Should Atheists Explore Common Ground with Theists?
It’s difficult for me to describe atheists as “we”. I’ve always struggled with feeling that I don’t quite fit in somehow, and the atheosphere is no exception. But sometimes, it’s best to confront your demons and go headlong in.
Should we atheists really be putting ourselves against the religious?
Lacking a belief in God isn’t my defining characteristic, and whilst I have met some delightful atheists on line, in the offline world, I don’t know more than one. I do, however, know plenty of thoughtful and committed theists, who aren’t fundie inclined, who want to make the world a better place.
I guess the argument against is that religion is dangerous or bad, or maybe it’s that we want people to stop thinking that atheism is a type of religion, or maybe some of us feel that any belief in the irrational makes a person “tainted”.
In general, I think that liberal religious groups would have a lot to gain from looking at the common ground between themselves and atheists or secular humanists. Likewise, I think that we have a lot to gain by doing the same.
At the end of the day, it’s more important to me that people think and are compassionate, have values that they live by and seek to live in reason, freedom and truth, than it is that they agree with me about the non-existance of god or gods.
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15 Responses to “Should Atheists Explore Common Ground with Theists?”
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I think the problem with this is that “reason, freedom, and truth” are the antithesis of theism. Though these things aren’t required to be a good human being and treat others with respect, I think they are to have a proper developing society.
Sorry to go OT on you, but I’m tagging you for the history meme.
I will return with a comment to your post, probably tomorrow.
@ Traciatim
I think a definition of TRUTH would be in order to make such a statement.
Look it up:
1. the true or actual state of a matter.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like.
It’s pretty much the opposite of faith, which is belief without reason or fact; simply by being told what to do. Which is pretty much the opposite of freedom too.
In general, I think that liberal religious groups would have a lot to gain from looking at the common ground between themselves and atheists or secular humanists. Likewise, I think that we have a lot to gain by doing the same.
Agree. It’s easy to forget that we share, by far, most interests in common with people who disagree with us about religion, particularly theists. Nonbelievers probably don’t have too many, if any, differences with nontheistic religious folks. We all need to be willing to step back from the religion thing and work together. The people who have the greatest difficulty with this seem to be extremists, who also seem to be in greater abundance on the theistic side of the coin than the nontheistic side.
What about the statement then in the Declaration of Independence that “we hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with unalienable rights”
By your definition then this freedom we hold today is in direct conflict with your definition of truth because it is not scientific enough to make the grade.
However if you define truth as the founding fathers did with the dictionary they used you might come to a similar conclusion yourself.
So once again what basis do we use to define truth, mine or yours.
Science is truly a wonderful field full of awesome realities and mysteries I just acknowledge the creator of it rather than give all the credit to he who is a dedicated observer.
Common ground? the earth is chock full of the stuff and my reason tells me this awesome world is by no means random chance, but has order, purpose and meaning.
@Mark:
Thanks for stopping by, and contributing.
As you can probably guess from the name, the theological position of this blog is that there is no creator, no intrinsic purpose, and no meaning that we don’t create for ourselves and so you shouldn’t be surprised to find that you disagree with other commentators.
I hope that doesn’t put you off, and you come by again - I personally all enjoy reading all friendly comments whether I agree or not.
@plonkee
Hey, Not put off in the least and am not too surprised either, I’m just chiming in to show that there are other sides to creating and creation that might not otherwise cross your paths if we all get put off with each other.
A little bit about myself, early 50’s christian been so since fall of 77 before which I was of the belief that there was no god, He proved to me at that time that He does exist and 30 years later here I am. I have always since been drawn to theology and enjoy the discussion.
No common ground is possible with theists if you are an antitheist. Although we are both human- that is the closest to common ground we get. There entire worldview is skewed. The exception is weak theists who I view as ading and abbeting the fanatics.
Sam I beg to differ we have words that we can use to share our points of view and skewed worldviews and opinions or thoughts. For example, a number of christian friends of mine have the opinion that atheists are just god haters but my comment is “how can you hate what you don’t believe exists without believing” so why all the hostility?
@Sam:
I also disagree. God (as a concept) just isn’t important enough for me to find no common ground between myself and other people who happen to be theists.
I do have a problem with non-fanatical theists who aid and abet the fanatics, and I wonder why it is commonplace for liberal religious people, who have few or no shared beliefs with the said fanatics, to defend them. I think that we need to work on the liberal religious, rather than dismiss them though.
Plonkee & Sam
If what you are referring to are those individuals or groups that are lukewarm in any conviction, I too find them worthy of society’s ire, as a whole these silent or complacent beings add nothing to either side of any argument and end up being nothing but dead weight that someone else has to eventually carry. I don’t think they are limited to being theists though, I think every walk of life has their butt dragger’s. Are we then fighting over the hope of swaying this crowd to our own side so that our numbers are increased so as to prove our point more true?
If so then I offer that we are both deceived.
I am referring to people who believe absolutely and totally in the existence of God, whilst simultaneously believing absolutely and totally in tolerance and reason.
I find it annoying that some of them think that they have more in common with, and should respect, someone for believing in god or gods, than someone who doesn’t but shares every other value.
No, an antitheist is someone against godbelief, not god. Hmm I’m going to need a better term- that is what the phrase means. As for hating god- I don’t - my opinion is the same as that towards the British government “Smile at the camera”.