I don't even give these people the light of day. I can't stand the thought of arguing with someone who basis there opinions on faith. When you make a point its like you just tried to explain the concept of zero or infinity.

Originally Posted by slater ohm

Should nonbelievers take to the term 'atheist' as readily as most do? and do we still have a choice now this term is so widespread?

there's the criticism of the idea of having a term for not-religion:

take the famous example; 'nonstampcollector' which is obviously not a hobby.

there's also the practical problem of people taking nothing an 'atheist' says serious and having the typical responses to anyone dubbed with that title. Would it not be more practical to just use free thought on practical issues?

sam harris on the subject using racism as an example for the term itself and going on about the practical side of being 'atheists'




I shift from being okay with all the terms like apatheist to being like 'why am I grouped with this dickhead, we have no specific things in common' and 'why am I getting the same 20 stupid irrelevant arguments in my face when we were talking about the source of a serious practical problem?'

Harris is obviously more scared (realistic?) of the short term consequences of religious dogma than most like to hear, yet his call for more practical and faster, and perhaps more honest, approaches is not without substance. People are digging themselves in more and more, should nonbelief be a side? take the SouthPark future episode for a lulzy thought. I started out thinking of Islam as similarly destructive as Christianity, just some extremists right now blabla, but it is really not in the 21st century. I take Ayaan Hirsi Ali's view on this quite serious. polarization can have it's effects on the Christian side as well, I don't like to alienate myself from my culture. Wanting to have a world where we can have intelligent discourse may be a more practical source than 'atheist arrogance' as it is seen by many I'd like to reach.

I hate taking this stance because fuck them, but it keeps popping up.

Now I didn't think this through as much as I'd like to when I post, which is why I didnt make a thread.
would like to hear some thoughts

The term 'atheist' is almost always taken out of context. It simply states that you believe there are no deities until proven otherwise. Problem is that most people don't know this or simply don't care to know and just jump to conclusions. It doesn't mean you believe in scientists like christians believe in a priest, or you believe in science like christians believe in the bible. We don't have a leader and we are not tied down by a list of rules we must follow in order to be atheist.

I know you probably know this but that is the main points I bring up to people when they apparently have no clue what the fuck an atheist is.

It is a huge problem that the general public views atheists as the lowest scum of the earth and our opinions don't even matter. We are literally looked at as the most untrustworthy minority group in the world. Even though some of the greatest artists, authors, scientists, inventors, leaders, etc.. were atheists specifically. I don't think we should avoid the word "Atheist" because it will only go on to prove that word to be taboo. Here, watch this so you can get a feel for what americans really think about atheists. No matter what you say, the moment they know you don't believe in their god, you are automatically judged and generalized on the spot. Some of the most awkward moments of my life is when I have told people I was an atheist in public.



It also doesn't help to have a few retards call themselves atheist and then go on and put up immature comments and debates. It only makes us look worse than we already do.

I'll get back to you later, gotta go right now.

Didn't read most of it, or most of this thread, but I lol'd hard at that chick.

She was like a mix of an environmental hippie, an extremely religious person, and an idiot.

hahahahah "your turn"
That was a great read, man. You did a great job at keeping your composure.

also, If you have not already heard of these guys check them out, they have a lot of great stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/user/philhellenes?feature=watch
http://www.youtube.com/user/Thunderf00t/videos

Edit: Might I also add http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/ and http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comm...ates_lectures/

Originally Posted by Eamonn

Didn't read most of it, or most of this thread, but I lol'd hard at that chick.

She was like a mix of an environmental hippie, an extremely religious person, and an idiot.

lucky you live in Canada and don't have to deal with these kinds of people....or do you?

Originally Posted by iEdiTioN

hahahahah "your turn"
That was a great read, man. You did a great job at keeping your composure.

also, If you have not already heard of these guys check them out, they have a lot of great stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/user/philhellenes?feature=watch
http://www.youtube.com/user/Thunderf00t/videos

Edit: Might I also add http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/ and http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comm...ates_lectures/



lucky you live in Canada and don't have to deal with these kinds of people....or do you?

Thanks, I tried very hard. I was almost pulling my hair out after reading her responses. I truly and honestly believe that some people can't help it. Their brain is just wired a certain way where fantasy is literally their reality. Logic and Reason is from another dimension to them, they simply cannot see it, use it, experience it, etc. It's fucking sad.

Thanks for the links, btw. Also look up the youtube channels "AronRa" , "AtheismResource" , "FFreeThinker" (this one is full of gold), and of course "NonStampCollector".

Originally Posted by JustMarioBros

Thanks, I tried very hard. I was almost pulling my hair out after reading her responses. I truly and honestly believe that some people can't help it. Their brain is just wired a certain way where fantasy is literally their reality. Logic and Reason is from another dimension to them, they simply cannot see it, use it, experience it, etc. It's fucking sad.

Thanks for the links, btw. Also look up the youtube channels "AronRa" , "AtheismResource" , "FFreeThinker" (this one is full of gold), and of course "NonStampCollector".

I think it's a balance of fear(of doubting and being condemned to eternal agony) and comfort(warm and fuzzy feelings they get from thinking a god loves them and that they're special in this grand universe). And if someone is brought up being brainwashed I could see how it could be hard to break out of that.


Love aronra and NonStampCollector. Haven't heard of the others, I shall check em out right now, thanks buddy

Originally Posted by iEdiTioN

I think it's a balance of fear(of doubting and being condemned to eternal agony) and comfort(warm and fuzzy feelings they get from thinking a god loves them and that they're special in this grand universe). And if someone is brought up being brainwashed I could see how it could be hard to break out of that.


Love aronra and NonStampCollector. Haven't heard of the others, I shall check em out right now, thanks buddy

The reason I say their brain is just wired that way is because they literally choose to never use reason or logic. Once you do, you start questioning things, and it's a domino effect from there. There are people who become skeptical and ask question and convert beliefs. Then there's those people who don't because they truly feel they believe the truth, just as I feel about my truth. I don't know, it's all fucking stupid and it sucks that almost the entire world is this blind.

Also, the atheism resource youtube channel actually doesn't have a lot of videos but under "Feed", they have a lot of good videos they liked or favorited. Those are the ones I watch under that channel.

Here is their website, also full of gold.

www.atheismresource.com/

Edit: I can't believe I forgot about this one. I spend hours at a time watching their videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAtheistExperience

One of my favorites lol



lololololololololololol

Originally Posted by JustMarioBros

The reason I say their brain is just wired that way is because they literally choose to never use reason or logic. Once you do, you start questioning things, and it's a domino effect from there. There are people who become skeptical and ask question and convert beliefs. Then there's those people who don't because they truly feel they believe the truth, just as I feel about my truth. I don't know, it's all fucking stupid and it sucks that almost the entire world is this blind.

Also, the atheism resource youtube channel actually doesn't have a lot of videos but under "Feed", they have a lot of good videos they liked or favorited. Those are the ones I watch under that channel.

Reminds me of a quote by Benjamin Franklin that believers usually misinterpret.
"The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason"

But yeah I agree. Willful ignorance is the worst, especially when they boast about it.

yeah I was wondering why they had so little, thanks.


Edit: yea I love TheAtheistExperience. Matt Dillahunty is amazing.

oh hey JustMarioBros, I think i saw you say your dad was really religious(I do apologize if i'm mistaken) but i was just gonna ask if he knew you were an atheist and how he's taking it?