Originally posted by Soothfast
"Neutral" may not be an inapt descriptor of a newborn's mind, but it does not conflict with "atheist" as another descriptor. I take the definition of an atheist as being "A person who does not believe in gods." Notice how "atheist" suits an infant far better than "theist," which is defined to be a person who does believe in some god or another. No int ...[text shortened]... oung" is the watchword of the laity and clergy alike in every institutionalized religious Mafia.
Originally posted by Soothfast
"Neutral" may not be an inapt descriptor of a newborn's mind, but it does not conflict with "atheist" as another descriptor. I take the definition of an atheist as being "A person who does not believe in gods." Notice how "atheist" suits an infant far better than "theist," which is defined to be a person who does believe in some god or another. No interpretation of the term "theist" befits a newborn, whereas some interpretations of the term "atheist" can be made to fit.
I do find it endearing how passionately theists will fight the semantic fight to keep infants from being classified as anything resembling an atheist. The only other endeavor theists seem to take to with greater zeal is that of hammering every young, malleable mind in their custody with theist propaganda until they've fashioned identical spiritual clones of themselves.
"Get 'em while they're young" is the watchword of the laity and clergy alike in every institutionalized religious Mafia.
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Definition of TABULA RASA
"1. Noun:
the mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions. 2. something existing in its original pristine state. Origin of TABULA RASA: Latin, smoothed or erased tablet. First Known Use: 1535"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tabula%20rasa
TABULA RASA
tab•u•la ra•sa (t b y -l rä s , -z ) n. pl. tab•u•lae ra•sae (t b y -l rä s , -z )
"1. a.
The mind before it receives the impressions gained from experience. b. The unformed, featureless mind in the philosophy of John Locke. 2. A need or an opportunity to start from the beginning. [Medieval Latin tabula r sa : Latin tabula, tablet + Latin r sa, feminine of r sus, erased.]"
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Tabula+rosa
Note: Like it or not, you and I were ignorant once upon a time. Yes, Grampy Bobby and Soothfast's minds as newborns were tabulae rasae: two blank tablets or pristine slates; millions of bits of information would subsequently be examined, processed and assimilated. Simultaneously, an untold number of inconsequential and significant, temporary and permanent decisions would follow each day of their lives right up to this conversation on Red Hot Pawn on January 13, 2014. -Bob