2007-03-14 06:28:29 · 14 answers · asked by WWTSD? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
But, I was just informed by a very reliable source (Yahoo Answers people) that atheism means I believe in nothing!
2007-03-14 06:31:48 · update #1
Ha! Atheism isn't necessarily nihilistic.
2007-03-14 06:31:29 · answer #1 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The people that say that Atheism means nihilism are just trying to cause trouble. They know better. This whole place is a war zone.
2007-03-14 13:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it have to? Atheism might lead to nihlism but not necessaryily. I am not an athiest but what I do find is that an atheist must find peace within themselves in order to find value in life. This is commonly called existentialism. If we live without God then we must find value within our own lives and we must find a purpose for the randomness of existence.
Nihlism is just the oppositie. It is the resignation that there is no purpose in life, it is all random, and that life is only of suffering. A person bent on nihilism may often seek to gratify ones self at the expense of others. If there is no value in existence or in life and it is all random then why conform to any of society's rules?
These two ideas are opposites. Generally, athiests make peace that no God exists but there is value to life. They find value in life and in relationships. Nihilism is defeat. Nihlism is despair. Nihlism has given up.
I believe in a God who exists and I believe there is a value to life. I will not pretent that any carefully crafted argument will convince you either way. But, there is joy in the pursuit of faith and having a faith in God is reasonable. Having a friendship with someone who doesn't share your point of view, either, is OK too.
2007-03-14 13:30:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they aren't the same? Nihilism means you believe in nothing, atheism, just not gods
2007-03-14 13:30:51 · answer #4 · answered by hot carl sagan: ninja for hire 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
know the root words,...
>>atheism
'a' means none
'Theo' means God
'ism' is a suffix used to form a noun from a verb, and later was used to categorize 'a belief', 'ideology', or concept.
ergo, means a belief that there is no God
>>nihilism
'nihil' or 'nil' means nothing
'ism' see above
ergo, means a belief in nothing -- i think they should change the name, it doesn't sound right. If without being aware of their philosophy, i might think that they believe nothing exists, even their own selves. ahhh! no pun intended, just my thoughts,..
2007-03-14 13:46:21 · answer #5 · answered by coco_loco 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you looked up atheism. What do you want to do, rewrite the dictionary?
2007-03-14 13:32:26 · answer #6 · answered by The Cythian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nihilism is the belief that it's absolutely true that there is no absolute truth. Pretty funny, eh?
2007-03-14 13:38:25 · answer #7 · answered by Oz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's not nihilistic... it just is a disbelief in an omnipotent creator being. Nihilism, which is illogical, doesn't believe ANYTHING exists.
_()_
2007-03-14 13:32:09 · answer #8 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you should check some other sources. Let's say Conservapedia. I'm sure you'll find it there :)
2007-03-14 13:32:58 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, that's fun isn't it? i actually believe in a lot of things (so much so that i get criticized by some other atheists! lol)... a deity just doesn't happen to be one!
2007-03-14 13:35:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋