The 'Atheist' symbol

[colubridae]

does acheese exist.

[Mephistopheles]

does acheese exist.

a cheese exists...in my refrigerator.

[A Monkey Shaved]

How about this one, the invisible pink unicorn logo

[Random Mutant]

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/

Second that. The scarlet A is too poncy. Thanks for the link.

Edit for fat fingers

[Bella Fortuna]

does acheese exist.

a cheese exists...in my refrigerator.

But not for long....

[Tomi]

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.

I understand why people argue that the term "atheist" is too negative. However, it does seem to be that the only thing that unites us as a group is our rejection of a single philosophical tenet. I would be cautious in looking to replace this rejection with a term that focused on the world view that has replaced the dogmatic ideology, since there is no single world view with which all atheists have replaced the religious world views.

I am also unable to agree that atheism is as trivial as a-Leprechaunism, unlike the belief in Leprechauns, theism is far more dominant in the world. As a belief it has far more power, and is doing far more damage. While our rejection of theism prehaps should be a trivial part of our world view in the ideal world, the power of religion means that it is important to unite in our rejection theism.

[xrayzed]

I'm a bit ambivalent about atheist symbols. I think it's largely because I primarily identify myself as a rationalist, and my lack of belief is a consequence of this.

After all I don't merely have a lack of belief in divine beings, I also lack belief in astrology, homeopathy, fairies, channelling, ad infinitum. Focusing on the atheism part is a bit limited.

That being said I'm going to the Atheist Convention in Melbourne next week, and I do like wearing my Darwin Fish t-shirt.

[Wumbologist]

does acheese exist.

a cheese exists...in my refrigerator.

Does it live with you in HARMONY, HARMONY?

[Boadacia!]

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

Like this? =>

[Mephistopheles]

does acheese exist.

a cheese exists...in my refrigerator.

But not for long....

Well, now I know where my cheese went.

I understand why people argue that the term "atheist" is too negative. However, it does seem to be that the only thing that unites us as a group is our rejection of a single philosophical tenet. I would be cautious in looking to replace this rejection with a term that focused on the world view that has replaced the dogmatic ideology, since there is no single world view with which all atheists have replaced the religious world views.

I am also unable to agree that atheism is as trivial as a-Leprechaunism, unlike the belief in Leprechauns, theism is far more dominant in the world. As a belief it has far more power, and is doing far more damage. While our rejection of theism prehaps should be a trivial part of our world view in the ideal world, the power of religion means that it is important to unite in our rejection theism.

Do we really want uniting as a group, however, if that means downplaying the most important part of our identity for the sake of antireligious picketers? I mean, religion is dangerous, but being asses about it only divides people more.

And clearly you've never been to Ireland. And if it's not leprechauns, it's ghosts, or the loch ness monster, or something that people are more inclined to believe.

I'm a bit ambivalent about atheist symbols. I think it's largely because I primarily identify myself as a rationalist, and my lack of belief is a consequence of this.

After all I don't merely have a lack of belief in divine beings, I also lack belief in astrology, homeopathy, fairies, channelling, ad infinitum. Focusing on the atheism part is a bit limited.

does acheese exist.

a cheese exists...in my refrigerator.

Does it live with you in HARMONY, HARMONY?

OH LOVE

[Wumbologist]

OH LOVE

[Mephistopheles]

^Like I said, it's Greco-Roman centric and focuses on something rather petty, both in its triviality and cynicism. Adding a T is no different, except perhaps making it more Latin-centric than Greek-centric--which is ignorant as well, considering the word "atheist" is of Greek etymology, from ἄθεος.

I'm already feeling bad for all the Chinese, the Russians, the Arabs, the rationalists, the objectivists, the secularists, who would feel left out by such a symbol.

And it's hideous, to boot. On that count alone, I'd never use it.

Again, I think that something more semantic and less linguistic (like the humanist symbol) should be a symbol for atheistic methodologies. And so far, I haven't seen anything better than this:

[xrayzed]

A humble request: can everybody make their giant images smaller? I spend half my time scrolling to find the relevant text.

As for the core discussion I haven't a symbol yet that quite strikes a chord with me. However that being said, as discussed in another thread somewhere I prefer not to define myself by my lack of belief in a god, so that may be part of the reason why.

I still browse these threads because I many eventually find one that's just too cool. Bonus points if it offends fundamentalists.

[Jack Rawlinson]

I don't like the athterisk because it looks like a goddamned hippy flower. Or possibly Kurt Vonnegut's asshole.

[Tigger]

I don't like the athterisk because it looks like a goddamned hippy flower. Or possibly Kurt Vonnegut's asshole.

Or this guy with a lisp: