Re: The logic of atheism


Paul Holbach wrote:
Ron Peterson wrote:

I think you can see that humanism developed as a reaction to theism
more than as a reaction to god belief.

THEISM =def
"the view that all limited or finite things are dependent in some way
on one supreme or ultimate reality of which one may also speak in
personal terms."

Definitions only go so far. Even materialists view that there is an
ultimate reality and can speak to it in personal terms.

The decisive difference between theism and atheism is that the latter
regards "the ground of being" as something impersonal, i.e. as
something that is not a self-conscious (rational) agent.

The difference is that an atheist is not a theist. There is no set of
beliefs that an atheist must follow (i.e. atheism).

Theism is a dogma promulgated by theists which consists of multiple
parts such as mythology, ritual, and rules of conduct (a morality).

In a broader sense "atheistic" means virtually the same as
"irreligious", i.e. "being without belief in and reverence for
supernatural divine beings".

When I speak of "atheistic humanism" I mean "irreligious humanism" in
the above sense.
(The label "naturalistic humanism" will do as well.)

Why add the "atheistic" label? Can't people of various beliefs
contribute to the dialog that constitutes humanism?

Occasionally on Usenet people
will claim to have no god belief but claim that some theistic religion
has been a great boon to mankind.

There are beneficial arguments for theism (i.e. the view that one ought
to be believe in God because this belief brings about good deeds
irrespective of its being true or false); but an atheist will argue
that the positive practical consequences of religious beliefs there
might be are outweighed by the negative ones that occurred in history
and still occur worldwide.

The argument usually follows the argument that the commandent against
killing others in your tribe is a great principle that couldn't have
been thought of without religion. And you are right that many have
observed where those principles have caused great injustices to be
done. But what causes those injustices to be done? Is it the mythology,
rituals, or morality of specific religions?

--
Ron

.

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