The American Atheist

[Ishmael]

RR's thread

HERE

got me to thinking about atheism in the US and how it's morphed over the years. They even have their own cable channel now.

American Atheist TV

Why in the world would atheists need a cable show? Do the non-believers need mutual support for their non-belief? It's almost as if the atheist community is attempting to turn atheism into a religion of it's own. What's next? Groups of atheists going door to door spreading their word? What would they wear? Tye die T-shirts with Ho Chi Minh sandals, or IBM style pin stripes? And just how would you go about spreading the word about nothing? Hand out blank sheets of paper? (As long as they're 8 1/2 x 11 they'd at least be more useful than the Watchtower hand out.)

I love their attitude re. any sort of religious holidays as well. At least the ones that become visibly upset when holiday wishes are bestowed on them.

"Happy Holidays to you."

"Fuck you ass hole, I'd rather be miserable."

I suspect that allowing yourself to be stressed to the point that you respond in that manner is a prescription for a short and miserable life. How can one allow something that one denies the existence of upset one that much? And perhaps that sort of response suggests that the atheists really do need a mutual support group. Maybe there are agnostic atheists out there. People that really aren't certain that they believe in nothing. An intriguing concept if you think about it.

When atheists get together do they have 'services?' Some sort of ritual that they perform as as group to reassure them of their non-belief? Hymns? Sermons? The possibilities are endless. Or is it more like an anarchists convention? (Organized anarchists are another one of life's little paradoxes I've never quite figured out.)

And do atheists in other countries observe different practices? Will an international meeting be required to resolve the doctrinal differences?

Will they eventually build non-Temples and will those non-Temples be tax exempt?

In the end the concept of proselytizing nothing is a difficult notion to get ones head wrapped around.

Ishmael

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The core conflict between religion and atheism is: Atheism has no utility, while religion is useful. Its a profound difference when you contemplate it.

 

[mikey2much]

it is much simpler than that

RR's thread

HERE

got me to thinking about atheism in the US and how it's morphed over the years. They even have their own cable channel now.

American Atheist TV

Why in the world would atheists need a cable show? Do the non-believers need mutual support for their non-belief? It's almost as if the atheist community is attempting to turn atheism into a religion of it's own. What's next? Groups of atheists going door to door spreading their word? What would they wear? Tye die T-shirts with Ho Chi Minh sandals, or IBM style pin stripes? And just how would you go about spreading the word about nothing? Hand out blank sheets of paper? (As long as they're 8 1/2 x 11 they'd at least be more useful than the Watchtower hand out.)

I love their attitude re. any sort of religious holidays as well. At least the ones that become visibly upset when holiday wishes are bestowed on them.

"Happy Holidays to you."

"Fuck you ass hole, I'd rather be miserable."

I suspect that allowing yourself to be stressed to the point that you respond in that manner is a prescription for a short and miserable life. How can one allow something that one denies the existence of upset one that much? And perhaps that sort of response suggests that the atheists really do need a mutual support group. Maybe there are agnostic atheists out there. People that really aren't certain that they believe in nothing. An intriguing concept if you think about it.

When atheists get together do they have 'services?' Some sort of ritual that they perform as as group to reassure them of their non-belief? Hymns? Sermons? The possibilities are endless. Or is it more like an anarchists convention? (Organized anarchists are another one of life's little paradoxes I've never quite figured out.)

And do atheists in other countries observe different practices? Will an international meeting be required to resolve the doctrinal differences?

Will they eventually build non-Temples and will those non-Temples be tax exempt?

In the end the concept of proselytizing nothing is a difficult notion to get ones head wrapped around.

Ishmael

An atheist doesn't love an imaginary being in an imaginary place. The thing that makes a atheist different is the fact that they don't hate or look down on those who disagree with their belief.

Atheists wouldn't have fought the crusades or tried to convert the indians to their faith. Atheists let others live their lives unbothered by them preaching at them.

Taking god out of the picture opens up the view quite a bit. Atheists are the reason that there is reason.

 

[kbate]

Gay people can upset conservatives to the point that they splutter whenever 'Queer is Shoved in their faces".

A democrat in the White House makes conservatives splutter and dance in rage, to the point that anti-democrat conservatism has become their religion. They have no platform, no ideas, nothing at all except "Democrat Bad" as their argument, but hey, let's not go into that and let's stick to the topic instead:

Why shouldn't Atheists be permitted to splutter when God is shoved into their faces?

Why shouldn't Atheism be akin to a religion? Religion has spent two thousand years attempting to convert every living being to Christianity, why shouldn't Atheists spend the next two thousand telling them that they're wrong?

Shouldn't Atheists be permitted their inquisition, perhaps burn the belief from a few thousand believers? Why not conquer a continent in the name of nothing? It makes just as much sense as blowing oneself up in the name of an "Loving and caring God".

 

[Ishmael]

Gay people can upset conservatives to the point that they splutter whenever 'Queer is Shoved in their faces".

A democrat in the White House makes conservatives splutter and dance in rage, to the point that anti-democrat conservatism has become their religion. They have no platform, no ideas, nothing at all except "Democrat Bad" as their argument, but hey, let's not go into that and let's stick to the topic instead:

Why shouldn't Atheists be permitted to splutter when God is shoved into their faces?

Why shouldn't Atheism be akin to a religion? Religion has spent two thousand years attempting to convert every living being to Christianity, why shouldn't Atheists spend the next two thousand telling them that they're wrong?

Shouldn't Atheists be permitted their inquisition, perhaps burn the belief from a few thousand believers? Why not conquer a continent in the name of nothing? It makes just as much sense as blowing oneself up in the name of an "Loving and caring God".

Far too many logical and assumptive errors to even contemplate beginning to address.

Ishmael

 

[kbate]

Far too many logical and assumptive errors to even contemplate beginning to address.

Ishmael

Completely unlike the assumptions and errors in the OP.

 

[Wrong Element]

Do the non-believers need mutual support for their non-belief?

Answer: Hell yes. You honestly think it's easy to be an avowed atheist in the United States?

 

[RobDownSouth]

Ishmael makes assumptions...

"Happy Holidays to you."

"Fuck you ass hole, I'd rather be miserable."

Then criticizes folks who make assumptions.

Far too many logical and assumptive errors to even contemplate beginning to address.

Every single day, Ishmael puts the "duh" in "double standard"

 

[Que]

The core conflict between religion and atheism is: Atheism has no utility, while religion is useful. Its a profound difference when you contemplate it.

Yet a lot of atheists, not only see no utility in religion, see it as actually harmful to the practitioners despite reports by practitioners of their own, personal satisfaction. Despite statistics on life longevity, satisfaction numbers, marriage continuity and all the rest of it.

An atheist doesn't love an imaginary being in an imaginary place. The thing that makes a atheist different is the fact that they don't hate or look down on those who disagree with their belief.

Atheists wouldn't have fought the crusades or tried to convert the indians to their faith. Atheists let others live their lives unbothered by them preaching at them.

Taking god out of the picture opens up the view quite a bit. Atheists are the reason that there is reason.

You are so much more the philosopher than Descartes. He was incapable of reason.

It is exceedingly rare that anyone here, or in so called real life attempts to proselytize anyone else to their belief system, yet atheists on the regular seem to have to proselytize their non-belief. Why? How does it hurt you at all to have someone have their delusions?

Your entire tone above is angry. Why? Who are the baptists down the street hurting when they go on Sunday, sing some hymns listen to some advice and have a potluck supper.

It baffles me the level of vitriol towards religion. Especially since the crusades ended long ago, and we have modern Muslim crusades that the same people seem fine with. "Oh, but MOST Muslims are good people. It's just Christians you have to worry about each and every one of them."

Opposite day. Everyday

 

[sufisaint]

Gay people can upset conservatives to the point that they splutter whenever 'Queer is Shoved in their faces".

A democrat in the White House makes conservatives splutter and dance in rage, to the point that anti-democrat conservatism has become their religion. They have no platform, no ideas, nothing at all except "Democrat Bad" as their argument, but hey, let's not go into that and let's stick to the topic instead:

Why shouldn't Atheists be permitted to splutter when God is shoved into their faces?

Why shouldn't Atheism be akin to a religion? Religion has spent two thousand years attempting to convert every living being to Christianity, why shouldn't Atheists spend the next two thousand telling them that they're wrong?

Shouldn't Atheists be permitted their inquisition, perhaps burn the belief from a few thousand believers? Why not conquer a continent in the name of nothing? It makes just as much sense as blowing oneself up in the name of an "Loving and caring God".

Mao did exactly that killing millions who would not swear to the great athiest state... i guess since your selfish generation did not get facebook messages and tweets about it..it didn't happen...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Gay people can upset conservatives to the point that they splutter whenever 'Queer is Shoved in their faces".

A democrat in the White House makes conservatives splutter and dance in rage, to the point that anti-democrat conservatism has become their religion. They have no platform, no ideas, nothing at all except "Democrat Bad" as their argument, but hey, let's not go into that and let's stick to the topic instead:

Why shouldn't Atheists be permitted to splutter when God is shoved into their faces?

Why shouldn't Atheism be akin to a religion? Religion has spent two thousand years attempting to convert every living being to Christianity, why shouldn't Atheists spend the next two thousand telling them that they're wrong?

Shouldn't Atheists be permitted their inquisition, perhaps burn the belief from a few thousand believers? Why not conquer a continent in the name of nothing? It makes just as much sense as blowing oneself up in the name of an "Loving and caring God".

No one is immune from the stench of shit. Buy a nose clip or get used to the aroma.

 

[phrodeau]

The core conflict between religion and atheism is: Atheism has no utility, while religion is useful. Its a profound difference when you contemplate it.

This is true. Religion gives people lots of reasons to hate other people. It lets people justify their violent actions. It allows people to control other people through fear.

I knew a lady who needed a car, so she searched for a Christian car salesman from whom to buy one. Care to guess how badly she was fleeced?

 

[Ishmael]

Mao did exactly that killing millions who would not swear to the great athiest state... i guess since your selfish generation did not get facebook messages and tweets about it..it didn't happen...

In the modern Chinese state the individual that chooses to practice a religion still does so at great personal peril.

Ishmael

 

[yossi]

I've never had the experience of an atheist jumping down my throat for wishing them "happy holidays" or "merry Christmas." I have had Christians thank me when I've used the latter, but I've never had one berate for saying the former, either. I honestly feel like this whole holiday greeting thing has been blown so out of proportion. The media really enjoys stirring people up so that we feel persecuted by others in our society.

And as for proselytizing, it's in some people's nature to do it, whether they're Christian or atheist. They're very passionate about their belief or lack of belief and that's fine, because beliefs may change, but human nature isn't going to.

 

[Ishmael]

I have to admit that I'm getting a great deal of amusement out of many of the responses here. This is NOT a pro-religion thread regardless of the conclusions that many seem to have jumped to.

Ishmael

 

[sufisaint]

In the modern Chinese state the individual that chooses to practice a religion still does so at great personal peril.

Ishmael

But they have state controlled healthcare and no private ownership of guns so its liberal paradise.

 

[mikey2much]

how is religion useful?

The core conflict between religion and atheism is: Atheism has no utility, while religion is useful. Its a profound difference when you contemplate it.

Other than a tool to divide people from other people I can't see any use for religion.

I do know one thing, you are never truly fucked over until you have been fucked over by a guy who thinks God is on his side.

You should remember that the christian and muslims are the reason that we are fighting all over the world. If we were all atheists we wouldn't be in the fix we are in today.

I feel sure that every suicide bomber has a prayer on their lips as they push the button. Or is that what you meant by saying that religion is useful?

 

[Ishmael]

But they have state controlled healthcare and no private ownership of guns so its liberal paradise.

So they do believe in a God.

Ishmael

 

[Libsam]

The new religion is Secular Humanism and atheist are like the militant fringe.
That's how I understand it.

 

[Que]

I have to admit that I'm getting a great deal of amusement out of many of the responses here. This is NOT a pro-religion thread regardless of the conclusions that many seem to have jumped to.

Ishmael

No, but any discussion about the poor, picked on atheist inevitably devolves into how Christian and possible Jewish religious practices are responsible for all the ills of society.

I was looking up stats just now and one pro-atheist site (again, how much do you have to know to not believe, simply stop believing, done and done) said that .7 percent of the prison population report themselves to be atheists and concluded that that proves atheists are stellar, moral citizens 99.3 % of the time.

Never mind that the no atheists in a foxhole rule may apply and what prisoner wouldn't at least mention the denomination of a church he passed once, if not actively join a worship service. You aren't doing anything with the time anyway, and it might get you out earlier.

That's it. I haven't attended church in probably 3-4 years. I am going next Sunday, taking fucking notes and preaching a God-dammed sermon here after.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Other than a tool to divide people from other people I can't see any use for religion.

I do know one thing, you are never truly fucked over until you have been fucked over by a guy who thinks God is on his side.

You should remember that the christian and muslims are the reason that we are fighting all over the world. If we were all atheists we wouldn't be in the fix we are in today.

I feel sure that every suicide bomber has a prayer on their lips as they push the button. Or is that what you meant by saying that religion is useful?

I'll bet many atheists find Christmas immensely useful and more profitable than no Christmas yet bite the hand that feeds them.

 

[Bad_Doggie]

It is exceedingly rare that anyone here, or in so called real life attempts to proselytize anyone else to their belief system, yet atheists on the regular seem to have to proselytize their non-belief. Why?

Whatever happened to E pluribus unum?

After centuries of this kinda behaviour it’s a surprise to whom that Atheists have some ground to make up?

How does it hurt you at all to have someone have their delusions?

It doesn’t at all, wanna believe in some man in the sky, be my guest, knock yerself have a party; but, if you’re going to insist that I or anyone else believes in it and foist those belief on us then you’ll get called to the carpet.

Your entire tone above is angry. Why? Who are the baptists down the street hurting when they go on Sunday, sing some hymns listen to some advice and have a potluck supper.

None at all, have a party….but want government institutions and education establishments propagate their nonsense then they can fuck off.

It baffles me the level of vitriol towards religion. Especially since the crusades ended long ago, and we have modern Muslim crusades that the same people seem fine with. "Oh, but MOST Muslims are good people. It's just Christians you have to worry about each and every one of them."
Opposite day. Everyday

No one except you is saying that; religion, all of them are equally worthless until there is an ounce of evidence of such.

There are good Muslim’s, as there are good Christian’s, and no one has a problem with either of them so long as they keep they don’t foist their beliefs on others.

Is that too much to ask?

Woof!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I reminded a friend that Jesus was a Jew so Christmas is a Jewish holiday.

 

[Que]

Muslims KILL you for not believing. I think that is "foisting" don't you?

 

[Ishmael]

Muslims KILL you for not believing. I think that is "foisting" don't you?

Oh, I don't think Sufi wants to kill you.

Ishmael