Difference between revisions of "Atheism"

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(→‎Opinion: atheist manifesto)
(→‎Opinion: discussion about the word "atheism")
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* '''2006-02-08''' [http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/200512_an_atheist_manifesto/ An Atheist Manifesto] by [[Sam Harris]]
 
* '''2006-02-08''' [http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/200512_an_atheist_manifesto/ An Atheist Manifesto] by [[Sam Harris]]
 
* [http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=library&page=sharris_26_3 The Myth of Secular Moral Chaos] by [[Sam Harris]]
 
* [http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=library&page=sharris_26_3 The Myth of Secular Moral Chaos] by [[Sam Harris]]
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===Discussion===
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* '''2007-01-02'''+: [http://www.samharris.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3882 Rationalism, not atheism]: forum discussion on the value of the term "atheism" and various alternatives
  
 
==Related Articles==
 
==Related Articles==

Revision as of 14:35, 25 January 2007

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Overview

Atheism is the belief that there is no such thing as a deity (or deities); it is the opposite of theism. Some definitions of atheism allow for the possibilities that an atheist simply has no opinion on the existence of deities, or believes the existence of deities to be something humans cannot know, but these latter usages are more often called agnosticism.

For the purposes of discussion within Issuepedia, our working definition will be that atheism is the belief that the existence of any being generally matching God's description is at best unlikely, and that there is no evidence that belief in such a being is in any way necessary. This definition encompasses both atheism and agnosticism.

Arguments and Opinions

Theists often ask atheists to defend their non-belief, which is silly; people are not normally required to explain their disbelief in things which cannot be proven either way. The only necessary response to "Why don't you believe in God?" is "Why should I?".

There are, however, some good reasons not to depend on God as an explanation for natural phenomena, whether or not God actually exists.

Links

Reference

Groups

Facts

Opinion

Discussion

Related Articles

  • Most religion supposes the existence of one or more gods (theism), and hence is diametrically opposed to atheism.
  • Atheism and religion often come into conflict, for obvious reasons.

Related Concepts