In God We Must - Why won’t the U.S. accept its atheists?

[amused]

I don't see anything to 'be' reconciled.

[Seth]

We don't trust them.

With good reason too.

[Seth]

My tactic has always been to leave believers to it, so long as they leave me alone. But as soon as they come out with any god stuff, I make it clear that it's just a ludicrous superstition.
If they get offended, I can just say "you started it".

When the world pushes religion in my face, I feel entitled to ridicule it.
Except at funerals and weddings. ( Which I do my best to avoid ).

I think the fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life".

Which is in large part what makes atheism a religion...

[Ian]

My tactic has always been to leave believers to it, so long as they leave me alone. But as soon as they come out with any god stuff, I make it clear that it's just a ludicrous superstition.
If they get offended, I can just say "you started it".

When the world pushes religion in my face, I feel entitled to ridicule it.
Except at funerals and weddings. ( Which I do my best to avoid ).

I think the fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life".

Which is in large part what makes atheism a religion...

Logic fail.

[Seth]

My tactic has always been to leave believers to it, so long as they leave me alone. But as soon as they come out with any god stuff, I make it clear that it's just a ludicrous superstition.
If they get offended, I can just say "you started it".

When the world pushes religion in my face, I feel entitled to ridicule it.
Except at funerals and weddings. ( Which I do my best to avoid ).

I think the fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life".

Which is in large part what makes atheism a religion...

Logic fail.

Not even a little. It's said that "atheism" is nothing more than a lack of belief in god(s), but when Gawdzilla correctly notes that a "fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life" " he is noting the very facts that prove that atheism is indeed a religion.

[Rum]

Not even a little. It's said that "atheism" is nothing more than a lack of belief in god(s), but when Gawdzilla correctly notes that a "fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life" " he is noting the very facts that prove that atheism is indeed a religion.

You are quite simply wrong if you believe there is a god. You need to accept that Seth actually can be wrong and learn from this. Perhaps then you can move on with your life and become a nicer human being.

[Robert_S]

My tactic has always been to leave believers to it, so long as they leave me alone. But as soon as they come out with any god stuff, I make it clear that it's just a ludicrous superstition.
If they get offended, I can just say "you started it".

When the world pushes religion in my face, I feel entitled to ridicule it.
Except at funerals and weddings. ( Which I do my best to avoid ).

I think the fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life".

Which is in large part what makes atheism a religion...

Logic fail.

Not even a little. It's said that "atheism" is nothing more than a lack of belief in god(s), but when Gawdzilla correctly notes that a "fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life" " he is noting the very facts that prove that atheism is indeed a religion.

I disagree that it's a fundamental tenant. But it is a fairly natural and commonly held position for obvious reasons. Not only among atheists, but among almost every member of humanity when it comes to the god Hrangalangalang.

[klr]

My tactic has always been to leave believers to it, so long as they leave me alone. But as soon as they come out with any god stuff, I make it clear that it's just a ludicrous superstition.
If they get offended, I can just say "you started it".

When the world pushes religion in my face, I feel entitled to ridicule it.
Except at funerals and weddings. ( Which I do my best to avoid ).

This is pretty much my position as well ... although I wouldn't go out of my way to be offensive to someone unless they really deserved it.

If someone thinks they have the right to talk about their beliefs without being asked (and sometimes do much more than talk), then I've got the right to counter as I see fit.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Not even a little. It's said that "atheism" is nothing more than a lack of belief in god(s), but when Gawdzilla correctly notes that a "fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life" " he is noting the very facts that prove that atheism is indeed a religion.

You are quite simply wrong if you believe there is a god. You need to accept that Seth actually can be wrong and learn from this. Perhaps then you can move on with your life and become a nicer human being.

It's fair saner to not read his shit, Rum.

[amused]

It's fair saner to not read his shit, Rum.

Except you bastards keep quoting and harshing my mellow!

[maiforpeace]

I'm glad Slate published this article...it doesn't say anything really new (a lot of the content was similar to material I used several years ago when I gave my speech "Misconceptions About Atheists") but the fact that these misconceptions continue to exist is exactly why this article is needed.

It was also a lovely tribute to Christopher Hitchens.

Quoted from a friends Facebook page:

According to Denzel Washington, sociopaths are usually atheists. Here is the exact quote from this morning's Today show:
"The traits of a sociopath: no conscience, no sense of remorse, usually atheist." Why on earth would he say that? To me, it's not whether Mr. Washington has a case against atheists, it's about his grouping atheists along with people who have no conscience and no sense of remorse. It's offensive to me and to most of the atheists I know. In fact, I find atheists to be more thoughtful and ethically conscious than the people who won't vote for a candidate who has the wrong religion or no religion at all. Would Washington say the same thing about Jews, Muslims, Blacks, Hispanics or any other group? Why are atheists exempted from being offended?
I called Washington's publicist, Alan Nierob at Rogers and Cowan. I spoke to his assistant who assured me that Denzel meant no offense and was just describing people who do not believe in a higher power. When I told her he need not include that at all, she started arguing with me.
If anyone else is pissed off by this, call Rogers and Cowan at 310 854-8100. Ask for Alan Niebor and let his assistant know what you think.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It's fair saner to not read his shit, Rum.

Except you bastards keep quoting and harshing my mellow!

Kill anyone who does that. I do.

[Tero]

Not even a little. It's said that "atheism" is nothing more than a lack of belief in god(s), but when Gawdzilla correctly notes that a "fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life" " he is noting the very facts that prove that atheism is indeed a religion.

What if I want to be atheist and still approve of my child's invisible friend Jesus? Can I still be of the atheist religion?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Not even a little. It's said that "atheism" is nothing more than a lack of belief in god(s), but when Gawdzilla correctly notes that a "fundamental political tenet of atheism is "Keep your god out of my life" " he is noting the very facts that prove that atheism is indeed a religion.

Utter horse shit, as usual.

[apophenia]

Meh. I was approached while shopping by a couple of college age proselytizers, who, said they were moved to compassion by the sight of my disability, and asked if they could pray for me or some such. I said simply, "No, you cannot." But I'm sure the look on my face was hot enough to melt lead. I'm not sure I feel that I had any reason to be offended. JacksSmirkingRevenge in another thread, paraphrasing, appears to be of the opinion that when I'm in public, I have no rights to privacy. I disagree with Jack on other dimensions, but I'm not sure how I feel about proselytizers accosting me in the supermarket, and would probably feel bad and regret it if I turned around and gave them an earful, or a 'tude and a half. Maybe that's just me. I'm very opinionated, but I'm also sweet and nice. I'd probably apologize after reading them the riot act, and offer a donation for their ministry. A fellow Ratz has their position listed as "Bloodcurdlingly atheist"; I don't think I could be that — I'm not bloodcurdlingly anything. About the only thing that really sets me off is bad thinking. But I can't hate somebody for not thinking through something properly. I guess I'm just another victim of the "Minnesota nice". Maybe I need to move to Jersey (or Cardiff) to learn how to be a right, proper whatever. Got me.