Is this a reasonable analogy of Atheism and Theism?

Question

Atheism is to religion as Conservatism is to Liberalism.

I know this sounds odd and I don't necessarily believe it in it's pure form but consider this:

Atheism limits their belief to that which is proven of Science. (conservitive)

Theist choose to belive that which is not yet proven of men but which is confirmed of the Spirit. (Liberal)

If this is true then why does it seem that in practice, most atheist are liberals based in a conservitive belief system and most Theist are consrtvitives based in a liberal belief set?

Often in practice they are at the exteem end of the views that are of opposet polarity to their beleif system?

Answer 1

Hmm, here's a hole in your hypothesis.....

"limiting BELIEF to that which is PROVEN".....if it is proven then it is not belief...it is knowledge.

Personally I don't like either stance. I think that you should have knowledge and belief.....mixed with experience.....which leads to wisdom. You would label me a "moderate" no doubt.

Answer 2

I don't think so.

Religion (or theism) is based on a strict set of unproven rules and beliefs, which guide one's lifestyle.

Atheism is based on the same principals. It has a strict set of rules that the person believes to be true- science. (Science, as it should be noted, is not always right as we find from history and in which religious people also do believe in. In fact, most scientists are firm believers.). The mistake in this comparison is that Atheism is not limited to belief in science - it believes in the unproven statement of the non-existence of God(s). Atheists let this belief guide their lifestyle. In a lot of cases - atheists are really protective of their own ideas, which makes them as conservative as religious people are. In fact, atheism is religion (I apologize if this statement is offensive in any way).

Probably, a better analogy would be agnosticism. It is a philosophical view that the truth value of certain claims—particularly theological claims regarding metaphysics, afterlife or the existence of God, god(s), or deities—is unknown or (possibly) inherently unknowable. Some agnostics take a stronger view that the concept of a deity is incoherent, thus meaningless and irrelevant to life.

P.S. I am not an Agnostic or an Atheist. I am not Christian either.

Answer 3

It is a good analogy but it doesn't take into account the realm in which the beliefs exist. Atheism and theism are directed towards the existence or non-existence of another life after this. Atheists deny its existence and, so, feel that they should strive to achieve, as much as possible, a "heaven" on Earth. Theism points to the next life as the important one and this life as only the prelude. Because of this, and because they comprise the power structure, they wish to maintain their position in this life and don't feel the need to improve the position of others.

One need only look at the early church to see that theists can be radical liberals when they are out of power. Look at the teachings of Jesus. You could make a modern liberal manifesto out of the beatitudes.

Answer 4

this isn't any longer a sturdy analogy in any respect. the most perfect analogy that I have heard about it really is: "Atheism is to faith as Bald is to hair colour" for sure, bald isn't a hair colour, it really is an entire lack of hair, a useless ringer for atheism isn't a faith, it really is an entire lack of conception in religious ideas. this is not even a denial of god's existance, only a lack of conception. If there change into any info to again up the theists declare, then there does no longer be as many atheists, because the final public of them might want to be open to evidence. regrettably, up to now, no longer one shred of info has been produced to practice the existance of a god, any god. There are also not the different uncomplicated features that atheists percentage, there are atheists of all stripes, liberal, conservative, professional determination, anti-determination, you call it. I also does no longer call theism liberal, maximum religions are quite restrictive. imagine of the definition of liberal: lib·er·al adj. a million. no longer restricted to or by potential of accepted, classic, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, perspectives, or dogmas; free from bigotry. 2. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progression, and tolerant of the guidelines and behaviour of others; vast-minded. it really is the option of maximum religions, religions are certain by potential of dogma, rife with bigotry and intensely virtually thoroughly closed to new ideas and are very illiberal of the guidelines and behaviors of others. in case you pick examples of this, study the newspaper and analyze the religious those who protest abortion clinics, protest gay marriage, and are always attempting to stress their religious perspectives into public college technology training. So, you're mis-suggested on all counts, yet i wish this permits sparkling issues up.

Answer 5

No that's rubbish.

A true atheist is someone who is familiar with the scientic mode of thought.

I'm not interested in people who say they're atheist because they've had a hard few months and if god does not love them enough then they're not going to kiss his butt! Those people are pathetic and I'd tell them myself to go to church.

See your final paragraph shows where you've gone drastically wrong.

You see it as opposing belief systems.

What do atheists belief in? Its not an opposing belief system - its a total rejection of all superstitious beliefs.

Answer 6

Mountain,

I suppose there is some truth to that in that conservative can mean "cautious", which is like skepticism.

I am conservative politically though so it's hard for me to understand the liberal mindset. I'm a pro-life libertarian atheist. I'd like to see a liberal atheist response.

Answer 7

No it is not reasonable. Theists limit their beliefs to what is in their religious book.

There are many religions and each theist believes only their religion is right. (conservative)

Atheists stand back and watch them and say religion is rubbish.

Answer 8

We have choices in life, and I chose to be with no religion. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm aiming to gain anything but happiness from it.

it's a way of life, and if Atheists don't want or need religion, there's nothing wrong with that.

Answer 9

Theism is the study of God. Atheism is a sorta, i don't know, its misunderstood.