American Atheists Action AlertApril 27, 2007 NEWSWEEK AND RABBI MARC GELLMAN NEED TO HEAR FROM US ABOUT “ANGRY ATHEISTS”http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-27-apr-2006.html He tries, he generalizes, but Rabbi Marc Gellman just doesn’t get it. In the latest web edition of NEWSWEEK, Gellman says that he needs to “understand atheists better,” bears us no ill will, admits we disagree over the issue of “God,” but finds no reason for why we are, well, angry. Read his column at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12498143/site/newsweek/ We suggest that you then respond. Be brief, polite and concise. Share talking points on the NoGodBlog at http://www.nogodblog.com, or at the American Atheists Action Alert page at http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-27-apr-2006.html
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reluctantatheist:
Not just Canadians. Any of the residents of any of the four countries of North America can be considered North American, and therefore Americans.
Of course, any of the residents of any of the countries of North, Central and South America are ‘American’.
island “Why does being an atheist have to be so god damned difficult?”
Try being a gay atheist…it ain’t easy.
Is it any wonder that I’m mad as fuck with religion?
Alex
I totally get your point. I feel like I’m at the bottom of the food chain, yet if I look down…
You know, it really sucks that this is the way things are. I have a few gay friends. I live in the bible belt where that life-style is condemned by most, so my friends live a hushed down version of life here. Always in fear that someone will find out and what might happen if they are outed. Kinda like I do with my atheism, only worse, like you said.
I’ve been told that I’m awfully hostile towards religions and that I’ve hurt the feelings of some “good” religous folks in my group…sometimes I try to tone it down…but then I think, why the hell should I?
Fuck religion.
TW:
Good points.
I think Phreddy takes (not so secret) glee in stirring the pot. Instigator is the word that pops to mind.
I have been an atheist since I read Nietzsche at about 16.
I have never had any problem. In fact, I found it a good argument for meeting people.
I think it is a lot more difficult for people to pretend to believe.
Often they are happy to run into someone who is not a victim of their traditions.
Haha bernarda, consider yourself lucky. Everybody in my area is sickened by the very concept of atheism; to have an open atheist in their presence is like a punch in the face.
Mr. Gellman,
I am writing in response to your article, ?Trying to Understand Angry Atheists.? I am an atheist, but I could hardly be described as angry. I laugh often (and not even bitterly) because my world is darn wonderful and I have much to be glad of. I have sunshine, museums, travel, volunteering, books, coffee, wine, chevre, trees, projects, dancing, animals, love, hope, dreams, and a belief system that encourages me to savor every moment of my life. There isn?t room for the sort of all-pervasive ?atheist anger? you describe in the rich, albeit godless, life I inhabit.
I am an atheist because of logic, not because of trauma. I had fairly idyllic upbringing in the Methodist church, where I tried very hard to find the ?spiritual bliss? of my fellow worshipers. I was baptized, twice. I?ve explored a wide variety of religions, considered the facts, and see no reason to fake something that just doesn?t make sense to me.
I sometimes find myself indignant- perhaps that is what you?ve mistaken for anger. No, I don?t want my tax dollars used to subsidize religious activities. I don?t want people to confuse biblical law with constitutional law. It does frustrate me when people equate atheism with amorality. I cringe when studies, such as a recent one by the University of Minnesota, find atheists are the least trusted group in the United States. Finally, it?s hard to resist a flash of irritation when people write articles beginning with the assumption that all atheists are angry. We aren?t all angry, but based on how we are sometimes treated and often perceived, a degree of indignation seems only fair.
You write that you ?don’t know many religious folk who wake up thinking of new ways to aggravate atheists.? Nor do we wake up every day trying to think up new ways to undermine the fabric of society, something of which we are often accused. Yes, I understand, not all ?religious folk? are trying to aggravate us. Similarly, were I to play ACDC at full volume in a studio apartment at 2 am, I might not be trying to aggravate my neighbors. More likely, I just want to listen to my music. This doesn?t mean, however, that my neighbors don?t also have a right to not listen to ACDC at full volume at 2 am. I don?t have an issue with other people being religious, but I also believe that freedom of religion should include freedom from religion. Perhaps the ?religious folk? you describe above could just consent to using some sort of religious headphones- or at least to turning down the volume a bit. They can listen to whatever sort of music they want; I?d just ask for a minimum of intrusions as I create own tune.
aviaa,
That was fantastic. Well done.
I sent in a long one, but I didn’t copy it or anything.
Aviaa-
Great letter. Well crafted. I hope he gets the refernce to ACDC though. The religious headphones metaphor is excellent!
R4D & Zac-
Thank you both for the feedback on the letter. It was terribly fun to write and I managed to put off at least a dozen work-related tasks while doing so.
I didn?t even think about the AC/DC reference being potentially generationally bounded. Hopefully he gets it… or has a good working knowledge of Google. ACDC seems to refer almost exclusively to the band in the world of Google.
Ask your questions directly to godsquader Hellman if you live in NY.
Marc Gellman is Rabbi of Temple Beth Torah in Dix Hills, New York.
The superstitious coward doesn’t seem to have an internet site to answer questions.