Atheism Flashcards
Background?
Background: Atheism has evolved over time, with its first known proponent being Diagoras of Melos in the 5th century BCE. Early examples of atheism can be traced to Asian religions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Taoism, which reject a creator god, though their views may not fully align with Western concepts of atheism. The term “atheism” was used in ancient Greece to mean “godless” or disrespectful to local gods. During the Renaissance and Reformation, atheism was seen as an insult, implying a lack of moral restraint.
In the 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment and the French Revolution contributed to challenging belief in God by emphasizing reason, scientific methods, and criticizing religious institutions. By the 1770s, atheism was seen more as simply the denial of God’s existence. The last person jailed for atheism in the UK was in 1842.
In the 20th century, atheism became more active, with state atheism emerging in the Soviet Union and communist China. Improved global communication made religious contradictions more evident, and atheism increasingly focused on questioning the truth of religious claims. The rise of “New Atheism” in the 21st century, led by figures like Hitchens and Dawkins, views religion as a threat to human survival and individual freedom.
Types of atheism ?
Negative/weak atheism
Positive/strong atheism
Negative/weak atheism?
Negative/Weak Atheism: This form of atheism involves not asserting that God does not exist, but rather simply lacking belief in deities. The burden of proof is on the theist, who asserts God’s existence, while the atheist does not claim with certainty that no deities exist.
Positive/strong atheism?
Positive/Strong Atheism: Positive atheists assert that they know God does not exist, similar to how the theist asserts God’s existence. Both the atheist and the theist must provide reasons to defend their beliefs.
Protest atheism?
This is a revolt against God on moral grounds because it is the idea that even if God did exist, he is not worthy of worship
New atheism/antitheism
This is a hostile reaction to theism that believes that religion is a threat to the human race.
Agnosticism
Agnosticism refers to the suspension of belief regarding the existence of God, suggesting that knowledge of God’s existence is unknowable. Coined by Thomas Huxley in 1869, it stands between atheism and theism, focusing on the question of whether knowledge of God is attainable rather than belief in God itself. Huxley emphasized the uncertainty and unsolvability of the problem of existence.
Strong Agnosticism?
Strong Agnosticism: This view asserts that it is impossible to know whether God exists, claiming that knowledge is limited and ultimate reasons for existence are beyond human comprehension. It argues that not only is evidence lacking, but it is fundamentally impossible to obtain.
Weak agnosticism?
Weak Agnosticism: This view holds that the existence of God is currently unknown but not necessarily unknowable. It suggests that evidence may be lacking now but could be found in the future. Agnostics with this view withhold judgment until more evidence emerges. Some, like Russell, state there’s no conclusive argument against God’s existence, while others, like Dawkins, draw comparisons to other unknowns. In recent years, agnosticism has come to reflect the idea of equally probable chances for God’s existence or nonexistence, often aligning with postmodern rejection of absolute certainties.
New Atheism?
New Atheism: Emerging after the 9/11 attacks, new atheism views religion, particularly Islam, as a major cause of violence. The movement gained momentum with works like Sam Harris’ The End of Faith (2004), Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion (2006), and Daniel Dennett’s Breaking the Spell. These writers, called the “four horsemen of the non-apocalypse,” strongly criticized religion, portraying it as dangerous and deluded. Unlike earlier atheists, new atheists are anti-theists, expressing hostility and anger towards religion, focusing more on opposing religion than offering alternative beliefs.
Religion is non-thinking?
Religion is Non-Thinking: New atheism emphasizes rationality, viewing religious belief as irrational. Dawkins argues that faith, by definition, lacks evidence and is an intellectually irresponsible “cop-out” to avoid critical thinking. He criticizes religious people for blindly accepting their faith without evidence, comparing belief in God to believing in Santa Claus or the tooth fairy. Dawkins also claims that children are indoctrinated into faith before they can think for themselves.
Religion and danger?
Religion and Danger: New atheism argues that religion is not only irrational but also dangerous, fostering extremism. Dawkins claims that even moderate religion creates an environment where extremism can thrive, citing the 9/11 attacks as an example. He suggests that the belief in paradise motivated the terrorists. While acknowledging that atheists have committed atrocities, Dawkins points out that these were not driven by atheistic beliefs. Hitchens echoes this, arguing that religion is harmful, with Voltaire adding that those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
Religion is infantile?
Religion as Infantile: New atheists argue that religious views of the universe are childish and inadequate, contrasting them with the expansive and inspiring vision offered by science. Dawkins criticizes religion for presenting a limited, medieval view of the universe, while science provides a more beautiful and awe-inspiring understanding. New atheism asserts that God is unnecessary as an explanation for the universe, as His complexity would require its own explanation.
Impeding scientific progress?
Impeding Scientific Progress: New atheism promotes a materialistic worldview where science, based on evidence, is key to understanding the universe. Religion is seen as irrational, impeding progress by rejecting evidence and preventing the acceptance of new ideas. Dawkins argues that while science corrects itself when proven wrong, religious texts remain unchanged despite contradictions. Religion discourages critical thinking and understanding, obstructing scientific education and innovation. Dawkins and Sagan assert that religion limits our understanding of the universe, which science continually expands.
Religious responses?
Religious Responses: New atheism faces criticism for exaggerating religious views and presenting an oversimplified picture of religion. Many religious individuals are peaceful, engaged in science, and contribute positively to society, but new atheists overlook this. They focus more on attacking religion than offering a constructive alternative. Some argue that new atheism’s aggressive tone mirrors the militant aspects of religion it criticizes. There’s also a rejection of the idea that science and religion are incompatible; both can offer complementary insights. Polkinghorne and McGrath argue that science and religion can coexist, with science explaining natural processes and religion providing deeper meaning. Both fields rely on evidence and belief, which are not always fully provable.
Fundamentalism?
Fundamentalism: In response to atheist criticism, some religious groups have become more aggressive, viewing their beliefs as undermined. This has led to a rise in Christian and Islamic fundamentalism. For example, the Christian right in the USA, a coalition of Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics, seeks to influence politics and public policy on issues like abortion, stem cell research, and same-sex marriage.
