Atheism in a nutshell?

[theInquirer]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum.

I’ve recently become interested in the subject of atheism. I’ve been gathering up information on the internet, to really grasp what atheism is exactly, and what the common beliefs of atheists are, but so far I’ve been met with quite contradictory results. It seems that some sources indicate something quite contrary to others, as well as some people who claim to be atheist exhibit beliefs opposite to those of others, who claim to be the same thing.

I’m posting here in the hope that someone might be gracious enough to answer some of my questions, or direct me to some resources, that might do that. I’m really looking for answers that represent the “true” beliefs between atheists – I’m sure there must be extremes deviating in any and all directions, by people who claim to be atheist but actually believe something else entirely. I’m looking for the “atheism in a nutshell” list of principles that, if asked to a random selection of people who consider themselves truly atheist, would get positive responses and general agreement. Also, if I’m asking the wrong questions in the first place, please, correct me, I would love to hear your input as to what the core of atheism beliefs is.

So, here’s a list of questions that I was interested in, but have gotten mixed results in my searches so far:
1) Do atheists believe that there definitely is no God, or however you call the supposed creator and master of the world, or other deities, or do they simply not care if there are?
2) Do atheists believe that there definitely are no souls (spirits, or whatever you wish to call them – that which is our conscience, if it were not just a result of the physical processes in our heads), or do they simply not care if there are?
3) While on the subject, do atheists believe that all existence, all life, and specifically humans also, are just subatomic particles playing out a grand show ever since some starting event and state, according to a set of laws of physics?
4) Are there any branches of atheism that deviate from the main ideas of atheism? If so, what are they called and how do they differ?
5) Are there branches of atheism that are actually not opposed to the existence of a God, other deities, souls, etc, but are simply opposed to following any main stream religion, which they deem obviously wrong and unacceptable in its practices?
6) And finally, if you consider yourself a true atheist, what is at the core of your beliefs? I am asking specifically regarding beliefs of the makings of the universe, the human essence, life, and so on.

But, please, only answer if you consider yourself truly atheist, to the best of your understanding of the word in its original sense, as opposed to modifying its meaning under your beliefs, and then labeling yourself atheist anyway, for whatever reason. I’m saying this because I’ve found some extreme deviations in beliefs expressed by people who claim to be atheist, which obviously means that someone is changing the meaning of the word.

Thanks a lot!

[steenkh]

Originally Posted by theInquirer

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum.

Welcome to the forum!

1) Do atheists believe that there definitely is no God, or however you call the supposed creator and master of the world, or other deities, or do they simply not care if there are?

Atheists are people who do not believe that gods exist, so it is fairly safe to say that we are beyond the "do not care" stage. But sometimes you atheists are divided into those who are 100% certain, who are called "strong atheists", and those who are just certain, and who are called "weak atheists". I do not find this distinction particularly helpful, because every educated atheist knows that we can never be 100% certain of anything, so this would rule out strong atheism altogether, except for some people who might be treating it like a religious belief. Personally I am as certain about the non-existence of gods as I am of every other thing that I am certain of, and I think that is fairly "strong".

2) Do atheists believe that there definitely are no souls (spirits, or whatever you wish to call them – that which is our conscience, if it were not just a result of the physical processes in our heads), or do they simply not care if there are?

Since the concept of atheism is only concerned about gods, it is possible to find atheists who believe in souls, afterlife, reincarnation, goblins, you name it! Nevertheless, I am sure that the overwhelming majority of atheists do not believe in souls.

3) While on the subject, do atheists believe that all existence, all life, and specifically humans also, are just subatomic particles playing out a grand show ever since some starting event and state, according to a set of laws of physics?

Again, atheists are only concerned with gods, so anything goes here. I think that a majority, though perhaps not an overwhelming majority, believe in the the scientific worldview.

4) Are there any branches of atheism that deviate from the main ideas of atheism? If so, what are they called and how do they differ?

No. Atheism is not a religion, but merely the name for people who do not believe in gods. It is difficult to not believe in something in different ways!

5) Are there branches of atheism that are actually not opposed to the existence of a God, other deities, souls, etc, but are simply opposed to following any main stream religion, which they deem obviously wrong and unacceptable in its practices?

That would not be atheism. Perhaps humanists would fall under that category?

6) And finally, if you consider yourself a true atheist, what is at the core of your beliefs? I am asking specifically regarding beliefs of the makings of the universe, the human essence, life, and so on.

The scientific worldview. I follow where the evidence leads us regarding all questions. I have no special preference for cosmological theories, though some seem to be more fun than others, and I see no evidence of the supernatural anywhere, which means that I do not think there is something called "human essence", and I do not think that life is anything other than amazingly complex self-replicating molecules.

But, please, only answer if you consider yourself truly atheist, to the best of your understanding of the word in its original sense, as opposed to modifying its meaning under your beliefs, and then labeling yourself atheist anyway, for whatever reason. I’m saying this because I’ve found some extreme deviations in beliefs expressed by people who claim to be atheist, which obviously means that someone is changing the meaning of the word.

That sounds interesting! What extreme deviations of beliefs have you found with among atheists? Extreme political differences would be well possible, because it is dificult to be united in a non-belief.

[Nikitta]

Originally Posted by steenkh

Atheists are people who do not believe that gods exist, so it is fairly safe to say that we are beyond the "do not care" stage. But sometimes you atheists are divided into those who are 100% certain, who are called "strong atheists", and those who are just certain, and who are called "weak atheists". I do not find this distinction particularly helpful, because every educated atheist knows that we can never be 100% certain of anything, so this would rule out strong atheism altogether, except for some people who might be treating it like a religious belief. Personally I am as certain about the non-existence of gods as I am of every other thing that I am certain of, and I think that is fairly "strong".

Where did you get that definition of strong atheism from? A strong atheist is someone who believes that there is no god and a weak atheist is one who doesn't believe that there is a god, but doesn't believe that there isn't one either. No need for percentages and most definitely no need for 100% claims.

[Marc Lund]

Originally Posted by Nikitta

a weak atheist is one who doesn't believe that there is a god, but doesn't believe that there isn't one either.

Ehm... that seems to describe agnosticism more so than any kind of atheism; which indicates a disbelief in gods.

[Xaignar]

Originally Posted by Marc Lund

Ehm... that seems to describe agnosticism more so than any kind of atheism; which indicates a disbelief in gods.

And I think this sums up pretty well why theInquirer has been unable to get clear answers to his questions: Nobody, and especially not atheists themselves, can ever agree on what the hell its supposed to mean.

"Splitter!"

[GordonHide]

Originally Posted by Xaignar

And I think this sums up pretty well why theInquirer has been unable to get clear answers to his questions: Nobody, and especially not atheists themselves, can ever agree on what the hell its supposed to mean.

"Splitter!"

[Nikitta]

Originally Posted by Marc Lund

Ehm... that seems to describe agnosticism more so than any kind of atheism; which indicates a disbelief in gods.

Agnosticism is the belief that we can't know whether or not there are any gods. That's a completely different question from whether or not you believe that there are any gods.

I know that a lot of people use the term "agnosticism" in the way you describe, but it is incorrect.

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in gods - not necessarily the positive belief that there are no gods though some atheists hold that too.

[Marc Lund]

And so to further substantiate Xaigners valid point…

Originally Posted by Nikitta

Agnosticism is the belief that we can't know whether or not there are any gods. That's a completely different question from whether or not you believe that there are any gods.

I am aware of what agnosticism is and you’re not completely correct. A person who does not believe the question of a god’s existence has been settled is just as much an agnostic as one who believes it can’t be settled. What you were describing comes pretty close to the first.

Originally Posted by Nikitta

I know that a lot of people use the term "agnosticism" in the way you describe, but it is incorrect.

I know of people who simplify agnosticism to a point where the definition of it no longer describes the actual stand…

Originally Posted by Nikitta

Atheism is simply the lack of belief in gods - not necessarily the positive belief that there are no gods though some atheists hold that too.

As I wrote, disbelief in gods, if you want to quibble over the phrasing feel free to do so without my participation.

[Nikitta]

Originally Posted by Marc Lund

As I wrote, disbelief in gods, if you want to quibble over the phrasing feel free to do so without my participation.

I don't want to quibble - I just want to ask if you see any difference between disbelief and lack of belief. It would help clarify what you mean.

[Marc Lund]

Originally Posted by Nikitta

I don't want to quibble - I just want to ask if you see any difference between disbelief and lack of belief. It would help clarify what you mean.

I see the two as being the same; that is not believing in a god.