"True Atheist" an oxymoron?: Philosophy Forums

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"True Atheist" an oxymoron?

mnemind
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Posted 07/19/06 - 11:24 AM: Subject: "True Atheist" an oxymoron?	#1
To say, "I don't believe in God" is to acknowledge that either He exists in the first place or that the one speaking does not believe in another's God? It would be impossible to be a true atheist in that Atheist = No Belief in God at all. To say you don't believe in God, acknowledges first that there is a word called God, that other's believe in a God, and that you're choosing not to believe their beliefs, which are in reality true. There is a word called God, many or some believe in him, and to completely disbelieve any of that is unrealistic? Is this true? -I am sorry for poor grammar, poor presentation and scattered thoughts and/or rambling.

Alayth
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Posted 07/19/06 - 11:36 AM:	#2
If I say I don't believe in God, it means (usually, assuming that God is being used in the context usual in my general experiences) I do not think there exists an omniscient, omnipotent being which not only created us but cares specifically for the human race above other things. Yes, I acknowledge other people believe in such a thing. I don't. I don't know what your definition of atheist is, but it seems different from the one I am used to. Of course atheists usually know what it is they don't believe. I don't think this makes them anything other than atheists informed of the beliefs of others.

Exponent
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Posted 07/19/06 - 11:37 AM:	#3
Reference, Reality, and Knowledge I believe in the existence of various concepts of God. I believe that other people believe that God exists in reality. But why would that mean that I must also believe that God exists in reality? A reference to an object is not the same thing as the object itself, although I suppose some people have tried to assert that it is the same. But if that's true, that means pink unicorns floating five miles above the surface of Pluto exist to. We might even go so far as to say that square circles exist, if words alone, without concepts, are enough to force the existence of something.
Quote by Gassendi1: "You think that because something depresses you it cannot be true?"

mnemind
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Posted 07/19/06 - 11:44 AM:	#4
No certainly not, the reference is to explain that the exetreme definition of an Atheist does not believe in God whatsoever, the word, the being, the concept, nothing. And yes I agree with Alayth, I myself don't believe in a God who cares for humans more than anything else. The views are distorted here but, "I'm an Atheist, in every sense of the word." is paradoxal. I'm usually an existentialist so the individual is important to me, but being a God fanatic I'm simply trying to make a point for my fight. Generally, when poorly thought out, a person claiming to be "a perfect atheist" is hypocritical?? Would this be true? -excuse my grammar, rambling, derailing, poor spelling and poor presentation

mnemind
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Posted 07/19/06 - 11:46 AM:	#5
# 2 of your beginning reference supports my argument, I believe. But I could certainly be wrong Exponent. Please correct me. Edited by mnemind on 07/19/06 - 12:25 PM

Exponent
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1 of 1 people found this post helpful Posted 07/19/06 - 11:55 AM:	#6
mnemind wrote: No certainly not, the reference is to explain that the exetreme definition of an Atheist does not believe in God whatsoever, the word, the being, the concept, nothing. I have never actually heard anyone use the word "atheist" like that. I doubt anyone (who is considered even remotely rational) ever has, at least if they're applying the term to themselves. If you know of people who claim that they are an atheist in that sense, then I'd be quite surprised. From my perspective, it looks as though you're creating an imaginary belief that doesn't actually exist, and then criticizing it. And I join you in criticizing it, but I don't see the use in criticizing it. It basically seems to me to be a strawman argument against atheism.
Quote by Gassendi1: "You think that because something depresses you it cannot be true?"

mnemind
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Posted 07/19/06 - 12:18 PM:	#7
Okay cool, thank you. I appreciate the respectful "you're not making any sense" rather than "you're really stupid" Haha. Thank you. I had it worked out in my head awhile back is why I'm trying to present it now. Can you help me figure it out? Being "Atheist" is to not believe in God, but to admit that there could be one in the first place? Is that more... uh.. Well realistic and less imaginary? -Thank you extremely much for politely stating that I was wrong

Halzario
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Posted 07/19/06 - 12:25 PM:	#8
mnemind wrote: the exetreme definition of an Atheist does not believe in God whatsoever, the word, the being, the concept, nothing. The definition of atheism only includes disbelief in the being. Not believing in the existence of a word or concept is dumb in any situation.
Your mind. Your values. http://www.indval.org

mnemind
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Posted 07/19/06 - 12:29 PM:	#9
Okay let me register that for a bit.... Yeah you're completely right, I was ranting off when I said that an Atheist wouldn't believe in the word. But, let me chew on this for a sec....

Alayth
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Posted 07/19/06 - 12:29 PM:	#10
mnemind wrote: Being "Atheist" is to not believe in God, but to admit that there could be one in the first place? There is a thin line between agnostic and atheist. Sometimes none at all, depending who you're talking to. Some atheists would probably say there can't be one, but I think most atheist/agnostic people would just admit there is a possibility, but there is no evidence and therefore no reason to act on the possibility.

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