RE: [asa] Re: good atheists?

Susan said:
"I disagree that atheism instigates ANYTHING other than the wearing of humorous t-shirts."

I say...

An atheist could reason this:
"Since there is no god or future reward/punishment in the hereafter, I can do what I want to get what I want, regardless if others call that evil or selfish."

That would be reasonable. It would also be selfish, mean, immature, etc.

So my point is an immature atheist could be a ruthless dictator. But an atheist could also be educated and mature, which results in reasoning on a higher plane.

It is just like a Christian belief could make a war-monger out of someone (like a Christian Zionist, like Pastor John Hagee and his CUFI group) because they think Israel was God's gift to the Jews, so the Jews have the right to be inhumane to whoever else wants the land or opposes them, with no limits or regard to fairness. But probably most Christians are more mature than that and would suggest a just mediation.

And I do consider atheism as a 'worldview' because it directly impacts how one 'views the world.'

...Bernie

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Cogan, Susan L.
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 12:58 PM
To: ASA LIST
Subject: Re: [asa] Re: good atheists?

>> I'm not aware of atheist celebrities doing good works based on their
>> worldview.

That's because atheism isn't really a worldview. There are plenty of
secular, possibly atheist, philanthropists (Bill Gates, Warren Buffett,
George Soros, etc) Goodwill was founded by an atheist. But nobody does good
works *because* they are an atheist. Nobody develops an urge to be
benevolent because they don't believe in Santa Claus. They develop an urge
to be benevolent from a love of mankind. You don't have to believe in gods
to feel compassion.

>>> Dr. Campbell said:
>>> "The atheism meme seems to overlap with a lot of human sacrifice, too,
>>> though in the form of guillotines, genocide, gulags, etc. rather than
>>> on a physical altar."
>>> I think it is a shame to blame genocide on atheism just as it is to blame
>>> the Crusades on Christianity. Both atheism and Christianity have been used
>>> to instigate evil, but they have also both been used to instigate good.

I disagree that atheism instigates ANYTHING other than the wearing of
humorous t-shirts. Sounds like Dr. Campbell needs to look up "iron maiden"
and "auto de fe."

Susan
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Received on Tue Sep 8 14:48:54 2009