The Occasional Solipsist

A blog that I follow 'religiously' (har, har) recently posted a meme that outlines the hows and whys of an atheist individual's belief system. Sometimes I try to avoid these memes, but it seemed that the focus of this was one I couldn't pass up. That and I am on the long stretch of time off part of my swing shift, and with everybody sleeping, and only so much Unreal Tournament one can play...

Q1. How would you define “atheism”?

An total absence of belief in a supreme being (or beings).

Q2. Was your upbringing religious? If so, what tradition?

Baptized anglican, raised among missionary, catholic, anglican faiths, among others. I had a zealot for a Mother that just couldn't make up her mind about which one fit her best. Probably helped me see that everyone was peddling an only slightly different flavour of bullshit.

Q3. How would you describe “Intelligent Design”, using only one word?

Ludicrous.

Q4. What scientific endeavour really excites you?

Space exploration. We should have been on Mars 20 years ago, and since we're not there yet, I am following the current Mars mission with interest.

Q5. If you could change one thing about the “atheist community”, what would it be and why?

Let's find a way to be less lethargic about things and get more effectively organized.

Q6. If your child came up to you and said “I’m joining the clergy”, what would be your first response?

"Can't we go get you a tattoo and a nipple ring instead?"

Q7. What’s your favourite theistic argument, and how do you usually refute it?

That the wonder of the universe just can't be explained by science and rationalism alone. I refute it by saying simply that I look at the wonder of the universe and want to understand it without abstractions or supernaturalism. It is enough that it is magnificent to an atheist, and to a theist, it isn't.

Q8. What’s your most “controversial” (as far as general attitudes amongst other atheists goes) viewpoint?

When I go off about that '100% Fatal Fundie Virus' that I keep hoping will go around and take care of that pesky religion problem for us. Only problem is there wouldn't be all that many people left in the world afterwards, sadly.

Q9. Of the “Four Horsemen” (Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens and Harris) who is your favourite, and why?

Harris. He so eloquently represents the Atheist position. Dawkins is a close second.

Q10. If you could convince just one theistic person to abandon their beliefs, who would it be?

Just one? Can I pick a country instead? Like maybe the majority of the vocal United States, please.

Props again to Nullifidian for the meme.

Labels: atheism