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Why Hasn't Naturalism Gained Momentum?

I made the title of this a discussion a question and not a statement for a reason; I really don't understand why Naturalism hasn't become the default demographic descriptor for people of the same world-view as those that frequent the Atheist Nexus site (or any other similar site).

Whenever I am asked to give a single word description of world-view, if the choice is available, I chose Naturalism. It best describes the lens that I look at the universe through. But yet, most others with the nearly the exact same world-view that I have would pick either Atheist or Agnostic. I really don't understand that.

Atheist- Lack of belief in gods.

Agnostic (used in the context that I most frequently encounter it) - Can never be 100% positive that there are no gods.

OK, I agree with both the Atheist and the Agnostic. But so what? I have known people that describe themselves as either Atheist and/or Agnostic and yet they believe the book "The Secret" has merit or that homeopathy is a reasonable way to treat disease. So by knowing that I am an Atheist, you really don't much about me at all. Why has that label become a banner and not Naturalism?

When I say I am a Naturalist, I actually describe a great a deal about myself: I have reached a point in my life when I normally just disregard any supernatural explanation for a phenomenon, I believe the knowledge arts (science, mathematics, history, etc.) have reached a point where the consensus in those fields is the absolute closest thing to "Truth" we have (this is probabilistic), and I'm even telling you that if you want to convince me of something, it had better based on evidence and logic. And yes that entails that I do not believe in G(g)od(s).

So, given that Naturalism is much better descriptor of who I am than Atheist, why do I keep having to check Atheist (not that I'm ashamed, I check it proudly) on demographic questions?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alice on May 29, 2012 at 6:38pm

"…debugging is characterized by the systematic challenging of our assumptions." —Colin Moock, "ActionScript: The Definitive Guide"

as our identity is so much rapped up in our attitudes and beliefs - it is recommended that you do it step by step at a pace that you can handle.... so as to avoid identity crisis :)

Permalink Reply by Alice on May 30, 2012 at 8:04pm

I suppose it depends on how you define harmony :)

Permalink Reply by Alice on May 31, 2012 at 7:10pm

I'm not sure where you are going with that. On a personal level I have a good life. I have moments when I get annoyed and irritated. I express that. I move on. My aim is to provide well-being for all and attend to everyone's needs equally. It seems to work on the whole, everyone who lives in the house - 5 of us - get their needs met and are generally happy. Often unhappiness is related to needs not met - such as need for food, sleep, love, affection, acceptance, autonomy, privacy or greater control.

I think we need to do what works for us and not get caught by thinking that we can have a vision or a dream and make that ideal the reality.

Permalink Reply by Robin Vau on July 24, 2012 at 6:16am

I think part of the problem may be that many pagans use Naturalist as well. They use it as a term to go along with their beliefs,as many pagans will describe their beliefs as not supernatural, but as part of nature itself. So maybe it has more to do with personal interpretation of the word? And how it may apply to what they are? Just like the word agnostic. I've seen some theists use it as "Agnostic Theist" - I'm not sure what is there but I believe Something is there, kind of definition.

Permalink Reply by Alice on July 25, 2012 at 10:48pm

I like the term naturalist - I don't mind that some aren't so atheist as I am... I'm comfortable to clarify my position :)