Thursday, June 9, 2011

Atheist Values

Differences in outlook - Discuss Atheism - Beliefnet Community

Most non-believers I know are interested in social values and the direction of human evolution, neither of which is bounded or delimited. Much of the thinking in this area is found in fiction, that most do not recognize as atheist until you realize that nothing in the fiction depends on God. Steinbeck for example superficially uses religious themes in East of Eden but it is one of the most profoundly humanist books I have ever read and reread frequently I might add. Similarly for Grapes of Wrath. None of the major characters can or do get any help or guidance from God in their attempt to create a livable society for the propertyless. Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Pournelle-Niven are all working out the ramifications of social structures without God. Ostensibly telling fictional stories about the future, they are dealing with real situations that exist in societies today, and working them out without the help of God. And not incidentally showing how such societies can work quite well in many cases.

The other, much more difficult source of information about atheists working out the problems of living is to observe the lives of graduates of the top universities. Very few get their direction or inspiration from God in working out the messy and unbounded problems of making a contribution to their society through their work, perhaps in business, but frequently in a non-profit, the arts, or academia, living and raising families that will carry their values and aspirations forward. Most are too busy to blog, but an interesting source that many depend on is peers in the social networks on line. Almost always simply links to interesting idea sources, but once a trusted atheist acquires a following others feed links that are reposted for those interested. This source is obviously quite new. And used by Churches effectively to promote religion, but the secular world is using it effectively as well.

I am not sure how any of this might help us find common ground, as it appears to me that God solutions are necessarily static and conservative, and the atheist solutions fluid and nebulous. Uncertainty is part and parcel of an atheist life, as the only certainty is death. Living in a way to justify having lived is an important issue for most atheists. God won't help.

3 comments:

Exploringinside said...

Atheist: [characterized by people who believe] the universe exists without God, gods, or supernatural phenomenon.
How does one live and function when they are out of the reach of extended Paternal Guidance, either directly or through a claimed intermediary (prophet or preacher)?
They live just fine and get normal results from making decisions that do not consider the existence of or claimed orders/directions of any Deities.
Regarding ideas and things an Atheist might value that sets them apart from most Theists, Atheists may exercise their independent judgment and need not wait to hear the "Party Line" before decisions are made.
Likewise, the phrase "if it is to be its up to me," represents the self-responsibility one usually accepts when becoming convinced that no one nor anything else will "do it for you." [No magical bowl of ripe cherries...just a bowl of seeds and pits in need of "planting."] One can assess their efforts and act accordingly.

J'Carlin said...

I almost used "If it is to be it is up to me to do it." in the original post. It is atheism in 13 short words. I once read an article on the challenge to write the longest sentence using 2 letter words, but the quote is so good the originator has been lost I have tried to find it many times and just can't come up with it. If anyone can find it please let me know.

Not every atheist is going to change the world, but many if not most of them have a vision of what "is to be," and accept the challenge of "it is up to me."

We will prevail. Homo atheist is the next new species. Actually ERSSG but almost all are atheists.

J'Carlin said...

I didn't have link to ERSSG handy.