Monday, January 26, 2009

Atheism and devotion

Can you be an atheist without devoting yourself to atheism in any way? Some people, like Dawkins, are really dedicated to atheism. They put more effort into being atheists that most Christians put in to being Christians. But it does seem that one response, once you become an atheist, is not to devote yourself much to it and to move on in life and occupy yourself with other things. Many secular philosophers I have known are more like that.

4 comments:

Gordon Knight said...

I think only a tiny minority of atheists are devoted. Most think of God as being like Santa Claus. They don't believe and focus on other things.

Anonymous said...

I think many of those who 'move on to other things' are often irreligious, rather than committed atheists. Their way of not believing in God is similar to someone who doesn't believe in one or another claimed fact about the world - maybe it's true, maybe not, but they don't think so.

Samuel Skinner said...

Only if you live in a theocracy does it take more effect. Otherwise, it is a matter of preferance.

Mark Frank said...

Of course there are plenty of Christians who do not devote themselves to Christianity.