Faithless Atheism

[naomi24]

Twice in recent days there have been posts relating to the erroneous concept that Atheism is a faith. Can someone please tell me what atheists are presumed to have faith in?

[woofgang]

lol naomi, talk about a contradiction

[wolf63]

Is it an oxymoron or were the people who said it morons?

[naomi24]

Well.......... the intelligent fellow ridiculed the suggestion without hesitation, but the other actually stated that atheism is a faith. Mmmm ....

[wolf63]

I find religion is like trying to understand the vastness of the universe - it gives me a headache.

My two cats are my gods and I am happy with this - most of the time.

[naomi24]

If you need a god, I suppose the cats are as good as any - in fact probably better. At least they're tangible! :o)

[DTCwordfan]

Faith in yourself perhaps......

[Teddio]

Atheism is a disbelief in the existence of God. Faith is a supernatural gift from God, as I was taught at school. Atheism is not a faith in any sense of the word. It is often seen by the faithful as an aberration to be pitied or, by some, as a cancer to be excised. Has "atheist" now replaced that once commonly used word of religious derision "heathen"?

[jomifl]

Atheism is not a disbelief in the existence of a god (or gods). it is a belief in the non-existence of a god(or gods). A much more positive approach.

[NazNomad]

"... monotheistic religion is a plagiarism of a plagiarism of a hearsay of a hearsay, of an illusion of an illusion, extending all the way back to a fabrication of a few nonevents".

[chakka35]

It isa defence, naomi. I am always bemused by the idea that some religionists think it it an attack on atheism to call it a religion! It certainly would be an insult, at least, if it were true.

The simple riposte is to ask 'Do you consider my non-belief in Santa Claus to be a faith?'

[wildwood]

wolf, google BASTET

[Huderon]

Perhaps they are thinking of G K Chesterton ? "Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act of faith to assert that our thoughts have any relation to reality at all.”

[wolf63]

wildwood - so, there! And she made moggies in her image to ensure the enslavement of human kind.

And the word itself it pretty apt - BASTet is almost what I yell at Frankie when he wakens me at silly o'clock in the morning 'coz he's bored.

[naomi24]

Chakka, I'm not sure it is a defence. I get the impression that people of religion can't imagine life without having something to cling to and to rely upon - even though that something is demonstrably unreliable. I really would like to know what those who call Atheism a faith think atheists rely on and have faith in.

DT, you almost hit the nail on the head. I wouldn't call what atheists have 'faith' though. Self-reliance would perhaps be a better description.

Huderon, I disagree with Chesterton - although I can see where he's coming from.

[DTCwordfan]

I agree; perhaps it equates to self-confidence....but then many would term self-belief as personal "faith"

[naomi24]

In a religious sense? I think not. I've heard of people treating their body as a temple, but that's ridiculous. :o)

[DTCwordfan]

thats the point - not in a religious sense but one of total self belief....to the point that others may see it as a faith......

[DTCwordfan]

"Free Dictionary" defintions.... (reference 1,2,3 and 6 - which are non-religious perspectives, though I accept 6 could have some religious angles, but not in toto)

faith (fth)
n.
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief, trust.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.

[naomi24]

Not at all. I thought you'd hit the nail on the head, but you haven't, and the road you're now going down is detracting from the question. People who say that atheism is a faith liken it to organised religion. They think The God Delusion is the atheists' bible and Richard Dawkins their priest - so having the confidence in one's own abilities to get through life without the guidance of other men is something they cannot comprehend.

Night all.

[DTCwordfan]

No I havent lost it from my first comment of "Faith in yourself"

I agree with you that folk have a misconception that aetheism is a faith as a counter-religious argument. To me, faith is more than religion and one can have 'faith' in oneself as you can have faith in another persons ideas, thoughts etc - and from a non-religious perspective. So, with respect I disagree with part of your comment, "
so having the confidence in one's own abilities to get through life without the guidance of other men is something they cannot comprehend.