The problem, Theresa, is that most people do not have fully consistent belief systems.
So someone who does not believe in God may also believe in karma and in angels. Is this person an atheist? Yes.
Afterall, there are many people who don't believe in the existence of God but who accept the existence of men and of rocks. And these beliefs are also inconsistent.
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I don't believe in karma per se, but I do believe that if you live long enough eventually the results of your actions will catch up with you. Not because of any divine force or supreme being, but simply because of good old cause and effect.
Main Entry: atheism
The problem, Theresa, is that most people do not have fully consistent belief systems. So they should believe in the fully consistent Bible instead, huh?
Say, I see what you're up to. Anything that isn't your view is inconsistent. It's a minor strain of debate by blatant assertion.your theism, therefore inconsistent, therefore atheism.
Atheism itself? Not your belief system, therefore inconsistent.
Just cut it short: "Not mine" and give a raspberry.
The problem, Theresa, is that most people do not have fully consistent belief systems.
"The problem, Theresa, is that most people do not have fully consistent belief systems."I don't believe you have a "fully consistent belief system," Lifesaver. If you're a Bible-believing Xian and you don't stone your disobedient children and your adulterous neighbors, you're not consistent.
"So someone who does not believe in God may also believe in karma and in angels. Is this person an atheist? Yes."
As long as s/he doesn't believe in any gods, s/he is an atheist.
"Afterall, there are many people who don't believe in the existence of God but who accept the existence of men and of rocks."
Yes, it's true. I confess that I DO believe in the existence of human beings and rocks.
"And these beliefs are also inconsistent."
Really? Please go to the blackboard and show the class how you worked out that conclusion.
In support of the opposite position, I've looked in a mirror and seen a living, existing man, and outside my window I see several very real rocks. It all seems very consistent.
Even if they believe in other magical creatures, or engage in other magical thinking, atheism simply means rejecting the existence of any deity. Most atheists don't believe in angels though... or karma as an actual force in the universe.
OK, I read it again, I think Lifesaver is saying if you belive in men and rocks, you must believ in god. I'm not saying it's correct, I'm just saying, I think I deciphered it. These posts should come with a decoder ring.
There are very easy logical tests for inconsistency. The simplest one goes like this:
I think she is reasoning like this:
What she means is: "Because it was God that created men and rocks, and this is a self-evident fact (at least to a fundie), the acceptance of men and rocks requires an acceptance of the existance of God."
Afterall, there are many people who don't believe in the existence of God but who accept the existence of men and of rocks. And these beliefs are also inconsistent.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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