Saturday, January 04, 2014

Questions from a Theologian


I have an interview with a theologian tomorrow. I like the guy. He is teaching a class on cross cultural understanding. His students are saying that the most typical problem they are encountering is relating to atheists. He wants to address that problem in his class. I told him that I likewise value compassion and understanding across cultures. I also made it clear that I was firmly on the side of the “new atheists” in their clear philosophical principles. He did not have a problem with that. He claimed they they also vigorously debate and confront issues. That implies that he might also be a rather liberal Christian, a bit closer to where we stand. That still can be a rather vast distance from our views. Anyhow, if he really wants answers to his questions he will likely appreciate some broader answers from our community than just what I would have to say. His questions are:

1) Why are you an atheist?

2) Would you say that you are a part of a community of like-minded people? What does belonging to this community mean for its members?

3) How are atheists different from religious individuals?

4) What are the goals of Atheism for us as human beings?

5) How do you see evidence and reason as leading to prosperity and compassion? How would you define your individual source of compassion?

6) How would you define atheism?

Responses from our community are appreciated

Don Wharton

2 comments:

Gary Berg-Cross said...

Don

You can best answer for some of these such as a def of atheism and what your community means to you, but I would offer some ideas on a few of these.

3) How are atheists different from religious individuals?
I would broaden this to the entire free thinking community, but of course a difference is that morality and other guidances for life do not come from a sacred book with promises of future life and punishment. A freethinking, secular life can be one of open inquiry and a search for answers using both scientific and rational-empirical-philosophical methods. These may lead to some similar values as others arrive at and which are in the Humanist tradition.

4) What are the goals of Atheism for us as human beings?
A good and meaningful life as discussed by the ancient Greeks.

5) How do you see evidence and reason as leading to prosperity and compassion?
Evidence and reason as employed in Science has given us better health, for example which is part of a better life. One may point to many improvements to life as part of better understanding of the natural world.


How would you define your individual source of compassion? Compassion and other human values like generosity and tolerance are a core part of this community. Take for example statements such as in the various Humanist Manifestos or statements from the Secular Council.

"Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs. They affirm that we must take responsibility for our own lives and the communities and world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation."

Explicit Atheist said...

1) Why are you an atheist?
Atheism is the best fit with the available evidence conclusion.

2) Would you say that you are a part of a community of like-minded people? What does belonging to this community mean for its members?
Yes. It means that there are other people who follow and respect empirical evidence and are non-promiscuous with their beliefs.

3) How are atheists different from religious individuals?
Atheists are more likely to recognize that intuition is not reliable, and to rely more on analytic, contemplative, effortful thought.

4) What are the goals of Atheism for us as human beings?
Atheism is a particular conclusion. As such it has no goals.

5) How do you see evidence and reason as leading to prosperity and compassion? How would you define your individual source of compassion?
Without evidence and reason people's behaviors are unmoored from reality resulting in bad outcomes, including outcomes that undermine prosperity. The sources of reason and compassion are the same, they are both biological, evolved, capabilities.

6) How would you define atheism?
The conclusion that there are no gods.