Friendly Atheist

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Comment by Tony Ryan on August 28, 2011 at 4:31pm

Further to the friendly atheist's post that just went live, Ironically, (or was it a premonition!?) I did a blog post on psychics today: http://coffeelovingskeptic.com/?p=731 it's good to see more pressure being put on the fraudulent industry.

Comment by Lary9 on July 23, 2011 at 2:43am

I remember, years ago when I was a Unitarian-Universalist, we had a joke; "Question: How do you terrorize a Unitarian? Answer: Burn a question mark into their lawns.
I've often wondered if that might not also work for a questing atheist. After all we are essentially "non-creedal" even in our rationality.
A friendly salutation that I always liked is:
"Great day for the race! Isn't it?"
And then when they ask (inevitably) "What race?"
I respond with: "The Human Race!"
That's always a good ice breaker unless you're dealing with a Pentacostal with a headache or a Jehovah's Witness in a normal state of mind, which is humorless.
I like to remind myself from time to time that ...
"No Christian is exempted from being human by believing in God. Conversely, no non-believer is ever banished from the human family for not believing either."

Comment by Annie Thomas on July 22, 2011 at 5:14pm

Although I too think it is important to be friendly, I have found that sometimes just wanting to discuss an issue can make people act like I am being unfriendly.  I recently had a discussion about a neighboring county where they had a display of the ten commandments in front of the courthouse.  The ACLU stepped in and they now have 30 days to take them down.  I was chatting with a friend (on FB) about this, and I was being extremely respectful and tactful, or so I thought.  I left religion out of it, and instead talked about how it has been decided, time and time again in courts, that this was unconstitutional.  Long story short (I really am trying!), I wanted to know why she felt so strongly that the commandments should remain.  She got very angry with me, said she was being attacked, etc.  I wrote several times that I was interested in trying to understand her viewpoint on this, since we had such a difference in opinion.  So, although, I completely agree.  I want to be "friendly" too, but I am finding that to be friendly may mean never to discuss sensitive topics with most religious people.

Comment by Lary9 on July 22, 2011 at 4:44pm

It sounds like a sort of "Atheist Scout Pledge"...I like it.

Comment by Steph S. on July 22, 2011 at 4:40pm

I agree with everything you just wrote Natalie.  It does drive a wedge between people when you are insulting and rude to them.  I'm so glad to hear from others who want to treat others with respect regardless of their beliefs.

Comment by Natalie A Sera on July 22, 2011 at 4:31pm

Being kind, respectful and friendly is the ONLY way to go. Just because you don't share their beliefs does NOT mean they aren't human, and deserving of basic human decency. I am SO offended by those presumably young atheists who are rude and insulting to theists -- they certainly don't give anyone a good impression of atheists, and only drive a wedge between people. We need to be a world community of humans, and we need to live together in peace and respect in spite of belief and culture and language differences.

Comment by Steph S. on July 22, 2011 at 8:26am

Yes, I am friendly to theists.  They are all around me.  I used to be one -- so I would want Atheists to be friendly to me when I used to be a theist.  When you aren't friendly to theists and they know you are an Atheist you aren't being a good "ambassador" for Atheism.  I believe that being friendly to theists will enable those that are questioning to find their way to Atheism.

Comment by Kelvin Hilerio on January 26, 2011 at 5:43pm

lol, i'm really loving this friendly group!

Comment by John Jubinsky on January 26, 2011 at 5:05pm

@Kelvin:

Spectacular day right back to you Kelvin!

Comment by Kelvin Hilerio on January 26, 2011 at 4:15pm

@John:

A spectacular day to you sir!!

@Roland:

indeed!

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