Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mika Dukat on July 21, 2011 at 6:27pm

What are you saying that I conflated?

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on July 21, 2011 at 6:37pm

Making out with someone and having a picture of the person on your desktop.  You spoke of both activities as if they were equal, in terms of workplace appropriateness.

 

Also, random addition: when you start throwing out words like 'breeder' it makes me immediately want to ignore you.  Using slurs for others who aren't like you makes you no better than the homophobes.  It demonstrates a childish, playground sort of mentality.

Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on July 21, 2011 at 6:55pm

I am nervous to say I am an atheist to most people. I am the type that wants everyone to like me. I just don't want to argue, lose a friendship, or have my family get hurt because of my actions. So, I guess I do fear someone who takes their religion too far and takes it out on my 3 and 1 year old.

Permalink Reply by oracle on July 21, 2011 at 9:22pm

Depending upon who reveal your non-belief to it can be harmful to you in some way. I for one refuse to lie about my stance on religion, those with religious beliefs espouse it with a badge of honor and I'll reciprocate in kind  with atheism.

Permalink Reply by G Smith on July 23, 2011 at 3:56am

I've been an atheist for 40 years, but only recently adopted the term to describe myself.  I am making up for lost time by wearing T-shirts like these:

http://www.zazzle.com/atheist_out_campaign_tshirt-235341851287525839

http://www.zazzle.com/i_think_therefore_im_atheist_bold_t_shirt-235...

http://www.zazzle.com/god_is_imaginary_tshirt-235837518382362196

http://ncse.com/index.php?q=img_assist/popup/5085

(with back: http://ncse.com/index.php?q=img_assist/popup/5086  )

 

They start up conversations that allow me to say something like "I'm an atheist, which, to me, simply means that I think that when we die, we die ... just like all other living things on the planet."  

 

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on July 23, 2011 at 2:18pm

Oh cool!  I will have to get me some of these t-shirts.  Does it scare any of the religious folk?  Get any really bad reactions?

Permalink Reply by G Smith on July 23, 2011 at 10:52pm

I get all good reactions from younger people, and the occasional dirty look from the older crowd. (Being 53 years old, i refer to those older than me.) :)

Permalink Reply by Paul Howard on August 1, 2011 at 7:02am

Christianity and Islam grow, in part, due to evangelical activity by their adherents. They prey on folks that are 'lost'. They provide a shelter from the storm. They let it be known that the shelter was provided by their god, which leads to conversion.

Until we provide a shelter from the storm, we will never compete with them.

It doesn't matter what we call ourselves but it has to be something and it has to make clear (softly) that imaginary gods are not involved.

 

I see a 'ChipIn' adv on the side of the page for Nexus 3.0 (Stage2).  I read the details.  I support the goals and hope that the amount needed will be raised soon.  I believe non profit status is essential as is providing local community support - just as the 'religious' groups do.  We are not what we name ourselves. We are what we do and what we are perceived as doing.  I think using the term 'atheist' is just fine.  It doesn't leave room for doubt but I would be 'diplomatic' in using it.

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on August 1, 2011 at 7:38am

I think our best tool for that is the media.  I don't mean the media in the traditional usage of the word, like the News, although that's a part of it, too.

We've got tv shows now portraying atheists in a positive light.  And it's not just lovable assholes, like House ... although he's probably one of the most well known.  I heard someone mention the character, Jane, from The Mentalist, in some other thread on this site.  He's an even better example, if not as well known.

 

Once atheists get written into shows and movies regularly, as positive, intellectual, skeptical characters, which the next generation will want to emulate, we'll have won.

Hell, we've already won.  We just need the time for the current crop of teenagers to grow up into 30-somethings, with the occasional nudge from the more serious (nonfictional) atheists.  Once atheism gains an even footing with religion, in terms of media coverage, we can't help but get to over 50% of the population within a generation or two.

Permalink Reply by Michael on August 3, 2011 at 2:53pm

Why would anybody with half a brain agree with anything SamIaminHarris mistakkenly udders.  Or the obscene projectile that claims Hitchens brainolollia.  m

Permalink Reply by G Smith on August 3, 2011 at 3:01pm

People with half a brain probably wouldn't agree with Sam Harris. Those of us with both halves functioning properly enjoy watching him as he destroys the creationists in debates. Same with Hitchins, especially on YouTube Hitchslap videos. Bam!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6iHe0ra_UM&feature=related

Another hilarious SH quote, referenced by Bill Maher when George W. Bush was president:

"The president of the United States has claimed, on more than one occasion, to be in dialogue with God. If he said that he was talking to God through his hairdryer, this would precipitate a national emergency. I fail to see how the addition of a hairdryer makes the claim more ridiculous or offensive."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNv2cwLwqEY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0eUd2DbAb4&NR=1

Permalink Reply by Mika Dukat on August 5, 2011 at 4:35pm

So if I disagree with Sam Harris, it's because I'm stupid?  Well, I've had MRIs of my brain done, and I can assure you that I have more than half a brain;  I can only assume you meant it metaphorically.  Why don't you explain literally what you mean, as I'd like to know the specific way in which I am defective so I can ask my doctor if there is any treatment for this malady.

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