[OP asked atheists to define what they believe without using the word "God"]
E Tims wrote: "I don't believe in anything without having a reason to believe in it."
Again, that's a negative statement of belief. I'm looking for a positive one. For example:
"I believe that human beings are simply a conglomeration of chemicals who evolved ex nihilo."
Is that too hard?
34 comments
I believe that the scientific method has been demonstrated to be the most useful method for determining the nature of the universe, because it attempts to control for bias and shoddy thinking and its results can be used both to discover new knowledge and to create new inventions that do what they are intended to do.
I believe that morality results from reflection and agreement amongst groups of humans about the best way to sustain those groups and interact with our environment, and the value of various rules is measured by the amount of well-being they create with emphasis on how they treat the marginalized and the poor.
I believe that scientific knowledge and moral rules are provisional rather than pre-ordained and dogmatic.
None of this has anything to do with atheism, which is simply a lack of belief in gods.
I believe the universe can exist on its own just fine.
I also believe you're attempting to box people in and force people to say your strawman so you can furiously stroke your tiny phallus and giant ego.
I believe that human beings are the result of a process called evolution. Furthermore, I believe that as human beings evolved, the need to take care of the species evolved along with it. I believe in people. I believe that people generally do what is right in order to help the species survive. I believe that I am moral enough to be a good person not just because some ancient book threatens punishment if I do the wrong thing. I believe that all people are the same, and even those who attempt to justify their hatred and bigotry can mature enough to do the right thing.
Nope, because that's not atheism. Many Christians believe that too, well, believe that God created them ex-nihilo, that is, from nothing, am I write?. That's what happens with strawmen.
@ Jon: OK, now I have a picture of Jules and Vincent doing a song and dance number called 'English, motherfucker, do you speak it?'. Thanks for that.
Be very careful what you mean by "belief" - it can be interpreted different ways.
If you mean "have faith", as in holding something to be true regardless of real world observations or lack thereof, we believe nothing. If, on the other hand, you mean "know", or "deduce to be true based on rational consideration of all available evidence", then we believe a lot.
Stop it, AP. You can't aspire to be an intellectual snob if you don't have the intellect.
Belief in the face of proof to the contrary is silly. Belief without proof is even sillier. Knowledge always trumps belief.
You're just engaging in mental masturbation. Fun, if you have nothing better to do and an hour or two to kill. Shallow and unsatisfying if you are trying to learn more about something.
Yeah really, how dare you not give him the answer he wanted. You disgust me.
Okay, A.P. I guess we're friends now so do you mind if I have sex with your sister ?? What ???? NO ??? I'm not looking for a negative answer, I'm looking for a positive one. For example: "Yes of course you can do my sister, I'll even hold your pants for you and sing prince songs to set the mood>"
Is that too hard ???
Isn't 'evolved ex nihilo' a contradiction in terms?
Oh, wait, you probably believe Genesis 1 and 2. You're right at home with contradictions.
Atheism according to Troy:
I believe that reason and purpose are not inherent in anything, and that the physical world, harsh though it may be, is all that exists.
Additionally, since atheism inherently lacks belief, asking for a positive statement of belief is like asking for liquid wood or salt water vapor. Or the velocity and position of an electron, or what is currently happening at a star light years from Earth.
You can't define atheism without using a negative statement of belief, because Atheism is a negative statement of belief. Hence the Entymology
"A" means "not"
"The" means "god"
"Ist" means "believer"
"Atheist" means you are NOT a theist. Theist means you are a believer in god.
Therefore you cannot define Atheism as anything other than someone who doesn't believe in god.
Just what was the point of asking Atheists to define what they believe in without using the word "God"?
Answers.com gives several meanings of the word believe. My reply depends upon which definition we are using. No fair using the typical fundie trick of conflating distinct meanings to pretend to make a point:
To accept as true or real: Do you believe the news stories?
To credit with veracity: I believe you.
To expect or suppose; think: I believe they will arrive shortly.
v.intr.
To have firm faith, especially religious faith.
To have faith, confidence, or trust: I believe in your ability to solve the problem.
To have confidence in the truth or value of something: We believe in free speech.
To have an opinion; think: They have already left, I believe.
My beliefs are judgements subject to amendment in light of further valid evidence (the last meaning). (Note the major distinction there to the Fundie definition.)
I believe that in the absence of a God to stop it from happening; nothingness is liable to split into positive and negative things, as in 0 = x - x. Gamow explained this to Einstein. Look it up.
This still happens today, as in the quantum foam.
The sum of all the energy in the universe is zero: http://space.newscientist.com/article/mg15120416.100-forum--not-with-a-bang-but-with-a-grapefruit.html
I believe that the laws of the universe amount to a statement of the principle that energy is neither created nor destroyed. This principle is now called the First Law of Thermodynamics, and its multifarous forms of expression are a major part of the beauty of Science.
I believe that the elaboration of this law results in matter according to E=M(C squared), and that the range of conditions in the universe has resulted in regions where matter may become complex enough to self-replicate. I believe that the theory of evolution by means of natural selection of differentialy replicated molecules accounts for life today, including human beings. I believe that religion amounts to a "Good first try", like the flatness of the Earth theory.
I believe the OP was a wanker.
"Here I stand, I can do otherwise only if confronted with evidence that contradicts it."
I believe that we only have one life on this planet, so while it's unlikely we'll live flawlessly perfect lives while we're here, it is important that we try to live the best life we can. Life is precious because it is fought for and hard-won. A good life can be defined as, not imposing your views on others, not bringing direct and irreparable harm to others, making the world a better place then you found it, and trying to bring a little joy into someone else's existence.
What do I believe? In the religious sense (which is obviously what Schiavo is trying to get at), I believe that the evidence so far for the god or gods of any human mythology is so lacking that any such deific conjecture can effectively be discarded until firmer evidence comes along. In this sense, I count myself as an atheist and live my life as though there are no gods, no afterlife, nor any such related superstition.
I also live my life as though there is no Invisible Pink Unicorn, although I am fully aware that my lack of belief upsets (and in some cases confuses) people dear to me.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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