Koyaanisqatsi

Even simpler: America is almost entirely controlled by the christian cult; a detrimental, historically "evil" institution that, like a cancer, kills the body politic. It needs to be irradiated like any other cancer before the body dies.

If only christians did as their own cult leader told them to do and pray in secret, none of this would be discussed so heatedly. But they do not, because their cult is an obvious pack of lies that they are indoctrinated into believing from birth and, worse, told to spread like a virus at every opportunity.

Just as you would smack a bottle of poison out of an infant's mouth, so we attempt to metaphorically smack the poison of christianity out of ignorant cult members' mouths.

It does, of course, apply to all cults, but, christian cult members are the ones who come in here most often to spread their poison, so they are the infants we normally deprogram.

miscreant

Probably partly because this is a place where we CAN discuss it without being attacked by the ignorant masses. You admit to being one of the majority when it comes to religion here, so maybe you've never had the lovely experience of being accused of satan worship or whatever else by bible thumping morons who can't think for themselves. I'd say most of us here have, so we come here where we can express our views with others who understand it, even if they don't agree with it.

We also are bombarded daily with these religions we don't believe in, and often see in the news how they try to enforce their beliefs in our school and in government agencies. This is a place to rant about that because there are many in religious circles, and even just in north american society, who think they should have the right to do just that (ignoring the fact that they would hate it if another religion had that power)

Miscreant

Koyaanisqatsi

I think you may be refering to a "maidenhead," there, Blue.

Brian63

To reiterate what has been mentioned before (or maybe not, I've only skimmed it), some of us are just simply fascinated by the issue of the existence or non-existence of God. Besides being extremely important, it is very interesting. Discussing it with both people that agree and disagree with me is very educational.

Besides, people talk about things they do not believe in all the time. Do you ever talk about fictional books (besides the Bible ) that you enjoyed reading with other people that also enjoyed reading it?

Brian

P.S. Welcome to the II God Head. Take off your coat and stay awhile.

vagrant

Well, we do already have laws to prevent people from doing the stupid, dangerous, and/or detrimental. Religion has just had better lobbying (and a good portion of the time been in control which brings us back to some of the points L. made).

vagrant

*WE* talk about our (lack of) beliefs so much!?!

Lets look at some of the ways that theists talk about their beliefs:

1. Church - large, valuable, tax free pieces of real estate where theists gather to further delude themselves that they are better than those other deluded sects and them icky-bad atheists.

2. Multiple television networks devoted to talking about the uber-easter bunny. Some solemn and dull, most actively fleecing their following.

3. Countless radio stations/programs, often spouting the most horrible hatred and bigotry

4. Shelves of books devoted to either the suppression of understanding, pointless feel-good coddling, or furthering hatred and bigotry

5. Jack Chick tracts. 'nuf said.

6. The pitiful need of theists to support their collective delusion by sheer mass of professed believers, cause that keep the deep down knowledge that the whole god concept is unsupported, wrong, and dangerous.

(I can go on... just let me know)

Daydreamer

Or to look at it from a theistic PoV: "We are non-theists (most of us) and therefore we are too analytical for our own DAMN good."

*chuckles*

Eh, too bad we scared God Head away, a naive theist is so much easier to confuse than most of our regular theists.

Blue_Metal

I could have sworn I'd heard it refefered to as a god head...

runs off and hides

Typhon

Greetings. If I may, what is the project you're working on?
I think the reasons for this are manifold.

Also, I'm not entirely in agreement on the spin you put on either the purpose or the nature of the many discussions held on this board. "Revel" is a loaded word, certainly at least, in the way you use it here.

II covers a broad range of topics, from idle gossip, support for those who treasure reason in a world clouded by faith and superstition, defense of those ideas and ideals we cherish from those who routinely seek to remove and/or obscure them in the public sphere, answers and in depth analysis of particular points, be they thorny philosophical or religious issues, and more.

People of varrying beliefs participate in this process, not all of them atheists.
Ah, but you just brought it up, not once, but twice, even going so far as to say "I am first and foremost a believer in God." Most atheists are not even that vocal about their atheism, partly because the world traditionally takes a dim and prejudicial view of it, and partly because I think for most of us, we would define ourselves "first and foremost" as human beings, and atheists, second or thirdly if at that.

Also, I doubt you normally "hide" your Roman Catholicism. I'd go so far as to say you (as you admitted you were a "practicing" member of your faith), spend time in worship, fellowship, or otherwise involved in the observance and celebration of your belief with others who are so like minded.

Considering the II boards are a place to talk about our philosophy and subjects related to it, I would hardly say we're doing much to crow our lack of belief in imaginary gods, from the rooftops. Far less than the typical theist worshiper does in either public, or private. However, why should we not? Religion has had millennia to raise its banners, churches, pulpits, shadow of conversion, oppression, darkness, and faith over nearly every corner of the globe. Take RC for example, its churches mar the very skyline of cities across the globe, raised not in a mere expression of art, however beautiful they may seem.

The world is a sea of religion and superstition, even today, and places such as this, but a tiny ship of free-thought in comparison.

Frankly, I'm also of a mind that the world would be far better off if more people, not less were atheists. A world crowned by reason, not superstitious foolery and antiquated nonsensical beliefs, is a better one for all.

Actually, you'd be surprised at how much we DO talk about Santa. I certainly see it all the time.

However, priests and followers of Santa or the Easter Bunny do not habitually:

1. Tell me I'm going to eternal damnation for my lack of belief in them.

2. Build churches, political organizations, schools to indoctrinate the youth, missionaries to convert the unfaithful. Fat men in suits and chocolate rabbits seem to be about the extent of their worldly influence in comparison.

3. Lobby the governments of the world and seek to influence and derail secular politics, personal rights, public mores, reproduction, what schoolchildren are taught, or anything for that matter.

4. Molest children and/or try to frighten, form, and indoctrinate children and youth in our societies.

5. Wage holy wars and inquisitions which butcher countless thousands across the globe.

6. Eliminate the beliefs and way-of-life of indigenous peoples world-wide. You never see atheists fighting with each other, BECAUSE, they belong to a different sect of atheism.

7. Insist that anyone but children take the existence of plainly made-up, fantastical, imaginary, non-rational beings as the "gospel" truth.

8. Require that Santaism is taught along side or in lieu of accepted, verifiable, scientific principles of biology and cosmology.

9. Ostracize and exclude members of society who do not believe in their literal existence.

10. No one has ever come up to me and asked: Do you know Santa? Or, Have you accepted the Easter Bunny as your Personal Savior and the One True Creator of the Golden Ovids?

THIS, is why talking about god and gods in a society dominated by their illogical worship and belief, is both more vital and topical to those who are courageous enough to stand up to the black-cassocked bullies, pulpit commanding charlatans, fanatical zealots, intrusive scripture-thumping preachers, right-wing evangelical politicians, and all those who would teach the masses that the world stands atop a endless column of turtles.

Does that answer your question?

.T.

it's turtles all the way down.

[ April 19, 2002: Message edited by: Typhon ]</p>

DMB

It stopped doing so centuries ago. Read <a href="http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/hoodbhoy_22_2.html" target="_blank">this powerful article</a> by a muslim scientist. If you are interested in this topic, this author has written a book called Islam and Science: Religious Orthodoxy and the Battle for Rationality.