Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Weltall · 09-07-2003, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sophie
Abel Stable : Mabye what I mean is what can we rely on Atheists to do in this world? To what can we as the general public appeal, when we address Atheists? If we know these answers then the mass appeal when things need to be done can be formed on a broader base. I can appeal to theists using the GOD in them, I can appeal to environmentalists using for the sake of the planet, I can appeal to humanists using for the sake of humanity but to what can I turn to appeal to an Atheist?

Is it just good sense? Logical reasoning? A need to accumulate a gain? Can it be a duty to humankind? Or it simply cannot as yet be generalised?

How about the fact that we try to be good people because we want to be, our humanity if you will. Something you seem to have a great deal of trouble grasping.

Abel Stable · 09-07-2003, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sophie
Mabye what I mean is what can we rely on Atheists to do in this world?

You can rely on atheists to not believe in gods. That is the one sure-fire thing. Anything else depends on the individual, and generalizations cannot be made.

Quote:

To what can we as the general public appeal, when we address Atheists?

Why the need for special appeals? If, in some hypothetical situation, you want something from an atheist, there isn't any specific thing that would apply to all. Just figure out which buttons to press based on the individual person.

TheGreatInfidel · 09-07-2003, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sophie
Abel Stable : Mabye what I mean is what can we rely on Atheists to do in this world? To what can we as the general public appeal, when we address Atheists? If we know these answers then the mass appeal when things need to be done can be formed on a broader base. I can appeal to theists using the GOD in them, I can appeal to environmentalists using for the sake of the planet, I can appeal to humanists using for the sake of humanity but to what can I turn to appeal to an Atheist?

Is it just good sense? Logical reasoning? A need to accumulate a gain? Can it be a duty to humankind? Or it simply cannot as yet be generalised?

Isn't it possible that some evironmentalists and humanists are atheists? It seems you think that if a person is an atheist, he can't be something else also. Let me clarify, the only thing an atheist cannot be while being an atheist is being a theist.

openeyes · 09-07-2003, 11:55 AM

At the risk of "feeding the troll", I will list some of the things I've done with my time in which I received no monetary compensation. 1) I was a Big Sister for a couple years in college. 2) I participated in a program in which I visited young mothers that were identified as "at risk" once a week to provide an opportunity to avoid isolation. 3) I've been an office holder in the PTA for a number of years. 4) I've served on my local townhouse board of directiors for a number of years. 5) Same for my professional association. 6) Volunteered for numerous other one-time community events

When I became single parent, I found it difficult to work and raise the kids and do a lot of volunteer work, so I could only do the things that didn't require much time. My kids came first. Yeah, I think we atheists care about our kids as much as theists do. It's a biological thing.

Why did I do what I did? Golden rule type of reasoning. In addition, the quality of my life and my kids' lives depends on a large extent on the quality of the community. Since I don't think there is any god to bother praying to, I know it's up to people to make a difference.

Regarding doctors without a god-belief who contribute to the community, isn't "Doctors without Borders" nonsectarian? I wouldn't be surprised if many people associated with that group are non-believers.

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09-07-2003, 11:55 AM	#44
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	At the risk of "feeding the troll", I will list some of the things I've done with my time in which I received no monetary compensation. 1) I was a Big Sister for a couple years in college. 2) I participated in a program in which I visited young mothers that were identified as "at risk" once a week to provide an opportunity to avoid isolation. 3) I've been an office holder in the PTA for a number of years. 4) I've served on my local townhouse board of directiors for a number of years. 5) Same for my professional association. 6) Volunteered for numerous other one-time community events When I became single parent, I found it difficult to work and raise the kids and do a lot of volunteer work, so I could only do the things that didn't require much time. My kids came first. Yeah, I think we atheists care about our kids as much as theists do. It's a biological thing. Why did I do what I did? Golden rule type of reasoning. In addition, the quality of my life and my kids' lives depends on a large extent on the quality of the community. Since I don't think there is any god to bother praying to, I know it's up to people to make a difference. Regarding doctors without a god-belief who contribute to the community, isn't "Doctors without Borders" nonsectarian? I wouldn't be surprised if many people associated with that group are non-believers.

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