Does Atheism Exist?

[CardZeus]

Let me start by saying that I consider myself an atheist. However I got to thinking - is there anything that could convince me that a god exists? I have to admit that there is a possibility that, say, if god suddenly appeared and started performing miracles, healing the sick etc.etc., then I'd have a hard time disbelieving him.

So, is this the same for other proclaimed atheists? Could you be convinced by some act(s) of the existence of a god(s)? Does this mean we are really agnostics? Therefore does atheism actually exist??

[quixotecoyote]

At the risk of repeating other threads in progress, you seem to be making the commom error that an atheist is simply an intractable agnostic.

Agnostic is paired with Gnostic concerning certain knowledge.
Atheist is paired with Theist concerning what beliefs are held.

Agnostic is not on a continuum with theist and atheist, most atheists here are agnostic atheists. Gnosticism is almost exclusively paired with theism.

That said, of course (the vast majority of) atheists would believe in god if he actually showed up and started tossing miracles around. I had some missionaries around the other day and I told them I'd happily convert if they could demonstrate the power god has promised in the bible to allow them to curse fig trees. Neither volunteered to accompany me to the local nusery, but if they had demonstrated the bible's accuracy in regard to the power of god, I would have converted right there and will do so in the future should evidence be given.

Note: This offer is only good for instances where I'm sure there's no chance the fix is in or in controlled conditions. I will also accept prayer based mountain moving or amputee healing.

[Brian-M]

Depending on your definition, atheism is either...

A. The belief that god does not exist. (Strong atheism)
B. The lack of belief in God's existence. (Weak atheism)

The fact that you might change your belief if provided compelling evidence of God's existence at some future date has no bearing on whether or not you are currently an atheist.

[quixotecoyote]

Depending on your definition, atheism is either...

A. The belief that god does not exist. (Strong atheism)
B. The lack of belief in God's existence. (Weak atheism)

The fact that you might change your belief if provided compelling evidence of God's existence at some future date has no bearing on whether or not you are currently an atheist.

I'm trying to move away from that definition because it's fairly misleading. If you pick A, people jump down your throat about the inability to prove a negative even though to do so is to claim that any belief of anything's nonexistence is unjustified.

Since this definition tends to lead to the ridiculous extremes of people refusing to state that leprechauns don't exist, I'm happy to call it a distinction without a difference and move on.

You are correct that even within this definition there's no agnosticism.

[CardZeus]

Depending on your definition, atheism is either...

A. The belief that god does not exist. (Strong atheism)
B. The lack of belief in God's existence. (Weak atheism)

The fact that you might change your belief if provided compelling evidence of God's existence at some future date has no bearing on whether or not you are currently an atheist.

So Strong atheist = lower case "g" ; Weak atheist = upper case "G"

Got it:)

Thanks for the replies.

[Theophage]

Let me start by saying that I consider myself an atheist. However I got to thinking - is there anything that could convince me that a god exists? I have to admit that there is a possibility that, say, if god suddenly appeared and started performing miracles, healing the sick etc.etc., then I'd have a hard time disbelieving him.

So, is this the same for other proclaimed atheists? Could you be convinced by some act(s) of the existence of a god(s)? Does this mean we are really agnostics? Therefore does atheism actually exist??

Other people already said it, just because you could be convinced later that you were wrong, does not mean you don't hold a particular conclusion now.

I am also an atheist, a "strong" atheist. But I can think of about a half a zillion things which would convince me that God exists. Here's one: if Jesus didn't return to heaven after the crucifixion. Imagine having a 2000 year old guy available to actually speak to, nail wounds and all. Jesus gave that evidence to Thomas, but expects me to just believe a story?

[Brian-M]

So Strong atheist = lower case "g" ; Weak atheist = upper case "G"

Got it:)

I usually use the lower case when referring to gods in general, and the upper case for the Christian God because they tend to use it as his name (even though it isn't, and therefore shouldn't really be capitalized). Sometimes I get mixed up. :boggled: