Grim,

Worry over the definition is fine if folks want to. I have more important things to do and whatever is the definition of Atheism people want to accept, my work and Atheism itself, has not, is not, and will not suffer a smidgeon because of it.

I’ll leave the pedants to wring their hair in dismay. They generally are of little use to Atheism anyway.

David

There's another problem with the AFA's definition that I haven't yet pointed out (in addition to the other major problems I and others identified that David hasn't yet responded to...):

It confuses atheism with naturalism. Plenty of atheists believe in something supernatural.

Maybe when the president of the atheist foundation learns what atheism is, people might start taking him seriously.

I'm a charitable bloke but I have to say, this is such incompetent, irrational philosophy from the president of an association that is supposedly founded on a highly rational, purely intellectual position.

Makes you wonder, yes?

And David, your work might not suffer because of it in your view, but I can assure you your credibility does.

Any atheist with a smidgeon of philosophical self respect should avoid your organisation. If someone were to join the liberal party, they'd expect the president to have some kind of idea what liberal ideals are, for example. Thus, why should someone join the atheist foundation if the pres and his board have no idea what atheism is?

But also big thanks to everyone- this was an interesting, broad, generally respectful discussion.

Trav,

You have already categorised yourself as I have pointed out and now you dig yourself deeper into that group.

“Plenty of atheists believe in something supernatural.”

Really, I suppose you are right, just that “plenty” should be replaced with “a few”

I conclude that from my fifty years experience as an Atheist and near thirty years in the Atheist Foundation of Australia.

Sort of place me in a position of probably knowing what I am talking about, doncha think?

And as I often say, Atheism is not an automatic inoculation against stupidity. It’s just better than anything else.

David

GlenC
Anyone who hasn’t said a prayer for themselves or others really hasn’t lived.

As for a platoon of tradesmen, there was a 2 story house built on a ridge at Shute Harbour in the Whitsundays some years ago. It was in an exposed position, so the very rich owner had the house built to be as strong as possible.

In fact, it was believed to be one of the strongest houses built in Australia at the time, with stainless steel cyclone bolts, almost bullet proof glass and stainless steel lintels around the windows.

During cyclone Ada, it not only blew off the roof, but the entire second story. Luckily the owners had previously emptied their concrete ground level water tank, and survived by hiding in the water tank.

I suppose the building could have been built stronger, depending on how many millions of dollars someone had available to spend.

Money helps provide safety, but not everyone has sufficient money to maximize their safety.