Comments on: To A or not to A http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a A Blog of Atheist Thought Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:59:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: alexatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67595 alexatheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67595 I read Sam's speech on Richard Dawkin's website and I both agree and disgree with his assertions. The word "atheist" only exists in opposition to theism and in a world without religion we would not need to label ourselves. Sadly, we do live in a world still mired in superstitious ignorance and the label is useful in countering dogma and setting us apart from our fellow humans who are yet to embrace reason. There really isn't any easy answer to this one. I read Sam’s speech on Richard Dawkin’s website and I both agree and disgree with his assertions. The word “atheist” only exists in opposition to theism and in a world without religion we would not need to label ourselves. Sadly, we do live in a world still mired in superstitious ignorance and the label is useful in countering dogma and setting us apart from our fellow humans who are yet to embrace reason. There really isn’t any easy answer to this one.

]]> By: pha http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67596 pha Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67596 We don't have to apologize for being rational. Even if the word atheist was gone, there would be another word to take its place. Anyone who makes up their mind about a person based on one word cannot be reasoned with anyway, so why bother? We don’t have to apologize for being rational. Even if the word atheist was gone, there would be another word to take its place. Anyone who makes up their mind about a person based on one word cannot be reasoned with anyway, so why bother?

]]> By: karen http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67597 karen Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67597 We need to be identified somehow. <br /> Atheist fits the bill. Yes, there is stigma attached. We need to carry on and keep working and living and pressing for our goals in a manner such that the stigma eventually wears away. We need to educate the world, especially the USA, about what atheism means. <br /> <br /> Perhaps we should contribute to a PR fund to air 15 second commercials that simply say "Atheism-one less god than than most people believe in." And have celebrity atheists along with everyday folk identifying themselves as atheists. We need to be identified somehow.
Atheist fits the bill. Yes, there is stigma attached. We need to carry on and keep working and living and pressing for our goals in a manner such that the stigma eventually wears away. We need to educate the world, especially the USA, about what atheism means.

Perhaps we should contribute to a PR fund to air 15 second commercials that simply say “Atheism-one less god than than most people believe in.” And have celebrity atheists along with everyday folk identifying themselves as atheists.

]]> By: rna2dna http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67599 rna2dna Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67599 I think there is a significant number of people that say they believe in a god-idea because they think the god-idea keeps people from committing crimes. The thought process is something like; if people think there might be a sky daddy watching them they will be less likely to commit a crime that they might be thinking about. There was a time when I thought that was true. However, as I started noticing that people can and do use the buybull to justify anything, it became apparent that using a god-idea to scare people into doing good was worse than worthless. <br /> <br /> The real non-starter for religion is that it points people in the wrong direction and as a result it points civilization in the wrong direction. That is, it pushes societies into thinking that fantasy is a viable answer, that everything will be alright as long as they ask their fantasy for forgiveness. That we can do great damage to the earth and their god-idea will save those who believe in the end.<br /> <br /> I want christians to know that I believe their god-idea, while it is practiced with good intent by some, is still a bad idea. Truth, reality and, reason point in the direction that civilization needs to go. Having half the population justifying their lives with the fantasy of the christian god-idea isn't going to work. It leads to an uneducated society that is easy to deceive.<br /> <br /> I don't like labels because it puts people in boxes that can be manipulated by the people that control the ropes. However, we cannot make progress, against the religious fantasy, individually. I don't like labels but, moving religion out of the public square is important and I will wear any label that helps accomplish that goal. I will also wear any label that points out how deceptive and dangerous religion is. Reality can do anything religion can do and reality can do it better and with more compassion and fewer mistakes.<br /> <br /> Sure I'll be happy to be an Atheist.<br /> I think there is a significant number of people that say they believe in a god-idea because they think the god-idea keeps people from committing crimes. The thought process is something like; if people think there might be a sky daddy watching them they will be less likely to commit a crime that they might be thinking about. There was a time when I thought that was true. However, as I started noticing that people can and do use the buybull to justify anything, it became apparent that using a god-idea to scare people into doing good was worse than worthless.

The real non-starter for religion is that it points people in the wrong direction and as a result it points civilization in the wrong direction. That is, it pushes societies into thinking that fantasy is a viable answer, that everything will be alright as long as they ask their fantasy for forgiveness. That we can do great damage to the earth and their god-idea will save those who believe in the end.

I want christians to know that I believe their god-idea, while it is practiced with good intent by some, is still a bad idea. Truth, reality and, reason point in the direction that civilization needs to go. Having half the population justifying their lives with the fantasy of the christian god-idea isn’t going to work. It leads to an uneducated society that is easy to deceive.

I don’t like labels because it puts people in boxes that can be manipulated by the people that control the ropes. However, we cannot make progress, against the religious fantasy, individually. I don’t like labels but, moving religion out of the public square is important and I will wear any label that helps accomplish that goal. I will also wear any label that points out how deceptive and dangerous religion is. Reality can do anything religion can do and reality can do it better and with more compassion and fewer mistakes.

Sure I’ll be happy to be an Atheist.

]]> By: what http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67601 what Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67601 Although I have sentiments similar to those given by Alex, Pha, Karen and Rna2dna I would still like to entertain other names or descriptors. I don't like Brights. It sounds elitist to me. The notion of "belonging" is strong amongst the religiously afflicted so, in order to fill the temporary void of shedding one's religion, I think the word should sound inviting and inclusive. Although I have sentiments similar to those given by Alex, Pha, Karen and Rna2dna I would still like to entertain other names or descriptors. I don’t like Brights. It sounds elitist to me. The notion of “belonging” is strong amongst the religiously afflicted so, in order to fill the temporary void of shedding one’s religion, I think the word should sound inviting and inclusive.

]]> By: what http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67602 what Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67602 Oh and thanks Dave and Janet for the interesting topic. I hope there are more in the future. Oh and thanks Dave and Janet for the interesting topic. I hope there are more in the future.

]]> By: arvadaatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67604 arvadaatheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67604 I still like the name "atheist" because it does derive from the greek for "not believing in the devine". I am not a full atheist - I do believe that there is much out there that science still cannot explain, but the idea of god or gods as proposed in major religions is too limiting. Beyond that, I rather enjoy the double degradations that people see in me by being an "atheist" and also gay (and live in Denver, if anyone around here wants to chat). I knew that I didn't believe in god by the 3rd grade - though I did try to fit into the major religious groups during high school. Anyway.... I still like the name “atheist” because it does derive from the greek for “not believing in the devine”. I am not a full atheist – I do believe that there is much out there that science still cannot explain, but the idea of god or gods as proposed in major religions is too limiting. Beyond that, I rather enjoy the double degradations that people see in me by being an “atheist” and also gay (and live in Denver, if anyone around here wants to chat). I knew that I didn’t believe in god by the 3rd grade – though I did try to fit into the major religious groups during high school. Anyway….

]]> By: billh http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67607 billh Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67607 People tend to like to belong to groups. Especially when they are a minority.<br /> <br /> Basically I think he is ahead of his time. Someday, we will not need to be labled as anything. That day when a very small percent of the population believe in gods, we will not need the label. We will then just be a part of the rational thinking population that have no needs to believe in the gods. People tend to like to belong to groups. Especially when they are a minority.

Basically I think he is ahead of his time. Someday, we will not need to be labled as anything. That day when a very small percent of the population believe in gods, we will not need the label. We will then just be a part of the rational thinking population that have no needs to believe in the gods.

]]> By: Apple_Christmas http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67608 Apple_Christmas Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67608 I use the term "atheist" simply because it is the most accurate term to describe my attitude toward religion. There are currently no other words that mean quite the same thing.<br /> <br /> I don't shy away from the stigma, though sometimes I do get a little worried how someone might react to me when I tell them I'm an atheist.<br /> <br /> Some of the alternatives that people use sometimes, like Bright and Freethinker, strike me as arrogant, so I never use them to describe myself.<br /> <br /> Certain religious people will have a bias against atheists no matter what we call ourselves, and I think using a new term won't change that. I use the term “atheist” simply because it is the most accurate term to describe my attitude toward religion. There are currently no other words that mean quite the same thing.

I don’t shy away from the stigma, though sometimes I do get a little worried how someone might react to me when I tell them I’m an atheist.

Some of the alternatives that people use sometimes, like Bright and Freethinker, strike me as arrogant, so I never use them to describe myself.

Certain religious people will have a bias against atheists no matter what we call ourselves, and I think using a new term won’t change that.

]]> By: charlie http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67609 charlie Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-67609 I was standing at attention with a firm salute while I read Ellen's rebuttal....<br /> <br /> You Go Ellen<br /> <br /> Another Proud Atheist<br /> <br /> religion sux I was standing at attention with a firm salute while I read Ellen’s rebuttal….

You Go Ellen

Another Proud Atheist

religion sux

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