Random Thoughts on Atheism

When it comes to fairies, smurfs, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and invisible, intangible pink flying elephants who wear invisible, intangible leotards-- I am agnostic about them.

I have a "concept" of them. I can't PROVE they DON'T exist, thus it is most reasonable (to use Christian logic) they exist or (to use Agnostic logic) that I must remain in a state of saying I believe they actually could exist, but really knowing it's bullshit.

Or I could just say it's bullshit (atheist logic), because it is most reasonable to dismiss such beliefs without evidence or at least more of a reason to believe than not.

 

Well, I just say "fuck the whole atheism-theism debate" because they can argue forever and its outcome won't change my life in anyway... as I will continue to enjoy it in a way I see fit no matter what.

It's like Agnosticism with Attitude.

 

what makes one definition more correct than the other, if one is used all the time and the other is outdated (clearly.. or else it would be accepted in all the other dictionaries and most people's understanding/interpretation)

 

I don't think it is "outdated", providing it is the literal meaning of the word. LOL!

 

Well, of course have your opinion, but realize others have their own on what atheism is. Consider this: Buddhism is technically an atheistic religion (though many practitioners believe in assorted dieties). So atheism is just a single position on a single issue: the existance of one or more gods. It's not a philosophy or a religion, just one point. One can be a spiritual or superstitious atheist.

By the way, I didn't mean to label you a materialist, I was just using that as an example. I don't know your beliefs at all, so I can't say one way or the other.

 

literal meaning of the word.. you mean.. the literal translation of the greek words that were used as foundations for many words we use today?

i refer to it being outdated since while the literal meaning held as it was when the english word was obviosuly established, nowadays, dictionaries and the general population use the word in a differnet way, casually.

words have use only in communication. it doesnt matter what a word is MEANT to mean according to the root words it comprises of. it matters what teh word MEANS to people who use it. there is an obvious problem when two people have a different use of the word. and thats why we have dictionaries. dictionaries define the definitions of the words we use.

now, if people simply were able to change words to mean whatever they like then knowlege would be lost. that is why it is necessary to maintain history of the origins of words. that is why it is important to have 'literal' dictionaries.

however, when a person says 'atheist' then it should be taken as meaning what the person means it to be, not what the word once meant (and still means to the minority who feel theyre being misrepresented).


or do you suggest the "exclusive" use (adjective taken from wikipedia) of the word 'homophobia' should be scrapped and that the 99%+ percent (pulled out of my arse but it would be around that) of people who use the word meaning phobia/prejudice against homosexuals, should denounce their language and revert to the literal meaning of the word, 'fear of the same'?


apparently, "The word oxygen derives from two words in Greek, οξυς (oxys) (acid, sharp) and γεινομαι (geinomai) (engender)"

so should we stop using it to refer to air and instead use it to refer to the 'creation of acid' or something similar? that is of course a literal translation of the noun.

i propose that science must change its terminology to reflect the literal meanings of these terms. !

 

Stoner

Calm down man.
Dont get thrown by how inaccurately people speak.
It's enviroment.
And enviromentalists are full of shit.

Occam

 

Bill.

Since you're not very keen on etymology and insist that we use the "updated" (what I call manipulated) definition of ATHEISM, let me, at the least, give you a link and you can argue with these guys about the usage of the term.
http://www.atheists.org/faqs/atheism.html#what.it.is

Because I'm done arguing about it. :H

 

that link sent me to their website.. so i SPAT ON THE SCREEN

 

it wont fucking rub off

 

Occam,

I resent this comment, as I am an environmentalist. ^_^ I work for Clean Water Action, we're a citizen's lobby group, and we do a DAMN fine and accurate job ...

Hikaru

P.S. I know you meant no insult.

 

Hiky.

And you would be correct.

Occam

yet, does not 'enviroment' mean..what we require.?

 

Sounds like a personal problem to me. :H

 

Alright cool, sorry freaking out, I'm a raging female at her time of the month...wee!