http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/atheism-to-be-taught-irish-schoolchildrenThat's a great idea. However, the article said, "In a historic move that will cheer Richard Dawkins, atheists in Ireland have secured the right to teach the republic's primary schoolchildren that God doesn't exist." If they know what atheism is, and let's hope they do, that's not what they'll be teaching. Atheism means "without belief in god." atheists don't claim there is no god. They take the position that there has never been any evidence that a god exists, so they don't believe one exists. Some individual atheists might say that no god exists but the meaning of atheism is not that god does not exist. The word "atheism" reveals the meaning. a=without; theism=belief in god. There is is big difference between saying one has no belief in god and claiming no god exists. Let's hope the Irish get it right before they start teaching about it.
As Ireland is one of the most religious nations in Europe, it could be an uphill battle.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/atheism-to-be-taught-irish-schoolchildrenThat's a great idea. However, the article said, "In a historic move that will cheer Richard Dawkins, atheists in Ireland have secured the right to teach the republic's primary schoolchildren that God doesn't exist." If they know what atheism is, and let's hope they do, that's not what they'll be teaching. Atheism means "without belief in god." atheists don't claim there is no god. They take the position that there has never been any evidence that a god exists, so they don't believe one exists. Some individual atheists might say that no god exists but the meaning of atheism is not that god does not exist. The word "atheism" reveals the meaning. a=without; theism=belief in god. There is is big difference between saying one has no belief in god and claiming no god exists. Let's hope the Irish get it right before they start teaching about it. Hi Lois, ... I think that's a good point. Atheism is NOT another belief, it's simply the absence thereof, because of lack of evidence or simply the "primary mode" of existence unless having been indoctrinated otherwise since childhood. But great cheers the Irish are planning on this! You're right though, atheism shouldn't be portrayed as simply another "religion". It isn't. Atheists come in every shape or form, some might actually be "spiritual".
As Ireland is one of the most religious nations in Europe, it could be an uphill battle.But not nearly the uphill battle it is in the US. So far we can hardly get them to stop teaching Christianity. Teaching atheism will take another hundred years, at least. Maybe a millennium. Lois