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Old 03-21-2002, 09:30 PM   #1
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Post Atheist = Evolutionist

Are atheists necessarily evolutionists? There really isn't any other way to explain the universe from an atheist's point of view (at least none that I can see). So what is an atheist to do when he finds himself doubting the Great Darwin? It's not that his theory isn't sound or without proof, but this cannot be the only other explaination besides god.

(Note: I'm relativily new to the philosophy "scene", so forgive my ignorance <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" /> )
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Old 03-21-2002, 09:32 PM   #2
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No, atheists are not necessarily "evolutionists," even though the majority of us here at II are. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in any gods. Were the theory of evolution conclusively disproven tomorrow, I would not become a theist, I'd simply have to become agnostic with regards to the origin of species.
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Old 03-21-2002, 10:01 PM   #3
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Atheists don't have to be anything. One can be both a solipsist and an atheist, atheism is simply the lack of belief in gods. However, most atheists are metaphysical naturalists (the official philosophy of the II), and metaphysical naturalists tend to be inclined to be evolutionists. However there are some notable examples, I think Hoyle was an atheist and also a militant anti-Darwinist. But Hoyle was a fruitcake.
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Old 03-21-2002, 10:20 PM   #4
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I realize that atheists are simply those that do not believe in any gods, however, what I am asking is: what other option is there besides evolution?
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Old 03-21-2002, 11:21 PM   #5
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Quote:
what other option is there besides evolution?
I am comfortable knowing that I cannot explain the universe. If everyone were honest they would admit that we only have theories. I choose to follow the theories that are based in science rather than ancient storytellers.
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Old 03-21-2002, 11:46 PM   #6
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I think Dawkins said that evolution made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist (or something to that effect).
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Old 03-22-2002, 04:04 AM   #7
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Well, let's see....Confucians are atheists, and they are not necessarily evolutionists....and many who believe in the cosmic consciousness or similar believe in some progressivist view of life.....

I think you have confused atheism and metaphysical naturalism. All metaphysical naturalists are atheists, but not all atheists are MNs.

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Old 03-22-2002, 04:34 AM   #8
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**

Atheism is not a simple lack of commitment to the notion of spiritual existence, as in 'God exists'.
This simple lack of commitment, lack of faith, failure to believe, or what you will, is the agnostic position. It is a negative, passive, non-committal position. "I don't know."

Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists. Atheism and Physicalism are inseparable; essentially indistinguishable. "I know that there is no God, because I know that measurable mass/energy and its 'epiphenomena' are the sum of all existence." This is the basic Infidels position.

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Old 03-22-2002, 05:00 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally posted by mturner:
<strong>Atheism is not a simple lack of commitment to the notion of spiritual existence, as in 'God exists'.
This simple lack of commitment, lack of faith, failure to believe, or what you will, is the agnostic position. It is a negative, passive, non-committal position. "I don't know."

Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists. Atheism and Physicalism are inseparable; essentially indistinguishable. "I know that there is no God, because I know that measurable mass/energy and its 'epiphenomena' are the sum of all existence." This is the basic Infidels position.</strong>
I'm sorry, but this is simply false. Try arguing your point with a Taoist or a Buddhist. You will quickly find that non-belief in a deity does not preclude belief in the supernatural or "spiritual existence."

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Bill Snedden
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Old 03-22-2002, 05:32 AM   #10
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Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists.

Like I said to the first poster:

I think you have confused atheism and metaphysical naturalism. All metaphysical naturalists are atheists, but not all atheists are MNs.

Michael
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