I think it's more of a statistical thing. Most atheists are almost as sceptical about the afterlife as they are about God's existence. But yeah, atheists can believe in the afterlife, magic, the loch ness monster, the tooth fairy and the second coming of Elvis, with no contradictions involved. That's very true.
Of course, just as there are more dominant forms of theism that start dictating the norms of religious belief, so are there more dominant atheistic views that dictate the norms of non-belief. That's fine if you share the more popular of more publicised religious or non-religious views, but it can be downright embarrassing when you have to explain that those popular or publicised opinions have nothing to do with you.
I think Ebert is supposed to have specifically claimed that he would not survive his death. (Hmmm "survived death".. That's awkward phrasing isn't it? Well, you get the idea). So his brand of atheism would not have involved an afterlife.
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Date: 2013-04-07 06:14 pm (UTC)Of course, just as there are more dominant forms of theism that start dictating the norms of religious belief, so are there more dominant atheistic views that dictate the norms of non-belief. That's fine if you share the more popular of more publicised religious or non-religious views, but it can be downright embarrassing when you have to explain that those popular or publicised opinions have nothing to do with you.
I think Ebert is supposed to have specifically claimed that he would not survive his death. (Hmmm "survived death".. That's awkward phrasing isn't it? Well, you get the idea). So his brand of atheism would not have involved an afterlife.