Atheists. Do you really know the truth?

Question

I hope your answer is no. Do you agree that atheists and theists having conflicts is ridiculous when none of them hold the claim to truth?

Consider the following theory and let me know what you think. Opinions are appreciated.

'....The focus of social constructionism is to uncover the ways in which individuals and groups participate in the creation of their perceived reality.... '

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_constructionism

Just to clarify, I am not a Christian and nor am I pushing you to believe in any ‘God’. I have a religion, but I am atheist because I don’t believe in the existence of God. I am asking you atheists in particular this question just out of curiosity.

The title was deliberately written like that to get you to think I was about to preach. You thought you’d come here and teach me a lesson when I ended up talking about something totally different. Lol… well some of you thought that.

Answer 1

yes we know the truth, you're all crazy. ONce again you specifically use vague language to avoid making any clear point. We use specific science to show holes in religious theory and yet that is still not good enough. You either just quote the bible or don't stay on topic and that is supposed to be better? Odd.

Let me address your quote though. Don't you think that we have created out our reality as individual societies? We have formed our own sense of "god or gods" based on where we live in the world. If you live in a specific area of the world you will have a high probability of being a specific religion. its funny though how every area of the world thinks that they just happen to be the ones that got it right. Brainwashed once again little sheep.

Answer 2

An Atheitst that claims to have the absolute truth, is NOT an Atheist in consequence.

True Atheists never claim to hold the keys of truth.

Science is not the pursuit of absolute truths, but the pursuit of facts, and the study of actions and reactions.

There cannot be social constructivism between religion and science, such as a Baseball team cannot strike out a Quarterback.

Answer 3

The truth about *what*? The concept "truth" does not exist in a vacuum; it requires a context: the truth about whether OJ really did it, the truth about whether it will rain tomorrow, the truth about whether... something is the case or not the case.

Your question lacks sufficient context to qualify as a sensible, coherent question.

"Do you agree that atheists and theists having conflicts is ridiculous when none of them hold the claim to truth?"

This at least gives a little context, but it's even less sensible. Basically, you're asking if it's ridiculous for two groups to argue and conflict if neither can claim to hold the "truth" about something. Is it ridiculous for liberals and conservatives to argue if neither can claim to hold absolute truth about correct political policies? Is it ridiculous for Kantians and Desire Utilitarians to argue if neither can claim to hold absolute truth about correct moral philosophy?

Of course not. There is no prerequisite of "know the truth" before being allowed to enter into discussions and disagreements with others. To suggest otherwise is what's ridiculous.

Answer 4

I don't think many people have the faintest idea what you're on about or why you're asking atheists in particular about truth.

But to attempt to answer your main question: atheists believe on the balance of probabilities that there is almost certainly no god. There certainly is no evidence, at all, for god, and the same rules about believing on the basis of evidence apply as applies to unicorns. It doesn't satisfy a definition of truth, but truth isn't needed, not by you or by me. That's it.

Answer 5

The most we really claim if we are honest is varying degrees of certainty of knowledge. Almost all religions however, claim absolute, final, and certain truth. Often their claims of truth fly in the face of what we know is reasonable based on our personal experiences. No, I don't claim to know the truth but based on what I said before about varying levels of certainty I rank some religious claims pretty low on the hierarchy of things I believe to be true.

Answer 6

I know the truth. At least with respect to certain small areas - like that kicking a bee hive is stupid.

With respect to KNOWING a deity exists or not, no. That said, I also have a criteria on judging something's acceptability as true. Since deities have precious little unambigious or objective evidence to support them, I hold no belief in them.

Answer 7

Ah... post-modern thinking. Great for language and social descriptions. Lousy for describing facts. For to post modernists, there are no facts.

Well, in relationships, where everything is process, post-modern thought has a potential place, although it's a bit too fluid for some.

But either God exists or he does not. While we do not know, it is not possible for both to be true. But because it is unknowable, it is possible for both theism and atheism to exist in the world, even one of them is false. I just find no reason to live on the fence when the bulk of data points toward atheism.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 8

It's less about having the truth, and more about having the best method to reach truth.

I believe what there is evidence for, and I'm not afraid to say, "I don't know," rather than believe in something that fills the gaps in my knowledge.

That's *the process* that made me an atheist.

Answer 9

All that any of us have are perceptions and an intellect to process them. And judging by the mentality of the majority, I do not think that it is wise to accept every social constuction. It is far better to excercise one's own noodle. Have a great day!

Answer 10

There's a lot of things I don't know but I do know that it would be wrong for me to believe in something when I don't feel there is evidence to support it hence I'm an atheist.