Cyrylek
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2013
- Messages
- 3,467
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- Location
- Boston
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Libertarian - Right
some atheist are really just claiming to be atheist, which in truth, doesn't make them one.
Well, superficially, if someone says he does not believe in gods, we have to take his word for it. But when we say "atheism", it does suggest certain system of thought behind the declaration, doesn't it? If someone had never been exposed to the idea of gods, he does into bellieve in them, but we hardly would call him an "atheist".
When atheism is a natural outcome of skepticism, empirical approach, "scientific method", if you will - that's what I would call "real atheism". But there are also other forms. In the same Soviet Union, you were, basically, required to believe, fanatically and blindly, that there's no God - and believe in many bizarre and illogical things along the way. I wouldn't call that "atheism". I would call it a State-enforced mental disorder.