orryMr - 13 October 2010 08:42 AM
Jeez, I’ve missed quite a bit… A bit of a throwback:
goodgraydrab - 11 October 2010 08:19 AM
orryMr - 11 October 2010 01:19 AM
In the same way the inductively (from my previous experience of the world) I don’t believe that on my next birthday I’ll grow another head. But then, inductively I don’t believe that on my next birthday I’ll break my foot (hasn’t happened before).
I think all this philosophical stuff is what keeps religion alive, like so-called moderates who stand by and let fundamentalism/extremism fester. The reality of it is you [should] know that on your next birthday you won’t grow another head, and you don’t know on your next birthday whether you’ll brake your foot. You don’t know whether you’ll even make it to your next birthday. Don’t be afraid.
All I’m saying is I know this stuff because of what I’ve seen so far in my life.
I understand and agree. But with your example, as with the question of belief, at least from my perspective of a Positive Athiest, I don’t think a complete analysis ends there. It would/could end there, or not even matter, from the perspective that Andrew defined as the simple concept of Atheism, that is, simply a non-belief in a god(s).
orryMr - 13 October 2010 08:42 AM
goodgraydrab - 11 October 2010 11:46 AM
The only thing is, I think that the idea of god is reasonably and generally comprehensible even with its built-in dubiousness using any particular religious text as a referent. In conjunction with all other knowledge external from it, that is what I am assessing when I consider my degree of certainty. Something new added to the mix will require further assessment at that time.
Agreed 100%. Maybe the best way to use the “scale” is to present it to groups of people who have a relatively homogeneous idea of what God is.
Well, I just worry about myself and how I see it. As long as I’m true to myself and within the bounds of reason with supportable facts, I can’t account for the billions of other perspectives. Needless to say, I only agree with Sam Harris’ view about the utility and necessity of the term Atheist up to a point. This may be because of the positive assertion aspect of my position.
Also, as an aside, why don’t you guys capitalize the word God? We capitalize Batman, and he isn’t real (please, let’s not get into a debate about his maybe being real…)? Just wondering…
Just got into the habit. I sometimes capitalize God (more often now) and Theist (less often), and almost always capitalize Atheist. To me, it’s a subtle and symbolic statement of legitimacy of Atheism, but some might consider it to be a sign of blatant defiance.
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