Just for Matt (Introduction)

by dhw, Thursday, May 27, 2010, 23:08 (5293 days ago) @ George Jelliss

GEORGE (referring to an article attacking Neo-Atheism): This article is a total misrepresentation of atheism. It identifies atheism with nihilism. He says: "The battle is still between nihilism and theism. There is no third option." Absolute drivel.-It's not often that I agree with George, so let's make the most of it! One of the myths that theists constantly try to apply to atheists (and agnostics) is that they do not recognize any binding values or moral codes, because they do not believe in any universal authority. Atheists and agnostics live within human society, just as theists do, and they are just as subject not only to the laws of that society but also to its conventions and its values. There are kind-hearted, loving, generous, conscientious atheists with just as much concern for their fellow humans as theists who are kind-hearted, loving etc. Strangely enough, there are also happy atheists and agnostics ... though Pascal ("If man is not made for God, why is he happy only with God?") might have been shocked to hear it. The argument that life is meaningless without God shows complete contempt for the human and humanistic values which many of us embrace. I would, frankly, much prefer to be associated with atheists who care about their fellow humans than with theists who consider it their duty to blow up those fellow humans that don't bow down to their God. There are several battles going on ... e.g. philosophically between atheism and theism, morally between good and bad, socially between individual and society. If nihilism is involved in a battle, it's with humanism, but I'm pleased to say that I know theists and atheists alike who share the values for which humanism stands. -Sorry if the article really was "just for Matt", but I'm sure he won't mind George and me muscling in.