So atheism and theism are both flawed?

Question

I talked to someone (technically a theist, though he avoids "labels") who said this. Well, theism has no evidence and yet claims to be correct despite this, so it is flawed. However atheism is just absence of belief in a god or gods. It's not a doctrine or religion - it's nothing to *be* flawed, and even if it were it is not as it is just a negative claim.

He said that atheism is nihilistic and a claim to be certain that God doesn't exist.

Question: Anyone agree with his claims? Why? (He didn't explain so I'd like to get other voices on the subject.)

Oh yeah, and he said lack of belief is impossible (i.e., lack of belief in all things or anything? He never explained... but it's an odd statement to make).

Moose,
"So Atheists are, well, wrong in saying there is absolutely no higher power."
Actually, only atheist-gnostics say that. Most atheists say that God is not impossible.

Answer 1

Diamonds and coal are both flawed.
Atheism is like a diamond which shines.
Religion is like dirty coal.
The man you spoke to is baffled by science and cannot explain our existence with a real theory, so he favours one made up for him. They do that all the time by saying because you don't believe in god you don't believe in anything, which is facetious reasoning.

Answer 2

Atheism certainly isn't nihilistic. I can't count the amount of theists that come up with "atheists don't believe in anything". I believe in plenty of things, just not gods.

To be fair, there is a margin of doubt in my assessment that gods do not exist. Plural, yes. The margin of doubt is so small, however, that it really doesn't make sense to call me agnostic.

So no, I do not agree.

Answer 3

Tell your friend to visit this Web site:

Big List of Gods and Goddesses:
http://www.geocities.com/thewitchescircle/biggg.htm

Ask him why he thinks it's "flawed" to believe that all of the gods and goddesses were created by humans.

By the way, I am certain that no gods exist, just as I'm certain that no leprechauns exist. That said, I'm open to being proved wrong.

Answer 4

That's why I'm agnostic. Atheists don't believe in god because it can't be proved. But it can't be proved that there isn't a god. So Atheists are, well, wrong in saying there is absolutely no higher power. There could be. It wouldn't be the bigot christian god and probably not any god thought of on earth.
All that having been said I would say nihilistic is a stretch.

Answer 5

There's a difference

Theist have "evidence" which is mostly their holy book among other things

Atheist are sure that god doesn't exist based on inference from Scientific evidence.

So it's your choice.

Organic Milk or Country Farm Milk.

Answer 6

He is correct.
But to answer your main question, people are flawed.
There are agnostics, skeptics, fallen away believers, pagans and an entire array of "enemies" of the church (I can't think of another term at the moment, so pls forgive).

Theism is also varied in its following. I can't even count how many branches of the Christian faith there are let alone the branches of other faiths. No wonder some people get so confused.

edit: *goes to look up nihilistic*

Answer 7

why you want make it clear "does god really exist"

Answer 8

the people involved are flawed...

Answer 9

It makes sense. Don't you understand it?

Answer 10

atheism is impossible. if u dont follow God, u follow either something or someone else. if u dont follow God, ultimatly u follow the Devil. becuz the devil followed his own thots and his own self so everyone who follows themself is following wut the devil did and follows him.

honnestly, i could go on all day on this subject.