In my case, I think of someone who actively believes there is no God. Everything else is secondary to that. I don't necessarily see someone who is anti-theist. Some people are anti-theist, but plenty of atheists merely believe than there is no God. posted:
JMJacenSolo posted:I was reading about the MLK assassination two days ago and I stumbled across a speech given by RFK shortly afterward. He talked about blacks and whites having to make a decision between moving towards further polarization or making a genuine effort to understand each other. I was struck by the parallel between the current relations of many atheists and religious people in America. The speech really made an impression on me. I wish atheism had an RFK.
DorkmanScott posted:Racists have a problem with black (or Asian, or Mexican, or whatever) people. Dawkins does not have a problem with religious people, it is religion itself that he opposes, and for the same reason that a doctor would "oppose" cancer. It is, in his estimation, harmful, it is a disease, and it is something without which humanity would be much better off.
Jabba-wocky posted:Yes, and Fred Phelps never had a problem ith homosexual people, it is homosexuality itself that he opposes, and for the same reason that a doctor would "oppose" cancer.
Jabba-wocky posted:In both cases, they effectively fail to walk whatever tightrope they're trying for, and their rhetoric comes off as hateful towards the targeted parties, whom they also, as a matter of observation, tend to treat rather awfully and disrespectfully.
Jabba-wocky posted:I don't think anyone would argue you aren't free to advocate for atheism. But it's a bit of a stretch to claim that there are no inappropriate ways of doing so.
DorkmanScott posted:[quote=JMJacenSolo] Racists have a problem with black (or Asian, or Mexican, or whatever) people. Dawkins does not have a problem with religious people, it is religion itself that he opposes, and for the same reason that a doctor would "oppose" cancer. It is, in his estimation, harmful, it is a disease, and it is something without which humanity would be much better off.
JMJacenSolo posted:First, that's a poor analogy because absolutely nobody chooses to get cancer. Religion for whatever reason is an attractive lifestyle for many human beings. Nobody who has cancer would argue that they would be better off without it. People who are religious are likely to argue the very opposite.
JMJacenSolo posted:Second, I don't want to turn this into a Dawkins discussion, but check out his interview on Real Time with Bill Maher and tell me if what he is doing is constructive for atheism. He is clearly unable to totally uncouple his hatred of religion itself from those who practice it.
KnightWriter posted:I'd like to start us off by asking people what their initial impressions of atheism are, and what they think of when they see or talk about it.
DorkmanScott posted: And as far as "constructive for atheism", I don't think that's the goal. I think the goal is to be destructive to theism, and atheism is what you're left with.
DarthPoojaNaberrie posted:my initial impression is generally that i just don't get atheists. i understand what motivates people to agnosticism. i understand what motivates people to be theists. those both make sense to me. but i don't understand the motivation behind atheism. i find it odd.
DarthPoojaNaberrie posted: my initial impression is generally that i just don't get atheists. i understand what motivates people to agnosticism. i understand what motivates people to be theists. those both make sense to me. but i don't understand the motivation behind atheism. i find it odd.
DarthPoojaNaberrie posted:maybe it's the connotative meaning that comes with the labels. the idea i get from theists is that the deity is important to them in their lives because of their faith, etc. agnostics give the impression that we'll never know either way and that's ok. many atheists give the impression that they know and it is very important to find ways to prove to the ignorant people that there is no higher power. it just seems like alot of atheists talk and speculate and focus on god and god-topics more than anyone else, more than theists. i don't understand why it is so important to them.