On Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:19:45 -0400, John Husvar
wrote:

Awwww, horseapples, you two!

"Cult" is merely a sociological term for fitting all or part of a list
of behaviors. It is value neutral -- except for the connotations it has
accreted in non-academic and media use.

Every religion I've ever heard of has some or all of the characteristics
of a "cult." Goes with the territory.

Atheism can't be a religion in the usual Western sense because it
doesn't accept the central thesis of such religions: a god. (Eastern and
other philosopho-religions are their own special cases.)

As far as provability, fuggedaboutit: Theists can't prove there is a god
and atheists can't prove there isn't. (that proving a negative thingy)
(Even Dyslexic Agnostics can't "prove" their case(s).

Neither position is subject to empirical or logical proof since what is
to be proved doesn't seem to exhibit any reliable evidence either way.

IMHO, about the only tenable position is: I don't know and probably
can't know and probably wouldn't be able to grasp it if I could know,
being stuck with a finite mind.

Not to say the thread hasn't been fun to read, doncha know.

Now does this muddy the waters any more? :P


But of course! And you raise very good..nay..excellent considerations.

When it comes to religions..there is only one Honest man..and thats the
Agnostic. Because he admits not knowing, one way or another.


Atheism, just another form of religious cultism.

Gunner


"A conservative who doesn't believe? in God simply doesn't pray;
a godless liberal wants no one to pray. A conservative who doesn't
like guns doesn't buy one; a liberal gun-hater wants to disarm us all.
A gay conservative has sex his own way; a gay liberal requires us all
to watch and accept his perversion and have it taught to children.
A conservative who is offended by a radio show changes the station;
an offended liberal wants it banned, prosecuted and persecuted."
Bobby XD9