10 Questions for an Atheist

Though Jewish Atheist didn't tag me, I thought the meme he posted recently was well done and worth a shot:

Q1. How would you define “atheism”?

By its literal meaning - a lack of belief. I don't know there is no God, but everything I know and feel tells me there is not one. It's truly one of those pointless definitions. We don't need to define a belief system for those people that don't believe in Santa Claus.

Q2. Was your upbringing religious? If so, what tradition?

Apathetic to nonexistent. Nominally baptised Methodist and occasionally dragged to church in grade school to appease grandfather.

Q3. How would you describe “Intelligent Design”, using only one word?

Futile.

Q4. What scientific endeavour really excites you?

Alternative energy, space exploration, evolutionary biology

Q5. If you could change one thing about the “atheist community”, what would it be and why?

Image. It would be nice to be taken more seriously. More like a group of people with an interesting and relevant philosophical take instead of the crazy bag lady in the corner.

Q6. If your child came up to you and said “I’m joining the clergy”, what would be your first response?

First of all, I wouldn't be greatly surprised. My child is already being raised as Lutheran/cafeteria Catholic and at the age of 7 is fairly enthusiastic about it. But he's also very intelligent, interested in science and a voracious reader. And he also knows Pop's take on the whole God thing. So, who know where his thinking will be when he's of age. Regardless, I will support him.

Q7. What’s your favorite theistic argument, and how do you usually refute it?

Cosmological arguments - that God is the originating cause of the universe. Even atheists have to admit that it is logically possible.

There are complicated ways of refuting this but the simplest would be that if God created the universe, then who created God? Christians would say that God has no beginning and therefore doesn't need a cause. But you can't have it both ways.

Q8. What’s your most “controversial” (as far as general attitudes amongst other atheists goes) viewpoint?

I don't think I really have any controversial atheistic views. I don't believe religious people (most, anyway) are evil.

Q9. Of the “Four Horsemen” (Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens and Harris) who is your favourite, and why?

Haven't read Dennett yet but have read the other 3. I do like Dawkins but I'm partial to Harris because I think he's a bit more accessible. Hitchens, while obviously intelligent, is completely off his rocker.

Q10. If you could convince just one theistic person to abandon their beliefs, who would it be?

The Pope, perhaps? How one person can have so much influence over so many people, I can never understand. I'm not sure that it would do much good, however. They'd just find somebody to replace him.

I guess that I'm not really striving to "convince" any one. I'd be thrilled if everybody came to the conclusion on their own when presented with the evidence. Conversions done with arm-twisting aren't really conversions. And that is basically one of my main complaints about religion ... the concept of proselytizing and the need to convert.

Atheists to tag:

I'd tag CK, but I see that he's already been tagged. Anybody that considers themselves atheists can take up the mantle if they wish.