<p>Historically, is it?</p>
<p>I'm not sure what kind of answer you're looking for. I'll give you my take. I don't think Atheism exists. I believe human beings are wired for some kind of belief beyond hope, if you will. Even the most famous Atheists right now, such as Sam Harris, author of "Letter to a Christian Nation," hold some kind of spiritual belief. Harris practices some form of Buddhism. Even I, who find atheism the better alternative to organized religion, often find myself silently reciting "Our Father who art in heaven, hollow'd be thy name..." during a duck-and-cover at school. </p>
<p>A whole school of science has been devoted to the study of religion, and many scientists agree religion is an evolutionary byproduct, that perhaps it's in our genes, that human beings need religion. However, that belief would require an Atheist premise, so...who knows? Anyway, so-called "atheists" have been around for ever.</p>
<p>Well I'm taking a survey in the field of Theology, and I was looking for more of a true or false answer. If you think false then tell me why? However your assertion was very enlightening.</p>
<p>Atheism has existed all along Human History. Hinduism(Sanātana Dharma), the world’s oldest religion, has a special school of atheists: cārvāka/lokyāta.[/url</a>] Abul Fazal (Biographer and friend of Indian Emperor Akbar) mentions about cārvāka philosophers in meeting of all religions organized by Akbar around 16th century. In fact, in Rāmāyana(dates around 3 thousand years ago) one character that gets considerable space is a skeptic pundit called Jaavali. Being a atheist he junks Religions, calls it as a invention by greedy Brahmans, and that [url=<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama%5DRāma's%5B/url%5D(incarnation">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama]Rāma's(incarnation</a> of Lord Vishnu) actions are foolish, especially for a wise person like him(Rāma). Another old Religion (or Sect) Buddhism is [url=Nastika]Nastika<a href="non-theistic">/url</a>. So is Jainism. In fact Sanskrit has the largest amount of atheist literature amongst all classical languages. I am not aware if Abrahamic religions had a atheists schools, though. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, modern day atheists are born after a superficial reading of 19th century philosophers; notable of which is Nietzsche (who famously declared that god's is dead). Reading Nietzsche is one thing, understanding him is another.</p>
<p>Personally, I think that modern day atheists are just stupid teens who know nothing.</p>
<p>"I think that modern day atheists are just stupid teens who know nothing."
-Hm, that's quite an assertion there. :/</p>
<p>"Reading Nietzsche is one thing, understanding him is another."
-Really? It takes a very smart man to say "God is dead"
Joke.</p>
<p>"Non the less, modern day atheists are born after a superficial reading of 19th century philosophers" </p>
<p>-I beg to differ. Like I said, one of the most outspoken "Atheists" of our day is a Buddhist. </p>
<p>"Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion, has a special school of atheists"</p>
<p>-That should reveal something peculiar about "Atheism" itself. Right?</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion, has a special school of atheists"</p>
<p>-That should reveal something peculiar about "Atheism" itself. Right?
[/quote]
I said that modern day teen atheists are stupid not that atheists are stupid.</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Non the less, modern day atheists are born after a superficial reading of 19th century philosophers"</p>
<p>-I beg to differ. Like I said, one of the most outspoken "Atheists" of our day is a Buddhist.
[/quote]
I am takling about Teens. Sam Harris isn't a teen; if he's he doesn't looks like one:p</p>
<p>How old are you? Forgive me for asking, but I really resent how you label all teen "atheists" as "stupid" </p>
<p>I'm a teenager and an "Atheist." Actually, more like an "atheist" who accepts that religion is atavistic. Why don't you go google that word while you ponder this: Are you calling me stupid? :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
How old are you? Forgive me for asking, but I really resent how you label all teen "atheists" as "stupid"
[/quote]
I am not aware if I called all teens as stupid or atheists. I would be celebrating my 87th birthday soon, little girl.</p>
<p>"I said that modern day teen atheists are stupid not that atheists are stupid."</p>
<p>^ Well, I think you should work on being more specific. Otherwise, people like me will expect you to back up what you say. </p>
<p>PS- It would be more like "daughter" :) Yes, girls can be "Atheists" too</p>
<p>PPS- I'm really pretty bad at arguing. It shouldn't be THIS easy to prove someone wrong.</p>
<p>
[quote]
PPS- It would be more like "daughter" Yes, girls can be "Atheists" too
[/quote]
I corrected that before your post:p</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm really pretty bad at arguing. It shouldn't be THIS easy to prove someone wrong. And a boy at that! Who would've thought...
[/quote]
You proved me wrong! Cool! When?</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Reading Nietzsche is one thing, understanding him is another."
-Really? It takes a very smart man to say "God is dead" Joke.
[/quote]
Anyways, you must be pretty ignorant to not see the paradox in these words.</p>
<p>well, you know what they say about arguing on the internet...</p>
<p>lol, yeah I am ignorant. It's sort of a like, human thing, you know?</p>
<p>
[quote]
well, you know what they say about arguing on the internet...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I got ba**** last time when i expressed my opinion about that.</p>
<p>
[quote]
lol, yeah I am ignorant. It's sort of a like, human thing, you know?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's not a human thing, that's a characteristic of inferior mortals(infies as i call them)</p>
<p>uh huh...</p>
<p>this discussion was over a lonnnggg time ago. just accept it! soon you'll have to resort to checking my post history to find more pointless things to argue about. :)</p>
<p>clearly you made a statement you could not defend. that's OK because I do it all the time, it really is human, just accept it and let's call it what it was.</p>
<p>
[quote]
clearly you made a statement you could not defend. that's OK because I do it all the time, it really is human, just accept it and let's call it what it was.
[/quote]
Sorry(:p)If you are talking about my statement that all "teen atheists are stupid" then i am still stuck with it(:D)</p>
<p>Nah, I don't like searching other's post history.</p>
<p>Ayways kunfuzed, the answer is No.</p>
<p>Aspiring_1010, I really have no clue what you're on about. Just as a note, Buddhism can be seen as a philosophy of life and of morals. What about Richard Dawkins? Does he have religion?</p>
<p>Edit- Excuse the writing! I was trying to type fast to get my point across. </p>
<p>awb1989- Yes, Buddhism can be seen as a "philosophy of life and of morals." But what religion can't? Is Christianity not a "philosophy of life and of morals?" Buddhism is still an explanation of human existence and requires a "belief or hope beyond reason." Buddhism is different than Christianity, but it falls under the same label because it provides man with an explanation other than a scientific 'you go in the ground after you die and that's it' kind of answer. </p>
<p>I'd like to clarify that my view is purely subjective and definitely has holes. It necessitates the premise that religion is intertwined with our evolution, that it is in our genes, almost, to believe in something beyond reason. </p>
<p>What I meant when I said I did not believe in atheism was that because I hold an evolutionary view of religion, (which has compelling arguments) atheism must be a false precept. I can sit here and convince myself that the idea of a God is absurd, how can that be possible? I can then call myself an atheist. OK, OK, it's much more complicated than that, but you get the idea? However, I often find myself crossing my fingers during take-off or holding my breath in a graveyard -completely absurd superstitions, but it still attests to the fact that no matter how many times I reject organized religion, I still find I have "belief beyond reason."</p>
<p>As for Richard Dawkins, I wish I could tell you but I just threw out the article that might have answered your question. But to really know would require me to know him inside and out. Does he have any secret superstitions? Perhaps you can do some research and get back to me? </p>
<p>Also, if you're interested, there have been some studies done that provide a support for my argument. If you're interested, let me know.</p>
<p>Christianity is more than a belief system about morals and the such. What about that whole theistic part of it?</p>
<p>Religion is something learned, not anything in your genes. I have no clue why you would assert that. So you've got belief beyond reason. What's that got to do with anything? You're not an atheist, so atheists don't exist? Lolz.</p>
<p>Richard Dawkins is not religious. He is an atheist. Furthermore, a lot of scientists are misinterpreted, which leads people to believe that they are religious.</p>
<p>And you've got studies, but didn't link them here? Interesting.</p>
<p>^ And what about the whole theistic part of Buddhism? Every religion has theism, I never denied that. </p>
<p>I think you misunderstood my point about religion. Of course it's not actually in our DNA. What I meant was that it is natural to humans, that it is instinct almost. It's a saying. </p>
<p>I never made a statement about scientists in general. And Richard Dawkins says that he is not religious. That does not mean he does not have unreasonable beliefs about a God or superstitions. Anyway, any sensible person could write about how the idea of "God" is impossible, that's easy and then turn around and go to church. It's harder to do it the other way around.</p>
<p>Those studies are not on the internet. They were done by a professor at NYU and were in the second most recent NYT magazine. Want more?</p>