How does atheism supply meaning?

[Wootah]

We are either simply part of the world existing for a brief time, in a massive universe, with death waiting and no purpose and meaninglessness and not in control of anything or we can create something and be something. This is atheism on one end and creation on the other.

It's why I don't believe there are atheists. No one can truly hold that view and I certainly don't think any atheists on this site really drink that cup to the full. I tried. Once. A long time ago.

Obviously, people do hold this view, less the meaningless part that was added to poison the well.
For those that are uncomfortable with said view, there are religious options available to fulfill the need to have purpose supplied to them.

What I can't understand is how it is a struggle for some to find purpose in this life and then seem to project that on to others that don't suffer from such a thing. I personally treat this life as something special and have plenty of purpose, because for all I know, it is the only one we will get. The idea of this life being a test for some other life actually would make this life less meaningful as the next would become the true goal. Therefore, could it be argued that atheism supplies more meaning/value for this life than religions in general? Those that struggle to find purpose without religion would obviously not be able to see this and would then be susceptible making claims like we see above.

"No one can truly hold that view" would therefore simply be a projection.

How does atheism supply meaning?

[Wootah]

[Replying to Wootah in post #137]

I am an atheist. I don't believe in any gods. I have no idols. I don't believe in idols. My life has no meaning. Life just is. We do what we can to make the best of things between the beginning and the end. Your proclamations are meaningless and unjustified.

I think you would agree from that basis that 'all proclamations are meaningless and unjustified', not just mine?

[Diogenes]

[Replying to Diogenes in post #134]

I guess I am suggesting whatever gives meaning to your life is your idol.

So God is your idol? You're saying you practice idolatry by worshiping your god?
This would be a very unbiblical stance. Or are you saying anyone who gets meaning from something other than your religion is an idolator?
One definition of 'idolatry' is "extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone."
I agree, by that definition those who worship Jesus or any god are idolators.

Another definition, an ethoncentric one, is to claim 'idolatry' is the worship of anything, anyone, or any god except the one you believe in. This is an indefensible and egomaniac stance.

But atheists and naturalists, by that definition are not idolators because they do not have 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence' for anyone or anything. Instead of idol worship, naturalists find quiet meaning and fulfillment in appreciation of life, of nature. Nature includes our fellow humans and other animals. We delight in the beauty of a warming sunrise when camping by a stream in the forest. We enjoy the companionship of a friend or a good dog at sunset. We find meaning in these things without the idolatry of 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence for' a god. By your claims you are practicing idolatry by worshiping your god, while those you accuse are simply finding meaning in life without worshiping idols.

Thus your entire argument is precisely backward in that you are falsely accusing others of doing what YOU are doing by worshiping your god.

[Wootah]

[Replying to Diogenes in post #134]

I guess I am suggesting whatever gives meaning to your life is your idol.

So God is your idol? You're saying you practice idolatry by worshiping your god?
This would be a very unbiblical stance. Or are you saying anyone who gets meaning from something other than your religion is an idolator?
One definition of 'idolatry' is "extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone."
I agree, by that definition those who worship Jesus or any god are idolators.

Another definition, an ethoncentric one, is to claim 'idolatry' is the worship of anything, anyone, or any god except the one you believe in. This is an indefensible and egomaniac stance.

But atheists and naturalists, by that definition are not idolators because they do not have 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence' for anyone or anything. Instead of idol worship, naturalists find quiet meaning and fulfillment in appreciation of life, of nature. Nature includes our fellow humans and other animals. We delight in the beauty of a warming sunrise when camping by a stream in the forest. We enjoy the companionship of a friend or a good dog at sunset. We find meaning in these things without the idolatry of 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence for' a god. By your claims you are practicing idolatry by worshiping your god, while those you accuse are simply finding meaning in life without worshiping idols.

Thus your entire argument is precisely backward in that you are falsely accusing others of doing what YOU are doing by worshiping your god.

Err yeah, I am trying to be conscious of what I am worshipping/idolising.

Well I don't think I am extreme either, it seems like 'poisoning the well' for the word idolatry. I think naturalists do worship nature because I could easily say for myself:

Instead of idol worship, Christians find quiet meaning and fulfillment in appreciation of life, of nature. Nature includes our fellow humans and other animals. We delight in the beauty of a warming sunrise when camping by a stream in the forest. We enjoy the companionship of a friend or a good dog at sunset. We find meaning in these things without the idolatry of 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence for' nature.

What you are describing for yourself is exactly how I see my relationship with God. If you feel that way towards nature and I feel that way towards God aren't we both therefore worshipping our gods?

[JoeyKnothead]

I think you can find meaning in other things and that other thing would be an idol. Like family or work or politics. That is your god. Sorry if I wasn't explicit on that.

Still using the "idol" and accusing atheists of having a god.

Some theists just can't accept atheists don't share their delusions.

If you shared my delusion you would be a Christian. I am simply saying our delusions are our gods.

I am communicating from my background. You can communicate from your background. If we don't understand each other help me out with a word you would prefer?

And as we see, your background precludes you from understanding anything that's not presented from your religious perspective. Indicative of the faulty thinking of theists.

I have no idols. I have no gods.

[Wootah]

I think you can find meaning in other things and that other thing would be an idol. Like family or work or politics. That is your god. Sorry if I wasn't explicit on that.

Still using the "idol" and accusing atheists of having a god.

Some theists just can't accept atheists don't share their delusions.

If you shared my delusion you would be a Christian. I am simply saying our delusions are our gods.

I am communicating from my background. You can communicate from your background. If we don't understand each other help me out with a word you would prefer?

And as we see, your background precludes you from understanding anything that's not presented from your religious perspective. Indicative of the faulty thinking of theists.

I have no idols. I have no gods.

My background. Get real. I was more an atheist than the atheists on this forum I reckon.

Delusions? Can we use that word? Ideologies?

[JoeyKnothead]

I think you can find meaning in other things and that other thing would be an idol. Like family or work or politics. That is your god. Sorry if I wasn't explicit on that.

Still using the "idol" and accusing atheists of having a god.

Some theists just can't accept atheists don't share their delusions.

If you shared my delusion you would be a Christian. I am simply saying our delusions are our gods.

I am communicating from my background. You can communicate from your background. If we don't understand each other help me out with a word you would prefer?

And as we see, your background precludes you from understanding anything that's not presented from your religious perspective. Indicative of the faulty thinking of theists.

I have no idols. I have no gods.

My background. Get real. I was more an atheist than the atheists on this forum I reckon.

Delusions? Can we use that word? Ideologies?

I'll go with ideologies, if you'll quit saying atheists have idols and gods.

And you ain't the first theist to carry on about what all such an atheist you were. It's a rather empty point considering your status now.

[brunumb]

Instead of idol worship, Christians find quiet meaning and fulfillment in appreciation of life, of nature. Nature includes our fellow humans and other animals. We delight in the beauty of a warming sunrise when camping by a stream in the forest. We enjoy the companionship of a friend or a good dog at sunset. We find meaning in these things without the idolatry of 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence for' nature.

What you are describing for yourself is exactly how I see my relationship with God. If you feel that way towards nature and I feel that way towards God aren't we both therefore worshipping our gods?

Nope. One doesn't need to bring any gods into the picture at all. There's no need for any idols, or worship. It's just finding enjoyment in day-to-day experiences without involving any attribution to imaginary relationships with deities that aren't there.

[Wootah]

Instead of idol worship, Christians find quiet meaning and fulfillment in appreciation of life, of nature. Nature includes our fellow humans and other animals. We delight in the beauty of a warming sunrise when camping by a stream in the forest. We enjoy the companionship of a friend or a good dog at sunset. We find meaning in these things without the idolatry of 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence for' nature.

What you are describing for yourself is exactly how I see my relationship with God. If you feel that way towards nature and I feel that way towards God aren't we both therefore worshipping our gods?

Nope. One doesn't need to bring any gods into the picture at all. There's no need for any idols, or worship. It's just finding enjoyment in day-to-day experiences without involving any attribution to imaginary relationships with deities that aren't there.

Looks like a duck, walks like a duck?

[brunumb]

Instead of idol worship, Christians find quiet meaning and fulfillment in appreciation of life, of nature. Nature includes our fellow humans and other animals. We delight in the beauty of a warming sunrise when camping by a stream in the forest. We enjoy the companionship of a friend or a good dog at sunset. We find meaning in these things without the idolatry of 'extreme admiration, love, or reverence for' nature.

What you are describing for yourself is exactly how I see my relationship with God. If you feel that way towards nature and I feel that way towards God aren't we both therefore worshipping our gods?

Nope. One doesn't need to bring any gods into the picture at all. There's no need for any idols, or worship. It's just finding enjoyment in day-to-day experiences without involving any attribution to imaginary relationships with deities that aren't there.

Looks like a duck, walks like a duck?

Talks like a duck?

[Tcg]

I'll go with ideologies, if you'll quit saying atheists have idols and gods.

That's not likely to happen even though the obvious facts are that atheists have neither idols nor gods. Some, well rather many, theists aren't willing to admit obvious facts. They take their very limited view of reality and project onto us who don't have a limited view of reality. If a theist states they worship idols or gods I believe them. If I state the fact that I don't, some state that I do. I wonder what drives their need to believe that which clearly isn't true? I believe them I wonder why they can't believe me? Odd isn't it.


Tcg