Raymond Tallis - Is Atheism a New Faith?

Is atheism a belief system, a new 'faith' as it were, in the same way that atheists claim that theism is a belief system? Atheists reject this attack asserting that they are just using critical reasoning to expose irrational theism. What would make atheism is a new 'faith'? Does atheism, like theism, have its own assumptions and ways of thinking?



Raymond C. Tallis is a a retired physician and neuroscientist from Great Britain. His resume boasts titles like philosopher, poet and novelist. He is also a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal College of Physicians and Royal Society of Arts.


Closer to Truth, hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn, presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[J]

"Atheism - disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods".
"Faith - strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof".

[traildoggy]

“But Marge, what if we chose the wrong religion? Each week we just make God madder and madder.”
- Homer J Simpson

[GreenDistantStar]

"No hamburger, thank you." is not a type of hamburger.

[MeRetroGamer]

This is what we need. Intelectual maturity and honesty.

[patrickcahill]

The problem with what he said at the end is that there are Militant Atheists going under the guise of 'Humanist'. This is a position of hypocrisy because Humanists are supposed be compassionate, have empathy, and have the best interests for their fellow humans at heart, while also respecting other's right to believe what they want. But they don't. They ridicule and attack those who have theistic beliefs. So no, in my opinion, it isn't ok to be a Militant Atheist.

[hymnsake]

Love how Robert exposes people so graciously. He believes the concept of God is illogical and when Robert points to his logical contradiction he just states “i don’t think thats how it should be framed”; what, in terms of what is logically possible? Masterful interviewer

[smithgov]

Two atheists laughing and patting each other on the back congratulating themselves on their intelligence and wisdom to know so assuredly that there is no God. Tillis was sending forth his truths with passion and vigor...I actually felt sad for him. To point your life in a direction that offers so little is immensely limiting.

[bradleymosman]

Carl Gustav Jung was one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. He stated that, "God's existence does not depend upon our arguments." Apparently, Jung had penetrated to depths that the physicists weren't yet aware of.

[NeverTalkToCops]

Bald is not a hair color. Off is not a TV channel. Atheism is not a belief system. Geez Louise!

[cheaterxl]

I thought of this sentence during this video: I know that I don’t know.

[adamreecemusic]

The contradictions you mention are based on various conglomerate of many faiths views of god. That doesn’t disprove the existence of a creator with attributes other than that or a different combination of

[klivebretznev]

Raymond Tallis says it well. Pleasure listening to RT.

[HughJaxident]

Atheism is nothing more than a single position regarding a single proposition - the rejection of theistic claims any god exists - that's it, it has nothing to say about anything else and yet many seem bent on conflating it with any number of other areas; 'If you don't believe in god then you must believe/accept 'x' and 'y. Just NO!!! This is a non-sequitur.

[weirdsciencetv]

If atheism is a faith, it’s one that doesn’t require you to deny what’s in front of your very eyes.

[ReynaSingh]

We all worship something… very few can humbly accept they do not know

[bobcabot]

it is the last human effort to keep Logic alive...

[donjohnstone]

I don't like the use of the word "atheist" to describe my position as, what I call, a "natural person". A "natural person" being someone who perceives, interprets and understands themselves and the reality around them by direct experience, learning facts and truths from our vast knowledge base and interacting with others, but without being indoctrinated with the views and attitudes of any organized belief systems, like religions and their social and political agenda fueled, manufactured theologies. To me, people are both uniquely individual and also members of the human species with any other descriptors being artificially attached and interchangeable but not permanent aspects of anyone. People should always be free to explore the universe both inwardly and outwardly and develop their own ideas, beliefs and understandings in their own personal, natural way.

[Bassotronics]

When a baby is born and then dies 5 minutes later, what’s the purpose of giving it life in the first place? Highly illogical for a God to make that “mistake” but “he” did.

[jeffneptune]

I always get a kick out of atheistic scientists like Lawrence Krauss or Richard Dawkins . They sound so much like the theologians they detest, I'm sure their brains are wired in the same way.

[samanthacanales]

How is atheist no faith, you need faith to uncover truth, the reason atheist have appropriate of science is because they believe that it will find the ultimate truth. that's a leap of faith.