this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2024

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-11

My problem with atheism (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 months ago by platypus_plumba@lemmy.world to c/atheism@lemmy.world

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First of all, I have more in common with atheists than religious people, so my intention isn't to come here and attack, I just want to hear your opinions. Maybe I'm wrong, I'd like to hear from you if I am. I'm just expressing here my perception of the movement and not actually what I consider to be facts.

My issue with atheism is that I think it establishes the lack of a God or gods as the truth. I do agree that the concept of a God is hard to believe logically, specially with all the incoherent arguments that religions have had in the past. But saying that there's no god with certainty is something I'm just not comfortable with. Science has taught us that being wrong is part of the process of progress. We're constantly learning things we didn't know about, confirming theories that seemed insane in their time. I feel like being open to the possibilities is a healthier mindset, as we barely understand reality.

In general, atheism feels too close minded, too attached to the current facts, which will probably be obsolete in a few centuries. I do agree with logical and rational thinking, but part of that is accepting how little we really know about reality, how what we considered truth in the past was wrong or more complex than we expected

I usually don't believe there is a god when the argument comes from religious people, because they have no evidence, but they could be right by chance.

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[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yes, because I don’t know then I don’t have a belief.

If you don't have a belief, you lack belief. Because belief and non-belief are a binary and there is no third option no matter how many times you claim knowing something is belief.

You can keep talking about understanding things, but understanding things is also not belief. You also keep talking about rational thought, but rationality is not belief.

So, again-

Knowledge is not belief.
Understanding is not belief.
Rationality is not belief.

[–] platypus_plumba@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think I already said this before. If by "not believing" you mean "lack of belief", we're on the same page. I think lack of belief is the right approach to unknown subjects.

Give yourself the luxury of believing things only when you actually know about the subject. That means chances your belief is right are decent. Otherwise, don't shape your life based on a guess.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I do not mean that.

That is what atheism means.

Otherwise, don’t shape your life based on a guess.

Please give an example of an atheist who shapes their life on atheism. I have never met one. I certainly don't.

[–] platypus_plumba@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Pretty sure there are plenty of atheists that are constantly on the lookout to attack people who they don't agree with. Anyways, shaping your life is not just about what you do but also about the way you think. Someone who believes God doesn't exist because there's no evidence, probably has other beliefs about things they don't really understand. Letting go of those ideas that seem logical but have no basis helps lower the ego. Letting go and accepting ignorance feels much better than forming opinions without knowledge.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If you're pretty sure, you can give an example. Otherwise, you're just making one of those wild guesses you don't like.

[–] platypus_plumba@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I have experienced them, pretty sure you have too. It's something common and it isn't the type of guess I refer to. We have knowledge and experience about people behaving that way towards others. It's based on knowledge.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Have you experienced them or is this just your idea of what these people value most in their lives and consider the primary part of their identity based on internet discussions with complete strangers?