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Do we need a Universal Atheist Motto? e.g. "In Darwin we trust".

Aberingi's long-running topic entitled "Do we need a Universal Atheist Symbol?" leads me to ask "Do we need a Universal Atheist Motto?".

Well, perhaps we don't, or perhaps we could, but some theists might get deservedly irritated if we chose to use something like "In Darwin we trust" at appropriate moments.
These words, suitably translated into other languages, have a basic international atheist appeal with respect to truth and helpful anti-theist sabre-rattling and debating.
e.g. they might look good on the side of a bus/ coach.

Tags: Darwin, bus slogan

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by La Gaya Sienza on July 18, 2010 at 5:13am

In Scientia nos fides sounds ok to me.

I love "Slogans make me itchy", Jason but could not find a latin translation.

Who was it who said that getting atheists to work together "is like hearding cats."?Was it Dawkins? Whoever it was I think he (I'm sure it was a he) was right. They are very independent minded and like to reason things out themselves instead of following slogans or rally cries. Still, I like the idea of bringing them together somehow - perhaps as a political block or lobby group as a counterweight to the religious lobby.

Rob

Permalink Reply by Caleb Cochran on July 5, 2010 at 10:17am

I like the idea but i don't think it is a good one. "Trust" implies faith and faith isn't something we endorse. If we found evidence that Darwin's theory was incorrect, we would throw it out or refine it and try to find a more plausible theory due to the new evidence.

Permalink Reply by Alex Catgirl on July 5, 2010 at 10:33am

Darwinian evolution can not be proven "wrong", any more than Newtonian mechanics can be proven wrong.

Newtonian mechanics are accurate most of the time, Einstein's special and general theories of relativities filled in a few blanks and expanded upon Newton's work to include more general cases.

All scientific theories are incomplete and are constantly being updated based on new information/understanding.

Permalink Reply by Michael on July 5, 2010 at 10:59am

Exactly, Darwin's theory has already been corrected and updated many of times, that is the beauty of science.

Permalink Reply by Caleb Cochran on July 5, 2010 at 9:15pm

True, true. I know its been refined. I'm simply saying, that if by some completely impossible odds it was wrong somehow (again, this isnt exactly something you could possibly imagine a set of variables that would have the same effect as we have observed microevolution, I use "impossible" with its full intent), we would do the right thing. Thats my point, sorry if it wasn't clear.

And very good comparison to Newtonian mechanics.

Permalink Reply by La Gaya Sienza on July 18, 2010 at 5:31am

Unlike religions which are never updated based on new knowledge/information/understanding. If they are ever updated it is with new mumbo jumbo.

Permalink Reply by Richard Parker on July 5, 2010 at 10:32am

We Seek Truth

Permalink Reply by Pamela Townsend on July 5, 2010 at 11:25am

The ongoing fight between religion and evolution has been strong since Darwin first introduced his idea to the world. The thought of a god not being the creator of all life was, and is still, blasphemy in the eyes of society and especially in the church. Even still, proclaiming evolution as our kingpin upon which our beliefs rest will only cause believers to further procrastinate the acceptance of evolution. There are believers open to, and accepting of, evolution (although I don't personally see how they can reconcile the two), and I worry that evolution, and science in general, will be equated with atheism. Schools are already referring to the teaching of evolution as "Darwinism", phrased as though that itself has become a form of religion, and that is where we must tread lightly. If evolution, or "Darwinism", can be shown to be a pseudo-religion, then believers will demand -and already are - that their religion be given equal opportunity, and exposure by suggestion in our schools. I would much rather have evolution treated as though it were fact and taught as such in a similar fashion that we teach decimals or geography. Science is unavoidably the pillar of an atheist philosophy. Theories like evolution and the Big Bang will only gain creedance in society if not associated with the dismantling of a deity. The battle between science and faith is infinate and I think believers already associate science as our motto, do they not?

Permalink Reply by Dale on July 11, 2010 at 7:34pm

I don't agree that science "is unavoidably the pillar of an atheist philosophy", I honestly think skepticism or critical thinking would be.

Permalink Reply by Jason Spicer on July 11, 2010 at 8:03pm

But that's what science is: organized skeptical and critical thinking. Science without those things is pseudoscience. Skeptical and critical thinking add up to science. What else is there to science? Empirical evidence? OK, but that's nothing without skeptical and critical thinking.

Permalink Reply by John Jubinsky on July 5, 2010 at 3:22pm

I think a universal motto is an excellent idea. However, I think any motto that angered rather than disarmed the theist community would be counterproductive. Therefore, I think the motto: 'In Darwin We Trust' would be counterproductive. Such a motto would only energize the theist community. In this regard I think the motto should make a moral statement consistent with Atheism. I my opinion a much more appropriate motto would be: 'Goodness is Fulfilled in Dignity Not Prostration'. A motto in this theme would tend to win people to Atheism and preclude the church from scapegoating us as malign.

Permalink Reply by Pamela Townsend on July 5, 2010 at 3:45pm

I like!