[extropy-chat] Atheists launch inquisition...

[Mike Lorrey]

--- Olga Bourlin <fauxever at sprynet.com> wrote:

> From: "Mike Lorrey" <mlorrey at yahoo.com>
> 
> > A person without a belief in god, but also without a belief in the
> > non-existence of god, is more properly described as an agnostic.
> 
> Mike, are you saying that *no one* can rightly be an
> a(insertanycrazyideaofyourchoice)ist?

Nope. I am asserting that in order to be an atheist, you must believe
in the non-existence of god. To simply not have faith in or knowledge
knowledge of god's existence is agnosticism.

If you believe a negative (i.e. something which is unprovable) you have
faith, ergo real atheism is a faith.

> 
> >  A belief without justification is a faith.
> 
> ... and that, therefore, anyone who professes to be an
> a(insertanycrazyideaofyourchoice)ist is a "faithful" person?

Exactly.

> 
> Does the proposal that "the burden of proof is on the person
> asserting the belief" make any sense to you?

And when the person with the belief cannot demonstrate a proof (because
proving a negative is impossible) then they are believing on faith alone.

=====
Mike Lorrey
Vice-Chair, 2nd District, Libertarian Party of NH
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
                                      -William Pitt (1759-1806) 
Blog: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Sadomikeyism


	
		
__________________________________ 
Do you Yahoo!? 
Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. 
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail