Well, I have been enjoying the alt.atheism type stuff on here recently.... (Of course I have.)
But-
The above is, in general, a description of skepticism, although it often walks hand in hand with atheism. Two sides of the same coin, IMO.
I was first drawn to this forum by it's openly atheistic stance. I'm wondering if there is any place for a theist here.... Sense rarely comes to the nonsensical, but then again, people actually do improve their minds over the course of a good argument.
Carl Sagan, 1987 CSICOP Keynote Address:
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a
really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would
actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them
again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should,
because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it
happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that
happened in politics or religion.
"There is a new definition of atheism not found among the current orthodox: it is the non-experience of deity. It is not anti-theist, it is supportive of the natural quest for meaning in myth, symbol and practice, and challenges any construct that places itself in the position of worship or unquestioning obedience, whether it be called deity or law. Atheism is substantiated by the experience of no-god, or the lack of experience, not by belief or rational counter-arguments to theism. This definition comes, in part, from Pascal who conceives of a person so made that s/he cannot believe - a person who by nature is experientially limited to atheism."
- (Pensées, translated by W. F. Trotter, Chicago 1952)
"What you don't see can be very hard to find."
- Ms. Frizzle (The Magic School Bus)
"To surrender to ignorance and call it God has always been premature, and it remains premature today."
- Isaac Asimov
And the entire idea of 'saints' disturbs me. Always did, always will. There will never be a saint amongst us here, I hope. 'Holy people' in general turn my stomach.
"The idea of God is the sole wrong for which I cannot forgive mankind."
- Marquis de Sade
Hey- it is an atheistic place here. Get over it. Get with it. On the other hand, it is also a 'church', a community, albeit of freethinkers. There is no need for a theistic pall to be cast over this assemblage.
'Theism is mental inbreeding.'
I mean that. Really. Truly.
Of course, turned around, it also says, (true to the original admonition of the source myth)
'Atheism is going forth and multiplying....'
Atheism, science, and skepticism make no apologies for themselves, they need no rationalizations. The universe turns out every day to be far more wonderful in every way imaginable than any myth or fairytale.
The atheist is constantly at wondering how the theist can honestly claim to see any of this wonder. The skeptic knows that what is knowable is more true and more precious than any 'mystery' of a belief system.
Finally, to cap this ramble, atheism needs no priests, or saints. To me, this is enough. This marvel of non-administration is sufficient to satisfy me of its truth. The questioning mind sees through the one-way mirror of theism.
*****************
Wade T. Smith
morbius@channel1.com | "There ain't nothin' you
wade_smith@harvard.edu | shouldn't do to a god."
morbius@cyberwarped.com |
******* http://www.channel1.com/users/morbius/ *******