stool. Guinness in hand.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djacques
Atheism can coexist with any governmental philosophy, except theocracy. Although some nominally atheist governments, usually Marxist, turn into de facto theocracies.
There really isn't one single atheist "type." If you visit the Internet Infidels boards, you will see debates and arguments among the non-believers there that are as fierce and unyielding as any you will see anywhere else. Being atheist is like not believing in Santa Claus--in the sense that it leaves pretty wide open what you do believe.
Myself, I'm an atheist-leaning agnostic in religion, and a libertarian-leaning reluctant Democratic voter in politics. But that doesn't make me any more or less valid as a non-believer.
This is pretty much my opinion as well. As an agnostic leaning toward Atheism and I would say over all I'm an economic Conservative and a social liberal. But I met others that are atheist and agnostic that to degrees are different. Though I have not yet really met a socially Conservative atheist yet. But I'm sure they exist.
The kind of liberal thinking that expects that government should provide such things as health insurance , expansive monetary assistance programs....you know, the kind of government that someone like me nicknames a 'nanny' government.
Ovacatto but that presumes that because a philosopher has religious beliefs that atheists find them less valid. I think that's untrue and that they likely just filter out the god references in their own way. Just like myself having to read sexist references in school days, I put it off in neverland ignorance box and carried on my assignment (disappointed in the author). I believe it was Fitzgerald.
My guess is life is harder for them in a culture that encourages religion and I think freedom from religion is a legit right that needs protection. I'm glad they don't go over the top expecting philosophers to omit references to god when they apply. Ten commandments in a court house... different animal. I think people calling themselves religious have been given too much latitude imposing themselves on others. I think religious PAC's are very disturbing and to have preachers using pulpits for politics- very dangerous thing considering hierarchical powers of both entering collusive bargains. AKA devils bargain.
I don't think I've ever met many conservative atheists. Coincidence? I'm religious myself so perhaps that has more of an influence? I have one acquaintance on CD who's atheist republican (native born russian immigrant, fan of capitalism, believes republicans are sole proprietors of capitalism). Even he seems to believe in a faith without being much aware of it-- nature based philosophical attitudes do resemble religion without the trappings of accessories and ritual. I'm only saying it because somehow there seems to be a sense that an order of the world is arranged with logic & reason for him even if he doesn't attribute it to what many call god. I think he just hasn't realized that deep down he is attributing it to someone/ something.
Ovacatto but that presumes that because a philosopher has religious beliefs that atheists find them less valid.
Where did I say that? The point was that there is a huge body of philosophical and hence moral thought that has been laid down over several centuries. My point was solely to point out that atheist do have guides for life and morality which don't by necessity derive from religious tenets or theology.
Quote:
I don't think I've ever met many conservative atheists. Coincidence?
As a former Marxist, I find the label of conservative and liberal rather silly. But for the sake of argument, I call myself a liberal because I don't like the silliness and racism of the other side otherwise I would have to consider myself to be rather conservative these days.
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