Portal:Nontheism

The Nontheism Portal

Nontheism covers a range of concepts regarding spirituality and religion which do not include the idea of a deity — a theistic God or theistic gods. It can be applied to atheism (both strong and weak), agnosticism and ignosticism, as well as certain Eastern religions including Taoism, Shinto, Buddhism and some Hindu traditions. Also a number of Wiccan denominations and other Neopagan religions advocate forms of nontheism. Nontheism is an integral part of Humanism and Unitarian-Universalism.

Selected article

The History of atheism spans several millennia, although the term atheism originated in the 16th century, based on Ancient Greek αθεος "godless, denying the gods, ungodly" and open admission to positive atheism in modern times was not made earlier than in the late 18th century.

The spontaneous proposition that there may be no gods after all is likely as old as theism itself (and the proposition that there may be no God as old as the beginnings of monotheism or henotheism). Psalm 14:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God" is one reference to the sentiment, expressed in the mid 1st millennium BC. Philosophical atheist thought appears from the 6th or 5th century BC, both in Europe and in Asia. (Read more...)

Selected biography

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (November 11, 1922 – April 11, 2007) was an American novelist known for works blending satire, black comedy, and science fiction, such as Slaughterhouse-Five, Cat's Cradle, and Breakfast of Champions. Vonnegut served in World War II until he was captured by German troops during the Battle of the Bulge. While a prisoner of war, Vonnegut witnessed the aftermath of the bombing of Dresden, Germany, which destroyed much of the city. This experience formed the core of his most famous work, Slaughterhouse-Five and is a theme in at least six other books.

Vonnegut came from a line of freethinkers, and he himself was a Humanist. He was Honorary President of the American Humanist Association, replacing Isaac Asimov. Vonnegut was a lifetime member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and was deeply influenced by early socialist labor leaders. (Read more...)

"And if I should ever die, God forbid, I hope you will say, ‘Kurt is up in heaven now.’ That's my favorite joke." —A Man Without a Country

Did you know...

Portal:Nontheism/Did you know/37, 2008

Nontheism topics

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• Clarify references in Atheism, using footnotes.

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The pansy has long been the symbol of freethought, originally being used in the literature of the American Secular Union in the late 1800s. The reasoning behind the pansy being the symbol of freethought lies in both the flower's name and appearance. The pansy derives its name from the French word pensée, which means "thought"; it was so named because the flower resembles a human face, and in the month of August it nods forward as if deep in thought.

Nontheism Op/Ed

• A Dissent: The Case Against Faith Sam Harris
• THANK GOODNESS! Daniel C. Dennett
• What's Good About Atheism Frederick Turner
• The Church of the Non-Believers Gary Wolf

Categories

• Atheism: Atheists - Arguments against the existence of God
• Agnosticism: Agnostics
• Criticism of religion: Disengagement from religion - Anti-Islam sentiment - Scientology controversy - Mormonism-related controversies - Books critical of religion
• Humanism: Humanists - Humanist associations - Ethical Culture - Humanist Party - Transhumanism
• Objectivism: Objectivists - Critics of Objectivism - Books by Ayn Rand
• Buddhism: Buddhism and current Issues - History of Buddhism - Buddhist philosophical concepts - Buddhist practices - Buddhist texts
• Taoism
• Neopaganism

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Portal:Nontheism/Quotes/8

Featured articles

Selected Featured articles about Nontheism:

• Bernard Williams

Selected Good articles about Nontheism:

• Flying Spaghetti Monster
• Bertrand Russell

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