I have a friend who recently had a health scare, which has led to some soul searching. My friend is an atheist and we have had many chats about religion in the past. Btw, she is probably older than anyone here with -- the possible exception of byu71 -- and has probably been an atheist longer than anyone here.
Anyway, she said something the other day about what she called the "new atheism." She said that "It doesn't seem quite so admirable to me now, merely aggressive, arrogant, self-satisfied."
In our many conversations about religion she has defined atheism as a lack of belief in god(s) and nothing more. Nothing is required to lack a belief in something. It is neither positive or negative.
Belief that there is no god = negative
lacking belief in god = neutral
belief in god = positive.
However, some folks who lack belief in god(s), have very strong opinions about theistic religion, which confuses some people into thinking that they have a belief that there is no god(s). At least some atheists also appear to be "aggressive, arrogant, and self-satisfied."
I respect the right of all people to believe or not believe as they wish.
Anyway, she said something the other day about what she called the "new atheism." She said that "It doesn't seem quite so admirable to me now, merely aggressive, arrogant, self-satisfied."
In our many conversations about religion she has defined atheism as a lack of belief in god(s) and nothing more. Nothing is required to lack a belief in something. It is neither positive or negative.
Belief that there is no god = negative
lacking belief in god = neutral
belief in god = positive.
However, some folks who lack belief in god(s), have very strong opinions about theistic religion, which confuses some people into thinking that they have a belief that there is no god(s). At least some atheists also appear to be "aggressive, arrogant, and self-satisfied."
I respect the right of all people to believe or not believe as they wish.
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