What do atheists mean when claiming they are "logical"?

Question

Are they talking about Aristotelian logic, modal logic, symbolic logic, mathematical logic (first order or second order), propositional logic, or something else?

Mrs. Mad Maddy, what is meant by "logos" in John 1:1, then?

Stronz, thank for adding Boolean. I knew I was missing one.

Answer 1

Theological students take logic in college. Most seminaries require 2 to 4 classes in order to graduate.

Most take Aristotelian and propositional logic, and my school required Boolean algebra as well.

A little off point, as I'm a Christian, but maybe it will stir the thought process...

Answer 2

They're just referring to the fact that science is based on meticulous research that we've gathered over hundreds of years which still can only give us theories (such as the theory of electricity) but is all based on logic when compared to religion. Science is more logical because it starts from the ground up, with the facts we can discover leading to varying conclusions, whereas religion starts with the ultimate answers to the mysteries of the universe then works its way down to the facts which are constantly changing as we discover more. This leads to religion having to constantly change the details in relation to factual evidence (Galileo for instance.)
In short, they're logical because all they want is facts, and in religion all they need is faith, and all facts are secondary.
Most scientists believe in evolution and the big bang not because it gives them comfort to know the ultimate reality of things and that they are going to have eternal life with all their loved ones after they die, but because there is evidence for it.
That's logic and reason versus wishful thinking. Eternal life Would be nice....

Answer 3

Let me give you this example:

(this is logical)
I believe in gravity because I can drop a rock....and it falls. I can also go to the moon and test the "theory" of gravity, as well as measure it.

(this is illogical)
I believe in an invisible pink duck. I can't hear it, see it, identify it with any of my senses, test it or offer any evidence of it's existence whatsoever. I still believe in this duck because people a long time ago believed in the duck.....they even wrote a book about it. I pray to it and sometimes it HEALS people. There is no possible way those people were healed by any other means. It had to be the pink duck because I prayed to it. Of course it's percentage of answering prayers is NO BETTER than CHANCE....but you can't question the duck.

Now do you understand?

Answer 4

Let me break it down for you cupcakebutt...very biblical and spiritual name, by the way.

We believe in facts and solid truths not fairy tales written by ancient men in order to control the masses.

From Wikipedia:
Logic, from Classical Greek λόγος (logos), originally meaning the word, or what is spoken, (but coming to mean thought or reason) is most often said to be the study of criteria for the evaluation of arguments, although the exact definition of logic is a matter of controversy among philosophers. However the subject is grounded, the task of the logician is the same: to advance an account of valid and fallacious inference to allow one to distinguish logical from flawed arguments.

Answer 5

We are logical, looking for proof, logic, not following blindly because a 2000+ year old book says so

Answer 6

Common sense

Answer 7

It just means that evidence is important. It takes precedence over faith.

Answer 8

I keep seeing the word evidence in a lot of answers. What evidence? isn't that the whole point. They don't have evidence to disprove God either except their own reasoning. I would ask those that answered, what "evidence" do you have to disprove God that goes beyond yourself?

Answer 9

Heres an example:

Bob tells Suzy he has an new friend, Suzy says bring him here! So bob does and introduces him and no one is there... and with logic Suzy decides he does no exist....

Thats not how I feel but its an example..

A Wiccan and Proud
-Why?

Answer 10

1st year logics?