Is atheism meaningless?

[FWI]

Christopher Hitchens, an atheist (in his book: God is Not Great pg. 50), stated: "That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." This seems like a reasonable statement and I agree. So, what is the evidence for atheism having meaning or purpose?

Therefore, if I use Christopher Hitchens' statement as a guide, then at present I must accept that atheism has no significance, unless evidence can be produced to the contrary.

[wiploc]

By the way, I and Christianity do not acknowledge: Zeus, Poseidon, Thor and goblins to be gods.

So what is the purpose, goal, "and in a way religion" of your being atheistic towards those gods?

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 401 by Danmark]

What you are saying is there is no difference between 'meaning' and 'evidence.' You are conflating the two. Both theism and atheism have meaning. As I have pointed out before, the 40 pages prove the term 'atheism' HAS meaning, at least for those who have posted on this thread. That means that you too know it has meaning despite your protestations.

Sorry, your premise isn't correct. The idea that something has meaning, is related to a goal or a purpose.

No, goal or purpose is not necessary for something to have meaning. There are many examples. Art has meaning for me, but I have no goal about it. I just appreciate it. Does it have a purpose? I suppose one could say that the purpose of art is just to enjoy it, or that it's purpose is to provide meaning, but that is tautological. Certainly there is meaning to non theism or atheism since you get my 'meaning' if I claim to not believe in an anthropomorphic 'god.' But I have no goal or purpose in mind... other than to seek truth. Non theism is simply one of the beliefs i come to because of my search to know reality.

[FWI]

[Replying to post 405 by Bust Nak]

I don't know how you can think this has been avoided given most of us have explicit told you atheism is only a lack of belief in God/gods. We aren't avoiding it, we are denouncing it.

Yes, I agree that you don't know or (it seems) that you are ignoring the true point of the OP, which was: Is atheism meaningless? Danmark stated in post 401 that theism and atheism have meaning, which I responded to in post 404. However, to have meaning there must be a purpose or a goal. Hence, to state that atheism is "only" a lack of belief in God/gods, confirms that atheism has no purpose or goal and is meaninglessWhereas, theism supports many purposes and goals. Thus, has meaning, is a belief system and considered religious

So, introducing (at some point earlier) the statement that atheism is only a lack of belief in Gods/gods, appeared to be an attempt to avoid the "crucial acknowledgement" that atheism has a purpose and goals. Which, would also be acknowledging that atheism is a belief system and a religion. This is explicitly denied

[Artie]

Yes, I agree that you don't know or (it seems) that you are ignoring the true point of the OP, which was: Is atheism meaningless? Danmark stated in post 401 that theism and atheism have meaning, which I responded to in post 404. However, to have meaning there must be a purpose or a goal. Hence, to state that atheism is "only" a lack of belief in God/gods, confirms that atheism has no purpose or goal and is meaningless

Correct.

Whereas, theism supports many purposes and goals. Thus, has meaning, is a belief system and considered religious

Nonsense. If a person says "I'm a theist" it tells you nothing about purpose, meaning or goals. It only tells you that the person believes in the existence of one or more gods. "Because theism does not automatically incorporate any beliefs, attitudes, or ideas beyond the proposition that at least one exists, its meaning and implications are necessarily limited. Of course, the exact same thing is true about atheism, too. The only thing that all atheists have in common is that they don't accept the proposition that at least one god exists - nothing more, nothing less."
https://www.thoughtco.com/theism-the-sa ... on-4034989

[brunumb]

[Replying to post 412 by FWI]

So, introducing (at some point earlier) the statement that atheism is only a lack of belief in Gods/gods, appeared to be an attempt to avoid the "crucial acknowledgement" that atheism has a purpose and goals. Which, would also be acknowledging that atheism is a belief system and a religion.

Baldness is a lack of hair. Does baldness have any intrinsic purpose or goals? No. I don't understand this desperate need for theists to classify atheism as a religion and give it deeper meaning than a lack of belief in gods. Proponents of theism have simply failed to convince some people that their magical beings are real. It is no deeper than that. No Purpose. No goals.

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 412 by FWI]

So, introducing (at some point earlier) the statement that atheism is only a lack of belief in Gods/gods, appeared to be an attempt to avoid the "crucial acknowledgement" that atheism has a purpose and goals. Which, would also be acknowledging that atheism is a belief system and a religion.

Baldness is a lack of hair. Does baldness have any intrinsic purpose or goals? No. I don't understand this desperate need for theists to classify atheism as a religion and give it deeper meaning than a lack of belief in gods. Proponents of theism have simply failed to convince some people that their magical beings are real. It is no deeper than that. No Purpose. No goals.

Exactly! This whole ridiculous thread is based on a false definition of "meaning."
'Baldness' is a good example. It has meaning, but no purpose or goal.

'Dictionary result for meaning:
....
noun
1.
what is meant by a word, text, concept, or action.
"the meaning of the word supermarket"
synonyms: definition, sense, explanation, denotation, connotation, interpretation, elucidation, explication
"the word has several different meanings"

adjective
1.
intended to communicate something that is not directly expressed.
"she gave Gabriel a meaning look"'

I agree that atheism has no "goal" or "purpose" (other than, perhaps, to signify a quest for truth.

Atheism is simply the result some come to in their search for truth.

Theism is the result one comes to when he follows his traditions.

Christianity seeks to justify itself, no matter the evidence. Non theists are simply looking for truth and the non existence of gods is their conclusion.

[Bust Nak]

So, introducing (at some point earlier) the statement that atheism is only a lack of belief in Gods/gods, appeared to be an attempt to avoid the "crucial acknowledgement" that atheism has a purpose and goals.

We aren't really avoiding that either, we are actively, and loudly, telling you: atheism does not have a purpose nor goals. This is explicitly denied. "Avoid" made it sound like we were being coy about it.

[PinSeeker]

"...atheism does not have a purpose nor goals. This is explicitly denied."

As Stuart Smalley said, "Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!"

Christianity is what it is, and atheism is what it is.

Adherents of both seek truth.

Adherents of both seek to justify themselves in their adherence (which is really just ego and wrong regardless of position).

Adherents of both seek to convince others of the position that they themselves hold (which is the very reason conversations like this take place and forums like this exist).

The result of all this is that adherents of both have a personal goal/purpose (which is also just ego).

Humans are all religious beings, whether they think they are or not.

Tastes great! Less filling! Tastes great! Less filling! Cheers.

[postroad]

[Replying to post 417 by PinSeeker]

Coming from the conservatives Christian background my lack of belief meant I had to be absolutely familiar with the texts in order to defend my position with the only thing they accepted as evidence. Of course my lack of belief came from examination of the texts so it transferred easily.

Don't kid yourself. Being an open non believer in my area decades ago had consequences that weren't positive. Christianity will cry persecution but they know how to discriminate as well.

[PinSeeker]

Coming from the conservatives Christian background my lack of belief meant I had to be absolutely familiar with the texts in order to defend my position with the only thing they accepted as evidence...

Well, the Christian should always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks to give an account for the hope that is in him, for sure.

Of course my lack of belief came from examination of the texts...

And lack of understanding. Yes. Obviously.

Don't kid yourself. Being an open non believer in my area decades ago had consequences that weren't positive. Christianity will cry persecution but they know how to discriminate as well.

Ohhh, I'm not "kidding myself." I agree. Humans -- believer and non-believer alike -- are very sinful beings.

Why do you keep following me around?