What is an "atheist belief system"?

Question

Honestly, what teachings are derived specifically from "being without belief in the existence of a god or gods"? People talk about this "atheist belief system" and I'd really like to know what it is since apparently I'm already adhering to it.

By the way, if you plan on posting "it's a matter of faith, so it's a religion, so it's got a belief system!!!", don't bother. I'm not asking for this to be asserted for the billionth time. I'm asking for this supposed "belief system" to be described to me.

Answer 1

Well, secular humanism is a belief system, but there are secular humanists who aren't atheists and there are atheists who aren't secular humanists.

In the context you describe, the term "atheist belief system" describes an ideological bogeyman. Kind of like the "gay agenda" -- which I understand to be some variation of living happily ever after.

Answer 2

Atheists seek an epistemology which is based, insofar as possible, on logical deduction from evidence. That means (like Descartes) making no more assumptions than are absolutely necessary. I find that the following assumptions (and no others) are necessary:
- The world works according to rules to which the rules of logic apply. There is no a priori reason that this should be so: logic is a human invention, intended to model the way the world appears to work, but the world is under no obligation to do so. But we must assume this, else we cannot use logic.
- Things will proceed in the future as they have in the past, absent a specific impetus for change. This is a generalization of Newton's first law. Even if it has always been true in the past, there can be no assurance that it will be true next week -- or next minute. Nevertheless, it is necessary to assume that it is so, so that predictions can be made.
With these assumptions in mind, we can now examine the following theorem, which is provable but I won't prove here:
- The usefulness (i.e. predictive power) of any theory derives exclusively from its refutability.

The idea comes from Karl Popper, who proposed it but did not propound it as a theorem. It is this theorem which lets us do science. There is an obvious corollary:
- An irrefutable theory can predict nothing: it is useless.

Applying this to theories of god, we see that every such theory is irrefutable, and hence all are useless. From which we see that religion is (except for its fuzzy feel-good sociability aspects) a complete waste of time.

Answer 3

Atheism itself is not a belief system, it is a description for one that does not have a religious belief system. Many people think "atheists don't believe in anything" which is wrong. Atheists believe in many things, god isn't one of those things though. Atheists believe in the scientific method and also believe what has been proven, sounds reasonable/logical and has evidence.
I do believe in gravity, evolution, geology, astronomy... ...the list goes on. But, I don't believe in a god or gods.
As far as teachings of atheism... I'm not really sure there are. However, Once you give up the superstitions of religion, you realize that this one life is that much more precious, you no longer feel that death is a blessing. Life itself is valuable, not just yours, but those of others and of future generations. You also tend to care how the world works and strive to improve it instead of waiting for it to end thinking you'll live happily ever after in "cloud city".
Christians claim there is a "war on christianity" because atheists and non-christians are finally speaking up about the way christians force their beliefs on others...especially in the form of laws. If these people are truely christian...do they need laws to prevent them from abortion? homosexuality? blue laws (what days and times I can't buy beer)?... NO, these laws aren't for christians, these laws are to make others cowtow to the beliefs of christians. Are they so weak in their faith that they need these laws to remind them what they feel is moral and not?
I would never attempt to outlaw religion, I don't like religion, but I would never consider violating your right to believe whatever it is you want to believe...just allow others to make choices based on other beliefs or lack of.
Ethics and compassion are not the sole property of the religious.

There are "10 commandments for the ethical atheists" on www.browardatheists.com

Answer 4

The athiest belief system would mean, the not-belief belief system, according to etymology.

Basically, anyone who lacks a definite belief in a higher power, even if they haven't made a choice one way or the other, is technically, an athiest, because they don't have a positive belief. Not making a choice means you technically are without the positive belief.
Athiesm, technically, counts as denying a belief in the higher, as well as, just not having made a choice to positively assert a belief in it.

Making it more clear.

the theist part of the word=belief in higher being
a=without

a=without
thiest=a belief in a higher being.

Right.

Answer 5

Buddhism can be considered an atheist belief system.. There are several pagan faiths that don't recognize an actual god.. they could be considered an "atheist belief system".

In R&S, however, it's a term used by christians in an attempt to
1. Rile up atheists
2. obtain the "upper hand" in an argument with atheists by claiming that it takes more faith NOT to believe than to believe (which makes no sense whatsoever)

Answer 6

There is no Atheist Belief System because there is no dogma associated with atheism. Atheist simply identifies a disbelief in God, it doesn't imply any belief system.

Answer 7

I can't speak for all atheists, but I am one, so I'll tell what I belileve this answer to be. Atheists believe that god does not exist. There! You see? I just said it. That their belief system. That's what I believe. That's all there is to it. There's really not much more that atheists believe in, or else, not that I know of.

Answer 8

you in general ask super questions.....I for one have not got my ideals shaken by employing atheists' questions...I relish the discourse, exceedingly whilst questions (including yours) are asked in an grownup way devoid of brand call calling. My answer to you would be that believers who ask that question take in my view each and all the assaults and impolite questions that some human beings ask and that they get shielding....alot of the believers on right here only lack the humorousness that alot of atheists have.

Answer 9

Science.

Answer 10

Atheist belief system is theist trying to jam the religion label on atheism. They believe that the whole world revolves around religion and can't see the world any other way.