Today is National Ask an Atheist Day
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Maybe you haven't met many atheists? Atheism is not a genetic trait you know.
If I meet someone and they tell me they're an atheist I have to assume they're an atheist. Those that have told me they're atheists have little to no sense of humor.
What I meant was, atheists come in all shapes and forms, just like anyone else. Maybe it has to do with you as well? You're about the opposite of an atheist, so maybe that makes it hard to get along with them.
AtheistPreacher
Well-Known Member
Really? I've met lots of funny atheists. In fact, I'm taking a class this semester with Dr. Phil Zuckerman on "Atheism and Secularity," and he's friggin' hilarious.
As for me, I wouldn't call myself an atheist, but I have definite leanings that way. I certainly don't believe in the traditional Christian notion of an omnipotent, interventionalist God. I'm more sure of process thought in general than I am about God -- and process can actually work without God (for instance, Bob Mesle is a process naturalist).
Have your views evolved in the past year? I remember you were a sort of pandeist? Our main disagreement was over whether an atheistic universe is the paradigm with the fewest assumptions.
Only if agnostic is the opposite of atheist.
I thought you were a conservative Christian?
AtheistPreacher
Well-Known Member
Eh, broad strokes are basically the same. Mostly I've been diving into other areas to broaden my perspective and add some new ideas/concepts to me repertoire, making connections to other philosophical and religious fields.
For instance, I've been digging into postmodernism and post-structuralism despite being a little intimidated. I really like Judith Butler's notion of identity as "performance." I also like Derrida's différance. There are some definite parallels between these concepts and Whitehead's notion of creativity. Then there's Deleuze -- but honestly, I really don't understand that guy half the time. I have a feeling if I did I might like him.
I've also been diving in more to the dharma traditions. Most recently I've been investigating the Jain principle of anekāntavāda, which is a fairly robust way of understanding religious pluralism. I've also continued my study of the Buddhist notions of śūnyatā, anattā, and pratītyasamutpāda. This last concept again fits with Whitehead's theories on relativity, and the former two interest me because they concern personal identity, which is what I'll be writing my dissertation on.
But yeah, as to what we were talking about a year ago, my position is pretty much the same. I still think it makes more sense to assume that some elementary form of consciousness or life is latent in all creation (everything, including atom or even electrons, has some level of indeterminacy/freedom/creativity), rather than that there is some kind of rigid dividing line between the living and non-living.
Nope. I tend to agree with them on many issues so may come across that way, but it has nothing to do with their religious beliefs or my lack thereof.
I bet many (not me) would say that they never met a Mormon that fits that bill either.
scootsy
Well-Known Member
maybe you have nothing to live for. You obviously don't choke out the rhino and elephant... But if you get on their back you have a serious advantage. I'd tear the outer layers of flesh with my teeth and then claw in their neck as deep as I could, then ride it out til they bleed out. The cougar is literally 50/50. You just have to get a wrap on it. Legs around the waist arms around the neck. His hind legs claw the backs of my legs, but my important arteries are protected by my tight grip with my legs. Same with arms. All wounds after latching on will be deep flesh wounds, but survivable.
Trust me, I've read plenty of atheists that share your sense of humor. However, not all senses of humor translate well over the internet.
Hartsock
Banned
Hugh Hefner, Norm Mcdonald, Jack Nicholson, Joaquin Phoenix, Howard Stern ,Frank Zappa, John Malkovich, Gene Wilder, Artie Lange, Patton Oswalt, Ray Romano, Joe Rogan, Richard Branson, Mark Twain, William Shatner ......... All Athiests who are either funny, or are worthy of a night of hanging out.