Harumi

I don't think he's selling atheism to Christians. I think he's trying to make Christians hurt by militant atheists understand that not all atheists are jerks.

Goodness knows I've done my share of that too. Considering how bad a rap we have among Christians, actually proving them right doesn't help matters one bit.

King Rat

Bingo.

I hate pushy salesmen, don't you?

EverLastingGodStopper

Yeah... I can see what you mean. I must have misunderstood King Rat's post; thanks for shedding some light. Personally, I tend to avoid theological debate and focus on ending the American theocracy.

I host a chat room on MSN, and I'm often sickened to see "my own kind" being rude to non-atheists. I find myself kicking other atheists out of the chat simply because they think it's okay to hide behind a net-nickname and insult or attack those who are religious.

I find the phrase "fucking fundie" to be as rude and prejudiced as "filthy jew" or "stupid nigger." I'm even offended by references to "sheep." Believers are called "theists." Non-believers are called "atheists." There is no room in polite society, online or offline, for bigotry or intolerance.

Those of us who work on causes related to atheism are severely hindered by those of us who call themselves atheist when actually, they just harbor hate toward theists. I call them the "Mad At God" crowd.

King Rat, I'm interested to know what it is you do and what groups you work with. I support efforts by the godless to reach out in a polite way to the religious. Too bad we have to smooth over the rifts caused by others who claim atheism only to offend.

Viti

Maybe I misunderstood the question. I know atheists who will take a polite "bless you" when they sneeze and turn it into an opportunity to tell the blesser all about their atheism and how they are offended by being blessed. I say "thank you" and move on with my day...that's what I mean about not evangelizing.

As for socializing, I think it's great to meet with any group of people you share an interest or viewpoint. If you met up on Sundays and stood outside churches to tell the theists they are deluded, that would be evangelizing and I would have a problem with that...if you are having some pizza and seeing a movie...how could I be against that? I also support advertising debates or lectures of specific interest to atheists, so the curious or questioning can attend.

King Rat

Independent.

I live in an overwhelmingly LDS community So I am currently involved in multiple "debates" with family, neighbors, bishops, home teachers, missionaries, lions, tigers, bears, and other "concerned members." I'm kind of busy...

The very fact that I exist is an affront, and a frightening reminder of their own doubts. I don't really want to "join" any organizations. Frankly, I'm a little leery of "joining" anything or anybody. Attempts by people to get me to "join" with their efforts smells like missionary work to me.

p.s. I think I just won the prize for "most quotation marks used in a single post."

p.p.s. There I go again

Harumi

I don't want to name names, but some on this board are so anti-theist that they've started seeing mass conspiracies where there aren't any.

A person claimed that all Christians are all dying to kill atheists. Well then, since most of my friends are theist, I suppose I'm consorting with future murderers. The ridiculousness of it all makes me puke.

On another atheist board, I met a person who feels that uniforms in schools was part of a conspiracy to make freethinking independent individuals act like a herd and become Christian.

I have yet to see how wearing the same clothes as everyone else changes a person into a drone. Personally, if you can't display your individuality through any other means then clothes, then you don't aren't much of an individual are you?

These atheists are no better than the frothing mad-eyed theists who believe in atheist conspiracies and Satan/demon/evil god(s) coming to get them.

themistocles

Just proves you don't need religion to conform to mindless faith.

Harumi

Precisely, which is why I have serious problems with atheists who feel that getting rid of religion will somehow solve all world problems.

It isn't religion, it's the need for mindlessness, to be told what to do, and the fear of being alone.

NearNihil Experience

I help Secularism, but my final intent is Imperialism with myself as Emperor. As far as -isms go, that is.

I make street preachers work for their dole. Can't help but skip a whole day of work or classes just to give these slobs something to do. And the more they talk infront of people, the more people don't like 'em or want to hear 'em.

About everything I do in school revolves around promoting a secular sort of world, studies and work. Never afraid to gun someone down(verbally of course) in public for ignorant statements.

Thought about joining the ACLU, but I really only agree with them about 50% of the time, well 75% maybe.

My buddy works for a Senator and I try to keep an ear open about trends and upcoming important political junk, but its mostly junk. Though he did call the war a long time ago with that vote where congress gave W. the key to gun cabinet. Who didn't see that comin' anyway though, huh?

I try to sabotage capitalism at every occasion.

I support accurate information and education, education, education.(I try to double check facts, and I think kids need to learn good stuff).

I try to engage everyone I encounter in meaningless verbal banter then suddenly change the topic to a heavy philosophical or ethical topic and immedately assualt their sensabilities. This tends to promote diversity of beliefs and willingness to air and stand for those ideas, no matter how useful or stupid.

And I'm attempting to write an athiest's interpretation of the Bible, starting with the Gospels, then NT, then the whole cup holder. Trying to do something positive for once with all this crap. There is actually some good shit in there if you know how to dig, even if you don't believe in boggey-boogey. Some common ground made available may help people get along, some understanding for both sides. Just because you believe faith can't move mountians, doesn't mean you can't relate or know the idea of tenacity.I don't know, but its worth trying. We'll see how that goes.....but its coming along so far.

That's what I do. How 'bout you?

paris

For church state separation, there is a very very important issue just now: the preamble of the European Constitution. If the word "god" does not appear and if no allusion to religion is made in this preamble, if would be a great victory for church state separation. It would mean that 300 million people will be ruled by Laws where God has been kicked out.

I hope it will work.

Being a teacher, I try to speak of Darwin as many times as I can. Just to make it clear that (public) school will not accept to shut up under the pressure of fundies.

" If you pray in my school, I'll think in your church"

"In latin, arabic or blue jeans, religion is oppression"