Originally posted by knightmeister
I'm still trying to figure out what Atheists actually believe. I may have been hasty to assume that Atheism = Nihilism without exceptions but I still think there's a case to answer. We theists are clear about what rationale backs up our conviction in love, morality and meaning because we believe these things are rooted in reality. As far as I can tell llectualisation and philosophical beating about the bush - let's get real for a change!)
Atheists as a group do not believe anything. Individual atheists will have their own individual beliefs, but these beliefs are not part of their atheism. I don't really understand what Nihilism is so I don't know if I am a Nihilist; I don't think so.
What does it mean for "morality" and "meaning" to be "rooted in reality"? I don't understand that idea. Of course love exists; it's an emotion I have experienced myself, so I know it exists. Are you saying love is something other than an emotion?
Morality is matter of opinion. I don't talk about moral values being real things, but they are; simply because different people have different moral values doesn't mean those values are not real. Moral values are values; they are therefore of importance to people because that's what values are; things that are important to people! If money is important to me, I value it; if it's not important to me, I don't value it.
What does "ultimate nature of reality" mean?
Question....if everyone (you included) in the world (alive or long dead) thought that torturing children was Ok would that make it Ok or would there still be a case for saying it was actually wrong?
This act will be ok or not only in an individual's opinion. If everyone thought it was ok, it would be. Okayness is a judgement a person makes about something.
How can I give a heartfelt response when you just told me what my heartfelt response would be in this artificial scenario of yours?