TLDR - what’s the question mark in the following scale

Cult(-1)……………….Religion(0)……………….???(+1)

Long version (a.k.a my stupid mind’s question that is keeping me awake):

My understanding of cult is a group of people with an absurd or even possibly nefarious belief system. Like something negative.

By that definition I would put religion in the middle (though a majority of it leans towards the cult side). A group of people that is very serious about what they believe in, no matter how illogical it is.

So with this understanding what would you call the positive side ? A group of people coming together to have a tradition and belief system just for the fun of it ? Is there such thing ?

  • LillyPip@lemmy.ca
    9·
    3 days ago

    I think you’ll find vanishingly few even fervent atheists who wouldn’t be persuaded by actual evidence. I know some percentage of fervent atheists would say if real evidence of a god were presented, they wouldn’t follow it because it’s a monster (I’m in this camp), but I don’t believe any real percentage would stick their fingers in their ears and say lalalala. That’s kind of the opposite of what atheism is about. It’s literally about evidence.

    • spittingimage@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 days ago

      That’s kind of the opposite of what atheism is about. It’s literally about evidence.

      Maybe I’m being nitpick-y, but I think you’re pointing at one small part of the whole and saying “that’s it, right there. All of it”. Atheism is literally about what you don’t do - believe in any god. Some atheists come to that point through consideration and self-reflection. Others don’t.

      • LillyPip@lemmy.ca
        3·
        3 days ago

        You’re right, and that’s fair. I guess I was talking about general atheists in one breath, then the specific vocal atheists OP seemed to be talking about in another.

        I shouldn’t generalise like that. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in a god – any god. And there are many gods. You can be atheistic about any of them.

      • flabbergast@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        3 days ago

        What you are referring to, is people who are called atheists, not atheism itself.
        Atheism is indeed just a simple definition. If anyone does not believe in any deity, they are atheists, whether they want to or not.
        It’s as simple as something being a spoon.
        Now, those atheists come in various degrees. That’s what you keep referring to. That is about a measure of intensity.
        Some atheists are not even aware they are. Others are proud to be and will declare so, in various degrees.
        Just wanted to clear that detail up.