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CNN: Atheists are still reluctant to ‘come out’
(www.cnn.com)
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this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
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I wonder if it has anything to do with all of the “bad atheism” that’s populating the internet.
By this, I mean to say that actual TRUE atheism isn’t about hating Christians, but if you look here, and on Reddit- any community involving atheism is nothing but anti-Christian rhetoric. Not other religion- just Christianity. AND A LOT of hate.
Actual atheists don’t define their ideology based on who they hate. It’s simply just not believing in religious idolatry. Nothing more and nothing less.
So if you find yourself hating on someone simply because they believe differently than you do. Maybe ask yourself if any of that seems familiar to you at all. And then back away from the nonsense. Because maybe It’s you that’s making it difficult for the ideology of atheism to be taken seriously.
I think the atheism you are referring to is teenaged angst filled atheism. They are lashing out at their oppression. They can come out of their shell later into a more refined version of atheism.
Fair point, but it’s not atheism, and shouldn’t be associated with it. It’s more like just teenaged angst that assumes the title for the purpose of appearing edgy.
Atheism has a bad enough rap on its own. It really doesn’t need people making it out to be something that it’s not. Especially something hateful.
You also have to keep in mind that most people, even atheists, only know the religion of their upbringing. Talking shit about something that you didn't "grow in" is usually more difficult, as it requires a minimum research (or "research")
Atheism isn’t about talking shit. That’s my point. If all you do is talk shit, you’re not an atheist. You’re just a hater that doesn’t believe in Christianity.
Do you believe in a god? No? Then you're an atheist.
Simple
Do you single out one religion to hate just because it’s edgy and cool?
You’re not an atheist, you’re just an asshole.
Simple.
Again, lack of belief in a deity is he only requirement for being an atheist
If you don't like that people bang on about Christianity because they live in the part of the world where that's the dominant oppressor: deal with it, nobody cares that you don't like it :)
I care. So there goes your nobody argument. Care to offer up any more inaccurate blanket statements?
The fact is- edgy wannabe atheists are giving the ideology a bad name. I’m not going to argue this with you. Deal with it, I don’t. Are that you don’t like it.
(See how that works?)
Lol, pretending like "nobody cares" is invalidated by YOU caring shows you don't know how our language works or are doing it on purpose to be a prick
I don't disagree entirely. I also don't care if it is or not
You're the one who's going to have to deal with t since you're the one who's butthurt.
Your pathetic attempt to turn my own words on me fails miserably when you're the one who cares about the topic, not me. You come across as a petulant, whiny child who thinks copying the adults words means they win.
Atheism has a "bad name" insofar as it can be said to have because theists in general and abrahamic religions in particular tend to believe that disbelief is immoral in and of itself and that without fear of punishment or hope of reward users will be less moral. In fact disbelief is morally neutral and atheists are on average more moral people because real morality is virtually always rooted in empathy, guilt, and shame not fake rewards.
And angsty teenagers aren’t helping with non theists.
If I invite you to try a butt plug and you decide you don't that sort of thing I shall not insist you try a range of sizes and shapes and shall instead accept your assertion that you don't like the category of thing on your word as you are the foremost authority on you. If someone tells you they don't believe that the universe has a sentient first cause available for consultation or prayer I shall accept their word that they are in fact an atheist.
Okay, let’s use your little example.
You many not insist I try a range of sizes and shapes, but you’ll call me names, suggest to everyone that I’m the reason everything is shit- and chastise anyone that agrees with anything I say simply because I don’t agree with your suggestion.
In the end, you’re still just as bad as those you hate.
(Pun intended)
I don't think people who are theists are BAD in the first place for being theists I think they are wrong and likely unintelligent but I don't think they are bad for having beliefs. I think they are bad when they try to impose their beliefs founded on nothing on others.
Sort of like how internet atheists do?
The people that think the earth is round and those who believe it is flat both think the other is stupid. Likewise the people who believe in an imaginary friend and those who know we have to go it alone. Only one position is objectively reasonable and its not the one that involves magic.
Not to say I agree with everything the person you're responding to is saying, but it's gatekeeping because you keep repeating "actual atheists." You're commiting a No True Scotsman fallacy by saying in order to be a true atheist, you need to act a certain way.
Just because someone Is right, doesn’t mean they’re gatekeeping.
Being a blowhard edgy hateful troll towards Christians does not make someone an atheist. It’s the ideology that does.
And an atheist’s ideology isn’t defined by who they hate.
I also posit this is a common method used to undermine the atheist position and is probably done intentionally here as well
You can keep using empty words as much as you want, your anti-atheist stance is very transparent. To clarify, I support any atheist regardless of what they do or how they do it. Most atheists have better morals than religious zealots like you, and even if they didn't there is nothing they could do to top all the evil atrocities Christianity has done in millennia and is still doing. If you believe in a god or in fairies that's your right, but when you start lobbying to get legislation passed to satisfy your delusions we have a problem.
English language forums especially US centric forums are populated by people who overwhelming deal with bad behavior by Christians whereas others are small minorities which keep to themselves
So you’re saying that every angsty teenager that complains about Christianity has had some bad experience?
And that it’s predominantly US based?
Can you show the sources that support this please?
The US is the largest english speaking country.
What the fuck are you asking about sources? Lmao.
They said:
You realize that what they’re saying is that Christianity is predominantly English, right?
Read up:
See, this is what I’m talking about. It’s seems most of the edgy teenaged atheists have no idea what they’re talking about and make up shit that they think will eel in them argument points.
Also, in “dealing with bad behavior” one usually doesn’t make blanket hatred their chosen way to deal with it. Unless of course, you’re an edgy teenager trying to look cool.
I stand by my statement:
Real anthems isn’t about hatred.
I don't know why you assume that?
It sounds like they are saying that English-speaking forum participants primarily come from areas with predominately or historically christian belief.
There's a lot of ESL, but that's still probably true.
It has zero to to with languages. They’re moving goalposts.
Dammit jim.
Lmao. Jim if you don't believe in any god you're in good company, I'm right there with you.
But that means all that's left is human. We can be more charitable to each other than any god ever was .
And it's OK to admit you made a reading error.
No reading error here. Just trying to keep within the wheelhouse of the discussion. I’m well aware of when people are trying to pull the topic elsewhere to dilute the waters.
Thank you for having excellent reading comprehension.
Hey, look at that! Someone else noticed your goalpost relocation!
It’s not about what language is used- kiddo, it’s about what is spoken using the language. My point it that atheism isn’t about hatred. You’re using language as a means to derail the discussion into something that makes it look like you’re winning it.
You’re not.
I didn't say that Christians only existed in the US. I said that the behavior you are complaining about is a direct symptom of participating in English language forums dominated by US users who are expressing their experience with the dominant religion in their area that does most of the "outreach" to try to convince atheists that their imaginary friend will torture them for eternity if you don't believe in them.
Thanks for proving my point.
You are angry that atheists are very expressive of their disdain for Christianity. Most people you as an english speaker interact with on most online spaces are liable to be chock full of Americans whose primary negative view of religions are formed by interactions with Christians both because Christians are very vocal and very negative. Do you actually need a citation for the English using web being heavily biased towards the 338,000,000 Americans? If you find your way to the appropriate forums you could find angsty teens complaining about Hinduism or Islam.
So you have no sources. That’s what you’re saying?
You want proof that English speakers on social media are mostly from Christian dominant countries?
Try again.
Here is a map of dominant religions.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/
Note carefully which areas of the world are primarily Christian. Now consider a map from Wikipedia on what language articles written on a country are written in.
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Eys48MCj4gGW2hhd6OwmtvXxS1I=/0x0:1399x1000/1320x0/filters:focal(0x0:1399x1000):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/694828/84558g59-1408117223.0.png
Its immediately obvious that there is a pretty big but not 100% overlap. It is pretty clear in context that the majority of the English speaking web (which isn't the entire web by any means) is going to be composed of people living in Christian dominant areas.
Again, this has nothing at all to do with my point. I’m not going to fall for your goalpost moving rhetoric. Stay within the topic of discussion, or walk away.
You literally side tracked the entire discussion to discuss the semantics of my response and demand proof that English speaking forums are dominated by Americans. My broader point was the reason for the shit talking is the people you are conversing with are those who have to deal with Christians. If you re-read it my point is pretty clear but I think we are done in any case.
I see a fuck ton of ex-muslims on athiest forums which shit talk islam depending on the day even moreso than christianity, idk what you're talking about with this "only christianity" stuff lol
I think we have different definitions of “fuck ton” because I guarantee you I’m on the same forums and I see one in every few hundred that might even mention Muslims.
But don’t let this get in the way of your exaggeration.