Religion The Day before

[Wahooti Fandango]

By Jove I think we have it.

He doesn't have to label himself anything. He is what we would call an atheist because that is what atheist means.

Note *it does not mean someone who has no knowlegdge of god - someone who has no belief in god. Someone who has no knowledge will obviously have no belief and so will count but that is not a requirement.

Glad we sorted that out. However, I would argue that if one has any knowledge of God/Gods then they must also have some belief in/about God. Thus, the only atheists, going by your definition, are those with no concept of God/Gods. Yet, it remains that they are only atheists because those with knowledge of God/Gods, and some sort of related beliefs, label them so.

 

[skipper kelly]

the guy on the island was merely an example of someone who would lack belief.

a terrible example which only confused the point you are trying to make.

 

[Suspense]

the guy on the island

Affectionately known as "The Last Atheist".

 

[evo]

Affectionately known as "The Last Atheist".

werd

 

[skipper kelly]

or more commonly known as "the others".

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

All non-human animals must be atheists as they have an absence of belief in God/Gods and they can do nothing about it.

 

[Niximus]

Glad we sorted that out. However, I would argue that if one has any knowledge of God/Gods then they must also have some belief in/about God. Thus, the only atheists, going by your definition, are those with no concept of God/Gods.

You can be an atheist(not believe) and a contratheist (believe that there is no).

Once more for the back of the class. Atheist is simply someone who doesn't believe in a god or gods.

Their other beliefs are irrelevant.

Yet, it remains that they are only atheists because those with knowledge of God/Gods, and some sort of related beliefs, label them so.

And that was never the point. It doesn't change my example one bit and I have never contended this.

 

[Niximus]

a terrible example which only confused the point you are trying to make.

It was a very simple example. I was very clear and explained it over and over.

 

[Niximus]

Affectionately known as "The Last Atheist".

Why would he be the last? He could be there right now. If he doesn't believe in god, he would be an atheist.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Once more for the back of the class. Atheist is simply someone who doesn't believe in a god or gods.

This means that they have no position on the existence/non-existence of God?

 

[skipper kelly]

It was a very simple example. I was very clear and explained it over and over.

Of course Nick. The boy on the island..........

Thanks for the entertainment.

 

[Niximus]

This means that they have no position on the existence/non-existence of God?

Right.

That is why I get so frustrated at the constant mis-use of the term atheist.

It does not mean someone who believes god does not exist.

 

[Niximus]

Of course Nick. The boy on the island..........

Thanks for the entertainment.

I now believe that primary school teachers aren't paid enough.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Right.

That is why I get so frustrated at the constant mis-use of the term atheist.

It does not mean someone who believes god does not exist.

Okay. What about someone who does believe in God/Gods? Do they have a position on the existence/non-existence of God?

 

[skipper kelly]

I now believe that primary school teachers aren't paid enough.

Sorry about that. In hindsight 'the boy on the island...............' is a wonderful example. You are so smart Nick.

 

[Niximus]

Okay. What about someone who does believe in God/Gods? Do they have a position on the existence/non-existence of God?

Someone who does believe in Gods/God = Theist

Someone who does not believe in Gods/God = Atheist

Someone who believes that Gods/God does not exist = Contratheist

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Someone who does believe in Gods/God = Theist

Someone who does not believe in Gods/God = Atheist

Someone who believes that Gods/God does not exist = Contratheist

What about someone who does believe that Gods/God exist? Protheist?

 

[Niximus]

Sorry about that. In hindsight 'the boy on the island...............' is a wonderful example. You are so smart Nick.

Well after repeating that Atheism is nothing more that a lack of belief in a God or Gods and no one appearing to comprehend I tried a simple example to show a person who lacks belief entirely.

I should have know from the fact that the concept of a lack of belief was too much that an example would only confuse the poor dears more.

 

[Niximus]

What about someone who does believe that Gods/God exist? Protheist?

Someone who does believe in Gods/God = Theist

How many times do you want me to repeat myself?

A protheist would be in favor of theism. (and here I know I'm going to confuse you). A protheist wouldn't even need to believe in a god or gods, they would just need to think that theism is a good idea.

 

[skipper kelly]

Well after repeating that Atheism is nothing more that a lack of belief in a God or Gods and no one appearing to comprehend I tried a simple example to show a person who lacks belief entirely.

I should have know from the fact that the concept of a lack of belief was too much that an example would only confuse the poor dears more.

I still want to meet this boy on the island.

 

[Niximus]

I still want to meet this boy on the island.

You're not his type.

 

[skipper kelly]

You're not his type.

damn

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Someone who does believe in Gods/God = Theist

How many times do you want me to repeat myself?

A protheist would be in favor of theism. (and here I know I'm going to confuse you). A protheist wouldn't even need to believe in a god or gods, they would just need to think that theism is a good idea.

Yes, but believing in God/Gods, following from our discussion of atheists and contratheists, has nothing to do with the existence/non-existence of God/Gods. Someone who believes in God/Gods, following your logic, does not have to have a position on the existence/non-existence of Gods as they are the opposite of atheists. If there are atheists and contratheists then there must be theists and ?

 

[Niximus]

Yes, but believing in God/Gods, following from our discussion of atheists and contratheists, has nothing to do with the existence/non-existence of God/Gods. Someone who believes in God/Gods, following your logic, does not have to have a position on the existence/non-existence of Gods as they are the opposite of atheists. If there are atheists and contratheists then there must be theists and ?

No, you're misunderstanding.

Believing in god/s = believing in the existence of said god/s

Theist doesn't need another prefix.

The 'The' part signals that it is in reference to god/s. The 'ist' signals that we're talking about a person who is concerned with the word before or undertakes practices or principles related to it.

so if you put them together a theist is someone who undertakes the principle of a god/s i.e. a believer.

In the same way a monarchist undertakes the principles or the monarchy.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

No, you're misunderstanding.

Believing in god/s = believing in the existence of said god/s

Theist doesn't need another prefix.

The 'The' part signals that it is in reference to god/s. The 'ist' signals that we're talking about a person who is concerned with the word before or undertakes practices or principles related to it.

so if you put them together a theist is someone who undertakes the principle of a god/s i.e. a believer.

In the same way a monarchist undertakes the principles or the monarchy.

I understand now.