Vedic definition of atheism

[Guest guest]

Pamho, agtSP!

 

I would like to hear your opinion on what the Vedic definition of atheism

would be. To me it seems that you can use different definitions according to

the point you want to emphasize. In the gita it is said, that anyone who

does not follow the regulations in the Vedic scriptures is a demon - an

atheist. Also mayavadis, demigod worshippers etc. are atheists according to

Prabhupada.

 

Sometimes even devotees fail to follow the scriptures, but how can they be

atheists? I think, then, we could say that even theists can exhibit

atheistic behavior sometimes if they are not pure devotees.

 

Also, another interesting point is that Prabhupada often uses the term

atheist in a very broad sense. I can't give any quote now, but he seems to

categorize anyone who is even unaware of God as an atheist. Ignorance of God

is enough to qualify as an atheist. It does'nt have to be a conscious

commitment to atheism. That's also quite in accordance with many of the

standard definitions of atheism - to not believe in God or gods (e.g. to

lack belief in God or gods.) That's not necesarrily a conscious commitment

to atheism. This definition also includes babys as atheist, because they -

at least according to what the atheists believe - can't know anything about

God. Their ignorance of God makes them atheists.

 

I would like to hear your thought about this!

 

Ys, AKD