Atheists: Serious variant of a "drinking" question.?
So, people often ask why atheists are on this site, and the usual response is *drink* or something similarly dismissive.
While the question has been repeated quite often, there is a serious underlying issue that has not been addressed.
Namely, the only reason I can find for the fact that atheists are on this site is that they want to make their opinion known to others and to try to convince them of their version of the truth.
There is nothing wrong with that per se, but I am surprised by the fact that you then accuse religious people of trying to push their religion on others when they tell them about *their* version of the truth.
Why is an atheist expressing his/her opinion better (in terms of "pushing" ones point of view) than a religious person expressing his/her point of view?
Naturally, you believe your position to be the only valid one. Similarly, a religious person will believe that his/her position is the only valid one. Therefore, from the point of view of "pushing", I find the two positions equivalent.
If you consider that "pushing" an opinion can only occur in the real world (in contrast to the Internet), please let me know. My own position on this point is that cyberspace experiences are just as real as real world experiences in this particular instance. It is just as intrusive to butt into a conversation about religious beliefs as it is to knock on someones door for "belief salesmanship".
As far as the real world is concerned, atheists have shown (with the bus ad campaign and similar programs) that they have no problem expressing their points of view in public. I am not saying that this is intrinsically wrong, religious people have been doing this for a long time, but I wonder why you consider one instance "pushing" an opinion and not the other.
Sorry for the long post, and I would appreciate hearing your opinion.
Anonymous2009-05-07T04:01:44Z
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Atheists can be spiritual as well. Also, *drink*. Just kidding. I do believe [atheist here] that atheists CAN be, and some are, as dogmatic as Christians, Muslims, or Jews. I myself as an atheist, believe that I "know" of the truth, but consider myself open to your ideas.
I consider both "pushing" an opinion, but please let me ask you a question? Do atheists meddle with legislation and people's private lives? Generally, no.
Basically, it's that we're finally "pushing back," as it were. For centuries in the West, all we've ever heard is the Christian side of the story. From the early Catholic church, to the Protestant Reformation, to the Puritans, to those "God" billboards a few years back, non-Christians (not just atheists) have been inundated with the message, "There is only one god and its the Christian one."
Christianity has been the driving force in this country, so much so that in some states, only Christians (or at least theists) can run for office. Some areas won't let atheists sit on juries because they won't swear on a bible (an act which is curiously un-biblical, by the way). There are even some people who believe atheists can't be considered citizens.
Some groups have even attempted to add to the Constitution the idea that this is officially a Christian nation. Others, the idea that only the Christian concept of marriage be allowed. Still others, throughout U.S. history have forced businesses to be closed on the Christian sabbath. In some areas, merchants are still prohibited from selling certain products on Sunday because it offends Christian sensibilities.
Christians have been known to harass atheist military members. In the Navy, while out to see, atheists are forced to participate in nightly prayers, led by a Christian chaplain. If I, as an atheist in the Navy need to talk about emotional issues, the only person I can talk to is a Christian chaplain.
So, please understand that when I come to this website, or go to other forums and say things like "There is no god," or, "It is possible to live a full, productive, moral life without Christianity," it's not so much that I'm trying to turn you into an atheist, it's that I"m trying to convince *you* to stop trying to convince me to become a Christian.
lol that is a long post! I'm from NZ and know nothing about a 'bus campaign'. Myself, along with other athiests, love at times, to come onto the religious site because, at times it is fun to debate. Most of us are just looking for answers as to why people feel certain ways. It's true that a lot of athiests feel that religous people are just 'opting out' and therefore not making conscious choices of how to 'improve' this world..they go to church, sing their songs and praise their god.. and then go home .. and then do what? An atheists point of view is not better, but it seems to be clearer that's for sure; its not based of dogma but rather free will of thought. Hrmm dosen't the bible speak of free will. So, what are your thoughts on the sciptures that are not now included in the bible? I would appreciate hearing your response.
But the fact is, I'm not here to suggest that anyone believe anything different from what they already believe.
I answer questions here because people seem to have a lot of questions about atheists. If I had to guesstimate, I'd say that one in every 5 questions is about atheists.
That being the case, I think the most valid source of information about atheists is atheists. It's really that simple.
I completely respect that it's every person's right to come to his or her own conclusions. But I want to be able to represent my own views here rather than have them restated, and often misstated, for me by others.
We're mostly here to have fun, why do you think we came up with the *drink* thing anyway? We're all seriously bored.
The problem with religion is people then stop asking questions like they should be. That's all I want, someone to question their belief, I don't want people to believe 100% in something that cannot or has npt been proven. It's why I'm agnostic, I even think it's stupid to be 100% sure god doesn't exist.
Mostly us atheists though are here for the fun, we like to joke around and the big reason is PEOPLE ASK US QUESTIONS! If we weren't here we could not answer those questions.