To Know or Not to Know - that is the Answer.

I decided to create a new thread from a discussion which has been evolving regarding Atheism in this thread.

At present, I think it possible that part of the problem with some or perhaps all of the particular subsets of Atheism in being able to agree to one standard identifier as to 'What Atheism is' has to do with how to chose one which denotes 'lack of belief' which is provable.



There is a tendency for Atheism to veer away from belief altogether because belief simply is not science and Atheism relies on science to back it up.



Science is not about belief, nor realistically about disproving beliefs although where it is able to be used for this purpose it can has and will continue to be a useful tool for this job.



This is why the problem of finding an all purpose description which covers 'What Is Atheism' while denoting 'lack of belief' is difficult for Atheism to accomplish.



The phrase "Lack of belief in God(s)" does not accomplish this, although it is a description for a subset of Atheism, and is contested by other subsets because it infers that newborn Human babies fall under this description but realistically cannot be referred to as Atheists.



The generally accepted description for the Whole Set [Atheism] is 'That which does not believe in God(s)' which is also the accepted description recognized by at least one of the subsets of Atheism.



The problem with this description of course is that it denotes belief, which is not scientific.



The justification for the particular stance is that 'Theists believe in God(s) but cannot produce evidence which supports such beliefs.'

However, because Atheism believes that these God(s) do not exist because they haven't been proven to exist, the 'proving this belief' has to rely upon science.



But science cannot conclusively prove that God(s) do not exist and furthermore is not really intended for that purpose, because the task of science is to examine physical evidence and come to conclusions which are physically demonstrable and things like 'God(s)' are not physical by the nature of the description, and if they were then they could not be referred to as 'God(s)' and thus the reason science is not the tool for the job, and will never be, and does not claim to be because it is in itself not a conscious entity so cannot 'claim' anything. The claims are made by those using science (Scientists) to discover, examine, etc.



Atheists who use science in an effort to back up their claims regarding Theism in relation to God(s) do not prove the non existence of God(s) so therefore do not prove the Atheist beliefs that God(s) do not exist.



This is not a new argument I know, but it does highlight the possible reason for the existence of these Subsets and the aversion to having the word 'belief' within the structure of the general description of 'What an Atheism/an Atheist' is.



Because where belief is concerned, the burden of proof is required.



In relation to belief, the best place to be is outside of it altogether. The definition of true 'Lack of Belief' is 'The state of either knowing or not knowing' and that state cannot be achieved through Atheism as far as I am aware.

If you are sure you understand what I am saying, fine.

If you are not, please ask for clarification.

If you think there are parts where I have expressed poorly but get the gist and see there is no real issue with being possibly misunderstood, please try to work with this rather than use it as an opportunity to take advantage of it on supercilious based reasoning such as "if Navigator cannot use the language of academia he deserves to be treated contemptuously." as I am here for the purpose of mature discussion and don't think language needs to be used as a tool for less edifying purposes.

If you find it difficult to use language in any way other than academically, I am fine with making attempts to come up to that level, as best as I am able, and can only ask for your patience in this regard.

Thank You.

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