Atheism as a label,movement,etc. is starting to sour for me

[Mac_Guffin]

I'm still staunchly atheist. I can't see myself ever believing in God or any other superstition for that matter, but the whole "atheist movement" is starting to go sour.
I see myself touting this label and it reminds me of when I got into the punk scene. It's been taking up too much of my personality and the rest of me seems to get compromised.
I'm also not as anti-theist as I once was. I've been getting close, not only to a girl, but a few friends and relatives who are religious and I can't say I have a problem with anything they're doing. That old "it makes the more extreme religion more acceptable" bullshit is just that - bullshit.
Even the attitudes of fellow atheists are getting to me... not so much from here, but in general... and I can understand the bitterness to an extent because I've felt it, but I'm starting to change.

Not to be mistaken; I am still a staunch secularist and anti-bigot. I still believe in seperation of church and state, etc., but as far as liberal and apolitical theists go, I'm all for them. Let people believe whatever stupid bullshit they want to if they're not pushy with it.

[Gallstones]

Cherchez la femme?

[Mac_Guffin]

Why would it be?

[Seth]

I'm still staunchly atheist. I can't see myself ever believing in God or any other superstition for that matter, but the whole "atheist movement" is starting to go sour.
I see myself touting this label and it reminds me of when I got into the punk scene. It's been taking up too much of my personality and the rest of me seems to get compromised.
I'm also not as anti-theist as I once was. I've been getting close, not only to a girl, but a few friends and relatives who are religious and I can't say I have a problem with anything they're doing. That old "it makes the more extreme religion more acceptable" bullshit is just that - bullshit.
Even the attitudes of fellow atheists are getting to me... not so much from here, but in general... and I can understand the bitterness to an extent because I've felt it, but I'm starting to change.

Not to be mistaken; I am still a staunch secularist and anti-bigot. I still believe in seperation of church and state, etc., but as far as liberal and apolitical theists go, I'm all for them. Let people believe whatever stupid bullshit they want to if they're not pushy with it.

So, it appears that you've unwittingly become a Tolerist™. Welcome to the Church of Tolerism™! Wanna be a Bishop? You might be able to get some tax deductions...

[Mac_Guffin]

After dealing with some real trolls, I don't view you in sucha bad light anymore... I still disagree with you on many things, but on this, I think you're being rational.
Not sure if I like the label... I'm starting to sour on labels in general, hence my problem with "atheism".
I definitely won't avoid the term, but I won't be so focused.

[Rum]

It seems to be an American problem to a great extent, possibly because you have more fundies to deal with. Here in Europe most people don't give a damn what you believe or don't believe and in any case in many countries atheists or at least agnostics are probably in the majority. There is not much of a sense of an 'atheist movement', certainly here in the UK. And paradoxically although we have a number of states where the church is 'established' to use the term I would venture it is not an issue for most people. If there was a movement I would not wish to be part of it either. I don't tend to position myself by things I don't subscribe to.

[JimC]

It seems to be an American problem to a great extent, possibly because you have more fundies to deal with. Here in Europe most people don't give a damn what you believe or don't believe and in any case in many countries atheists or at least agnostics are probably in the majority. There is not much of a sense of an 'atheist movement', certainly here in the UK. And paradoxically although we have a number of states where the church is 'established' to use the term I would venture it is not an issue for most people. If there was a movement I would not wish to be part of it either. I don't tend to position myself by things I don't subscribe to.

Quite similar in Oz...

The point about having friends with religious beliefs is an important one. As stated in the OP, I have no problem with that, as long as they're not pushy...

And my many liberal catholic friends seem to have no real problem with that stubborn old atheist bastard, JimC...

[Animavore]

&

this whole 'atheism as a movement' thing is so American. No one cares here about religion or no religion over here. Just remember there are people discriminated and ostracised for their lack of belief in your country. Just because you don't experience it doesn't mean it's not happening.

ETA: actually not 'no one'. I did once get punched in the back of the head by an auld lad for questioning the Bible and one aul one asked why I don't just kill myself if I don't believe in God
Rare events.

[FBM]

Yeah, I'm done with 'causes', anyway. Two days ago, a couple of Korean ladies rang my doorbell. I knew what it was about as soon as I saw them, so I pretended not to speak Korean. One of them tried to find a (presumably English-language) presentation on her smartphone for me, but as she was doing that, I asked the other one (in Korean), "Is this about church?" And she said, "Yes! About the mother of God in heaven..." "No, thanks. I'm not interested." "But..." "That's OK. I'm not interested. Bye." And I just bowed politely and closed the door.

No need for confrontation as long as the other parties aren't being twats about it. But I still wish they'd stop ringing my freaking doorbell while I'm logged onto Ratz, tho.

[Robert_S]

There is only so much effort I can put into not believing.

I'll defend it as a valid philosophical position should the need arise and I'll refuse to sign off on what I see as someone else's bullshit. I'll also give up a few dollars if there's ever a collection for a local advertising campaign.

Once in a while, I'll get argumentative if someone I'm around is either pushy, or enjoys a good argument though.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Hitchen's was my role model. "He who has no stomach for the fight, let him depart. Nay, I will give coins for his passage."

[Jay G]

I adopt the attitude ascribed by Pat Condell to Jews (not entirely accurate, but close) "I don't care what you believe so long as you leave me the hell alone" !!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I adopt the attitude ascribed by Pat Condell to Jews (not entirely accurate, but close) "I don't care what you believe so long as you leave me the hell alone" !!

Lovely in theory, but here Rick Perry, et al., doesn't want to leave us alone. He wants to decide what we can think. Brings out the feral in me.

[Jay G]

I adopt the attitude ascribed by Pat Condell to Jews (not entirely accurate, but close) "I don't care what you believe so long as you leave me the hell alone" !!

Lovely in theory, but here Rick Perry, et al., doesn't want to leave us alone. He wants to decide what we can think. Brings out the feral in me.

I live in the NYC area where there's lots of diversity and people tend to mind their own business. I guess I would see things differently if I lived in "God's Country".

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I adopt the attitude ascribed by Pat Condell to Jews (not entirely accurate, but close) "I don't care what you believe so long as you leave me the hell alone" !!

Lovely in theory, but here Rick Perry, et al., doesn't want to leave us alone. He wants to decide what we can think. Brings out the feral in me.

I live in the NYC area where there's lots of diversity and people tend to mind their own business. I guess I would see things differently if I lived in "God's Country".

You see a pickup with "Nobody needs more than one Book" and a couple of long guns in the Easy Rider Rifle Rack(tm) around here. Ayaan has never met most of my relatives because they would insult her and I'd have to kill them.