Homophobia?

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by mosaix

My view is that no belief is the norm and that belief is aquired. Therefore the 'disbelief' or 'religion' don't enter into it.

It's a bit like being or not being a supporter of, say, cricket. We aren't born being cricket supporters but some people get interested and become fans. Those that don't aren't described in 'cricket' terms as 'non-crickets supporters' because that is the default state.

As for 'religion with no god' I prefer 'no religion' and as for 'disbelief in the existance of god' I prefer 'don't believe god exists'. There is a difference. Your definitions imply that belief is the default state and somehow that atheists opt out. I think it is the other way around.

Sorry to dig out such an old thread but there is a letter in New Scientist 13th January 2007 page 19, from Roy Sablosky of Maryland US that I think expresses my views more eloquently than I can. I quote:

"An atheist simply does not believe in any gods. By definition this is not a belief. Just as nakedness is not a way of getting dressed; sleep is not a technique for paying attention; sunlight is not a kind of shade (nor even its opposite): atheism simply means that one has no religious beliefs. Even to call it a 'non-belief' is perhaps misleading. After all when you are feeling comfortable you don't call it 'non-pain'. Many believers literally cannot imagine that atheism is possible. But millions of us enjoy it - all day every day."

[HoopyFrood]

Originally Posted by mosaix

"An atheist simply does not believe in any gods. By definition this is not a belief. Just as nakedness is not a way of getting dressed; sleep is not a technique for paying attention; sunlight is not a kind of shade (nor even its opposite): atheism simply means that one has no religious beliefs. Even to call it a 'non-belief' is perhaps misleading. After all when you are feeling comfortable you don't call it 'non-pain'. Many believers literally cannot imagine that atheism is possible. But millions of us enjoy it - all day every day."

Absolutely!

Sorry to be so succinct, but otherwise I'd just be repeating the quote! All I can say is...I concur

[Fnord_Lord]

I don't see why an author's political philosophy has to matter at all. I loved every one of Arthur C. Clarke's and Carl Sagan's books that I read, even though they were athiests and were somewhat outspoken in thier low opinion of Christianity. But so what? They could still tell a good sci-fi yarn.

When I turn on the radio in my car and start flipping stations, if I hear a song I like, then I leave it there. I don't really care what the artists's personal views are, if they can make some good music, that's all that matters.

Books shouldn't be taken so personally.