Peter Berkowitz wrote this piece called 'The New New Atheism' - good article from my rather biased perspective.
Isn't atheism developing into a dogma?
Wanted to ask something so I could show off my new name - what do you think JP? I know the R&S style council leadership, headed by Jack B, will not approve, which makes me sad.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118454735982067207.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
2007-07-20 05:03:53 · 13 answers · asked by super Bobo 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No question, you can't lump all folks of a common view into one bucket.
I also find it interesting that the WSJ is a barrier for some to read a well written piece, by someone who has quite a resume, and claims Hitchens as a friend. Abviously some atheists are closing their eyes to some commentators.
2007-07-20 05:14:22 · update #1
The specific quote I was reading is as follows
:
'In making his case that reason must regard faith as an enemy to be wiped out, Mr. Hitchens declares Socrates's teaching that knowledge consists in knowing one's ignorance to be "the definition of an educated person." And yet Mr. Hitchens shows no awareness that his atheism, far from resulting from skeptical inquiry, is the rigidly dogmatic premise from which his inquiries proceed, and that it colors all his observations and determines his conclusions.'
2007-07-20 05:18:46 · update #2
Well, I'd distinguish between dogma, and conviction. Dogma is rote repetition of some idea ordained by authority. Conviction is more likely to be the result of investigation and intelligent critical thought. So when atheists are convinced there is no "God" they can give reasons, alternatives, and argument - not merely assertion. I'm with them.
2007-07-20 23:55:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atheists are just like religious people. We all think a little differently. Not believing in a divine force makes us atheists, beyond that there are no rules.
I always giggle a little, when I think about organized atheism. I guess they're just people needing a support group, but I've heard some of them are a little bit on the loony side.
2007-07-20 12:23:09 · answer #2 · answered by Lew 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hitchens is a bit of a nut in my opinion. But Atheists do have far fewer lunatics in our ranks than do Theists. So I let him slide. Too answer your question, overall no I do not think it is remotely dogmatic.
But as Atheists we are a very diverse lot, you will find a wide variety of opinions and levels of knowledge. We rarely agree on anything except the one thing that makes us Atheist of course.
2007-07-20 12:35:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I have no problems with boobs(Referring to approval of your name), so your name is absolutely fine with me. As far as dogma, this is nothing really new; the 18th century Enlightenment Philosophers had debated as much in a rather dogmatic fashion, and it doesn't bother me. The ideas concerning the afterlife, God, and the existence of both are things to be contemplated, rather than arbitrated, so with every new solidification, you can be certain of great fluidity, just beneath the surface.
2007-07-20 13:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by Jack B, sinistral 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well dogma usually refers to a body of theological doctrines strickly adhered to so I would say no atheism is not developing into a dogma. How could it when there is no theology behind atheism!
2007-07-20 12:19:53 · answer #5 · answered by Jack B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As there are so many religious people who can't think for themselves, there may be some atheists who will have to rely on a dogma of others. But thinking atheists will soon leave any nonsensical dogma.
2007-07-20 12:08:46 · answer #6 · answered by shericomes 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Nope. We're completely willing to accept new information, as new facts are shown. We can adjust to new ideas.
And I'm not going to sign in to read the article, sorry. Maybe you can add a synopsis?
2007-07-20 12:06:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Any article on atheism that starts with a Bible quote is probably not worth reading....
And I'm not a WSJ subscriber, so I couldn't have finished it if I wanted to.
2007-07-20 12:09:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
No, but apparently those who live by dogma cannot understand the ability not to.
2007-07-20 12:08:56 · answer #9 · answered by t_rex_is_mad 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wow!! I thought we atheists were a bunch of unique free thinkers.
2007-07-20 12:07:46 · answer #10 · answered by renamed 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋