Keith

I've gotten the impression from discussions with numerous atheists that the whole point of atheism is just to deny that any gods exist, rather than attempt some kind of systematic explanation of reality in some profound way.

As I see it, if no gods exist, then what an individual believes about the existence of gods is irrelevant; each person's beliefs are dictated by his/her own brain chemistry. IOW, if no gods exist, then we can't help it whether we believe in a god or not. Like other physical features that we're born with, brain chemistry is largely (or entirely) due to chance processes. The whole issue of god can only have relevance if some kind of god exists.

Am I right?

Keith

Aquila ka Hecate

HI Keith, and welcome!


I'm no expert, but I don't think so, going by my own case and extrapolating from other 'deconversion' stories.

I think that we can indeed 'help it', but that we are certainly not encouraged to. Relgious beleifs seem to be accepted in most societies, considered the norm, and questioning those beleifs not a highly-thought-of activity.

Every signal we're given seems to indicate that this is an area where we would be foolish, unwise, or downright stupid to use our own brains.

Speaking as a deconvert from wicca, I can say that the amazement I felt on being helped and encouraged to look these matters squarely in the face was huge-and I was brought up us a scientist, for crying out loud!
I don't feel that my theism was anything intrinsic to my humanity at all-rather a by product of the society I was born into, plus a good dose of intellectual laziness which was never previously challenged.

To my satisfaction, I now understand why atheism is referred to as the default position-I truly think that it is.

Autonemesis

Not really. Close, but not really. "Atheist" is an adjective that covers a broad category that includes any system of thought or belief about reality that doesn't appeal to a diety concept. Any branch of science you care to name would be atheist, but that doesn't diminish its explanatory power. Since discarding magical modes of rationalization in favor of naturalist frameworks, the sciences have only magnified the power of the methods that have been devised, and the profoundness of the explanations that have been uncovered.

Then of course there is a whole bunch of nonsense like Scientology that is atheist. There are also ways of living such as Confucianism that seem religious, or take the role of religion in a society, but are atheist. Atheist doesn't really tell you anything about what anyone believes, but only what they don't.

Neilium

That's a broad generalization. I certainly don't see my mission in life as putting down other people's deities. As far as systematic explanations of reality, just hit the philosophy section of your local book rack. There can be profundity without God.

Atheists are a lot like people of faith in that regard: you have some who take on the intellectual rigors of truly exploring the nature and meaning of their beliefs and knowledge, others who take someone else's word for it rather than crack a book, and still others who'd rather watch TV and just barely care.

You could be on to something. Scientists have apparently been able to trigger religious experiences by electrically stimulating parts of the brain. I'll see if I can find a link.

The issue still has a lot of relevance if there's no God at all. Linked to belief or nonbelief of God is a laundry list of questions regarding the nature of existence, knowledge and morality going back for thousands of years. Not just in the college lecture hall, either. This brawl has spilled its way into the streets and into our courts and capitals.

Anyway, enjoyed your post. Best to you and yours.
-neil(ium)

Keith

Why should atheism be the default position?

Keith

Keith

But does atheism itself somehow help to explain reality, or is it just the denial of dieties?

Keith

Viti

Atheism is a not a philosophy, lifestyle, or belief system so doesn't explain anything. Being an atheist simply means you don't believe in any deities. It is the default position because belief is learned/taught...babies don't believe in any god, and won't believe if they are never told about the concept.

Keith

How can you know that babies won't believe in deities unless they are taught about it? Theism seems to have permeated nearly every civilization throughout the world. It seems to be the most natural way for humans to be. If a default position should exist for humans, it would most naturally be theism.

Keith

Viti

Thats because most civilizations teach their children about their culture's religion. If theism was the natural state of things, there wouldn't be so many different religions and belief systems. Babies have no god belief...God was never mentioned in my home, and I only heard the word via friends and other kids at school. I had no idea what they were talking about and it sounded like a story to me,

Philosoft

Do babies believe in anything specific they're not taught to believe in? Actually, I'll grant you that a belief in a cosmic connectedness, deism perhaps, seems like a plausible self-generator based on what I know about cognition. But anything even remotely similar to a complex theology like Christianity self-generating is dubious, at best.