07.26.09
History of atheism
Wikipedia: history of atheism
Pharyngula cites this page (or rather complains of the end-stub on the ‘new atheists’) on the ‘history of atheism’.
The current crop of new atheists/darwinists/etceterists-against-religion might consider the way this history begins with Buddhism/Jainism in the Axial period, and generates the atheist traditon even though the adherents here were beyond the duality of theism/atheism (or so it might be said).
But even so this ‘atheism’ was not associated exclusively with materialism, or at least reductionism materialism. In general these ancient atheists fully acknowledged the reality of what we sloppily call a ‘spiritual’ domain. Note that the classic Samkhya provides a substitute language for the duality of spiritual and material.
In general it should be noted that contemporary atheism is a degeneration of the original perspective.
The reason many ‘atheists’ confronted with the new atheism must change their labels and move on.
The Axial Age | Atheism in Axial period said,
July 28, 2009 at 4:35 pm
[...] History of atheism Students of Axial Age forget that atheism and monotheism both appear in the Axial period. [...]
Jairo Mejia said,
July 29, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Atheists and Gnostics are right in most of their thinking
It has been common among religious believers to look with misgiving to atheists and Gnostics, and to think that they are mistaken; however, in many instances the opposite is the truth; some religious beliefs are not just irrelevant, but baseless. The “God” of main line traditions simply does not exist. I accepted the challenge of finding the One who may be recognized even by Gnostics and atheists: the Existence itself, “All-That-Is.” If something is there, that is God. Look at the book “Christianity Reformed From ist Roots – A life centered in God” (Amazon.com). I am confident that some of your friends will be relieved of the illusion, as I did myself.
Jairo Mejia, M. Psych., Santa Clara University
Retired Episcopal Priest
Carmel Valley, California
http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Grudzen.htm
http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Churcher.htm