I can never quite "feel" the characterisation of the typical atheist, probably because I'm from Europe. When Americans talk about this, atheists are described as a small minority of really weird people but here almost 50% of people have no religion, and the Christians go to church once a year.
What is the typical atheist like? It's the mechanic or the cashier.
This is also more true in America than people give it credit for. Something like 10--15% are atheist or agnostic and like 30% are nothing in particular. Atheism is pretty mainstream!
Growing up in England in the 70s & 80s, almost all of my friends were atheists, but no one ever talked about it. We even went to church when the occasion called for it. It was a bit of a shock when I moved to California, and no one was an atheist.
Good overview of the field so to speak! I have 2,5 comments:
-I always keep some leniency towards christian apologists because their faith is something that for the most part comes from the heart, while atheists don't have really anything to defend per definition (roughly speaking). This means I allow the christian apologist to get emotional. The downside indeed is that it can get nasty sometimes. (and crazy nasty in comments sections)
-I'm somewhat of a fan of Alex O'Connor but I have a feeling he somewhat avoids addressing a Kantian defense of theism. Don't know of course if this is on purpose or because there is a lack of defenders of Kantian theism or his lack of knowledge on Kant.
-I wouldn't be surprised if Alex O'Connor somewhere in the future indeed converts to some form of theism (if he thoroughly reads Kant I think it's game over ;-). Of course it would be very smart of him to somehow keep flirting with it as long as possible to gain us much views and likes as he can.
I think in a way my article on the Bentham/Dillahunty debate and other comments where a bit of a defense of Kantian theism. My whole message here in fact is just "Read Kant!!" ;-)
I don't think I can do Kant's theism better justice then his own writings but you never know!
I can never quite "feel" the characterisation of the typical atheist, probably because I'm from Europe. When Americans talk about this, atheists are described as a small minority of really weird people but here almost 50% of people have no religion, and the Christians go to church once a year.
What is the typical atheist like? It's the mechanic or the cashier.
This is also more true in America than people give it credit for. Something like 10--15% are atheist or agnostic and like 30% are nothing in particular. Atheism is pretty mainstream!
Growing up in England in the 70s & 80s, almost all of my friends were atheists, but no one ever talked about it. We even went to church when the occasion called for it. It was a bit of a shock when I moved to California, and no one was an atheist.
Good overview of the field so to speak! I have 2,5 comments:
-I always keep some leniency towards christian apologists because their faith is something that for the most part comes from the heart, while atheists don't have really anything to defend per definition (roughly speaking). This means I allow the christian apologist to get emotional. The downside indeed is that it can get nasty sometimes. (and crazy nasty in comments sections)
-I'm somewhat of a fan of Alex O'Connor but I have a feeling he somewhat avoids addressing a Kantian defense of theism. Don't know of course if this is on purpose or because there is a lack of defenders of Kantian theism or his lack of knowledge on Kant.
-I wouldn't be surprised if Alex O'Connor somewhere in the future indeed converts to some form of theism (if he thoroughly reads Kant I think it's game over ;-). Of course it would be very smart of him to somehow keep flirting with it as long as possible to gain us much views and likes as he can.
Tbh I don't think I've read the Kantian defense of God (that's a substack easy layup content idea for you)!
I think in a way my article on the Bentham/Dillahunty debate and other comments where a bit of a defense of Kantian theism. My whole message here in fact is just "Read Kant!!" ;-)
I don't think I can do Kant's theism better justice then his own writings but you never know!
Good post, I think youre missing some of the financial and institutional dynamics behind apologetics too fwiw https://www.youtube.com/live/KMrZ-Bbx9c0?si=FSsAbIBaq8s-X9W_
I'll check it out!