I Hate This Fat Cow So Much!
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 9:50am |
 Coolness: 685580 | god are you really so fucking stupid that you can't understand the diffrence between something so simple as religion and athism?
"Atheism is a religion", for some strange reason, is often used by theists to criticise non-believers. A couple of examples from my email and guestbook: "Do you have a belief that atheism is true? If no, then you're lying, if yes, then you are acting on faith. If you don't believe in God, you must believe in something or someone else. An atheist doesn't simply lack positive belief in God. The atheist has positive belief in the non-existence of God." "The Religion of Atheism is for the totally unrational person, which is why Atheists account for less that 10% of the population. There are Ulterior Motives to Atheism, namely : Admitting the obvious of an INtelligent Creator introduces accountability and someone who is bigger and more important than oneself ...and, it impedes on the present less than desirable and/or immoral (incl. sexually, in most cases) lifestyle that the Atheist has chosen for himself. Both of these can be summarized by Pride." It seems odd for a follower of a faith to try to attack atheism by saying it is also a faith. I think the reasoning is that if atheism is a faith or religion, then atheists have no cause to criticise other faiths or religions. One flaw in this argument is that if atheism were indeed a religion, then theists would have no reason to criticise atheism being taught in schools as part of religious education, or even the setting up of atheist-run schools alongside Baptist, Catholic and Muslim schools. Somehow, I think voices may be raised in protest should that happen. =) Alternatively, the idea is that atheists are hypocrites for attacking the faithful when atheism itself is a result of faith. However, the big problem is this : ATHEISM IS NOT A RELIGION OR A FAITH! Atheism, by definition, is the absence of theism. If you cannot say "I believe in a Deity/God/Supreme Being" then you are an atheist. If you are not a theist, then you are an atheist. As mentioned in the Introduction page, there is a subtle but important difference between "believing there is no God", and "not believing there is a God". The first is a belief, the second is a lack of that belief. I don't know any atheists who "believe" God (take your pick, there are plenty) does not exist. All the atheists I know simply do not believe God does exist. There is a big difference between positively believing that a thing does not exist, and simply lacking belief in it's existence. In many cases, atheists will say "That God does not exist", not because they choose to do so, but because, from the description of the God, it cannot exist due to contradictory attributes. In the same way that a square circle cannot (and therefore does not) exist, a God defined as (for example) all-knowing, yet cannot see into the future, cannot and does not exist because the definition is self-contradictory. If you describe your God with self-contradicting attributes which make it logically impossible, then I may safely say that such a thing does not exist as described. This is not faith - this is reason. If someone asked you about unicorns, would you say "I *believe* there are no unicorns", or would it be more honest to say "I do not believe in unicorns"? These are two different answers. Nobody disbelieves in unicorns purely as a matter of personal faith. Again, apply the same reasoning to the Gods of other religions. Example : if you are a Christian, do you *believe* the Hindu God Ganesh does not exist? Or do you *not* believe in Ganesh? If you believe that unicorns do not exist, then may I say that you a member of the "No unicorns" religion? Is it a matter of faith that unicorns do not exist? Can I come along to your non-unicorn church with you tomorrow? If you are a Christian, do you believe Ganesh does not exist? Why, then you must be a devout follower of the "No Ganesh" faith! Do you see where this is going? If me not believing in your God is a faith, then you not believing in other Gods is an equal faith. How many Christians do you know who would say they do not believe in other Gods as a matter of faith? If my atheism with respect to your deity is a religion, then your atheism with respect to other deities is also a religion. How does atheism differ from religion and faith? Let me count the ways... Belief in God(s): Theists: YES Atheists: NO Prayer Theists: YES Atheists: NO Churches / temples Theists: YES Atheists: NO Holy Book / Scripture Theists: YES Atheists: NO Priests / religious leaders Theists: YES Atheists: NO Belief in supernatural (including angels / devils) Theists: YES Atheists: NO Miracles Theists: YES Atheists: NO Afterlife Theists: YES Atheists: NO Holy wars Theists: YES Atheists: NO Heaven / Hell Theists: YES Atheists: NO Lifestyle restrictions (dress, diet, marriage etc. etc.) Theists: YES Atheists: NO Belief without evidence (faith as a virtue) Theists: YES Atheists: NO Belief despite conflicting evidence Theists: YES Atheists: NO Supernatural origins of universe and / or humans Theists: YES Atheists: NO Murderous fundamentalist extremists Theists: YES Atheists: NO Annoying street / doorstep preachers Theists: YES Atheists: NO The soul Theists: YES Atheists: NO Regular ceremonies / acts of worship Theists: YES Atheists: NO Sin Theists: YES Atheists: NO Blasphemy Theists: YES Atheists: NO We are God's chosen people Theists: YES Atheists: NO Atheism -- What It Is, and What It Isn't
One reason for the existence of this web site is to give people a somewhat rare opportunity when it comes to finding out about Atheism. If you want to know what Atheism really is -- and what it is not -- you can have a difficult time of it. Most newspapers and magazines don't portray a very accurate picture of Atheism; you can often find Atheists described as "humanists," degenerates of a sort, or even devil worshippers. Pick up a dictionary like Webster's New Twentieth Century (Unabridged), and the lexicographers describe Atheism as "The belief that there is no God." Worse yet, this brief line is then followed by a quote from Francis Bacon: "A little philosophy inclineth men's minds to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's mind to religion." And it gets worse. The same dictionary describes the Atheist as "one who believes that there is not God," and then quotes Young, saying "By night an atheist half believes a God." Advocates in the wisdom of religious belief are even less generous in their assessment of the Atheist. The latter is described by the Vatican as a "significant problem," fundamentalist Christians portray Atheism as something akin to communism, perhaps spiced up with the exotica of pornography, drug abuse and moral debauchery. A candidate for President of the United States (Pat Buchanan), mentioned Atheists in the same breath as terrorists. Is it any wonder that the popular media is often the least productive place in finding out about Atheism? Even so, some Atheists -- or people who describe themselves as such -- turn out to be their own worst enemies. There are Atheists, and there are Atheists. Most individuals who use the label to describe themselves and philosophical convictions were born into religious families, or at least situations where religious belief and practice was an element in their upbringing. We know from surveys, and our long-standing contact with Atheists, that most of us "arrived" or developed our intellectual convictions as the result of studying religion -- and doing a considerable amount of thinking. Still, many atheists really know very little about Atheist philosophy, its history, its movements and personalities, and how it should apply to the minutiae of life. Fallacies of Atheism Atheism is NOT a "belief." Atheism is derived from the Greek, atheos, and means simply "away from the belief in a god or gods." Atheists do not "believe," and it is incorrect to assume that the belief in a supernatural entity or entities is, somehow, equivalent to the "non-belief" in those same beings. It isn't. Atheism is NOT a Religion "Atheism is religion." When you hear a statement like this, it often comes form a person who has actually done little research or thinking about either Atheism or religion. Most people rarely study or investigate their own religious beliefs, assuming they have any. If they are born in a predominately Christian, or Muslim, or Hindu, or Jewish culture, they will probably reflect the religious beliefs of that society. Nearly every dictionary will define religion as "belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed a worshipped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe. The definition of all other terms linked to religion employ much the same language -- church, monastery, priest. They are all part of a religious-language universe or "game" that has little to do with Atheism. There cannot be an Atheist "Church", or an Atheist "priest" anymore than there could be an Atheist "god." Atheism is NOT linked to Communism Atheism is NOT historically linked to Communism, or any other particular system of social organization. Atheists represent many shades on the political spectrum, and often disagree amongst themselves about political issues. While Communism and its leading theoreticians happened to be Atheists, social activists of other persuasions have been Atheists as well. Many of us link our Atheism -- which is, after all, based on Reason -- to socially progressive ideas including civil liberties and social equality. We "agree to disagree," hopefully in a friendly and respectful manner though, about a wide range of current issues. We work together where possible, especially on the important issue of separation of State and Church. Atheists are NOT "secular humanists"... Atheists are NOT "secular humanists", "freethinkers", "rationalists" or "ethical culturalists." Many of these terms have their origins in religious doctrines. Rationalism, for instance, was a movement which tried to reconcile religious faith with the findings of science especially during the Enlightenment. "Freethinker" has been used to describe a spectrum of belief, including those who questioned the doctrine of the Trinity. Often, people who are Atheists find it useful to masquerade behind such labels. This is sometimes understandable, considering the opprobrium Atheists have been subjected to throughout history. There have been times when Atheists who described themselves by using the "A-word" faced public condemnation, even violence for their convictions. AMERICAN ATHEISTS have struggled for over three decades to "de-sensitize" this culture, and demonstrate that Atheism is a moral and legitimate intellectual conviction, and lifestyle. We try to live ethical, positive and productive lives without god-belief! There are over 25 million Americans who are Atheists, or describe themselves in approximation to this position; our organization works to encourage these people to "come out of the closet," and proudly admit -- and proclaim -- their Atheism! Atheists do NOT Advocate Satan Worship... Atheists do not advocate the worship of Satan, molesting of little children, "New Age" beliefs, or persecution of religious people. Sorry, but if you've been told that we do DO, you haven't been listening to an Atheist! We do not believe in either a "god" or a devil; we happen to think that children, like the rest of us, happen to have rights. We are highly skeptical of "new age" mumbo jumbo, including uncritical belief in fortune-telling, esp, ghosts, various quack healing regimens, communing with the dead or erotic frolics with aliens. And American Atheists is a civil libertarian organization; we insist that we have both freedom of religion, and freedom from religion. We also know that while we must protect our First Amendment rights as citizens and Atheists, we must also patiently and intelligently present the Atheist point of view in public debate. We advance our Atheism through reasoned argument and by disseminating books, pamphlets and other material. Atheists are NOT "Forcing their Opinions" on Society Atheists are not "forcing their opinions" on the society. But we ARE standing up for our constitutional rights, especially those guaranteed in the Establishment and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment. Religious organizations, in fact, have been working to force their doctrines onto society through mandatory prayer recitation in government halls and public schools. They are also trying to institute "bible law" as the basis of civil society, and advance a religious agenda through political means. The Best Way to Learn More... The best way to learn more about Atheism is from Atheists! Read our books, pamphlets and magazine. AMERICAN ATHEIST PRESS has a wide assortment of materials that cover Atheist history, personalities and philosophy. And don't forget to explore this web site thoroughly. You might just find yourself asking questions -- and finding the right answers! Atheism Is Not A Religion! by Jon Nelson Of all the absurd propositions advanced by religious persons, the idea that atheism is a religion may be the most far-fetched. That such a notion could even enter their heads is a monument to muddled-headed thinking. Granted, not all of the world's religions have theistic beliefs. Many branches of Buddhism, for example, are non-theistic. However, this does not make a Buddhist an atheist. What makes Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism, Jainism, Hinduism and all the others fall under the category of religion is that all of them place mysticism above reason and all of them are, as a consequence, fundamentally anti-life. All of these religions teach that this earthly existence is miserable, and all seek some escape from it. All religions have the same underlying premise: to avoid the reality of earthly existence and to get 'right' with some supernatural realm, whether it be God, Nirvana, or the 'oneness of the universe.' Religion thus functions as an escape mechanism, and its adherents are intent on escaping reality rather than confronting it head-on. The Oxford American Dictionary (copyright 1980) defines religion in three ways: 1) "Belief in the existence of a supernatural holy power." As discussed above, most scholars would find this definition, in and of itself, to be too restricting, but we can safely say that without some aspect of the supernatural and/or mystical in one's thinking, one is not religious. Atheism eschews all aspects of mysticism and supernaturalism; atheists do not retreat into a fantasy world of their own creation. 2) "A particular system of faith or worship." Atheists have no faith, and few atheists respect religious faith, recognizing instead the primacy of reason as their method of understanding reality. Atheists recognize that faith is an unconvincing and disingenuous answer which religious people, for want of anything better, throw at the skeptic when rational arguments fail them. Faith is a smokescreen the believer tries to hide behind, in the futile hope that the word "faith" will somehow give intellectual respectability and legitimacy to an otherwise indefensible position. Worship may be viewed as the acting out of one's religiosity. Religions incorporate several different factors into their belief systems. These include myth (legends and folklore of ancient origin), ritual behavior (such as the Eucharist or the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca), mysticism (a magical view of reality), and personal experience or conviction not based on reason. Remove these, and what you have left is not religion. All of these defining elements of religion are absent from atheism. There are no mystical elements, no rituals, no mystical 'revelations,' no supernaturalism, no priests, no prayers, no holy places and, most important of all, no dogmas. 3) "Something compared to religious faith as a controlling influence on a person's life, i.e. 'football is his religion.'" This third definition is not a definition at all; it is a comparison. In the dictionary definition, football is like a religion, but only in the sense of a fan's extreme commitment. In religion, this type of commitment often leads to fanaticism. Consequently, this third definition is hardly favorable to religion. The point need not be elaborated upon; the daily newspapers are filled with the escapades of fanatical religionists. Some religionists claim that atheism is a religion because atheists deal with and concern themselves with religion. This is patently absurd; calling an atheist a religious person because he or she deals with religion is like calling a fireman an arsonist because he deals with fire. The atheist is, or should be, a person with self-confidence and the ability to think freely, without the crutch of religious superstition. Atheists concern themselves with the problems of this world, not with ways of making Brownie points with some imaginary deity to gain entry into an imaginary next world. Atheists see many of the problems in the world as emanating from the same source: the irrationalities and immoralities of religion. In addition, most atheists find religious customs and practices to be barbaric and degrading. They are barbaric because they represent the last vestiges of primitivism in the human race; as but one example, the Eucharist is simply a modern-day version of the ancient cannibalistic god-eating religious rituals. They are degrading because they put humans on their knees, staring fearfully at a nightmarish apparition that exists only in their minds. Atheism puts people back on their feet and restores their dignity. Atheism, based on reason, is a positive, life-affirming view. By contrast, religions, because they (at least in their holy writings) denigrate our earthly existence, are philosophies of death. Nowhere is this point better illustrated than in Christianity; its entire philosophy is based on a hatred for this life. Any system that teaches that this life is but a testing ground for eternal bliss is a philosophy of death. Anyone who claims that atheism is a religion is completely ignorant as to what the basic tenets of what atheism (and religion) actually are. To the Christian, every atheist is a threat because the continued existence of any non-Christians (atheist or otherwise) proves that the Christian system is devoid of merit and that people can exist and thrive freed from religious dogma. The New Testament insists that Christians go forth and convert the world, and the existence of even a single atheist (or non-Christian) is proof that their supposedly all-powerful God wasn't able to convince everybody. Such believers are either unwilling or unable to grasp the fact that people who disagree with them about the existence of gods can and do live decent, moral lives. At this point, honest Christians should recognize the need to re-examine the tenets of their faith. But they rarely possess the honesty and integrity to do so. Exasperated and at a loss to explain how they could be wrong, they lash out at the atheist. They try to turn the tables by projecting their dogmas on the atheist. They insist that atheists have faith, or that Robert G. Ingersoll is their "god," or that atheism is a religion, or that the object of atheistic worship is humanity rather than a god. However, these are simply knee-jerk reactions with no basis in fact. It is sad that the minds that produce such drivel are so restricted that they cannot conceive of anybody being free of religion. The entire argument is simply an exercise in semantic obfuscation, and has been so ruled by the courts. For example, when Christians in Alabama tried to shut down the public schools on grounds that they were illegally teaching the "religion" of atheistic humanism, the court of appeals dismissed the case, holding that atheism and humanism do not meet any of the legal criteria for a religion. It has even been argued that, since atheists do not worship their god, they worship non-existence! This too is a reversal of the truth. It is the theist who worships nothing, although they obviously insist that their god does in fact exist. Just look at the way they con themselves: they talk to a god who never answers; they deprive themselves and even injure themselves while attempting to achieve a "higher state of being" through asceticism; they bemoan their existence while glorifying their death; they listen to preachers who haven't advanced |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» moondancer a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 9:53am |
 Coolness: 92255 | It doesn't matter how many poeple's opinions you post they are still just opinions. Mise À Jour » moondancer a écrit sur Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 10:06am and I hope you're proud of grouping yourself with these people who are just so damned concerned with what everyone else is doing to the point where they have to write these long ass articles that no one except fellow atheists would care to read. They care so much about this atheist label that they actually have to defend it by claiming to simply be it and not have chosen it. Funny thing is that 99% of people who don't believe in god simoply say "I don't believe in god" and everyone knows exactly what they mean. How can anyone be so preoccupied with something and claim that it's as simple as not believing in god when that makes tham just like everyone else. If they simply don't believe in god than why don't they celebrate christmas? Most people who call themselves atheist probably do, just like how most poeple who call htemselves christians don't go to church. Liek with anythint there are extremists and non-extremist but just because you're not an extremist it doesn't change that some atheists are. |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Masa a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 10:14am |
 Coolness: 158760 | Let it go Screwhead, you're starting to get way too creepy and anal on the subject O_o |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 10:26am |
| Coolness: 685580 | And what makes you think that I "celebrate" any of the holidays, anyways? Christmas is about celebrating the birth of christ, a person that, while I believe he was born (and there's proof of that), I don't believe he was the son of god. Christmas, for me, is about getting together with my family and eating some good food. The same goes for thanksgiving; I have *NEVER* in my life actually said a prayer, bowed my head or closed my eyes at a meal on that day, it just happens to be a day that everyone has off and that families tend to get together to see each other on.
And in case you didn't read any of the previous posts, I already said that I use the term atheist because it's the easiest one to use that people understand. Oh, but wait, that would make me an "atheist" be definition, even if I don't follow their "fan club". I think you completely missed the point in that everything I've posted is not an "attempt" at clarifying what my "beliefs" are, so much as it is pointing out that your deffinition of the terms you are using is WRONG. You claim that they're oppinions, but you don't seem to understand that a DEFINITION of a word is NOT UP FOR DEBATE. Like I said before, atheism and religion is like black and color; people REFER to black as a color, but it's NOT, it is the exact and total opposite of color, and therefor they do not share the same definition, nor do they classify as the same thing. BLACK IS NOT A COLOR, and ATHEISM IS NOT A RELIGION. But of course, you can't back up any of what you say, you just repeat your oppinion using a skewed definition of words that you obviously don't understand in the slightest. |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» JojoBizarre a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 10:27am |
 Coolness: 294965 | I are God of my own tent.
Masa was chaos everybody else were mere mortal. and yet we do not believe in god since we are :D |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Masa a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 10:35am |
| Coolness: 158760 | Originally spoken by Randall (Kevin Smith's Clerks, 1994)
I hope it feels so good to be right. There is nothing more exhilarating than pointing out the shortcomings of others, is there? Heheheh Jojo, j'suis tjrs le chaos ;) J'vais partir ma propre religion, le chaoticisme, ceux qui croient en moi... Les autres pourront se battre pour trouver le mot unique qui les définira tous =P |
| I'm feeling chaotic right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» moondancer a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 10:53am |
| Coolness: 92255 | Originally Posted By SCREWHEAD AND WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT I "CELEBRATE" ANY OF THE HOLIDAYS, ANYWAYS? CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, A PERSON THAT, WHILE I BELIEVE HE WAS BORN (AND THERE'S PROOF OF THAT), I DON'T BELIEVE HE WAS THE SON OF GOD. CHRISTMAS, FOR ME, IS ABOUT GETTING TOGETHER WITH MY FAMILY AND EATING SOME GOOD FOOD. THE SAME GOES FOR THANKSGIVING; I HAVE *NEVER* IN MY LIFE ACTUALLY SAID A PRAYER, BOWED MY HEAD OR CLOSED MY EYES AT A MEAL ON THAT DAY, IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE A DAY THAT EVERYONE HAS OFF AND THAT FAMILIES TEND TO GET TOGETHER TO SEE EACH OTHER ON. AND IN CASE YOU DIDN'T READ ANY OF THE PREVIOUS POSTS, I ALREADY SAID THAT I USE THE TERM ATHEIST BECAUSE IT'S THE EASIEST ONE TO USE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. OH, BUT WAIT, THAT WOULD MAKE ME AN "ATHEIST" BE DEFINITION, EVEN IF I DON'T FOLLOW THEIR "FAN CLUB". I THINK YOU COMPLETELY MISSED THE POINT IN THAT EVERYTHING I'VE POSTED IS NOT AN "ATTEMPT" AT CLARIFYING WHAT MY "BELIEFS" ARE, SO MUCH AS IT IS POINTING OUT THAT YOUR DEFFINITION OF THE TERMS YOU ARE USING IS WRONG. YOU CLAIM THAT THEY'RE OPPINIONS, BUT YOU DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT A DEFINITION OF A WORD IS NOT UP FOR DEBATE. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, ATHEISM AND RELIGION IS LIKE BLACK AND COLOR; PEOPLE REFER TO BLACK AS A COLOR, BUT IT'S NOT, IT IS THE EXACT AND TOTAL OPPOSITE OF COLOR, AND THEREFOR THEY DO NOT SHARE THE SAME DEFINITION, NOR DO THEY CLASSIFY AS THE SAME THING. BLACK IS NOT A COLOR, AND ATHEISM IS NOT A RELIGION. BUT OF COURSE, YOU CAN'T BACK UP ANY OF WHAT YOU SAY, YOU JUST REPEAT YOUR OPPINION USING A SKEWED DEFINITION OF WORDS THAT YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T UNDERSTAND IN THE SLIGHTEST.
Once again my opinion fits the definition as much as yours. I know what atheism is SUPPOSED to be which is what you keep trying to tell me and what I keep trying to tell you is that it isn't what it's SUPPOSED to be. I was not SUPPOSED to spill coffee all over my white shirt this morning but I did. I'm not changing the defintion because once again I REPEART the definition does not specify whether it's a religion, however the definition for religion does encompass atheism. You can say it's not a religion by the logic that it's not SUPPOSED to be but if you consider the defintiion for religion it becomes clear that it's just not what it's supposed to be. There are thinmgs liek that in life, don't get confused. There are two points of view that are both 100% valid. You resemble a religious person in the way that you don't want to accept anyone else's. And that sorta proves my point. You defend it like a christian defends creationism. I don't need to say a thing. This is boring now anyways. I understood what you were saying before this thread even started, you just can't accept someone else's point of view. And when it comes to this definition yes there is room for a point of view because what we are arguing about is simply not defined. So repeat yourself if you want, it amounts to nothing. |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» DCRn a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:00am |
 Coolness: 158225 | Originally Posted By MASA
Originally spoken by Randall (Kevin Smith's Clerks, 1994)
I hope it feels so good to be right. There is nothing more exhilarating than pointing out the shortcomings of others, is there? Heheheh Jojo, j'suis tjrs le chaos ;) J'vais partir ma propre religion, le chaoticisme, ceux qui croient en moi... Les autres pourront se battre pour trouver le mot unique qui les définira tous =P Eris (All Hail Discordia!) has been there waaaaaaay before you on this :D Discordian religion FTW! |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» system_glitch a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:02am |
 Coolness: 162490 | All Hail Discordia and the Gold Apple |
| I'm feeling terr(a3)ified right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:06am |
| Coolness: 685580 | You seem to be under the impression that the definition of a word is an oppinion that is open to discussion and interpretation.
It's not. The DEFINITION of atheism is "WITHOUT RELIGION". D E F I N I T I O N def·i·ni·tion [def-uh-nish-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun 1. the act of defining or making definite, distinct, or clear. 2. the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, etc. 3. the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined. def·i·ni·tion (děf'ə-nĭsh'ən) Pronunciation Key n. 1a. A statement conveying fundamental character. b. A statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, or term, as in a dictionary entry. c. The act of making clear and distinct: a definition of one's intentions. e. The state of being closely outlined or determined: "With the drizzle, the trees in the little clearing had lost definition" (Anthony Hyde). f. A determination of outline, extent, or limits: the definition of a President's authority. g. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast. h. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received. 2 The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning. 3a. The act of making clear and distinct: a definition of one's intentions. b. The state of being closely outlined or determined: "With the drizzle, the trees in the little clearing had lost definition" (Anthony Hyde). c. A determination of outline, extent, or limits: the definition of a President's authority. d. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast. e. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received. 4a. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast. b. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received. definition noun 1. a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol 2. clarity of outline; "exercise had given his muscles superior definition" It is NOT up for debate; the DEFINITION of the word states CLEARLY what it is. Atheism is the rejection of theism; it is the antonym of theism. Religion is something that requires theism, which atheists DO NOT HAVE. |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» moondancer a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:14am |
| Coolness: 92255 | The definition for religion clearly states what it is and unless the definition of religion is somehow wrong it conflicts with the definition of atheism. You can't seem to understand the irony here at all. It's a gray area and it always was. Anyways I don't have time to argue with religious fanatics on any side of the fence. |
| I'm feeling bored right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» DCRn a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:15am |
| Coolness: 158225 | At this point, I'd have to stress the fact that no amount of copy/paste on your part will deter her from her own interpretation of the word. I'm not sure who you're trying to convince anymore but it seems you're wasting more time chasing windmills than actually helping your cause.
Anger is everywhere, in everything, from everyone. |
| I'm feeling toastmelba right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:17am |
| Coolness: 685580 | I guess it's my fault that I get angered by stupidity and ignorance. Those are the things closest to what I would call "sin" by my "beliefs". Ignorance of facts on something is just fucking stupid. |
| I'm feeling warcracktastic right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Masa a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:21am |
| Coolness: 158760 | So ignorance means stupidity for you, huh?
I rather think ignorance is bliss, IMHO. |
| I'm feeling chaotic right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 11:38am |
| Coolness: 685580 | Ignorance isn't necesarily something concious, but quite often is interchangable with stupidity. Just because you don't know that something is illegal, doesn't mean that you shouldn't use your head or maybe do some research before doing whatever you plan on doing.
If you didn't know what shit was, would you think it's a good idea to not take the time to check it out, and just quickly take a handfull, shove it in your mouth and eat it, just because you don't know and don't feel like checking it out before blindly doing something? If you didn't know that there were any people inside a house, would you not think twice and just set it on fire, just because you didn't know there was anyone inside? Ignorance of something doesn't make you exempt from it, and if you're ignorant on something, you should at least use some common sence in your judgement on how to handle it. Not knowing that fire burns doesn't mean that it won't burn you. |
| I'm feeling warcracktastic right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Holly_Golightly a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 12:29pm |
 Coolness: 158725 | when you are arguing about difinition... it's not possible that it is like in my philosophy class and i learned the word mythe there's an externe and interne difinition...that would light up the debate?! |
| I'm feeling hitched right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» DCRn a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 12:43pm |
| Coolness: 158225 | What would light up the debate is this:
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| I'm feeling toastmelba right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Masa a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 1:17pm |
| Coolness: 158760 | Mullet, 'stache and cheezy eurobeat... Lit up my day for sure :p |
| I'm feeling chaotic right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Holly_Golightly a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 2:26pm |
| Coolness: 158725 | hahahahah
toooooooooooooooooouch meeeeeeeeeeeee |
| I'm feeling hitched right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MiniBunny a répondu le Wed 1 Aug, 2007 @ 2:58pm |
 Coolness: 54275 | Hahehahhea Wash your sin with Nestlé Water! |
| I'm feeling happy right now.. | |
I Hate This Fat Cow So Much!
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