Origins of popular Atheism?

[The Lorax]

The only thing the constitiution forbids is the government establishing any religion. This clause was placed there to protect the church from the government. Not the other way around.

It works both ways. The founding fathers were highly averse to the corrupt theocracies of Europe.

[The Lorax]

Name the last publication from intellectual Christians that named "atheism" as a mental disorder or as infantile.

Don't know. Tell me, then tell me why I should care.

Now name the last publication from intellectual atheists that named "Christianity" as a mental disorder or as infantile.

Don't know. Tell me, then tell me why I should care.

The political field is shaped by the intellectual field. A simple high school study of history will show you that.

...And vice versa.

And look how quickly you gloss over important points like the fact there are no militant atheists in the federal government whereas it is filled with militant Christians, that we have a militant Christian for president, etc. Not that it matters though, because, according to you, all these people are "shaped by the intellectual field", which is totally atheist. *yawn*

You're asking me to believe that the militant Christians in politcal control of this country have no power over it, and that Dawkins is our true president.

[apothanein kerdos]

*sigh*

Can you deal with what I wrote?

*sigh*

Name the last publication from intellectual Christians that named "atheism" as a mental disorder or as infantile.

Don't know. Tell me, then tell me why I should care.

Now name the last publication from intellectual atheists that named "Christianity" as a mental disorder or as infantile.

Don't know. Tell me, then tell me why I should care.

The political field is shaped by the intellectual field. A simple high school study of history will show you that.

...And vice versa.

The last intellectual Christian publication or author in an intellectual work that named atheism as a mental disorder or infantile: There is none.

The last atheistic publication or author in an intellectual work to name Christianity or theism as a mental disorder or infantile:

Paul Bloom and Deena Skolnick Weisberg in Science

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (people who feel "blessed" all the time, are "unnaturally perky," belief that they are going to heaven, etc., all have a mental disorder)

I could go on with articles from the APA, journal articles about people who believe in a purpose for creation, etc.

The reason you should care is quite simple and obvious - the intellectual world shapes politics. The intellectual world creates our future leaders. Of course, since you're a quasi-atheist, this might not be a big deal to you.

And look how quickly you gloss over important points like the fact there are no militant atheists in the federal government whereas it is filled with militant Christians, that we have a militant Christian for president, etc. Not that it matters though, because, according to you, all these people are "shaped by the intellectual field", which is totally atheist. *yawn*

Name the politicians that have said atheists shouldn't be allowed to have children. Name the politicians that have tried to get atheism declared a mental illness. Name the politicians that have said raising your child as an atheist is child abuse.

For every politician you name, I can name you three or four professors or academic writers/publishers that have come out and said awful things about Christians and what to do about them.

[Grandtheftcow]

Your area is totally different from mine but then that's to be expected; I'm not even sure you're in the U.S.

Yeah I'm up north in Canada here so different culture and all. Religion here seems to be something for the older generation and is declining as they pass on.

That being said, how did you come up with "Grandtheftcow" as a user name? That's priceless!

Oh I thought of the name while trying to come up with something unique for an e-mail address. Turns out the name's unique to the Internet too so any search engine would only return me and my Internet shenanigans.

Btw, my cousin was playing GTA in the background when I first saw your post, grandtheftcow. How's that for eerie?

It's a fun series even though many here would find the games content objectionable.

[nebula]

I'm only saying that it is hypocritical for Christians to call atheists "militant" for their desire to spread atheism, when Christians similarly want to spread Christianity. I'm equating the militancy, not the truth, of the Christian vs. atheist agendas. Big difference.

Lorax, if the Lord would ask me if there was anyone I would like to see take a trip to Heaven and come back, I'd pick you. Do you want to know why? Because then you would see reality from an entirely different perspective, one that would change your life forever. You wouldn't see life about rights and freedom of choice and all of these things, but you would see life being about life vs. death, with God or against God, Heaven or Hell, in the Kingdom or out of the Kingdom. The Love of God will drive your thoughts and motives.

This is what the Christian life ought to be about.

[undone]

Your area is totally different from mine but then that's to be expected; I'm not even sure you're in the U.S.

Yeah I'm up north in Canada here so different culture and all. Religion here seems to be something for the older generation and is declining as they pass on.

GTC,

To what do you attribute this change in the Canadian culture? Do you feel this change has had or will have any negative impact on Canadian society? Positive impact? (Your opinion and/or statistical data will do).

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My impression of the discussion between Lorax and AK is that Lorax feels AK is a bit paranoid. I disagree to the extent that we (as American Christians) don't want to find ourselves 10-20 years later wishing we had done all we could to protect our rights to practice our faith and teach and/or discipline our children as we see fit.

I think AK is simply pointing out that we should be diligent to protect our freedom from those who would seek to take it away and justify doing so by persuading lawmakers that we (as Christians and/or other religious bodies) exhibit traits of a mental disorder because we beleive what we beleive. Dawkins and the like have the freedom to voice their opinions in this country but the minute they begin to infringe on my rights, we have a problem. Too often I feel we've been passive about letting things slide. I see nothing wrong with people such as AK who act as watchmen to keep us aware of potential dangers lurking in our future. Is he over-reacting, maybe. But I'd rather find out he and others like him were over-reacting than under-reacting to the potential erosion of our constitutional freedoms.

[The Lorax]

The last intellectual Christian publication or author in an intellectual work that named atheism as a mental disorder or infantile: There is none.

See my previous comments which address exactly what you are saying now. Maybe you will read them this time.

Presumably, you are waiting for me to concede that atheists make more frequent claims that theists are delusional than the other way around. However, it's also easier for atheists to make this claim, since theists often claim to experience visions, divine visitations and other things that could be (and are) written off as delusional experiences. However, since atheists don't experience these kinds of things, it is harder to attribute their beliefs to hallucinations and the like. Instead, most theists argue that atheists know God exists (on some level) and choose to reject him.

The last atheistic publication or author in an intellectual work to name Christianity or theism as a mental disorder or infantile:

Paul Bloom and Deena Skolnick Weisberg in Science

If this were relevant information, it would behoove you to indicate when this is published, and how many such publications exist.

The reason you should care is quite simple and obvious - the intellectual world shapes politics. The intellectual world creates our future leaders. Of course, since you're a quasi-atheist, this might not be a big deal to you.

Why do you keep repeating this? Do you acknowledge the political world shapes the intellectual one? Why ignore the fact politics are currently run by militant Christians, and there are no militant atheists at all?

Name the politicians that have said atheists shouldn't be allowed to have children. Name the politicians that have tried to get atheism declared a mental illness. Name the politicians that have said raising your child as an atheist is child abuse.

I don't have time to name all the politicians that push for things like "faith-based initiatives" and other illegal, unconstitutional abuses of taxpayers' money.

For every politician you name, I can name you three or four professors or academic writers/publishers that have come out and said awful things about Christians and what to do about them.

Oh God, professors! Good thing they don't govern the United States of America.

[juan77]

From a Christian worldview perspective, can anyone shed light on the origins of the popularized brand of atheism we see today?

I'm sure people have struggled with doubts since creation and according to atheists, you're born an atheist.

Just a thought: I anyone was born an atheist, why does everyone have the inherent capacity and need to worship or bow down to something? Why then is there so many idols in this world? From Buddah to the golden calf Aaron moulded to materialism (money, stuff, etc...)

[Grandtheftcow]

GTF,

To what do you attribute this change in the Canadian culture? Do you feel this change has had or will have any negative impact on Canadian society? Positive impact? (Your opinion and/or statistical data will do).

Canada is generally socially progressive. We have universal health care, same sex marriage, a strong sense of multiculturalism, anti-racist policies, and bilingual government services. A lot of those things run counter to whats stated in the Bible, or at least by popular Christian leaders in the US and American culture itself.

Although few are very interested in science there is an understanding that what we know about the universe runs counter to what the Bible states and as a result many Christians I've talked to simply ignore Genesis, Noah's flood, and in some cases the entire Old Testament because of it's more hateful teachings compared to those of Jesus in the New Testament.

Do I think our current culture is beneficial? In my opinion the grass does seem greener on this side of the border.

[Grandtheftcow]

Just a thought: I anyone was born an atheist, why does everyone have the inherent capacity and need to worship or bow down to something? Why then is there so many idols in this world? From Buddah to the golden calf Aaron moulded to materialism (money, stuff, etc...)

I'd contend that there isn't an inherent need to worship but an inherent desire to understand the world we live in.

For many religion and gods have fulfilled that need.