The Problem with Atheism

[Zeluvia]

Here is a post of Sam Harris's address to an "atheist" audience:

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/o...th_atheism.htm


I agree with him.

Thoughts?

[Ratnat]

I agree with him for the most part.

Although I hate labels and understand that such labels are stereotyped by others, I still feel it is important for non-theists to have a presence and voice in society.

[Zeluvia]

I agree with him for the most part.

Although I hate labels and understand that such labels are stereotyped by others, I still feel it is important for non-theists to have a presence and voice in society.

No, everyone should have a presence and voice in society, regardless of your beliefs = )

[nickcopernicus]

Here is a post of Sam Harris's address to an "atheist" audience:

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/o...th_atheism.htm


I agree with him.

Thoughts?

Nick:

I see where he is coming from. But I like the label "atheist" too much. It sounds so cool.

No actually, he does have a good point. But he also addresses many of the classical objections to atheism, including communism, Hitler, ect. By trying to drop the label of atheism, all we seem to be doing is evading. Something that I think should be avoided.

[Zeluvia]

avoid evading?

Speaking of which, you owe me a post on something.....but I forgot what....

[Griggsy]

I use naturalism/ rationalism, because I''m more than an atheists, as I find no evidence paranormalism than for supernaturalism.
As a skeptic, I apply skepticism to both whereas the great skeptic is a fideistic deist; other ones also embrace the superstition of religion, with its twin, the paranormal, is what Paul Kurtz calls " The Transcendent Temptation."

[Eudaimonist]

By trying to drop the label of atheism, all we seem to be doing is evading. Something that I think should be avoided.

I don't mind calling myself an atheist, but I would much rather be identified as a naturalist or as a eudaimonist, since that cuts much closer to the philosophical core of my identity. Atheism is really just a footnote to my worldview.

What I refuse to do is attempt to unite all atheists under one positive term, as so many atheists are keen to do. We're never all going to agree on ethics and politics.


eudaimonia,

Mark