Atheist or Naturalist?
In reading some articles from a place down the road that has the curious title Center for Inquiry, I found that there is a difference between being an atheist and a naturalist, and I have yet to figure out which best describes me. Here are the definitions:
naturalist: n. 1: an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms 2: a biologist knowledgeable about natural history (especially botany and zoology) [syn: natural scientist]
(obviously I'm referring to definition one up there)
a·the·ist: n. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods
For more information on naturalism Click Here (http://www.centerforinquiry.net). (This site also has great arguments against Creationism/ID)
The Bloated Goat
12-10-2005, 18:55
I suppose I'm a naturalist. After all, you have to understand the world before you can conquer it. ;)
New Watenho
12-10-2005, 19:12
What is contradictory about being both atheist and naturalist, that you put them as mutually exclusive options?
I'm leaning more toward Naturalist as well, it sounds like it supercedes being an atheist...like an atheist with data! :)
What is contradictory about being both atheist and naturalist, that you put them as mutually exclusive options?
I agree. This poll needs to be redone.
The Noble Men
12-10-2005, 19:19
I'm sticking with Atheist.
Else I'd have to rename my Region Naturalist Haven.
Anyway, I thought a naturalist was a term for nudist?
Anyway, I thought a naturalist was a term for nudist?
That would be 'naturist'. People frequently call them 'naturalists' though.
Uber Awesome
12-10-2005, 19:29
Strange that there is not an option to be both.
What is contradictory about being both atheist and naturalist, that you put them as mutually exclusive options?
Well, I think an atheist says, "I don't believe in a god" whereas a naturalist says, "I don't believe in anything that is not supported by falsifiable evidence, and here's why....."
That's the main difference as I see it.
Strange that there is not an option to be both.
Sorry...I thought of naturalist as encompassing atheist while atheist was a microcosm of naturalism without holding to all the tenets therein.
Like a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not necessarilly a square.
I don't believe in a God regardless of her name.
Uber Awesome
12-10-2005, 19:33
Sorry...I thought of naturalist as encompassing atheist while atheist was a microcosm of naturalism without holding to all the tenets therein.
Like a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not necessarilly a square.
Oh yeah. My mistake!
[NS]Olara
12-10-2005, 19:39
Basically, I think you can be an atheist (not necessarily believing in a god) and still not be a naturalist. For instance, if you believe that trees, rocks, the earth, humans, and other things, have spirits, then you are not a naturalist, even if you don't believe in a god. You can't, however, be a naturalist without being an atheist. Naturalism is the belief that the natural world is all there is. This precludes there being a god, and therefore obliges a naturalist--in the philosophical sense of the word--to be an atheist.
Olara']Basically, I think you can be an atheist (not necessarily believing in a god) and still not be a naturalist. For instance, if you believe that trees, rocks, the earth, humans, and other things, have spirits, then you are not a naturalist, even if you don't believe in a god. You can't, however, be a naturalist without being an atheist. Naturalism is the belief that the natural world is all there is. This precludes there being a god, and therefore obliges a naturalist--in the philosophical sense of the word--to be an atheist.
That was kind of my point. But thank you for articulating it much better than I have.