Is there such a thing as an atheist?

[Cycel]

can you prove adam and eve are a myth?

Can you prove they are not?

Well let's see: two magical trees, a talking snake, expulsion from paradise, fanciful creatures guarding the entry back, and an explanation for why snakes have no legs, and why childbirth is painful, and so on. It has all the earmarks of a myth; and like the myth of Pandora's Box it is a woman who is mainly at fault.

 

[Cycel]

Atheism (e.g. The philosophical position that denies the reality of the God of theism and other spiritual beings. Atheists usually affirm as well that the only form of existence is the material universe and that the universe is merely the product of chance or fate) never had a strong following in antiquity but there are ancient records of its existence.

Generally all this is true, but there are exceptions. Some atheists, for example, believe in the existence ghosts, hence they believe in an afterlife of sorts, but their afterlife involves no belief in God. As for atheism occurring antiquity I think we must be careful with that claim, for example, Christians were sometimes charged with atheism by the Roman state. Back then atheism might simply mean you reject the official state religion.

Flavius Clemens was charged with atheism (Suetonius Domitian 15.1; Dio Cassius Hist. 67.14.1–3).

"According to Cassius Dio, Clemens was put to death on a charge of atheism, for which, he adds, many others who went over to the Jewish opinions were executed" (Wikipedia: Flavius Clemens). In other words he adopted the Jewish God and was charged with atheism.

There were also instances in ancient Israel in which secularism, materialism and disdain of the covenant-ideals squeezed the fear of God out of Israel’s wisdom rendering brief periods of practical atheism (e.g. the effective denial of God in human life) that preceded periods of judgment and defeat.

I find this hard to believe. In an age for which there was no understanding of disease, weather phenomena, earthquakes, volcanoes, eclipses, comets, and so on, it seems unlikely that anyone would turn from belief in the supernatural. Can you provide specific, individual examples of your claim that there were atheists mentioned in any part of the Bible? "The fool has said in his heart that there is no God," might only mean that the fool has said we should not ignore the pagan gods. The fool might only be reference to those who at some level pay lip service to pagan rituals. There was a huge outcry prior to the Jewish revolt of 66-70 AD because pagan sacrifices were being allowed in the temple. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if “the fool” in this passage turned out to be a reference to Hellenizing Jews. Such persons might be perceived as atheists.

 

[nl]

Was he? I’ve read several of Solzhenitsyn’s novels, so I couldn’t let this pass. In a 2003 interview he was asked, “In retrospect, what were the most important and defining moments in your life?” See: An Interview with Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Interestingly he never mention Christianity. I believe, he may have been Russian Orthodox; but where did you get the notion he’d been an atheist?

Many of the relevant quotes from Solzhenitsyn are more overtly theistic than Christian but Solzenhitsyn did affirm the Russian Orthodox Church at points in his later life. Solzhenitsyn had grown up in atheistic Russia. He conversion experience is associated with near-death experience at the Ekibastuz labor camp including conversation with one Kornfeld a convert from Judaism to Christianity who gave his testimony to Solzhenitsyn as his last words because he (Kornfeld) was subsequently beaten and wounded with fatal injuries later the same night after his conversation with Solzhenitsyn.

Quotes attributed in: Solzhenitsyn by Joseph Pearce (Kindle edition)

“I am deeply convinced that God participates in every life.” (Kindle Locations 1852-1853)

“I am deeply convinced that God is present both in the lives of every person and also in the lives of entire nations. (Kindle Locations 3364-3365)

Nations are the wealth of humanity, its generalized personalities. The least among them has its own special colours, and harbours within itself a special aspect of God’s design. (Kindle Locations 3369-3370) [from Nobel lecture]

When Caesar, having exacted what is Caesar’s, demands still more insistently that we render unto him what is God’s—that is a sacrifice we dare not make! (Kindle Locations 3653-3655)

“Over half a century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: ‘Men have forgotten God' (Kindle Locations 4251-5253). [From speech with title: Godlessness: The first step to the Gulag]

Untouched by the breath of God, unrestricted by human conscience, both capitalism and socialism are repulsive. (Kindle locations 5119-5120)

The artist who believes in God, who has this awareness that there exists some superior force, such a person behaves himself naturally like God’s apprentice. (Kindle Locations 5474-5475)

 

[Cycel]

Well, before I start, I need to gather some info on your perspective. So what I would like to know is the following:
1) How do you think the universe began? And what was the reason for its creation?

I'll go with the Big Bang for now, but don't quote me on that.

It seems that this is what all the evidence points to, but I am taking a wait and see attitude. I was previously sold on the Steady-State Universe model.

You want a reason? The only model worth considering is the scientific. Once science confirms the cause of the Big Bang, or an alternative, then I will let you know. I don't have a problem with not knowing some things. After all, we haven't yet made it to the 23rd century.

2) Why don't you commit suicide? [not meant for an insult]

This is actually quite funny. I don’t know why it is some Christians think that life without belief in their deity is not worth living.

You want an answer? Well, my family would miss me for one. Secondly, I haven’t had a chance to finish my genealogy yet. Third, I have a number of books in my library that I haven’t yet had the chance to read, and I am looking forward to retirement so I can do that. I am really looking forward to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope in four years. It is about five times larger than the Hubble, and will make some really incredibly interesting discoveries. Perhaps it will even find the first earth-like planets or maybe even confirm some more aspects of the Big Bang. Astrophysicists have made predictions about what should be seen if the Big Bang actually happened. I want to see if the telescope will show them what they expect to find. I’m going to stop there.

3) How did humans come into existence?

By the firmly established theory of evolution. Any claims evolution is wrong are simply based on a poor understanding of the evidence.

4) Why did humans decide to communicate with each other?

Sorry, but I have no idea what you are getting at.

5) Do you believe in evolution?

Fully!

6) How many patterns does it take and/or coincidences does it take, for something to be a fact?

Each must be examined on its own merit.

7) Are you honestly willing to be proven wrong, or do you believe you are 100% correct?

I am always happy to be proved wrong. When you ask whether I am 100% certain I am correct I would ask you first, ‘Correct about what?’ There are some things I am fully confident in and some things for which I am less certain. You have to be more specific.

 

[Cycel]

Many of the relevant quotes from Solzhenitsyn are more overtly theistic than Christian but Solzenhitsyn did affirm the Russian Orthodox Church at points in his later life....

Quotes attributed in: Solzhenitsyn by Joseph Pearce (Kindle edition)

“Over half a century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: ‘Men have forgotten God' (Kindle Locations 4251-5253). [From speech with title: Godlessness: The first step to the Gulag]

This remark might be interpreted to mean these men he listened to were Christian. I couldn't find any quotes by him showing that he had formerly been an atheist.

Solzhenitsyn had grown up in atheistic Russia. He conversion experience is associated with near-death experience....

That he grew up in an atheistic country is not evidence he was ever an atheist. Many held quietly to their religious beliefs.

I tried to locate information on his near death experience that you reported, but found nothing.

 

[mustaphadrink]

I am an atheist and I can assure everyone that there is such a thing as me.

So you say but where is your evidence. Saying you are an atheist is not evidence the same as me saying I am a unicorn is not evidence.

 

[mustaphadrink]

Lol no, an atheist is someone who doesn't believe in a higher power. That's it! Nothing about idols or themselves etc. i don't understand the constant need for people to change or add to the definition of the word.

That is because atheists in general do not want to accept the truth so they have to manufacture it to suit their ideology. As for your first comment, Dawkins said he knows God exists but he doesn't want to acknowledge the fact so he is an agnostic, not an atheist.

 

[Tintin]

So you say but where is your evidence. Saying you are an atheist is not evidence the same as me saying I am a unicorn is not evidence.

Haha! Don't forget the Flying Spaghetti Monster or other atheistic silliness!

 

[mustaphadrink]

Those are all natural events that occur everyday. A miracle would be a man with one leg waking up in the morning with two legs, or conjoined twins waking up in the morning as two separate individuals, or a person with Downs Syndrome waking in the morning with their DNA returned to normal. Those would be true miracles, but such things never happen.

I assume from this claim that you have documented every miracle that has ever happened. if you haven't then you are a liar.

 

[mustaphadrink]

Syncretism?

If you accept that all humans were wiped out in the Flood then Noah and his three sons, and their wives, are the ancestors of all living humans: Africans, Chinese, Native Americans, etc. These races had to evolve from only eight individuals. Whether or not you believe in evolution you have to accept evolution to explain the diversity of humans on Earth. I don't see where syncretism comes into play.

That is where atheists go wrong in their evangelical zeal to push evolution. Eight people came out of the ark. Note people. Today we have 7 billion people of varying races. But the fact is that eight people produced 7 billion people. Not monkeys Robots, thingamyjigs or any thing else so the net product was not evolution as people were still people.

 

[Cycel]

As for your first comment, Dawkins said he knows God exists but he doesn't want to acknowledge the fact so he is an agnostic, not an atheist.

Dawkins never said he knows God exists. He said he is 99.9999% certain God does not exist. Dawkins specifically said he is an atheist -- read The God Delusion. He spells it all out there.

 

[mustaphadrink]

Can you prove they are not?

Well let's see: two magical trees, a talking snake, expulsion from paradise, fanciful creatures guarding the entry back, and an explanation for why snakes have no legs, and why childbirth is painful, and so on. It has all the earmarks of a myth; and like the myth of Pandora's Box it is a woman who is mainly at fault.

Thankyou for confirming that you can't prove that Adam and Eve are a myth. What you gave was your OPINION, which is not evidence.

 

[mustaphadrink]

Dawkins never said he knows God exists. He said he is 99.9999% certain God does not exist. Dawkins specifically said he is an atheist -- read The God Delusion. He spells it all out there.

Yes he did on Q & A and that was a live TV broadcast so it could not be edited or altered in any way and there was an audience of a few hundred who heard him say it.

 

[kennethcadwell]

Dawkins Admits He Cannot Prove God Does Not Exist

Go here for a quick read on Dawkins when he admitted he could not prove God did not exist.

 

[mustaphadrink]

By the firmly established theory of evolution. Any claims evolution is wrong are simply based on a poor understanding of the evidence.

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Any claims that evolution is right are simply based on a lack of understanding of the evidence, or should I say non evidence.

It seems those who defend evolution are ignorant of the most basic facts and that is why no atheist here has as yet answered my most basis questions about the topic. I could post more that I know you can't answer because you can't handle the truth but I don't want to embarrass you any more than I have.

 

[Cycel]

Those are all natural events that occur everyday. A miracle would be a man with one leg waking up in the morning with two legs, or conjoined twins waking up in the morning as two separate individuals, or a person with Downs Syndrome waking in the morning with their DNA returned to normal. Those would be true miracles, but such things never happen.

I assume from this claim that you have documented every miracle that has ever happened. if you haven't then you are a liar.

Exactly what claim do you imagine I made that you would accuse me of being a liar? I simply said that "a man with one leg waking up in the morning with two legs, or conjoined twins waking up in the morning as two separate individuals, or a person with Downs Syndrome waking in the morning with their DNA returned to normal" would be examples of true miracles. Is that a lie? No, it is not. Next I stated that events such as these three mentioned true miracles never happen. Is that a lie? No, it is not. I have never heard of any of these three things happening, but if you think they have then I would like to see the evidence.

Mustaphadrink, me thinks you tend to get carried away with hyperbole.

 

[mustaphadrink]

Haha! Don't forget the Flying Spaghetti Monster or other atheistic silliness!

Yes, definitely another one of their "gotcha" remarks from their sacred book of red herrings.

 

[Percepi]

Dawkins Admits He Cannot Prove God Does Not Exist

Go here for a quick read on Dawkins when he admitted he could not prove God did not exist.

Have you ever wondered why an atheist would say something like this? Maybe you should understand why he says he can't disprove God before you automatically claim victory.

Dawkins, as well as many other atheists, admit that it's impossible to disprove the existence of God. I mean, if you claim a being exists, is not visible to humans, and is omnipotent, then how could you possibly disprove such an entity?

The fact you believe you stumped atheists by quoting Dawkins just shows us that you lack an understanding of how evidence works, and who the burden of proof falls on.

There are a near infinite number of things we can't disprove. That doesn't mean those things are real. This is why we don't waste our time deeming something as true until proven otherwise. We only focus on that which is provable.

Dawkins would also likely claim it's impossible to disprove the existence of Vishnu, Ra, as well as Yahweh. He might also argue it's impossible to disprove the existence of an invisible space elephant floating around Neptune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KayBys8gaJY

 

[Cycel]

Dawkins Admits He Cannot Prove God Does Not Exist

Go here for a quick read on Dawkins when he admitted he could not prove God did not exist.

I don't need to read it, but thanks for the offer. I've heard Dawkins say on a number of occasions that he cannot disprove the existence of God. His statement is based on the philosophical principle that it is impossible to prove a negative, which is why he says he is only 99.9999% sure God does not exist. Dawkins writes in The God Delusion that it is unreasonable for any person to say they can be 100% certain of the claim that God does not exist. Most atheists would agree.

 

[Cycel]

Dawkins would also likely claim it's impossible to disprove the existence of Vishnu, Ra, as well as Yahweh. He might also argue it's impossible to disprove the existence of an invisible space elephant floating around Neptune.

That would be the Flying Spaghetti Monster.