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 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:40:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: alexatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2007/10/03/to_a_or_not_to_a/comment-page-1#comment-67595 alexatheist Wed, 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 Wed, 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 Wed, 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 Wed, 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 Wed, 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.

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