How Can I Help My Friend?

[Pappa]

I would explain to him that atheism is not a belief that there is "nothing more."

Incidentally, is there a name for the belief that there is "nothing more"?

[Coito ergo sum]

I would explain to him that atheism is not a belief that there is "nothing more."

Incidentally, is there a name for the belief that there is "nothing more"?

Probably more than one, but the first one that came to mind was nihilism.

[Coito ergo sum]

Hiya, and welcome traditionaldrummer!

I'd recommend avoiding arguments with your friend (sounds like you do that already) because interpersonal dynamics too often come into play to cloud reason. If I were in your shoes, I'd make a deal with him/her: I'd offer to read one of the wing-nut books in exchange for him/her reading Carl Sagan's Demon-Haunted World.

sagan-demon.jpg

Also, suggest this: http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... ainty-bias

Edit: I forgot my main suggestion! Invite him/her to join up here. We'll take care of the problem... Trust us...

That book should be required reading for all middle school and high school students. If anyone reading this has kids, and doesn't have this book in the house. Buy it. And force your kids to read it.

[Pappa]

I would explain to him that atheism is not a belief that there is "nothing more."

Incidentally, is there a name for the belief that there is "nothing more"?

Probably more than one, but the first one that came to mind was nihilism.

Sometimes, I should engage my brain before my fingers.

[Chinaski]

I would explain to him that atheism is not a belief that there is "nothing more."

Incidentally, is there a name for the belief that there is "nothing more"?

Probably more than one, but the first one that came to mind was nihilism.

Eliminative materialistic monism?

[Xamonas Chegwé]

You can't reject atheism because it is not a belief. Once you reject all gods, atheism is left - just as once you remove all light, darkness is left. It is simply a description of the default, null hypothesis of religious belief.

"Rejecting' atheism, while not believing in any god or gods, is as perverse as refusing to call yourself naked after removing all your clothes.