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Started by Tank, July 14, 2018, 07:06:02 PM

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Tank

Dave raises an interesting point of discussion.

Quote from: Dave on July 14, 2018, 03:17:07 PM
As has been said before, a new term is seriously heeded. There have been "Brights", a term for which I have no time, nor for the arrogance I found on one "Bright" forum.

I call myself an atheist and a humanist, both of which are accurate for my purposes. But I would wish for something to include a disbelief in all aspects of the supernatural or other "non-rational" approaches to the macrocosm or microcosm.

OK, this is outside the scope of the original post but, I feel, it worth exploring the whole

Should the term be 'Rationalist'?
If religions were TV channels atheism is turning the TV off.
"Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt." ― Richard P. Feynman
'It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.' - Terry Pratchett
Remember, your inability to grasp science is not a valid argument against it.

joeactor

Quote from: Tank on July 14, 2018, 07:06:02 PM
Dave raises an interesting point of discussion.

Quote from: Dave on July 14, 2018, 03:17:07 PM
As has been said before, a new term is seriously heeded. There have been "Brights", a term for which I have no time, nor for the arrogance I found on one "Bright" forum.

I call myself an atheist and a humanist, both of which are accurate for my purposes. But I would wish for something to include a disbelief in all aspects of the supernatural or other "non-rational" approaches to the macrocosm or microcosm.

OK, this is outside the scope of the original post but, I feel, it worth exploring the whole

Should the term be 'Rationalist'?

Rationalist sounds good, as does Humanist.

I actually prefer both of those to "Atheist" because they are positive terms stating what you are, rather than a negative term stating what you are not. Perception is important.

No one

I am not sure I follow completely, but just add, I don't think there is anything "supernatural", nothing outside the power of nature. That being said, there are things outside of the scope of human understanding.

Dave

Quote from: No one on July 14, 2018, 07:33:30 PM
I am not sure I follow completely, but just add, I don't think there is anything "supernatural", nothing outside the power of nature. That being said, there are things outside of the scope of human understanding.

Yeah, like how anyone can eat live oysters!
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74

Sandra Craft

Quote from: Tank on July 14, 2018, 07:06:02 PM
Dave raises an interesting point of discussion.

Quote from: Dave on July 14, 2018, 03:17:07 PM
As has been said before, a new term is seriously heeded. There have been "Brights", a term for which I have no time, nor for the arrogance I found on one "Bright" forum.

I call myself an atheist and a humanist, both of which are accurate for my purposes. But I would wish for something to include a disbelief in all aspects of the supernatural or other "non-rational" approaches to the macrocosm or microcosm.

OK, this is outside the scope of the original post but, I feel, it worth exploring the whole

Should the term be 'Rationalist'?

I don't know -- atheists have their share of irrational people even if the supernatural is left out.  Maybe "materialist" is the best we could do, tho that's still wide open to misinterpretation (being confused with Madonna fans, for instance).
Sandy

  

"Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet."  Sarah Louise Delany

hermes2015

I vote for Rationalist.
"Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se."
― Charles Eames

Velma

Rationalist sounds good to me.
Life is but a momentary glimpse of the wonder of the astonishing universe, and it is sad to see so many dreaming it away on spiritual fantasy.~Carl Sagan

Bluenose

Quote from: Dave on July 14, 2018, 08:07:39 PM
Quote from: No one on July 14, 2018, 07:33:30 PM
I am not sure I follow completely, but just add, I don't think there is anything "supernatural", nothing outside the power of nature. That being said, there are things outside of the scope of human understanding.

Yeah, like how anyone can eat live oysters!

I put my vote in for rationalist.

Regarding the oyster question, it's simple, just open your gob and suck em down.  Nothing more delectable than Sydney rock oysters, fresh shucked off the rocks.  Spent many a pleasant afternoon as a kid on the rocks near Huskisson on Jervis Bay eating as many oysters as I could find, open the shell, out with the oysters, wash it in the sea for seasoning and to remove any grit, then down the hatch.  Delicious!
+++ Divide by cucumber error: please reinstall universe and reboot.  +++

GNU Terry Pratchett


Dave

Quote from: Bluenose on July 15, 2018, 01:58:04 PM
Quote from: Dave on July 14, 2018, 08:07:39 PM
Quote from: No one on July 14, 2018, 07:33:30 PM
I am not sure I follow completely, but just add, I don't think there is anything "supernatural", nothing outside the power of nature. That being said, there are things outside of the scope of human understanding.

Yeah, like how anyone can eat live oysters!

I put my vote in for rationalist.

Regarding the oyster question, it's simple, just open your gob and suck em down.  Nothing more delectable than Sydney rock oysters, fresh shucked off the rocks.  Spent many a pleasant afternoon as a kid on the rocks near Huskisson on Jervis Bay eating as many oysters as I could find, open the shell, out with the oysters, wash it in the sea for seasoning and to remove any grit, then down the hatch.  Delicious!

OK, I'll go for rationalist, can't think of a better label!

Pass on the oysters, I will eat most things but I do prefer them dead. Tinned, smoked oysters are something like I expect dried elephant bogeys to be, chewy and salty.
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74

Essie Mae

 I actually prefer both of those to "Atheist" because they are positive terms stating what you are, rather than a negative term stating what you are not. Perception is important.
[/quote]

I think that's a really good point
Hell is empty and all the devils are here. Wm Shakespeare


Dave

Quote from: Essie Mae on July 15, 2018, 04:32:48 PM
I actually prefer both of those to "Atheist" because they are positive terms stating what you are, rather than a negative term stating what you are not. Perception is important.

I think that's a really good point
[/quote]

And "atheist" defines us interms of something others believe in and worship.
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74

No one

Perception is important? Why?
People's perception of me is less important to me than the first deuce I ever dropped.

Essie Mae

Quote from: No one on July 15, 2018, 04:46:39 PM
Perception is important? Why?
People's perception of me is less important to me than the first deuce I ever dropped.

Mostly I would agree with that No one but it becomes important in such areas as opposing the teaching of creationism as fact in school science classes. Christians often regard atheists as beyond the pale; almost slightly sub-human and airily dismissed. Same with opposition to the group of 40 (ish I think) Church of England clergy who sit in the UK House of Lords. A positive title would be more difficult to oppose IMO.
Hell is empty and all the devils are here. Wm Shakespeare


No one

I understand your point Essie. The truth doesn't give 2 shits about people's perception of it. Whether or not creatards accept it, evolution is a fact. Granted, people might not have all the pieces of the puzzle from step 1 to step now in the chain reaction that is evolution it does nothing to dilute its certainty. 

It may take the truth several decades or even Milena to rise above the shit, make no mistake about it, it will surely rise.

xSilverPhinx

:notsure: I don't think 'Rationalist' would apply to all atheists...which would be my major problem with it.

('Bright' doesn't either, there are some pretty dim atheists out there).

Quote from: Sandra Craft on July 15, 2018, 12:38:01 AM
I don't know -- atheists have their share of irrational people even if the supernatural is left out.  Maybe "materialist" is the best we could do, tho that's still wide open to misinterpretation (being confused with Madonna fans, for instance).

:this:
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey