09-17-2006, 12:05 PM
Just so you know I am an atheist or I prefer, unbeliever in a god or gods. I do not claim there is no god only that I have not received evidence to convince me into believeing in the many gods that have been posited.
Atheism has a bad reputation, many times rightly brought about by inane comments. To briefly tell you my thoughts on atheism. Atheism means literally without theism. What is theism?
Theism: Believe in a god or goddess that intervenes with mankind.
There are many forms of theism in this world. Many worship the triune god of christianity others are mono-theists worshiping Allah or in Judaism or the Zorastrians who worship Ahura Mazda. Also some worshop Odin from Norse religion or Zeus From greek religion and many Hindu gods and goddesses.
All are theists. For example if I believe in Odin and he is my god and I believe he intervenes with mankind then I am a theist, by definition. So then all those who believe in some other god and do not believe in Odin are then taking an "atheistic" approach to my god.
So then really all are atheistic in their beliefs some believe in one god but not the others and some do not believe in any god that has so far been posited. Everyone then is atheistic towards some diety.
Also the god or goddess (if in wicca) are contradictory to each other so it cannot be the same god or goddess.
I will not say there is no god or goddess, just that I do not yet believe in the one you posit.
However in Islam (read the Quran) it teaches peace amongst themselves and even more important, peace to those who do not believe who are not enemies.
I can personally attest to this as I have friends who are Muslim who KNOW I am atheistically minded and they are still my friend and stay by my side.
I cannot say the same for other religions, I have one friend from when I was a christian )calvinist) and there are many similarities to these two religions. Both believe that God Allah is in control of all.
I can say that Islam is a true religion of peace they are not terrorists at all. The terrorists are not following the words of the Quran and their prophet Muhammed (pbuh). The true followers of Islam know of what I speak, so to those who are of other religions do not be quick to judge until you have spoken to TRUE Muslims.
They are a people of peace and understanding even to those who do not believe such as I and will embrace you if you will only give them a chance!!
Peace to all
Voice of reason
I do not like the term atheist and the connotationa that come with it, because being reasonable I have not searched the entire universe and do not know whether there is a god of some sort or not.