When you think about it, what religion does is organize people, or give them something to fall back on, serve as support or whatever. Atheists/agnostics are not an organized group or a support group. It's just a word to describe individuals who stopped or never did believe in religion and/or god. Atheists are labelled as demonic by some, and are grossly misunderstood. I could meet 100 atheists and not have anything in common with them other than that we lack a belief in God. Recently a thread was posted here about a survey on americans that placed atheists as the most distrusted group in the USA. That is pretty sad actually, considering I am more righteous and stable than most christians I know who think God perfumes their shit. So I figured a few things need to happen. For one, I believe more philanthropists and accomplished individuals should admit to their lack of theism. This should change people's perceptions. Secondly, I think there should be pamplhets and whatnot available dispelling common myths about atheism (ie myth 1: atheists have no morals; myth 2: atheists dont love life; etc) with adequate explanations. I don't mean to start a church or something, or to gain atheism status as a religion(which it isnt), I just think stuff like this should be there to let more people know that there are others that think like them and aren't evil. What do you guys think should be done?

This may go against some of you who are rebels/against the crowds, but if you look at history it is groups that accomplish things. I am more inclined to think that religion is outdated, and causes conflicts like restriction of rights(gays/abortion) and fucks with science(stem cells) so I think of it as doing a service to humanity.

edit: third of all, I almost forgot, is to show that spiritualism still exists under atheist. I meditate and I feel lover towards others, which can get me the same psychological effects that prayer does. There are other perks as well. You don't have to be a cold emotionless robot to be atheist. I think that dwells into point 2 but it SHOULD be emphasized.



[This message has been edited by Zay (edited 03-31-2007).]

I think all these "accomplishments" are why people are rebelling in the first place.

"Hey, we can split the atom"

"Dude, you just incinerated millions of people in an insant."

"See? It used to take way longer than that! Progress!"

quote:Originally posted by Rizzo in a box:

I think all these "accomplishments" are why people are rebelling in the first place.

"Hey, we can split the atom"

"Dude, you just incinerated millions of people in an insant."

"See? It used to take way longer than that! Progress!"

Media gimmicks. Scientists are often portrayed as evil and unethical, as people who stomp on emotion and morality for the sake of getting the truth. Bah, we can be Jews about that too, we can use the media to our advantage as well(jk about the jew part http://www.totse.com/bbs/wink.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/wink.gif) ) Bring back Bill Nye and teach other scientists to be better at public relations. Make more movies with them as heroes. Let's NOT mitigate atrocities done in the name of religion, shall we.

I'm just throwing idea around, I'm not some extremist or anything. I hardly think about religion or lackthereof most of my time, but I do cringe when misconceptions are brought up.

[This message has been edited by Zay (edited 03-31-2007).]

I think the best promotion of atheism or agnosticism is the promotion of science and scientific awareness. 216 million Americans are scientificaly illiterate. That's over 70% of the populous that is incapable of reading an article in Nature, or even The New York Times science section, on genetics, global warming, or microchips, and fully understand what the article is saying. As Carl Sagan said - "Ignorance feeds on ignorance."

A sad counter-point to this is that so many people have simply closed their minds to what science has to say, that not even the most compelling of evidence will sway their faith. To that I say, the future is in the children of these people. We must encourage and support the scientific education of young people. Critical thinking should be a top priority of our school system. What is teaching them reading, writing, and arithmetic if they are unable to think for themselves? I would rather be able to think critically than be a master mathematician or brilliant writer.

I guess that's what I feel about promotion of athiesm. Going out an handing out "atheist pamphlets" and such will only make athiests feel a bit better, and probably create more resentment of atheists by the religious community. It will do little to improve the current state of society. The key to curing religious dogmatism isn't to change what they think, but how they come to think it.

[This message has been edited by Elephantitis Man (edited 03-31-2007).]

Give crazy fundie more mainstream airtime.

Please don't lop me in with agnostics.

quote:Originally posted by Cuban:

Please don't lop me in with agnostics.

Hear, hear! And don't lop me in with the positivists, either.

I think you can be a strong activist and not have to be considered an extremist if you promote your agenda in a way that focuses on creating awareness and doesn't concentrate on absolute conversion so much.

No major ideology would have ever come to fruition or made the history books if it were not for some level of activism. Passivity smothers progress. If we (as a group of atheists) could get past the stigma that's attached to our "kind" and stop fearing disapproval and rejection from the 3/4 of the rest of the world, then we'd finally be taking the high road, instead of just sitting back feeling like the minority and pouting over it.

That doesn't mean that you have to stand on a corner and wave a sign, or speak through a bullhorn in front of a live audience. It just means proclaiming your non-belief openly and with enthusiasm, while leading a lifestyle and adopting an attitude that can set a positive example for the rest of the world.

Since atheists are supposedly one of the more misunderstood groups out there, practicing passive atheism instead of active atheism is not giving the rest of the world a fair chance to experience firsthand where you're coming from as far as your position on God goes. Sure, there will be backlash from religious fundamentalists fearing an "atheist revolution". And there will be backlash from religious moderates acting all calm, cool and collected as they continue to support the faith, giving the fundamentalists every benefit of the doubt possible, which (unwittingly or not) helps keeps these more extreme fundamentalists in business. But where has progress ever NOT been impeded by the opposition that still clings to the ancient ways of understanding the universe?

Times are changing, and there truly are more atheists coming out the woodwork than most people would imagine these days. Over the last 50 years (very short snippet of time), other freethinking individuals risked committing professional and social "suicide" by daring to challenge the unchallengeable: God. They laid the foundation for other religious skeptics to be less trepid about asserting their views and voicing their opinions. If you are an atheist, and you are comfortable with existing in a society that thwarts progress and encourages social division - then fine, stay right where you are, keep your mouth shut. Don't EVER piss and moan about it when it starts getting even more out of hand than it is now. But if you aren't willing to just let your ideals stagnate and are serious about trying to do your part to help history UNDO itself where religion has knotted it up so mercilessly, then start participating.

Never before have we been at point in society where it is not only acceptable to speak out against mainstream religion, but to also have the means to reach other like-minded individuals so effectively and form organized groups that work to promote rational thought and critical thinking in place of mysticism and superstition. Why drag our feet now? With the state of the world in the shape it's in now, it would be best to start right away, because this kind of shit takes a loooong time to reverse. It probably won't even happen in our lifetimes, but that is not something to be discouraged about. Persevere, nonetheless.

Contrary to what people may believe, I am not an immoral, emotionless, empty human being who harbors hate or resentment for people of faith. I don't pity them, or feel superior to them, and I do NOT feel as though their faith by any measure translates into stupidity or ignorance. I certainly won't model myself after them, for I just don't choose to let my ego or emotions lead me around by a chain, dictating what is "right" in the eyes of an invisible Beholder. I go one step further than people of faith do when I am able to step outside my own ideals and engage those I disagree with in discussions that help me understand their motives and attempt to comprehend their values. That is WAY more than they can claim, for they have what I like to call Ugly Baby Syndrome, and it is keeping ALL of us from ever reaching a healthy understanding of one another.

quote: Originally posted by Zay:

Bring back Bill Nye

Oh hell yes! His shows ruled. Did you know he was actually listed on adherents.com as being Jewish?

Who knew?! http://www.totse.com/bbs/redface.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/redface.gif)

My representative admitted he is an Atheist.

Stark's atheist views break political taboo (http://tinyurl.com/2h8k9w)

quote:The 18-term Democratic congressman, who chairs the health subcommittee of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, agreed to fill out the coalition's survey on his religious beliefs. In a statement issued Monday, the 75-year-old Stark added that, "like our nation's founders, I strongly support the separation of church and state. I look forward to working with the Secular Coalition to stop the promotion of narrow religious beliefs in science, marriage contracts, the military and the provision of social services."

He actually said that he hopes that the other congressmen that are Atheists will follow his lead.

I'm so proud of that guy. It's considered political suicide to be atheist and that guy shrugs and says, "Ya.. so what?'

You mean to tell me there is a reason to have faith in politics again?!

Edit: Please read into pun as intended.

kthxbye



[This message has been edited by AngryFemme (edited 03-31-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by Blades of Hate:

I'm so proud of that guy. It's considered political suicide to be atheist and that guy shrugs and says, "Ya.. so what?'

He's a Democrat from California, so it wasn't political suicide or he wouldn't have done it. He's also 75 years old, so he's pretty much at the end of his political career. He could have never done that at the beginning.

Proud of him for what?

quote:Originally posted by Pinball Mgruff:

Proud of him for what?



For setting an example for others who might not be as bold in THEIR non-liberal region?

Three cheers for the old & decrepit Rep!

quote:Originally posted by Pinball Mgruff:

He's a Democrat from California, so it wasn't political suicide or he wouldn't have done it.



Our district is almost heavily Catholic. But we don't really care if a politician is like us or not. We would rather have a politician not be like us because we realize we are all schmucks and he should be held to a higher standard than us.

This man actually calls the parents of each soldier that dies out in Afghanistan and Iraq when the news is sent to them. He mails and emails all of us to keep us up to date on what he is doing as our representative. This guy is on top of his shit. I can't say the same for the majority of congress. I think its just too bad that this guy came into the arena as a Democrat.

It was actually pretty surprising when the news broke. We should have saw it coming since the guy always strayed away from religion and never talked about God, but we thought that was just because he understands the separation of church and state. He always seemed like a nice guy with a good moral compass. I would have pictured him as one of those guys that is up early Sunday mornings with his wife trying to get their kids all dressed up for church.

Edit - I'd also like to point out that California is where people come to. Not where people are raised and leave. California is made of people from other states that were tired of living in the middle of no where with a limited future ahead of them. People move to California to make money, enjoy the weather, and just have what they couldn't get in their home state. The other people that make up California are religious immigrants from backward religious countries.

Before you go saying that it is California and its a haven for Atheists anyways, you should remember that the people here were originally Red Staters or immigrants from heavily religious countries.

The dark green area is the place he comes from and Represents (http://tinyurl.com/2x7tvv) It would seem this whole area is full of people who know what they are doing.

[This message has been edited by postdiluvium (edited 03-31-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:

I think the best promotion of atheism or agnosticism is the promotion of science and scientific awareness.

Yes. I think it is slowly working. Just a couple more centuries to go.

I think this whole we need religion in government and Atheism is test by the devil stuff will die out within the next 2 generations. The internet provides information to kids when before kids only got their information from those in their lives. Now that this information is available to kids as they are growing up, they will be able to be more informed and grow up making their own decisions instead of following decisions that others have brought them up with.

The generation before tried to do this with controlling the mass media and what their children are exposed to on the TV and radio. That kind of worked for them because there are still idiots running around trying to raise little idiots of their own. However, the internet is not like the mass media before. It is constantly changing and the kids can keep up with it, while the parents cannot. Therefore, it becomes an unchecked, unregulated wealth of information and entertainment.

I can personally attest to that, as the internet was not available when I was a teenager. Had it been, I could have confirmed my belief in non-belief and NOT taken on many of the hardships I did as a result of thinking that I must be mistaken in my personal theories on God.

It's easy for a lot of people to take the availability of the internet for granted, as they've had access to it for most of their adolescence.