Atheism and being Armenian

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Say your hair was on fire but I stated your hair was not on fire. If you quickly patted down the flame and deprived it of oxygen, your hair would not be on fire.... but it was on fire at one point. Would there be evidence of your hair being on fire 10 years from now?

Yep, my scarred skin. You start these hypotheticals and then don't connect them with the argument you're trying to support with them.
It is not out of the realm of science. If you make claims about the natural world, that is in the realm of science. If you want to say God exists, but he does not interact with the world in any way, then you're out that realm. Is that what you believe? Or do you believe in a god that influences the world, answers prayers, performs miracles, etc?

Not being able to observe something directly doesn't mean we can't observe evidence of its existence. E.g. black holes, dark matter, neutrinos, etc.

[Yeznik]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Colloquial usage of the word doesn't negate it's definition in the context of religious belief.

If that is the case then Atheism can also be defined as a Faith and a Religion.


See how this turned into attack the atheists? Notice none of the atheists came out to convince anyone.
We simply described our experience as atheists in the Armenian community -- answering the question in the original post.
We overwhelmingly leave believers be, but the second someone hears you're an atheist they demand that you defend your lack of belief. That's what it's like.

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

If that is the case then Atheism can also be defined as a Faith and a Religion.

Support that position.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Yep, my scarred skin. You start these hypotheticals and then don't connect them with the argument you're trying to support with them.
It is not out of the realm of science. If you make claims about the natural world, that is in the realm of science. If you want to say God exists, but he does not interact with the world in any way, then you're out that realm. Is that what you believe? Or do you believe in a god that influences the world, answers prayers, performs miracles, etc?

Not being able to observe something directly doesn't mean we can't observe evidence of its existence. E.g. black holes, dark matter, neutrinos, etc.

Your skin wasn't scarred, only your hair was singed. Don't worry, it will renew itself.

Why do you as a scientist feel the existence or non existence of a non-provable entity somehow affects your work (I really find this strange among the science community since this is a rather new development)

My beliefs are not for discussion but I can tell you I don't believe in a personal deity. The world is influenced by our own action or inaction.

[Yeznik]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Support that position.

Sure,

From the definition that you used -

Faith
1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction;especially : a system of religious beliefs <the Protestant faith>

Religion

a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2
: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3
archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4
: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
— re·li·gion·less adjective

[gkv]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

according to CS Lewis, a lunatic cannot put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Sure,

From the definition that you used -

Faith
1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction ;especially : a system of religious beliefs <the Protestant faith>

Religion

a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2
: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3
archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4
: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
— re·li·gion·less adjective

You're missing the most important part of your argument... Explain how that supports your argument.
How does that make not subscribing to a religion a religion and faith-based?

[Yeznik]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

You're missing the most important part of your argument... Explain how that supports your argument.
How does that make not subscribing to a religion a religion and faith-based?

Atheism is "something that is believed especially with strong conviction" it is a faith based initiative which can constitute a religion based on - a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices - . Meaning there is no proof for Atheism one must believe to be an Atheist based on a certain religious or individual convictions.

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Atheism is "something that is believed especially with strong conviction" it is a faith based initiative which can constitute a religion based on - a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices - . Meaning there is no proof for Atheism one must believe to be an Atheist based on a certain religious or individual convictions.

I see. Do you believe Zeus exists? Would you say your lack of belief in Zeus is a strong conviction? Does that seem to you to meet the definition of religion?
Going to guess probably not. You don't believe in any other gods than your Christian god right? Atheists are not different than you. It's the exact same for them, except they go just one god further. That's it. I don't wake up in the morning or go to bed at night thinking "god doesn't exist." It doesn't come up at all in my day to day life or thoughts. I live as you would in regards to some obscure religion. You don't think about it!

[Yeznik]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

I see. Do you believe Zeus exists? Would you say your lack of belief in Zeus is a strong conviction? Does that seem to you to meet the definition of religion?
Going to guess probably not. You don't believe in any other gods than your Christian god right? Atheists are not different than you. It's the exact same for them, except they go just one god further. That's it. I don't wake up in the morning or go to bed at night thinking "god doesn't exist." It doesn't come up at all in my day to day life or thoughts. I live as you would in regards to some obscure religion. You don't think about it!

I believe that at one time there was a religion that followed Zeus. I don't believe Zeus exists because there is not credible historical reference of him ever existing. I believe in the Christian God. Atheists and I might agree about Zeus and other gods but it is up to Atheism to provide proof for the next "No God" belief.

Let me explain how and why Atheism is a religion. For example Zen Buddhism is atheistic, meaning they don't believe in God, but categorically Zen Buddhism is a religion.