Shh...Secret Atheist Club Meeting?

Question

It’s one of my pet peeves that Atheism is treated like a coherent belief system rather than being an assertion that something does not exist. We all know the story about not believing in Astrology does not make me an a-astrologer nor can you predict anything about what I do believe based on my disbelief of astrology.
Then I thought, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the term Atheist is gradually developing a positive meaning. Does this sound right?

1 – Truth is always and can only be: empirically observable, falsifiable, replicable, and logically coherent.
2 – Moral principles must be evaluated based on their effects on life in this world and cannot and must not be based on assertions about another world or higher power.
3 – The further advancement of science, medicine and technology are the only ways known to improve the lot of humankind.
4 – Similarly, improvements in productivity and efficiency are ethical because they increase the standard of living for human beings in this world.
5 – Governments should be scrupulously neutral regarding assertions about other worlds and higher powers. They should stick to secular, this-worldly concerns.
Please add other principles you can think of and add to the positive definition.

A couple of points...
1 - I mean positive in the philosophical sense, having a specific definable meaning.
2 - I'm not proposing 10 commandments just exploring whether there is an emerging consensus that Atheism means more than just disbelief.

Answer 1

"Imagination is more important than knowlege because one is obtained only by the other." -Albert Einstien-

I hope this information might be of use...as I like both science and "spiritual teachings". And, yes, I am aware that I use the word "religeon" in the following in lieu of the term "spiritual teachings". I do that because one is quite often a "set of societal rules" which are often labeled as "dogma" (and some deservedly so). While "spiritual teachings", through stories, try to offer insight into the human condition and maybe some inspiration.

Let's hope my list of ideas can help those who might seek the "truth" (which good philosophies, including science, should at least attempt) without negating hope:

1) The "belief in a higher power" is discussed in "organized religions" (places of public worship) but their "spiritual texts" make no such claims. Religious texts either imply or directly assert that they, the teachings themselves, are metaphors and myths and are therefore rightly exempt from such criticism.

2) The assertion that one "does not believe in a higher power" must be created as an abstraction based on the supposition that there must first be an abstraction that there IS a "higher power" in order for one to debate/assert that it (the higher power) does not exist.

This would definitely fall under the cliche' "I think thou protesteth too much"

3) The assertion that "science" has all the answers would beg the question and ignore the fact that "science" is a collection of concepts and ideas and, while very useful concepts, it falls short of its own purview..."you gotta see it (taste, touch, smell, etc.). Science is something you cannot see/hear/feel because it is CONCEPTS...and concepts do not exist in the real world of "scratch and sniff" therefore it is a "philosophy" too...just like religions are "philosophy".

If you like this list of ideas then I hope it "includes" but not "negates" your understanding of both because like I mentioned earlier..."good philosophies should attempt to find the "truth", even though, "truth", itself, is not a scratch and sniff thingy either.

Depressin' Ain't It? LOL

Answer 2

Hey I dont know about you but I'm an aastrologer. and we prefer the term azodiaddict.

But I have met a lot more atheists recently than in the past so it is definitely growing. And recently I've noticed a lot fewer christians ask me if that means I worship the devil so apparently either the devil worshippers are getting around or atheists have dilligently been informing christians that not believing in god means not believing in angels as well.

Yes some churches are teaching tolerance but tolerance is completely overwhelmed by the number of people who attempt to convert me, and believe no one has told me "but what if you are wrong?" cause one day I'm gonna look at that person and say "OMG thats never occured to me."

I don't think it will ever have a positive connotation. As long as they still think we will burn in hell forever, and as long as they continue to think that is a threat than has ANY relavence what-so-ever--then they will never be able to see the positive in us. They will never be able to see an atheist as anything more than kindling for hell. So no. It's not getting more positive light at all.

We are just more educated (since most atheists were born Christian and had to find what they disagree with. and we had to make sure we werent really followers of Jainism or Buddhism so most of us researched those as well). And since the majority of the US is christian, we have heard the same arguement repeatedly, so we argue better points. It's the higher education level and the skillful use of the English language that made you THINK it was positive.

Answer 3

I disagree about science and medicine are the only way to improve our lot in life, well it works for health but not interactions amongst people. I would suggest something to the effect of "Tolerance and respect for all individuals as we are all humans".

I'd also add that we are part of this complex world and we should be evironmentally aware of our actions.

Answer 4

I can follow your statements, but I'd rather not have "ten atheist commandments". Atheism is about using your own reasoning and not accepting dogma. Don't start with dogma for atheists. Even a benevolent effort might have bad consequences one day. Everyone has to figure it out himself. If there are self-evident rules, they do not need promoting.

Answer 5

Dismissal, with well-intended actions, of the belief in an invisible being that really was created in the minds of men long ago: thus now those same doctrines cannot apply to today.

Answer 6

the united club of understand-it-all infants who think of they're clever because of the fact they're atheists while they're confronted to coach why atheism is genuine they ridicule the religion in question or state medical info that they do no longer understand that have been spoon-fed to them by technique of a unusual liberal instructor who claimed he enjoyed to make human beings sort their very own evaluations

Answer 7

science is tested, observed, reliable and becomes a theory.

Religion = not science. Therefore these truths can't be tested in a lab. Can you measure the love you have for your mama in a vial? didn't think so; so therefore, how can it exist? give it up.

Answer 8

I agree with your points, but since you weren't at the last meeting, you will have to enter it as new business at the next. Then we can vote.

Answer 9

3- maybe add ethics philosophy, and definitely epistemology

Answer 10

You have many good points.