The Dirty Word: Atheism

[Stratego]

Atheism isn't offensive for atheists, but some politically correct non-atheists seem to think so. It's like the word Oriental. Not a single Oriental person I've met (including my grandma) think it's offensive. The only ones who think it's offensive are hippy white chicks.

[spacemonkey]

Everything has a label.

[Dennis]

I think it's a good idea that Atheists move toward Humanism as way to attract folks. I like the analogy that being against something isn't always the best attracter, as is being for something. Plus, Humanism offers society something positive, typically. So does Buddism, which I think could also be a positive outlet for Atheists.

[J.K. Gregg]

[Dennis]

Not sure how bettering humanity, which Humanism often stands for, or offering more compassion, which Buddism often stands for, is dangerous.

I doubt all Atheists would want to channel their belief through that means, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just saying that they remain in the negative (against something) as long as they just "reject God" and leave it at that, instead of the positive (for something), like enlightenment, humanism, whatever. But, that's okay too, if that's what they want. I'm just making a point, but personally I wouldn't want to do that if I were an Atheist (remain in the negative).

[J.K. Gregg]

Couple things. First, I said it was dangerous to mix concepts. I didn't say Humanism was dangerous (even though I think it is, but I don't want to talk about that).

Second, I don't think atheists are "in the negative" or "against something." We don't call people who don't believe in Santa Clause "anticlauses." People believe the world is flat, but we don't call those who don't "antiflaters." Furthermore, if a group of people claimed unicorns existed, we wouldn't call people who didn't "antiunicornbelievers." Theists are the one to invent a character, assign him magical powers, and then gasp, throw hissy fits, and even commit violence when someone raises an eyebrow. Atheists aren't "against" anything. They just aren't theists.

Third, my point this whole time is that atheism isn't a political party, a political ideology, a philosophy, or a sociological theory. It's simply and only the state of not believing in a god. As soon as you mix concepts (like atheism and humanism or atheism and liberalism) you commit a huge fraud of blurring definitions and distorting reality. I am an atheist and a husband. I am an atheist and an Objectivist. I am an atheist and a fan of Star Trek. Atheism stands for something, and giving it definitions it doesn't deserve is wrong, IMO.

[The Comrade]

humanism is dangerous lol


christ ALL MIGHTY

[JDHURF]

I agree with Dennis and I also find the claim that humanism is dangerous as insane as Comrade does.

[Zeugma]

[J.K. Gregg]