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This is such a common response that it's almost a stereotype. On what basis would you misread the OP as expressing some kind of personal concern or upset with what others believe? All he did was point out that he doubts most people deeply believe what they claim to, and he has a problem accepting in toto any belief system he has encountered, as none are entirely credible to him.
The irony is that you're basically confirming his argument by stating that your primary criteria for adhering to your beliefs is not that they are coherent or thought through but just that you are "comfortable in" them.
In my case, I have foresworn theism entirely, which is another possible response to this problem. But one thing the OP and I have in common is that every time our expressed thoughts makes a believer uncomfortable with what they were previously comfortable with, we are asked why we care so much what others believe -- when what we actually give a fig about is what WE believe and WHY.
If your beliefs center you and make you happy, and you don't want to reason about them particularly, that's fine -- knock yourself out. People like myself or the OP aren't trying to change you or take that from you or say that it's wrong or bad. It is just not right for us. And yes ... the world is full of folks for whom your particular beliefs do not work. That doesn't make anyone right or wrong, just different.
My problem with religion is that it can be used to encourage people to put their own opinions above another person's humanity.
You could say that about anything...government, media, sports, the military, business & economics, etc.
If anything...Religious paths to The Divine help to make people less self-interested and more kind & generous than the other way around.
In fact...Religion (overall) is one of the more successful ways to solve the problem you note. Not always, of course, but a core tenet of most Religions is being good to others.
Especially the poor and most vulnerable.
You could say that about anything...government, media, sports, the military, business & economics, etc.
If anything...Religious paths to The Divine help to make people less self-interested and more kind & generous than the other way around.
In fact...Religion (overall) is one of the more successful ways to solve the problem you note. Not always, of course, but a core tenet of most Religions is being good to others.
A hardcore materialist is by definition an atheist since materialism by definition leaves no room for the spiritual.
At least some atheists aren't materialists and believe in a higher reality.
They may be naturalists or may hold beliefs that are best characterized as spiritual, albeit not deistic or theistic.
That's all I meant: I flatly reject materialism.
Interesting, thanks.
After you posted I went away to read about this.
Funny I've been visiting this forum for 10+ years and can't recall anyone ever mentioning this - i guess you'd call it a philosophical standpoint.
I don't think there are many atheists who view atheism in quite so stark terms.
I think most of us acknowlege that we are the sum of infinitely complex parts that amount to something greater than ourselves. We just don't attach a god to whatever that is.
I can only think of one or two people in the past - maybe a poster called Grandstander, now passed on, would have maybe been a material atheist as you describe.
I think most atheists are actually fairly open minded despite what I'm sure a lot of the theists here think of us.
Anyway, interesting take on things and thanks for clarifying.
This topic would actually make a good thread of its own I think.
My problem with religion is that it can be used to encourage people to put their own opinions above another person's humanity.
Interesting way to look at it.
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