2007-02-06 01:11:55 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why isn't a brainwashed religious junkie just a "disgruntled atheist"?
2007-02-06 01:14:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
An atheist is simply one who lacks, or is without, a belief in a god or gods. Nothing more; nothing less. In a way, everyone is an atheist to some degree. From the Christians I know, they do not believe in Zeus, Odin, etc. Many Buddhists, while religious or spiritual, do not believe in a god or gods, thus they are atheists as well. In a sense, people are born atheists. it is only later that they, usually, become indoctrinated into the religion of their parent(s). Occasionally, they may change religions, or drop it altogether.
As a side note, your question reminds me of when I hear Christians talk about someone who either does not view things the same way they do, or apply such to when someone gets caught -- Ted Haggard, for example. It usually goes along the lines of, "Well he's not a TRUE Christian." I've yet to find a consistent answer that defines what a True Christian is.
2007-02-06 09:23:29 · answer #2 · answered by Jester 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheist means No + Belief In God.
Agnostics are in the habit of saying that there are no atheists - only agnostics - because no-one can be 100% sure (most of us would agree, but it's moot - the balance of probabilities is fine with me, at 99.99%).
In fact if you do not have a POSITIVE belief in a god then you can be said to have no belief. And that's an atheist.
Myself, I think you have to commit and say you believe god does not exist. I base this on the evidence and balance of probabilities. But as ever, even the slightest, long-overdue, irrefutable evidence that indicates a supernatural origin and NO OTHER explanation - I'm a believer. In the absence of evidence for god - there is no god.
2007-02-06 09:32:22 · answer #3 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A disgruntled theist is someone who is angry with God. An atheist doesn't believe in God at all.
2007-02-06 09:52:24 · answer #4 · answered by Jess H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I could be a disgruntled atheist at times. So am I still a Christian.
2007-02-06 09:28:07 · answer #5 · answered by אידיאליסטי™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True atheist is just as much a logical fallacy as a True Christian, or a True Scotsman.
If you don't have a belief in gods, you're an atheist.
2007-02-06 09:15:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All that it takes to be an Atheist is lack of belief in a God.
2007-02-06 09:19:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darwin was a theist until his discoveries changed his opinions about a Biblical god, a conflict
2007-02-06 09:20:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a human being do you believe in God, and please answer yes or no (understanding its more complex).
If the person says no (even if they think its a possibility or that i dont know stuff), they are an atheist because they do not believe in God.
2007-02-06 09:18:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Atheist is someone who doesn't believe God exists. It can't get much clearer than that.
2007-02-06 09:15:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋