While we cannot absolutely disprove the existence of Unicorns, Gnomes, Mermaids, Zeus, Aphrodite, Santa, The Tooth Fairy, The Boogey Man, etc. and must remain technically Agnostic about them, it is okay to proclaim oneself an Atheist when discussing such things. Most people do so easily. Thus, it is intellectually okay to proclaim one’s Atheism when it comes to any of the popular supernatural beliefs of today. Just do it.
Proclaiming one’s Atheism is a statement about the importance of evidence in your thinking. We should not appease those who believe in the supernatural by being wishy-washy and identifying only as Agnostic if we would easily identify as Atheists about Mermaids, Unicorns and Talking Dogs.
Would you do the same if the Supernatural Set were to begin insisting that the world is flat based on an ancient text? Would you appease them by not insisting on evidence and reality in such matters? Would you appease them by calling yourself an Agnostic despite the overwhelming evidence?
It is irresponsible to tolerate nonsense especially in front of children. Naturalism (Atheism, Zoology, Geology, etc.) is to SuperNaturalism (Heaven, Gods, Curses, Withcraft, Hell) as the scientifically trained Medical Doctor is to the superstition based Witch Doctor. In both sets, one is easily and obviously discredited by the truthfulness (or lack thereof) of the information it gives us about reality. They ought not ever be equated.
God Beings are imaginary. Prayer is superstition like horseshoes or finger crossing. The Bible is repulsive, medieval, barbaric. Faith in the supernatural is bizarre and indefensible. An Afterlife is nothing more than wishful thinking. Sorry.
The Universe, just as we know it with our senses and with our technology, is more than enough for me. Its infinite awesome mystery, beauty and depth easily renders feeble and puny the various mythologies of man.
17
Oct 06
Atheists Come Out! Stop Tip-Toeing Around as Agnostics
While we cannot absolutely disprove the existence of Unicorns, Gnomes, Mermaids, Zeus, Aphrodite, Santa, The Tooth Fairy, The Boogey Man, etc. and must remain technically Agnostic about them, it is okay to proclaim oneself an Atheist when discussing such things. Most people do so easily. Thus, it is intellectually okay to proclaim one’s Atheism when it comes to any of the popular supernatural beliefs of today. Just do it.
Proclaiming one’s Atheism is a statement about the importance of evidence in your thinking. We should not appease those who believe in the supernatural by being wishy-washy and identifying only as Agnostic if we would easily identify as Atheists about Mermaids, Unicorns and Talking Dogs.
Would you do the same if the Supernatural Set were to begin insisting that the world is flat based on an ancient text? Would you appease them by not insisting on evidence and reality in such matters? Would you appease them by calling yourself an Agnostic despite the overwhelming evidence?
It is irresponsible to tolerate nonsense especially in front of children. Naturalism (Atheism, Zoology, Geology, etc.) is to SuperNaturalism (Heaven, Gods, Curses, Withcraft, Hell) as the scientifically trained Medical Doctor is to the superstition based Witch Doctor. In both sets, one is easily and obviously discredited by the truthfulness (or lack thereof) of the information it gives us about reality. They ought not ever be equated.
God Beings are imaginary. Prayer is superstition like horseshoes or finger crossing. The Bible is repulsive, medieval, barbaric. Faith in the supernatural is bizarre and indefensible. An Afterlife is nothing more than wishful thinking. Sorry.
The Universe, just as we know it with our senses and with our technology, is more than enough for me. Its infinite awesome mystery, beauty and depth easily renders feeble and puny the various mythologies of man.
(Written in response to “Atheist groups are on the rise” from The Sun-Sentinel of South Florida.)