Comments on: Where do you stand?

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:42:24 +0000

OK, I think in the question just “critical thinking” isn’t enough; yes any theist can certainly think critically some of the time.
What I think is meant, is extremely critical thinking – skepticism, a refusal to believe without evidence.
Which yes I think is central to atheism.
Also Kate is hot. That is all =)

By: Naumadd

Naumadd — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:32:19 +0000

If your viewpoint is “atheistic”, others can assume you indulge, at least in part, in critical thinking. Certainly, there are theistic critical thinkers, however, they are certainly selective in their critical thinking, but the same can be said of many atheists. You might take a rational view toward the theistic “god” claim but think and behave irrationally with regard to other issues. If one is thoroughly and accurately factual and logically consistent in one’s critical thinking, you cannot help but become an atheist, however, “atheist” is not what you are primarily. “Atheism” is simply a position with regard to one specific set of beliefs. There are seemingly countless other beliefs you can either accept or reject using nature as the standard of what is true and logically-consistent human reason as the best tool to discover that truth.

You MUST be or become a critical thinker as a human being and, if you take critical thinking seriously, you WILL be or become an atheist at some point, but “atheist” will be only one appropriate and oversimplified label for who and what you are as a result of your critical thinking. After all, if there were no “theists”, there would be no need for the term. “Atheist” only scratches the surface in describing any one human being. Even if one is an “atheist”, one is also likely a thousand or more other labels one might use, none of which is fully descriptive. One can also say that no set of labels, no matter how long, can ever be sufficient to thoroughly describe you or anyone else.

“Atheist” describes what you do NOT believe. What, in your mind, is at least one label for what you DO believe? That’s a far more relevant label … and only one many possible labels.

By: Steve Schlicht

Steve Schlicht — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:30:02 +0000

I agree with AssHat.

There have been quite a few people with a disbelief in the deity and traditions of their upbringing due to purely emotional reasons (abuse, the PoE, personal tragedy, etc.) having basically no time spent in deep comparative religious study or critical analysis.

They are most likely due to return to their church and social network in a short period of time.

By: Tk

Tk — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:37:20 +0000

While critical thinking is what lead to atheism they are not intrinsic to one another. It is entirely possible to think critically and not reach a conclusion of atheism, while at the same time not all atheist are critical thinkers. There are plenty of atheist out there who do so perhaps as a sign of rebellion or simply because it’s convenient. I guess when it comes down to it the majority of people are merely sheep that see being atheist the closest fit to what they naturally believe instead of actually thinking about it.

By: Asshat

Asshat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:05:29 +0000

I think critical thinking trumps all. I would like to say it is the root of atheism, and it is certainly the root of many individuals’ atheism, but not everyone’s lack of belief is rooted in critical thought.