Quote:
Originally Posted by Claeren
Except when there is a difference in opinion between atheists it is simply a difference of opinion.
When there is a difference in opinion between the strictly religious only one (at most) can be speaking the word of god while the other must then be wrong and be no longer in alignment with gods word. More importantly, in a heirarchy based church like the catholic church the central authority is right and you are wrong. There is no bending on that. Only in places like Canada, as I have said that are desperate to not collapse, have people in the catholic church wrongly been given the impression they can think for themselves and still be catholic. This has become an issue inside the catholic church itself btw, where the Vatican is looking to change this grey area.
More importantly though, that definition is based on a momentary labeling of a person. It says nothing of the larger subset of self rationalization inherient within that person. In short, yes, an atheist does not believe in god. What it leaves out is that if you had well grounded proof based on sound scientific theory then that atheist would then open themselves to that belief, because it is no longer 'belief, it is now fact.
The wiki does a much better job in its definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism
Claeren. |
Yep, well said. Like I said, I don't disagree with you. Its much more complicated than those definitions, which is why I originally said "strict definition." When it comes to Mankind's attempt to understand the surrounding universe, any definition of belief can become incomplete and simplistic.
Of course, South Park made an interesting allegory with an atheistic future, and having the sides have their own war based on small details, much like the religious ones.
Yes, its South Park, but it brings up an interesting question about human nature. When does an opinion become faith, and when does faith become a religion, and when does a religion become a rally point for war?