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To: 50sDad
A "true Atheist" would be someone who had no interest in God, pro or con, just as someone who is "apolitical" would have no interest in politics.

I disagree; there are "professional skeptics" such as those at The Skeptical Inquirer and Skeptic magazine who have devoted their lives to debunking the existence of such things as UFOs, Bigfoot, ESP, etc. They certainly don't believe in such things, and yet they are quite interested in them (or more precisely, belief in them). In the same manner, a "true atheist", while not believing in God, could be interested in others belief in God.

32 posted on 10/28/2009 12:16:14 PM PDT by GL of Sector 2814 (One man's theology is another man's belly laugh --- Robert A. Heinlein)
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To: GL of Sector 2814

“In the same manner, a “true atheist”, while not believing in God, could be interested in others belief in God.”

Yes and no. At least on the surface, he is not interested in their beliefs. He may be interested in countering their beliefs. To be interested in someones beliefs implies more than dispassion; it implies more than just understanding. Interest gives itself over to belief, however subtle. The atheist is fighting himself on some level, wanting some part of him to win out. It is more psychological than logical.


62 posted on 10/29/2009 11:12:13 PM PDT by Blind Eye Jones
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