David Mathews

Hello Everyone,

I am beginning to have doubts about atheism's devotion to the concept of love and especially the universal love which is commanded by Christianity and the other great religions of the world.

What I want to know:

1. How does atheism define "Love"?

2. Does atheism command or advocate "love" among atheists?

3. Does atheism command or advocate "love" in between atheists and Christians?

4. Does atheism command or advocate "love" in a universal sense?

5. Atheism does not forbid nor even discourage hate. Yes or No? Please explain.

6. Atheism does not forbid nor even discourage prejudice and bigotry. Yes or No? Please explain.

7. Atheism has no command against violence. Yes or no?

Sincerely,

David Mathews
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/dmathew1" target="_blank">David Mathews' Home Page</a>

Ought Naught

What are you on about here?

Atheism is just a negative answer to the question, "Do you believe in gods?"

David Mathews

Hello Ought Naught,

David: If you are correct than it is obvious that atheism does not command or advocate love. A corollary conclusion is that atheism does not forbid nor discourage hate, prejudice and bigotry.

Any more comments?

Sincerely,

David Mathews

<a href="http://photos.yahoo.com/dmathew1" target="_blank">David Mathews' Photo Page</a>

Samhain

And?

What's your point?

Such are not necessary components for theism either. Advocating hate, prejudice, etc. is what religions are for.

Ought Naught

And neither does atheism command hate, prejudice and bigotry nor forbid love. So what's your point?

pug846

Ya know, I’ve been posting on these boards for over a year. I’ve made it through Eternal, Metacrock and Amos without ever really getting all that frustrated although the last two definitely gave me a run for my money. But I can’t take this anymore…David, for the love of all that is holy, repeat after me: ATHEISM IS NOT A WORLDVIEW. IT IS A POSITION ON ONE ISSUE.

Atheism does not command “love.”

Atheism does not take a position on who is the better ball player, Bonds or Mays.

Atheism does not take a position on abortion.

Atheism does not take a position on the war on terrorism.

Atheism does not take a position on morality.

Atheism does not take a position on politics.

What the hell is wrong with you that you can’t get this simple concept through your head? Christianity is a worldview. Objectivism is a worldview. Buddhism is a worldview. Theism is NOT a worldview. Atheism is NOT a worldview. The last two are simply positions on one topic.

When someone wants to know what my worldview is, I don’t say, “I’m an atheist” because I haven’t told them a whole lot about myself. Most atheists don’t have a specific name for their set of beliefs like you do with Christianity. Deal with it.


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David Mathews

Hello Samhain,

David: The point is that it is quite easy for an atheist to advocate hate, prejudice and bigotry. Atheism does not forbid such activities, atheism doesn't even discourage this sort of behavior in atheists.

I suppose it is possible and even likely that atheists could be filled with hate, prejudice and bigotry to the same degree than any religious person in this world.

I might even speculate that there are atheists on Internet Infidels who are filled with hate, prejudice and bigotry. Does anyone disagree?

Sincerely,

David Mathews

Ought Naught

Whoa, somebody is really stinking up the Philosophy forum.

Vorkosigan

The existence of such persons has yet to be demonstrated. Perhaps you can name some names?

Of course, as for those sentiments among Christians and other believers, we need merely look at history. No need to name names; the list is long, and there is no end to the violence and hatred in sight.

Vorkosigan

David Mathews

Hello Everyone,

Do any of you people seriously believe that atheism is the innocent child of the world, without any guilt of bloodshed, violence and hatred in its history?

Does atheism forbid violence?

Does atheism prevent hatred?

Please do tell me how atheism might do either of the above.

Sincerely,

David Mathews