Do Atheists Ever Argue About the Meaning of the Non-Existence of God?

At first glance, it might seem that atheists do not argue much about the non-existence of God, given that both theists and atheists generally focus on different topics. However, the nuances of this subject can lead to lively discussions, particularly among those deeply engaged in the topic of secularism and humanist philosophy.

Understanding the Arguments

For instance, consider the exchange between two atheists, as illustrated in the following dialogue:

Atheist One: I think the meaning of the non-existence of God is that there is no existence of God.
Atheist Two: You sure! I've heard it means there is no God in existence.
Atheist One: No! It's that there is no existence of God.
Atheist Two: You could be right; let's stop arguing over grammar. At least we can agree that there is no God.
Atheist One: That's true. Want to catch up for a game of golf on Sunday, and then spend the afternoon down the lake with our wives and children?

The above dialogue highlights the common misconception that atheists are not interested in debating the non-existence of God. While theists often engage in debates about their deity and associated beliefs, it is less common for atheists to argue about the meaning of the non-existence of God.

Why Atheists Do Not Argue Much

Several reasons explain why atheists typically do not engage in arguments about the non-existence of God:

Limited Knowledge of Each Other: Unlike organized religions, atheism is not a unified belief system. Hence, individual atheists may not know much about other atheists' beliefs or their backgrounds. No Official Atheist Ideology: Atheism is a lack of belief in gods, but it does not come with an official ideology to argue about. This is in contrast to religions, which often have structured doctrines and dogmas. No Central Forum for Discussion: There are no specific locations or platforms exclusively for atheists to meet or discuss their beliefs. Religions, on the other hand, have religious institutions and gatherings for such purposes. No Inherent Interest in the Non-Existence of Anything: Discussing the non-existence of any entity is not typically a topic that engages atheists, as it is not inherently interesting to them. Personal Identity: Most atheists identify as such because they have come to terms with their lack of belief in a deity. Engaging in deep discussions about the non-existence of any entity is not a primary concern for them.

Debates and Discussions Among Atheists

While atheists may not debate about the non-existence of God, they often engage in in-depth discussions about scientific knowledge that undermines religious faith. Let's consider a conversation between two atheists who share a common interest in neuroscience:

We agreed that the major advances in scientific knowledge that had led to the scientifically literate largely becoming atheists were two fold. Firstly, the vastness of the universe makes it highly unlikely that it was created by a god solely to provide a home for a species of primates on one of trillions of planets created in its image and cared about. It would be an inefficient god to do that. Secondly, we know that humans are not special among species on Earth. If we come back in five million years, another species is likely to have evolved either from or in competition with Homo sapiens, becoming the dominant species on Earth. This again puts a lie to any god that holds humans in special regard. We both agreed there was a third equally strong argument against a theistic god. That is that the concept of an immortal soul or a consciousness that can exist after brain function has ceased is completely counter to what we know about neurobiology. We also know that the character that is commonly attributed to the 'soul' by the religious is subject to alteration by chemical or physical changes to brain function. We even considered co-writing a book on the subject but that never happened.

This conversation showcases a deeper level of discourse between atheists concerning the scientific evidence that challenges religious beliefs. The two atheists talked about the vastness of the universe, the evolution of species, and the modern understanding of neurobiology. These discussions are a reflection of the scientific, logical, and rational approach that many atheists take towards understanding the universe and human existence.

While atheists do not argue much about the non-existence of God, their discussions are often centered around the scientific and rational challenges to religious beliefs. This approach helps to provide a clearer understanding of the world and our place in it, based on empiricism and scientific evidence.