Athiests; a question.

[theweatherman]

(Sorry if this has been discussed before, but i found nothing in search)

Is there a difference between the dead and those who are unborn?

Both seem to equally not exist. I'm pretty sure that most relgions say that the unconcieved have no soul (since they have yet to be created by God) but the dead do.

To an athiest there seems to be no distinction. What does mean in regards to possible reincarnation? Since personality/ conciousness arises seemingly at random in a fetus it seems that one cannot discount reincarnation as false, or am I missing something here?

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Since personality/ conciousness arises seemingly at random in a fetus it seems that one cannot discount reincarnation as false

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Doesnt make sense. Former just doesn't lead to the latter.

Note that there will almost certainly be no atheists who believe in reincarnation.

[hmkpoker]

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Both seem to equally not exist. I'm pretty sure that most relgions say that the unconcieved have no soul (since they have yet to be created by God) but the dead do.

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Atheists don't believe in the soul.

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What does mean in regards to possible reincarnation? Since personality/ conciousness arises seemingly at random in a fetus it seems that one cannot discount reincarnation as false, or am I missing something here?

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Personality/consciousness is a phenomenon that arises from having a functional human brain. Fetuses and the dead have neither. We have no reason to believe in reincarnation.

[David Sklansky]

"Atheists don't believe in the soul."

Not necessarily.

[bocablkr]

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"Atheists don't believe in the soul."

Not necessarily.

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I have never met one who did - do you??? Sounds like a good poll question.

I think you would just find out that people had different definitions of a soul.

For example, I could believe in a soul, if by soul I meant the combination of personality during life and the impact and memories left with other people after death.

[bocablkr]

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I think you would just find out that people had different definitions of a soul.

For example, I could believe in a soul, if by soul I meant the combination of personality during life and the impact and memories left with other people after death.

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Alex, to be fair, that is not what most people would consider a soul. It usually involves the concept of a spirit (non-corporal entity or energy). It is something that actually leaves the body and moves to another plane of existence.

If everyone has their own definition, then yeah, I guess some atheists might believe in a soul (as defined your way).

[imported_luckyme]

No belief in a supreme being ( atheism) doesn't rule out belief in what in religious terms would be called a soul. Some forms of buddhism would fit that description. If you numb down certain brain areas ( this can be done by meditation also) you lose the sense of self and it can foster a belief in 'oneness'. Some 'soul-based' atheistic philosophies are built around this experience.

[imported_luckyme]

Your post is very difficult to respond to. Each statement/premise seems false or at best very inaccurate. You might make better progress if you started lower down the list of assumptions and questioned from there.

[bocablkr]

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Is there a difference between the dead and those who are unborn?


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No, neither one exists. Note: atheists do not believe in a soul or reincarnation.