X-Message-Number: 17214
Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2001 21:11:20 -0700
From: Mike Perry <>
Subject: Atheism

Louis Epstein, #17209:

>And the likelihood is that most atheists,
>who after all believe there ISN'T a
>fundamental underlying reason for existing,
>will remain unswayed.

I think there probably *is* a "fundamental underlying reason for existing" 
(to live one's hopefully immortal life, and enjoy the benefits--why not? Or 
am I misconstruing the meaning here?). And quite possibly there is an 
"underlying first cause or principle." But to me this does not equate to a 
vast, thinking being who responds to prayers and does other things that the 
traditional God is said to do. So this is why I am an atheist, one, 
however, "with a concept of divinity," as I explain in my book.


A good case for atheism can, I think, be based around the following:

1. The failure to scientifically verify paranormal effects.

2. The problem of evil.

3. Natural (non-theistic) explanations of natural phenomena.

4. An ontological argument (a "perfect" being would be changeless, thus 
arguably insentient).

5. The possibility of salvation through science.


Mike Perry

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