Sadly, it means I don't get to be nearly as smug as certain theists or atheists. But don't worry about me. I usually find something else to be smug about.
Oh, I wouldn't say that. You're doing a pretty good job here.
Which, of course, was the point of the last sentence. :)
However:
I do not know a single atheist who wouldn't change his or her mind in a heartbeat given credible, reproducible evidence for the existence of god(s).
I actually know quite a few. Thus the "there must be a logical explanation!" cliche. However, I also know other atheists who would accept evidence if it were presented, so I'm not trying to paint with a broad brush here.
I for one have actively sought such evidence because I am extremely eager to change my mind. I have prayed to any god(s) who might listen to ease my existential crisis — with no answer.
I honestly don't want to be offensive here, but why do you feel you have to call yourself an atheist here, as opposed to an agnostic? I accept you don't believe in any gods, but it sounds like you're not just keeping an open mind on the subject, but aggressively pursuing it.
As for the question of skeptics and other elements of the spiritual or paranormal -- that may be getting afield of the topic, but I think it's actually pretty related. As you say, the mindsets are closely related -- and in the case of a good number of public atheists, converge entirely.
But as you also say, the adherents of the paranormal are more used to it, because they're generally used to being on the margins. Theists are in the center, particularly in our country, and there's a lot who are offended by the very concept of atheism. So it's a hot button issue, as you say.
Which is probably where some of my annoyance is coming from. In a world where the loud voices -- the Evangelical Right v. the Dawkins contingent, if you will -- are forcing the whole debate into black and white, yes or no, it pisses me off to be told I have to fall into one of those two camps. I don't, and no one's going to make me. If my opinions or beliefs change, it will be because of my own experiences and life, not someone else's.
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Date: 2007-12-03 10:16 pm (UTC)Oh, I wouldn't say that. You're doing a pretty good job here.
Which, of course, was the point of the last sentence. :)
However:
I do not know a single atheist who wouldn't change his or her mind in a heartbeat given credible, reproducible evidence for the existence of god(s).
I actually know quite a few. Thus the "there must be a logical explanation!" cliche. However, I also know other atheists who would accept evidence if it were presented, so I'm not trying to paint with a broad brush here.
I for one have actively sought such evidence because I am extremely eager to change my mind. I have prayed to any god(s) who might listen to ease my existential crisis — with no answer.
I honestly don't want to be offensive here, but why do you feel you have to call yourself an atheist here, as opposed to an agnostic? I accept you don't believe in any gods, but it sounds like you're not just keeping an open mind on the subject, but aggressively pursuing it.
As for the question of skeptics and other elements of the spiritual or paranormal -- that may be getting afield of the topic, but I think it's actually pretty related. As you say, the mindsets are closely related -- and in the case of a good number of public atheists, converge entirely.
But as you also say, the adherents of the paranormal are more used to it, because they're generally used to being on the margins. Theists are in the center, particularly in our country, and there's a lot who are offended by the very concept of atheism. So it's a hot button issue, as you say.
Which is probably where some of my annoyance is coming from. In a world where the loud voices -- the Evangelical Right v. the Dawkins contingent, if you will -- are forcing the whole debate into black and white, yes or no, it pisses me off to be told I have to fall into one of those two camps. I don't, and no one's going to make me. If my opinions or beliefs change, it will be because of my own experiences and life, not someone else's.