How to become an atheist

[rug]

Jun 28 2016
Russell Grenning

Proving yet again that anything can and will happen in America, the University of Miami has announced that the establishment of the first academic Chair “for the study of atheism, humanism and secular ethics.”

They have bold plans for this trail-blazing and innovative new program although I am understandably reluctant to suggest that they are praying for its success. They might think I was being somewhat flippant.

It is being established with a $US2.2 million donation from a wealthy retired Florida businessman, Louis J Appignani who is a prominent atheist. Recently, discussions between the University and Mr Appignani were accelerated – well, he is 83 and, obviously, coming closer to the day when he will meet his Maker, or not as his case might be.

Professor Harvey Siegel from the University’s Philosophy Department who helped get the show up and running has revealed discussions with Mr Appignani began 15 years ago.”There was great reluctance on the part of the university to have an endowed chair with the word ‘atheism’ in the name, and that was a deal-breaker for Lou. He wasn’t going to do it unless it had the word atheism in it,” Professor Siegel said. And, after all, “it” did mean a handy $US2.2 million and no God-fearing tertiary institution is going to refuse that, are they?

https://startsat60.com/stories/opinion/how-to-become-an-atheist

[PJMcK]

1. I used to be an atheist...

...until I converted to Orthodox Atheism. Now, I'm a born-again atheist.

[rug]

2. I tried to be a Charismatic Atheist.

I never found any.

[PJMcK]

3. Maybe you lack Charisma (wink) (n/t)

[DetlefK]

5. One can never have enough Charisma:

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charisma_Carpenter

[struggle4progress]

4. "A Twenty Year Study of Americans Who Don't Collect Stamps: Preliminary Results"

[DetlefK]

6. Correction: ""A Twenty Year Study of Americans Who Deny the Existence of Stamps"

Theists claim that there is a god and they will keep believing that until they have seen evidence against all possible kinds of gods.

Atheists claim that there is no god and they will keep believing that until they have seen evidence for one possible kind of god.

Agnostics believe neither and claim that this final evidence doesn't exist.



I'm an agnostic because neither theists nor atheists can offer evidence for their claim.

[LongtimeAZDem]

7. More accurately

Atheism is nothing more than the lack of an affirmative belief in a deity, and requires no claim of negation, in the way that "not guilty" does not claim "innocent".

Agnosticism, as defined by Huxley when he coined the term, is a process, rather than verdict; it is the application of rational analysis to theological questions.

If one examines the question of a deity, and finds insufficient evidence, they are an agnostic atheist. If, on the other hand, they believe the evidence supports an affirmative belief, they are an agnostic theist. This is in contrast for emotional or "revealed" foundations for belief.