Aren't the atheists here on "Yahoo Q & A" sort of falling into the pattern of a Nihilist, why and why not?

Question

By the following definition: a belief in destruction of authority (religious authority): the belief that all established authority (religion) is corrupt and must be destroyed in order to rebuild a just society.

Please tell me why and why not?
Please write your age next to your answer.

Answer 1

I believe in many ways I am a nihilist (the religious sense, not the other sense) but i see myself as more of an antitheist-atheist.

Answer 2

There are several variations on the definition of Nihilism. One is the philosophy that there is no objective truth, meaning or morality in existence. This would be a more accurate sort of Nihilism as it is the more wildly held philosophy. As for "destruction" Nihilists, I know very few and I know of no atheists on this board (yet, but I'm sure I'll spot some eventually) that feel a need to "tear down everything and start fresh."

Keep in mind, however, that the fact that there is no objective meaning or morality does not invalidate personally held morals. Sure, there are psychotics that kill without remorse, but most people are genetically and culturally endowed with an innate sense of self-preservation and thus see the importance of morality, rules, meaning, etc... In fact, some people (I believe) CAN'T live a fulfilling life without a god. I would go so far as to say that belief in a god could be a genetically influenced culmination of survival with the burden of inquisitive sentience.

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So how's that new word treating you?

Answer 3

First, I'd like to point out that the definition you've given is of anarchy, not nihilism.

Either way, I don't fit that definition. I don't believe that all authority is corrupt. I believe that the potential for corruption increases as the authority gains power, but that is not the same as believing that all authority is necessarily corrupt.

I'm 25.

Answer 4

Adding your own definition doesn't make you right. Nihilism isn't simply about religious authority or religion. It's a philosophical stance that for society to advance ALL existing authorities and institutions must be destroyed. That is a far cry from atheism which is simply not believing in gods. (25)

Answer 5

Nihilism is basically the disbelief of everything.
Atheism is only the disbelief in God/gods.

Therefore, by definition, all nihilists are atheists.
But not all atheists are nihilists.

Because there are plenty of nihilists in the world, it makes sense that some of the people on Yahoo are nihilists. Since those nihilists are also atheists, it makes sense that some of the atheists you're seeing on Yahoo are also nihilists.

Answer 6

ni·hil·ism (nī'ə-lĭz'əm, nē'-)
n.
Philosophy.
1.a.An extreme form of skepticism that denies all existence.
1.b.A doctrine holding that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated.
2.Rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value and a willingness to repudiate all previous theories of morality or religious belief.
3. The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement.
4.also Nihilism A diffuse, revolutionary movement of mid 19th-century Russia that scorned authority and tradition and believed in reason, materialism, and radical change in society and government through terrorism and assassination.
5,Psychiatry. A delusion, experienced in some mental disorders, that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist.

I agree with definitions 1.a., 1.b, and 2. In that sense, I am a nihilist. In the respect that you are looking into, I am not. I have no problems with authority in of themself...it is people themselves that I have my problem with.

My age is none of your business.

Answer 7

No, they are not. Not all.

I am an atheist and I am not anti-religious. I believe that believers and non-believers can peacefully live together on Earth.

But I really don't like the believers who want to force everyone to believe the way they do.

I really dislike fanatics.

I believe everyone must be free to be a believer OR a non-believer.


Besides, there are some anti-theistic atheists, who cannot stand with some or all religions on Earth.

In ex-USSR, anti-theistic leaders wanted to remove religion from their country. Many believers died.

It seems to me that lots of anti-theistic atheists are anarchists.

Well... You know, "atheist = who doesn't believe in any deity."
There is no "requirement" about religions in themselves.

There are many kinds of atheists.

Not every atheist is an anarchist. I am not.

Answer 8

To some extent yes.

But I think most of us understand that religion is important to some people.

The only reason you hear Atheists talking about dismantling religion is because of the harm it causes.

Some religious people are taught that it is just rebellion, or anger at God, or a lack of accountability. This isn't the case for most of us.

Most of us, took a long look at religion, from the inside and the outside, and realize that it is a very harmful thing to people.

The funny thing is that most religious people feel this way too, only they feel it for all other religions but theirs.

Christians claim Islam is harmful and violent, Muslims Claim that Christianity is harmful and violent etc....

The truth is that all of them are right, Atheists just don't have a side to defend, we recognize that all religions are dangerous, but also realize that some people need to think a God exists, so they don't loose their moral base.

3 1/2 nearly 4

Answer 9

By that definition? Almost. Not all atheists believe religion needs to be destroyed though.

By any reasonable definition? Of course not. Nihilists reject both religious and secular codes of ethics. Most atheists do not.

Answer 10

I don't think that your definition of nihilism is accurate. I am opposed to religion, but I'm not strictly opposed to authority, rules, values and so on.
Heck, you don't even have to be an atheist to believe that all organized religion is corrupt.

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