I'm sorry, but this is one of the most ridiculous threads I have ever read. You are so incredibly wrong on so many different fronts, I don't know even know where to begin!
Instead of telling people what atheism is, and get it wrong, ask an atheist. There are quite a few of us on here.
Laura knows squat about atheism. She talks about the "atheist world view" - THERE'S LITERALLY NO SUCH THING. That's like saying there's a theist world view - there isn't. Atheism and theism aren't world views, they describe weather or not a person believes in no gods, or one or more gods. That's it!
Furthermore, atheists don't believe we're all "worthless". What we're worth is a relative term, and in the grand scheme of things we have no objective value. But, because of our emotions and ability to perceive reality around us, we're able to apply value to life based off of those perceptions. If atheists believe life is worthless, then you wouldn't see any atheists trying to help other people, save lives, etc. And if you argue that atheists act selfless because of God - then you contradicted your statement about there being a worldview since even a "God given" sense of value contradicts this "world view" you so idiotically pretend exists.
Yes, eugenics is evil. Atheists don't support eugenics. You brought up Hitler, Hitler was a THEIST. And guess what, not all THEISTS support eugenics! That's right, you can't describe a whole group of people based on a single person! That's like saying all Catholic priests are pedophiles or that all Christians believe medicating their children is a sin!
Stop stereotyping and ASK US ATHEISTS WHAT WE THINK. Stop telling other people what we think. How would you like for me to go around and talk about how you, Laura, believe slavery should be legalized in America? You would be frustrated and exclaim that you don't hold such views. That's exactly what you're doing with atheists though!
Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean your own understanding must therefore be correct. You don't understand how it's coherent from a philosophical perspective, I respect the honesty, but ASK us what we think. Just because some sort of higher entity didn't tell us we're special doesn't mean we can't appreciate life. If the only reason you appreciate life is because you believe God gave everything value, then I'm afraid it's I who pities you.
Most racists are religious and most people who support eugenics are theists. If you don't understand why an atheist wouldn't support eugenics or racism without a God telling them to love everyone, what does that say about your own character? Does this mean the only reason you don't support racism or eugenics is because it's what God wants from you? Or would you still fight against racism and eugenics if you stopped believing in God?
There are vast differences between people and lettuce and a belief in God has nothing to do with these differences. And if you're arguing that atheism leads to this kind of thinking, why is it that most atheists don't think this way?
Yes, you're right. But we are alive right now, therefore we have purpose.
Plus, why should I care if I have a purpose? That's like saying, "I need someone to tell me I'm important in order for me to work hard and enjoy my life". I don't need someone to tell me to love others, to be happy, and to do what I believe is right (which is a huge philosophical journey that I don't wish to get into at the moment).
If there's an objective purpose, what would stop someone who wanted to destroy the world from choosing their own purpose instead? Whether a purpose is objective or subjective doesn't matter because objectiveness doesn't actually influence reality - it's simply a description.
Lastly, Charles Darwin did NOT support eugenics. In fact, Darwin believed all humans were the same species - a very progressive view in a time when most religious people considered those of other races to be different species! I can't recall the quote, but there's a very popular quote mine that I'll admit is a bit confusing for those who aren't already somewhat versed in Darwin's works.
Laura, if you want to know more about atheists and how they think, just ask us. And if it doesn't make sense to you, then that doesn't necessarily mean your own idea of it is true. In fact, even if our philosophies are inconsistent, it still wouldn't mean our philosophies lead to racism or eugenics. It would just mean that there's an inconsistency that is ignored by atheists. Trust me, there are numerous inconsistencies within Christian ideology, but I don't assert that because there's an inconsistency that it must therefore mean something that clearly contradicts Christian ideology.
This is what frustrates me. You don't understand how an atheist can hold certain views without believing in God - you see inconsistencies. Therefore, you conclude that atheism must lead to eugenics and racism. But, most atheists aren't racist nor do they support eugenics - which is an inconsistency of your own claim!
Instead of telling people what atheism is, and get it wrong, ask an atheist. There are quite a few of us on here.
Laura knows squat about atheism. She talks about the "atheist world view" - THERE'S LITERALLY NO SUCH THING. That's like saying there's a theist world view - there isn't. Atheism and theism aren't world views, they describe weather or not a person believes in no gods, or one or more gods. That's it!
Furthermore, atheists don't believe we're all "worthless". What we're worth is a relative term, and in the grand scheme of things we have no objective value. But, because of our emotions and ability to perceive reality around us, we're able to apply value to life based off of those perceptions. If atheists believe life is worthless, then you wouldn't see any atheists trying to help other people, save lives, etc. And if you argue that atheists act selfless because of God - then you contradicted your statement about there being a worldview since even a "God given" sense of value contradicts this "world view" you so idiotically pretend exists.
But if God is true, and if we are made in his image - then we do have intrinsic value, purpose and worth, and Eugenics is evil.
Stop stereotyping and ASK US ATHEISTS WHAT WE THINK. Stop telling other people what we think. How would you like for me to go around and talk about how you, Laura, believe slavery should be legalized in America? You would be frustrated and exclaim that you don't hold such views. That's exactly what you're doing with atheists though!
I realise there are HEAPS of atheists that reject Eugenics and hate it - but I don't see how that's coherent from a philosophical perspective.
Atheism necessitates objective worthlessness. Relative value can be ascribed; but its all relative. Objective value doesnt exist. Objective purpose doesn't exist.
This is what leads to racism and eugenics.
This is what leads to racism and eugenics.
Atheism represented accurately necessitates objective worthlessness. Purpose doesn't exist.
In other words, there is no different between a human being and a head of lettuce if atheism is true.
In other words, there is no different between a human being and a head of lettuce if atheism is true.
To whom does the survival of our species matter? If our species goes extinct, no one will be there to care. It's meaningless.
Plus, why should I care if I have a purpose? That's like saying, "I need someone to tell me I'm important in order for me to work hard and enjoy my life". I don't need someone to tell me to love others, to be happy, and to do what I believe is right (which is a huge philosophical journey that I don't wish to get into at the moment).
If one person believes the purpose for humanity is to destroy the spec of dust we call earth with nuclear weapons - and another wants to preserve it - there is no objective purpose that governs which one is right.
Lastly, Charles Darwin did NOT support eugenics. In fact, Darwin believed all humans were the same species - a very progressive view in a time when most religious people considered those of other races to be different species! I can't recall the quote, but there's a very popular quote mine that I'll admit is a bit confusing for those who aren't already somewhat versed in Darwin's works.
Laura, if you want to know more about atheists and how they think, just ask us. And if it doesn't make sense to you, then that doesn't necessarily mean your own idea of it is true. In fact, even if our philosophies are inconsistent, it still wouldn't mean our philosophies lead to racism or eugenics. It would just mean that there's an inconsistency that is ignored by atheists. Trust me, there are numerous inconsistencies within Christian ideology, but I don't assert that because there's an inconsistency that it must therefore mean something that clearly contradicts Christian ideology.
This is what frustrates me. You don't understand how an atheist can hold certain views without believing in God - you see inconsistencies. Therefore, you conclude that atheism must lead to eugenics and racism. But, most atheists aren't racist nor do they support eugenics - which is an inconsistency of your own claim!