The 'Atheist' symbol

[jez9999]

... you know, the big read 'A'.

The first thing I noticed when I saw it was how easily it could be confused with the symbol for anarchy. Do you think this was intentional?

[Xamonas Chegwé]

... you know, the big read 'A'.

The first thing I noticed when I saw it was how easily it could be confused with the symbol for anarchy. Do you think this was intentional?

Atheist and Anarchy deliberately start with the same letter, you mean?

Fuck! You're right! it's a conspiracy!!!!1!!! Kill everyone!!!




(Sorry. Any excuse to use that mob smiley. )

[virphen]

So does pawiz.

I mean arsehole.

[Mephistopheles]

Weeelll...if you consider the fact that rulers play a similar role of authority in government systems as gods do in religions, I guess one could argue that "anarchy" is simply not accepting the authority of a different authority. I personally see no reason to acknowledge a governmental authority that wasn't created for the good of the people and exercises its power for the benefit of the people, so in a sense I suppose I am anarchistic. Just like I personally see no reason to acknowledge a metaphysical authority that isn't necessitated by physical evidence and rational logic. And I suppose the fact that gods are asses in most cases doesn't help matters, either.

In short, I'd say the "A" signifies that a-narchy and a-theism have more in common than just a first letter.

[feign_ignorence]

Don't forget adultry.

[Mephistopheles]

Don't forget adultry.

What you did there, I see it.

Though different etymology.

And I guess it can be argued that while the A initially stood for Adultery in that book, by the end it certainly could have stood for "Atheist" or "Anarchist."

[Bella Fortuna]

... you know, the big read 'A'.

The first thing I noticed when I saw it was how easily it could be confused with the symbol for anarchy. Do you think this was intentional?

Atheist and Anarchy deliberately start with the same letter, you mean?

Fuck! You're right! it's a conspiracy!!!!1!!! Kill everyone!!!




(Sorry. Any excuse to use that mob smiley. )

Hey! KILL EVERYONE!!!1!! is my patented phrase!

[Xamonas Chegwé]

... you know, the big read 'A'.

The first thing I noticed when I saw it was how easily it could be confused with the symbol for anarchy. Do you think this was intentional?

Atheist and Anarchy deliberately start with the same letter, you mean?

Fuck! You're right! it's a conspiracy!!!!1!!! Kill everyone!!!




(Sorry. Any excuse to use that mob smiley. )

Hey! KILL EVERYONE!!!1!! is my patented phrase!

And it was stolen from you and abused!!1!! Kill everyone!!!!!

[GrayToneS]

... you know, the big read 'A'.

The first thing I noticed when I saw it was how easily it could be confused with the symbol for anarchy. Do you think this was intentional?

There are several prominent differences between the two symbols.
The Anarchy A is encircled, not italic, and usually in black to symbolize defiance (opposite of waving the 'white flag').
The 'scarlet A', not italicized or encircled, and is of course always red (not sure why).

archy= government, or rule
theistic= god believer

'A' or 'An', is the greek prefix for "not" or "without"

A-theist= not god believer
An-archy= without government rule

Just a happy coincidence they both start with the letter 'A'.

[Ameri Boi]

I wonder if our savior/mascot was sacrificed upon a giant A made red with his blood.

[GrayToneS]

I wonder if our savior/mascot was sacrificed upon a giant A made red with his blood.

I know it was Prof. Dawkins who popularized the scarlet A, but I'm not sure if he coined the symbol.

[MrFungus420]

... you know, the big read 'A'.

The first thing I noticed when I saw it was how easily it could be confused with the symbol for anarchy. Do you think this was intentional?

Does anyone else go when someone talks about something like a symbol or group that represents anarchy?

[Wumbologist]

I prefer the "atom" symbol anyway, as seen here:



And here:

[Thinking Aloud]

Personally I think this is the bestest ever Atheist symbol. And it can do cool things to:



(It's "Atheist" in Greek, I think. )

[Mephistopheles]

I prefer the "atom" symbol anyway, as seen here:



And here:

I prefer it, but I don't see it as a symbol of atheism. Not all nonreligious people are scientists.

I don't see the A as a symbol, either. I mean, for one, it's Euro-centric and has absolutely no meaning in languages not derived from Greek or Latin. For two, it--and the term "atheist" in general--focus on rejecting a single philosophical tenet rather than on embracing the worldview one has accepted in place of dogmatic ideology. It seems unnecessarily negative, and focusing on what should be a rather trivial aspect of an atheistic worlview--just as trivial as, say, a-Leprechaunism. Just saying.

If I had to choose a symbol, I'd choose something more symbolic and representative of free thinking and rationalism. Some good examples have already been put forth, my favorite of which is:

http://athterisk.org/

Variations on the "null" symbol have also been suggested, but a literal null symbol is too math-centric, and a circle is too commonly associated with Buddhism. I like the Invisible Pink Unicorn symbol, but I think everyone agrees that should only be associated with the cult (and it has nothing to do with my current avatar, either; that's ROBOT UNICORN ATTACK, where all your dreams come true ).

Also the musical "natural" symbol has been proposed, but again that seems too music-centric.