"Old" atheism, "New"atheism, atheism 3.0, WTF?

[charlou]

Simples...

I agree re not being pigeon holed or increasing the definition and reach of atheism, however it'd just be untrue for me to say I believe there is almost certainly no god, although that's the more rational approach, if I'm honest I don't really have that smidgen of doubt.

Thank you for the clarification.

I guess I take the ultra-logical approach. There universe is deeply weird and I don't think we understand it yet in any significant detail. So you never know is my approach. I see no evidence for a god, so I don't believe there is one but my level of 'certainty' is probably in the high 90% area, given that all the evidence may not be in yet.

For me it's a pretty straightforward case of accepting that everything is natural, whether or not we know about it ... therefore the notion of anything existing supernaturally is null and void ... which negates the notion of a supernatural entity, ie "God". Based on that logic, and throw into it a recognition of our tendency to be misguided by an anthropocentric perspective, and I'm a strong atheist.

[Hermit]

"Old atheism" was just as vocal against religion as this so called "New atheism".

Too right. You couldn't get much more cutting about religion than this: "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." (Lucius Annaeus Seneca 4 BC – AD 65)

[JimC]

Simples...

I agree re not being pigeon holed or increasing the definition and reach of atheism, however it'd just be untrue for me to say I believe there is almost certainly no god, although that's the more rational approach, if I'm honest I don't really have that smidgen of doubt.

Thank you for the clarification.

I guess I take the ultra-logical approach. There universe is deeply weird and I don't think we understand it yet in any significant detail. So you never know is my approach. I see no evidence for a god, so I don't believe there is one but my level of 'certainty' is probably in the high 90% area, given that all the evidence may not be in yet.

For me it's a pretty straightforward case of accepting that everything is natural, whether or not we know about it ... therefore the notion of anything existing supernaturally is null and void ... which negates the notion of a supernatural entity, ie "God". Based on that logic, and throw into it a recognition of our tendency to be misguided by an anthropocentric perspective, and I'm a strong atheist.

That is broadly my position as well, but in some ways, the exact degree of atheism is not the point of the OP. Atheists vary considerably on the stance they wish to take on religion. It is important to differentiate the stance one may make to a religion, and the way you are prepared to relate to people you know who are believers.

If asked (or even without prompting), I will make it clear that I am an atheist, but that does not mean that I can't work with, or enjoy the company of believers (or at least the non-fundamentalist variety). I have no interest in protesting against religion in general, though I may protest at any undue influence of religion in areas that ought to be secular. Religions will live or die as peoples belief systems live or die.

[Feck]

I don't think I know any christians.. I know a few new age crusty's with the associated belief in lots of Woo I don't mind them .
I know a few lapsed catholics that cannot shake off their indoctrination they annoy the shit out of me , but I think both of them that I know are dreadful people anyway .Ripping into their sectarian /guilt complex's is an easy way for me to make them stay away from me .
I love a good doorstep challenge with god-botherers .....but they now send children around ,cowards.

I'm not a humanist in that I am not greatly attached to the species as a whole and have not great faith that we will aspire to much more than the t-rex's did in the long run ,and that's just talking about this planet.

What "Type" of atheist am I ......
Strong ..... but lazy .

[QuarkyGideon]

When someone calls me a new atheist I'll just mention epicurus and state how new atheism began all those thousands of years ago.

[juːtoʊpiə]

Old atheism= atheism that lets religion stamp all over people
New atheism= atheism that doesn't let religion stamp all over people
New new athiesm= atheism that lets religion stamp all over people

Go figure