[extropy-chat] Atheism in Decline

[Joseph Bloch]

Dirk Bruere wrote:

> kevinfreels.com wrote:
>
>> I have always thought that transhumanism should embrace its religious 
>> aspect
>> rather than distancing itself from it. 
>>
> It does as far as I'm concerned.
> I fall into the 'TechnoPagan' category.


You fall into the "let me make up my own religion to match my own 
preferences" category. Somewhat different, and I will allow, not 
inconsistent with Transhumanism in an of itself. The thurs is in the 
details.

You're an atheist by most definitions, even if you eschew the label. You 
don't believe in the objective existence of god(s). From what you've 
said before, they're archetypes; mental constructs. They have no 
existence outside your mind. The grain does not grow because some being 
named FreyR commands it so, and the world will not end in fire because 
some giant named SurtR will incinerate us all with his flaming sword.

>> work with their irrational minds rather than against them Religion is a
>> powerful force and if we could tap into it properly, we could save 
>> the human
>> race.....Kind of reminds me of Dune now that I think of it. Who will 
>> play
>> the part of Leto II and set us on the Golden Path?
>>
>>  
>>
> If most people are indeed geneticlly inclined to be "spiritual", we 
> should
> "Hey, we're going to patronise you loons because you seem to be an 
> unpleasant, powerful and growing majority"


Not growing; the numbers of theists and non-theists seem to be fairly 
constant over the long term. Church attendance goes down with the years, 
to be sure. But that's not necessarily the same as genuine belief.

Most people are indeed genetically inclined to be spiritual. More and 
more studies are confirming that. But just because it happens to be an 
evolutionary advantage doesn't make it objectively true.


>
>>
>>
>> I know that religion is contrary to rational thinking, but I don't think
>>  
>>
> Bollocks.


Theistic religion is indeed contrary to rational thinking, because there 
is no rational justification for a belief in god(s). Theistic religion 
is irrational by definition. It may be emotionally satisfying, and it 
may "feel" right (no difference between the two, as far as I can tell), 
but it is fundamentally irrational.

Joseph

Enhance your body "beyond well" and your mind "beyond normal":
http://www.humanenhancement.com

New Jersey Transhumanist Association:
http://www.goldenfuture.net/njta