Re: virus: Does God really exist?

Wade T. Smith (wade_smith@harvard.edu)
Tue, 20 Aug 1996 07:35:43 -0400


>But what if, as Lior suggests,
>a religion is redefined as any meme-complex based on a stance about the
>existence of god? Does this new definition shed any light on the issues
>at hand?
>David McFadzean

Fine, redefine. IMHO, you're merely adding more cooks to the kitchen, and
engaging in word-play.

Any acceptance of the supernatural is a religion, by definition*, and
atheism is naturalistic. I suggest that what you attempt to redefine above
is already in place, and it's called theology. It's also a useless Sunday
morning word game... although it's kind of fun, in a so-what kind of way.

Since I do not accept the supernatural (since I have been presented with no
evidence of it), my stance often appears belligerently at odds with many
mild agnostics.

*re-lig-ion - n. -
1.a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as
creator and governor of the universe. b. A personal or institutionalized
system grounded in such belief and worship.

=====================================================
Wade T. Smith | "There ain't nuthin' you
morbius@us1.channel1.com | shouldn't do to a god."
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