Atheism: What you need to know!

What is Atheism? 
  Lets start with the word; The term atheism originates from the Greek word ἄθεος (atheos), meaning "without god(s)." Atheists basically believe in no god and in no Spiritual existence whatsoever. Some other religions (Buddhism etc) also come under the category atheos but they do believe in Spiritual existence which separates them from the Atheism. Atheism takes its from Metaphysical materialism; which believes only in Physical existence, nothing but the touchable things, Objects fit under the definition of Mass to be precise.
  Now, the most interesting recent phenomenon is change of the way Atheists try to define their belief just to somehow get rid of burden of defending their opinion. How? Previously, Atheists used to express that: "We believe there's no god" but that's not how they express themselves now a days. Now they express by saying: "We have no belief of God at all." You see what they did here? They went from having an opinion to no opinion at all. When you say that you deny the existence, it clearly indicates you're being reasonable and you're asking for argument. That's not the case in the latter definition where they try to prove they have no knowledge about any god or spiritual existence whatsoever.

HISTORY:
 
   The first credible document in favour of Atheism is traced back to 1674 written by a German religion critic Matthias Knutzen which was followed by his two other writings.
  Atheism was brought into the discussion of a common man, in streets and institutes in 19th century mainly by the French Revolution. The credit of which goes to Baron d'Holbach, a prominent French atheist of his time.
  Atheism in the 20th century, particularly in the form of practical social atheism, advanced in many societies. Atheistic thought found recognition in a wide variety of other, broader philosophies. This century also provided concept of atheism recognition in worldwide Politics. Major events included: a) Russian Revolution of 1917 leading to the Ban on religious instruction in the state. b) Rise of atheist leaders and concepts after the Departure of British from Sub continent in 1947. c) In the second half of the 20th century many states went aggressive against religions due to many global theological movements.
  New Atheism (2004-05 Onward) is the name given to a movement among some early-21st-century atheist writers who have advocated the view that "religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized, and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises. The rise creators of this New Atheism and the concept itself was triggered by the all famous 9/11 terrorist attacks thought to be result of religious motivation.

VIEWS ABOUT ATHEISM:

Sam Harris (Pioneer of New Atheism) Says:
"In fact, "atheism" is a term that should not even exist. No one ever needs to identify himself as a "non-astrologer" or a "non-alchemist.".....Atheism is nothing more than the noises reasonable people make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs."

C.S. Lewis (Biggest believer of Spirituality of 20th century) Said:
"Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning..."

Francis Thompson:
"An atheist is a man who believes himself an accident."

A survey held in 2010 showed that Atheists on average are more knowledgeable about religion that the actual followers of major faiths.

-ZQ

Mississippi Baby: First Successful HIV Treatment

   March 3, 2013 --- The day before Yesterday when a team of researchers lead by Dr. Deborah Persaud a virologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Public the details of first ever successful cured case of an infant born with HIV Positive using the standard Protocol without any surgery. Yes, Ladies and gentlemen, this is a ground breaking news if the baby stays negative for HIV virus in times to come. This is a clear indication that HIV can be (is) potentially curable in infants if proper treatment is provided at the right time.
   The cured baby, also known as 'Mississippi baby' now, was born in July 2010 in a rural hospital of Mississippi. Her mother was tested positive for HIV infection. Because her mother had not received any prenatal HIV treatment, doctors knew the child was at high risk of infection. They transferred her to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where she came under the care of Dr. Hannah Gay, a paediatric HIV specialist.
   As the risk of baby suffering from HIV was too high so Dr. Hannah Gay put the Baby girl on a cocktail of three HIV-fighting drugs - zidovudine (also known as AZT), lamivudine, and nevirapine - when she was just 30 hours old. The next day baby's blood was sent for tests for the confirmation of presence of HIV Virus which came out Positive. The baby girl was kept on the full treatment regimen afterward. Remember, In usual cases of infants suffering from HIV, newly born is only given one drug Nevirapine, unlike Mississippi baby. Researchers believe use of the more aggressive antiretroviral treatment when the child was just days old likely resulted in her cure by keeping the virus from forming hard-to-treat pools of cells known as viral reservoirs, which lie dormant and out of the reach of standard medications.
   After starting on treatment, the baby's immune system responded and tests showed diminishing levels of the virus until it was undetectable 29 days after birth. The baby received regular treatment for 18 months, but then stopped coming to appointments for a period of about 10 months, when her mother said she was not given any treatment. When the child came back under the care of Dr. Gay, she ordered standard blood tests to see how the child was faring before resuming antiviral therapy What she found was surprising. Both the blood test did not turn up any detectible levels of HIV.
   Dr. Gay was shocked with the results and she knew she was dealing with an unknown situation. So she along with her long-time colleague Dr. Katherine Luzuriaga of the University of Massachusetts carried out detailed and sophisticated lab tests and Results of complete cure was confirmed and made Public.
   This is a first case of a patient cured by Standard Protocol using Anti retroviral therapy/drugs. The other known case of curing HIV also exists with the name of 'Berlin Patient', a patient named Timothy Brown in 2006-07. But in that case a complicated, high risk, and expensive stem-cell transplant was done which completely cured his HIV disease without any bouncing back!
   This 'Mississippi Baby' case can and will prove helpful in coming times in treating HIV in adults by studying the different behaviours of an infant and an adult, and in stopping the Mother-to-Baby transmission as far as possible.


 --ZQ.