why do so many atheists here seem defensive? please let me explain myself?

Question

before you come attacking me

I asked if atheism was just naturalistic and materialistic

the definition of naturalism:
the view of the world that takes account only of natural elements and forces, excluding the supernatural or spiritual.

materialism:
The theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena

why did atheists think I was attacking them? I was just asking if everything can be explained in physical terms or if some atheists are spiritual or supernatural. but so many people got upset. did they just not actually read the question?
do I need to buy them a dictionary?

my gosh people read the details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

This is the third question attacking athiests in five minutes, and you want to accuse us of attacking you?

Answer 2

Some atheists are spiritual, but are still naturalists and materialists.

Some atheists are also non-spiritual.

Atheism does generally imply naturalism and materialism. However, to ask if atheists are ALL naturalists and materialists is to assume there is anything more to atheism than this: there are no deities.

Anything more than that one idea, that one singular concept, is beyond the boundaries of what atheism is.

Beyond that one idea, atheists can have different views on everything else. Some atheists even believe in souls, so no, not all atheists are materialist/naturalists.

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We did read the details.

Had you stopped before your final paragraph, you'd have been doing fine. You should have stopped as soon as you finished typing the definition of materialism.

But you just couldn't apparently let it go without throwing in an attack.

Answer 3

No two atheists are alike. Some are spiritual but I'd wager a very few believe in the supernatural as that is one classification for deities.

I don't think everything can be put into two categories - nothing in life no matter what belief system you hold is black and white - there are always gray areas and I would say that more people tend to fall into there than the polar opposites.

Answer 4

Your first question was attacking Atheism because materialism, as the dictionary says, is "a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things." If someone took that personal, I can see why. It's a comment about someone's vanity which is considered an insult in our culture. But you supposedly have a dictionary so I guess you already know that...

Answer 5

This atheist takes no exception with your observation. Speaking only for myself, I am both a Naturalist and a Materialist, but that's because I am seriously committed to science and the scientific method. It is more than theoretically possible to be an atheist and to not be a scientist, but I can't speak for those folks, other than to point out that Naturalism and Materialism have nothing necessarily to do with strict philosophical atheism.

Far too many uneducated Christians assume that the words "atheist" and "scientist" are synonymous, and of course they are not. This simple-minded Christian over-simplification, creates considerable animosity for them from both philosophical atheists and committed scientists -- neither of whom particularly likes to be falsely associated with the other. It is not atheists who require a dictionary, but rather Christians.

Answer 6

"Atheist" from Wikipedia: "Atheism, as a philosophical view, is the position that either affirms the nonexistence of gods[1] or rejects theism.[2] When defined more broadly, atheism is the absence of belief in deities,[3] alternatively called nontheism.[4] Although atheism is often equated with irreligion, some religious philosophies, such as secular theology and some varieties of Theravada Buddhism, also lack belief in a personal god."

I think your question is very important for many reasons!

First off, just because I consider myself a "Christian" does not mean I am like all other Christians. I think you are being fair by asking for Atheists to define themselves and what exactly they believe, as well... it would be just as silly for me to assume that all atheists are the same!

Answer 7

Rambling walls of textual content have a tendency to waft faraway from the point you're attempting to make. likely, the reason atheists (and others) concentration on refuting Christian theology is because Christians have had the most unfavorable consequences on human society of any faith, and probable any governmental device to boot. That makes it substantial to individuals that struggle through because of it. And in my opinion, I evaluate blocking off someone for some thing except an instant attack to be an act of severe cowardice.

Answer 8

Well if I've got to pick between "defensive" and "offensive", you've pretty much got me either way.
One of those "Have you stopped beating your wife?" constructions.

And the definition of naturalism, at least, is inadequate as it stands.
My "natural" incorporates much that other people would relegate (or promote) to "supernatural": a category error, in my opinion.
The definition of materialism is fine, as a philosophy, but it comes, these days, tainted with notions of hedonism and conspicuous consumption which do not belong but are difficult to avoid in casual conversation.
What would the average person *hear* if I said "I'm a materialist"?

"That which is, is." A saying of Charles Fort.

Answer 9

As an atheist, that seems like a reasonable question. The wolrd is naturlistic and the universe, like ourselves, is made of material substance. The only thing that is non-material is the human imagination. This includes ideas and of course the idea fo God. So, as materlial smart beings, we invented all the gods since we can.

Answer 10

You are quite right except that materialism has more than one definition. Just as theory has more than one definition. And we always see in this forum how theists use the wrong definition of theory when talking about its use in science. And given the general tenor of your questions, it was a safe assumption you were using a more negative connotation of materialism, i.e., placing value on consumption of materialistic goods.

So maybe you're being a tad dishonest by playing word games?

Answer 11

Yeah, Christians starts defending whenever Atheists attacks as well. Anyways, can you stop generalizing? Or is that too hard for you? Each Atheists has their own thoughts. They're not grouped up only having one thing in mind and thinking the same exact things like Christians. They only have one thing in common, and that is that they believe that god does not exist and that's it. Other than that, they're free spirited.