Atheism a death cult?

[Peter]

Sam Harris blows me away again.

I have to share this with all of you. If you've already seen it you know what I'm talking about.

Are all religions basically a way of denying death? I've noticed that many theists here seem to be unhealthily fixated upon "eternal life."

[Angry Citizen]

Are all religions basically a way of denying death?

Your use of the word "deny" implies that a lack of an afterlife is certain. I don't think that's been proven yet, and while it is indeed more logical to assume such a thing, it is not logical at all to assert such a thing.

[Peter]

Your use of the word "deny" implies that a lack of an afterlife is certain. I don't think that's been proven yet, and while it is indeed more logical to assume such a thing, it is not logical at all to assert such a thing.

LOL, you must be bored AC. Did you watch the video? It's the better part of an hour but worth it IMO. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.

[Angry Citizen]

Is there anything really new or interesting about it? I've pretty much heard all the atheist arguments by now. Let me see if I can guess:

All religions contain an afterlife myth. Therefore, the primary purpose of religion is to provide an "escape clause" for death in some manner or another. This is irrational, therefore religion is irrational.

How close was I?

[xx_mortekai_xx]

Your use of the word "deny" implies that a lack of an afterlife is certain. I don't think that's been proven yet, and while it is indeed more logical to assume such a thing, it is not logical at all to assert such a thing.

How, exactly, is it logical to assume that there is an afterlife?

[Angry Citizen]

Reread, noting that I'm an atheist.

[xx_mortekai_xx]

Is there anything really new or interesting about it? I've pretty much heard all the atheist arguments by now. Let me see if I can guess:

All religions contain an afterlife myth. Therefore, the primary purpose of religion is to provide an "escape clause" for death in some manner or another. This is irrational, therefore religion is irrational.

How close was I?

Nope. They make claims that they have no support for. When asked for objective evidence, they give personal experience and anecdote, neither of which are able to be corroborated by a third party with any evidence.

I dont believe the claims of most religions for the same reason i dont believe the claims that leprechauns exist, or the same reason i dont believe the claims that unicorns exist.

[xx_mortekai_xx]

Reread, noting that I'm an atheist.

i know you are, you have stated as much elsewhere. This is why this confuses me.

Are you saying its logical to assume that an afterlife doesnt exist, but that certainty is not warranted on the subject?

If so, I agree, and apologize for the mistake.

[Angry Citizen]

That is correct. I dislike the idea that an afterlife is absolutely, 100% impossible. We really don't know what happens. We can't even give a percentage of possibility.

[Cephus]

I don't know that I'd say religion is a way of denying death, it's a way of dealing with the fear of death in a way that doesn't really deal with it. It simply dismisses the problem philosophically. Pretend death is meaningless and you don't have to handle the ramifications of it.

[xx_mortekai_xx]

That is correct. I dislike the idea that an afterlife is absolutely, 100% impossible. We really don't know what happens. We can't even give a percentage of possibility.

I dont discount anything absolutely, and i dont find the idea of absolute certainty to be useful in the least.

and I do agree with your assessment.

[Jack]

Confession: I don't have an hour at the present time to watch a video. Could someone post what Harris says that suggests the thread title, "Atheism a death cult?"?