Atheism is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as (a) a disbelief in the existence of a deity or (b) a doctrine that there is no deity and by The Oxford Dictionary as the disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. The Supreme Court proceedings of Schempp vs. Curlett defined atheism in eloquent humanist terms:
An atheist loves his fellow man instead of a god. An atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy. An atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it, and enjoy it. An atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment. He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god... He believes that we are our brother’s keepers and are keeper of our own lives; that we are responsible persons and that the job is here and the time is now.
For the purposes of this discourse, the terms atheist and atheism will encompass this humanist philosophical view point as well as modes of thought based upon scientific principals and tangible realities of existence; thus avoiding defining atheism only in relation to theistic belief systems. It is important to acknowledge that atheism, and indeed non-theism as well, is not simply a reaction to theistic beliefs or an angry rebellion against the theocratic majority. Rather, it is a celebration of life, a complete acceptance of mortality, and a joyfulness in truth.
“And what is more pleasing than practical wisdom when you consider the reliability and efficiency ...
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...iedrich. Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ. Trans. R J Hollingdale. 1889. Introduction Micheal Tanner, 1990. Translator’s Note R J Hollingdale, 1968. London: Penguin Group, 2003. Print.
“Our Founder”. Carnegie Corporation of New York. 2009 < http://carnegie.org/about-us/foundation-history/about-andrew-carnegie/ >
Pellissier, Hank. “Atheist are the Most Generous – Even Without Heaven Reward!”. The Richard Dawkins Foundation. 25 November 2011. Web. 3 April 2012.
School District of Abington Tp., Pa. Vs. Schempp. No. 374 US 203. Supreme Court of the US. 17 June 1963. Westlaw. Web. 16 April 2012.
“Sean Faircloth, Former Executive Director”. Staff. Secular Coalition For America, n.d. Web. 3 April 2012. < http://secular.org/bios/Sean_Faircloth.html>
This case bounced back and forth between Supreme Court and district court before eventually ending in 1963. Abington school district appealed to the Supreme Court after it was not satisfied with the verdict at district court level.
"Pickering v. Board of Education - 391 U.S. 563 (1968)." Justia US Supreme Court Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
"Tinker V. Des Moines Independent Community School District (No. 21)." Legal Information Institute. Cornell University Law School, 24 Feb. 1969. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .
Bennett, A., & Brower, A. (2001). ’THAT’S NOT WHAT FERPA SAYS!’: THE TENTH CIRCUIT COURT GIVES DANGEROUS BREADTH TO FERPA IN ITS CONFUSING AND CONTRADICTORY FALVO V. OWASSO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT DECISION. Brigham Young University Education & Law Journal, 2, 327.
20 May 2014. This article shows a majority of the cases that are relevant to the topic and research questions; it clearly shows the articles that are involved with public schools and how and what they did. It helps answer that research question because it shows that some of the schools are capable of bypassing the system, but sometimes get overturned. Paulson, Ken. A.
The National Center For Public Research. “Brown v Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954) (USSC+).” Supreme Court of The United States. 1982 .
When it comes to the study of religion, there are certain methods and protocols that must be followed in order to analyze a tradition or practice from an objective standpoint. This is why most scholars who study religion utilize the functionalist approach in order to look for a particular function that religion plays in society. One of the key components of this approach is Methodological atheism, or remaining suspicious of supernatural claims. In addition, the functionalist approach breaks down religious claims into social functions and focuses on what purpose a religion serves for the insiders who practice it. This approach involves asking questions such as who is making a claim, about what, and what purpose it may serve to the society that implements this claim.
Jenkins, Phillips. The Lost History of Christianity. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Print. Phillips, Jonathan.
One’s worldview is usually dependant on how the particular individual interprets life and its occurrences. Additionally, if one believes something to be so, it will be so to them. It’s all a matter of perception. However, which perspective is truly accurate: Agnosticism, Theism, or Deism? These three worldviews have been the subject of countless debates throughout history and that have yet to be concluded. The purpose of this philosophical essay is to suggest that theism is likely to be considered the correct worldview.
Hitchens, Christopher. "An Atheist Responds." The Washington Post. N.p., 15 July 2007. Web. 20 Oct. 2012.
H.J. McCloskey wrote a journal article in 1968 called “On Being an Atheist” which denounced the existence of the Intelligent Designer. He uses different tactics to try and prove that there could not be a God. McCloskey shows that his argument for atheism is not sound as the evidence he proves in his article can be combatted with well-thought responses provided by philosophers and Christians in order to show there is the possibility God exists.
It is no secret that the question or arguments for God’s existence arises in the minds of most individuals, but how does the one who believes so emphatically in the existence of God, respond to the one who insistently believes there is no God? In the article entitled, “On Being an Atheist,” the writer H.J. McCloskey makes his claims for atheism by disparagingly pointing out what he deems as contentions with Theism. He believes it is more comfortable to be an atheist than to believe in a God. It is quite possible for many to read this article and be agreeably overwhelmed by the many points McCloskey makes, however, for the minds and hearts who are strongly opposed to such remarks against theism, a response is necessary and even imperative to
God can be defined as a being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions (1). There are many people that do not believe in any religion. People who do not believe in a religion have no reason for believing in a God. People who do not believe in a God and argue against the existence of God are proving something that is completely false. There is a God for numerous reasons.
Barbour, Ian G. Religion in an Age of Science. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990. Print. (BL 240.2 .B368 1990)
Let’s start off by explaining what atheism is, it’s when you don’t believe in any form of an “Intelligent Creator” or God, as usually referred to as. The word atheism comes from the root word “theism”, which is when you believe in a God, or numerous Gods depending on the religion, and the prefix “a”, which means “not”. There are no set practices of atheism, or a set list of beliefs. To be an atheist you must believe what you would like and simply live your life without constraints based on what you believe is good or bad, not what you are told is good or bad. There is a constant debate against atheism from the theist side, because both sides’ arguments are polar opposites and each believes their side of the argument is 100% valid. I will state my view on some arguments, and clarify some common atheist stereotypes.