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Is Atheism Irrational In Its Entirety?

A lot of belief systems in the current era have literally rejected the concept of true religion, deeming it inadequate to evolve a society wherein every human is able to enjoy absolute happiness. Owing to this popular understanding of religion's purpose in the current age, atheism is a concept that has attracted many followers. Before we move on adjudge whether or not atheism is irrational or rational, let us first try and evaluate the most basic question, "what is atheism".

So what is atheism? How is Atheism different from belief forms that embrace dogmas of a particular religion? These questions need immediate addressing, for the rate at which people are losing faith in religion is stupendous indeed.

SHIVA : MAN, MYTH OR DIVINE REALITY?SHIVA : MAN, MYTH OR DIVINE REALITY?

Is Atheism Irrational In Its Entirety?

Atheism in its essence, pertains to a system wherein belief in deities is non-existential belief. This implies that atheism completely rejects the worship of any form of religious idol or religious entity. So coming now to the question- are atheists rational? Is atheism rational? Is it irrational?

At this point, a very important facet of this discussion- what is atheism in the philosophical dimension
? A recent study revealed that a staggering 65 percent of all philosophers are atheists. Now there has to be some logical rationale behind this. Philosophy in the current age has overtaken religion in terms of envisioning a society that would work towards absolute human happiness. So if most philosophers are atheists, doesn't it imply that atheism is actually a logical belief system?

To answer this very question, let us address a very important aspect. While atheists claim that there is a lack of evidence in validating theism, they do not support their views with evidence. So basically, there isn't plausible coherence in what atheists declare or state.

To elaborate the previous point, if an atheist asserts that the number of stars in the milky way is an odd number, then he needs convincing evidence to espouse his claim. But, quite unfortunately, it is in the nature of atheists to discard claims of others on the one ludicrous claim that there doesn't exist any evidence.

So if an atheist is rational, then what would he believe in? Theism? Then that wouldn't make him an atheist, would it? And if he is irrational, does he continue to be an atheist?

It is hard to address the question gratifyingly, for to answer the question "are atheists irrational", you might end up, after getting entangled in a web of intricate thoughts, that theism can be irrational in many a way too.

Story first published: Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 16:26 [IST]
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