Science: Atheists Might Not Exist

[BCSpace]

Metaphysical thought processes are more deeply wired than hitherto suspected

WHILE MILITANT ATHEISTS like Richard Dawkins may be convinced God doesn’t exist, God, if he is around, may be amused to find that atheists might not exist.

    Cognitive scientists are becoming increasingly aware that a metaphysical outlook may be so deeply ingrained in human thought processes that it cannot be expunged.

    While this idea may seem outlandish—after all, it seems easy to decide not to believe in God—evidence from several disciplines indicates that what you actually believe is not a decision you make for yourself. Your fundamental beliefs are decided by much deeper levels of consciousness, and some may well be more or less set in stone.

    This line of thought has led to some scientists claiming that “atheism is psychologically impossible because of the way humans think,” says Graham Lawton, an avowed atheist himself, writing in the New Scientist. “They point to studies showing, for example, that even people who claim to be committed atheists tacitly hold religious beliefs, such as the existence of an immortal soul.”

    This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since we are born believers, not atheists, scientists say. Humans are pattern-seekers from birth, with a belief in karma, or cosmic justice, as our default setting. “A slew of cognitive traits predisposes us to faith,” writes Pascal Boyer in Nature, the science journal, adding that people “are only aware of some of their religious ideas”.

 

.......

EVOLUTIONARY PURPOSES

If a tendency to believe in the reality of an intangible network is so deeply wired into humanity, the implication is that it must have an evolutionary purpose. Social scientists have long believed that the emotional depth and complexity of the human mind means that mindful, self-aware people necessarily suffer from deep existential dread. Spiritual beliefs evolved over thousands of years as nature’s way to help us balance this out and go on functioning.

    If a loved one dies, even many anti-religious people usually feel a need for a farewell ritual, complete with readings from old books and intoned declarations that are not unlike prayers. In war situations, commanders frequently comment that atheist soldiers pray far more than they think they do.

    Statistics show that the majority of people who stop being part of organized religious groups don’t become committed atheists, but retain a mental model in which “The Universe” somehow has a purpose for humanity.

    In the US, only 20 per cent of people have no religious affiliation, but of these, only one in ten say they are atheists. The majority are “nothing in particular” according to figures published in New Scientist.

 

http://www.science20.com/writer_on_the_edge/blog/scientists_discover_that_atheists_might_not_exist_and_thats_not_a_joke-139982#.U77neYQckwA.facebook

 

 

Any of you seeing yourselves disappear?

[thesometimesaint]

Ad Populum argument .

[ERayR]

Another attempt to expunge personal responsibility.

[mfbukowski]

Been saying this for 40 years.

[BCSpace]

I've never felt the chemical reactions in our brains absolves us of responsibility.  Those reactions are just the natural man which we must overcome.

[LOSTONE]

If atheist don’t believe in God, than why do they spend so much time and energy fighting against him?

[Calm]

Probably for the same reason Christians try to convert those they see as pagans or worshipping nonexistent gods.

[The Nehor]

Probably for the same reason Christians try to convert those they see as pagans or worshipping nonexistent gods.

So because they have nothing better to do?

[Stargazer]

So because they have nothing better to do?

 

Yes, as a matter of fact!

[Garden Girl]

My husband said there weren't any under heavy enemy fire in the foxholes...

 

GG

[The Nehor]

My husband said there weren't any under heavy enemy fire in the foxholes...

 

GG

 

Maybe but the idea that combat and the threat of death reveal who we really are is a dubious idea.

 

I was once physically attacked viciously (by an animal). In my desire to live I retaliated brutally and without mercy. I don't regret my actions but does that one instance of brutality in extremis define who I really am?

[thesometimesaint]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_are_no_atheists_in_foxholes

[Garden Girl]

Maybe but the idea that combat and the threat of death reveal who we really are is a dubious idea.

 

I dunno Nehor... but dh did say that in some of the intense fighting... and it became very intense... those in his unit that were known to be athiest, or at the very least agnostic, were shaking, wetting their pants, and asking for God's help right along with the rest of them... I view it as the expression if not of faith, then a hope in something larger and more powerful under extreme life or death circumstances...  one of the worst situations was while in the personnel carriers heading for a beach landing... some of the men even threw up... then the  door would open and they faced enemy fire as they ran up on the beach...

 

TSS linked to an interesting read on the phrase about no athiests in the foxholes...

 

GG