Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Loki · 04-09-2003, 08:41 PM

There seem to be many proactive atheists here, who read atheist literature, actively seek seminars and lectures, actively strive to raise their children in a secular environment, counter theism often, etc. How do you all feel about the "apathetic atheists," who claim atheism, but don't get involved, are sort of ambivalent towards religion, don't actively seek out atheist companions/groups, etc?

Nostalgic Pushhead · 04-09-2003, 09:24 PM

I'm probably an "apathetic" atheist. I argue on webboards, but thats about it.
I'm pretty "devout", sure of my (lack of) belief, but I don't seek out (and haven't really had the opportunity to) discuss it with people in real life.

BioBeing · 04-09-2003, 09:44 PM

Although a near lifelong atheist, I am not as pro-active as I was when I was younger. I guess I have become a lapsed atheist! My wife is a weak theist, my kids go to church MDO, I live in the Bible Belt - its hard to be too vocal in everyday life. Isn't that what these boards are for?

Actually, I think that because of some of the things that are going on in my life, I have started to search out boards like these and who knows, maybe it will evolve into more in the future? Any good atheist groups in Memphis, TN?

AspenMama · 04-09-2003, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loki
How do you all feel about the "apathetic atheists," who claim atheism, but don't get involved, are sort of ambivalent towards religion, don't actively seek out atheist companions/groups, etc?

I suppose it depends on the nature of the ambivalence. It does bother me when I see atheists allowing their children to be raised religously. It bothers me when I see mixed marriages where in order to keep the peace, the atheist spouse is required to stay silent. I dated a guy a while back who insisted his son pretend to pray when they visited his parents. That seemed dishonest to me. On the other hand, when your livelihood is at stake or your food and shelter may be jeopordized by activisim, then I think silence is sometimes the most rational idea. And I guess that is the very argument some would use to promote a greater commitment to activism...that our jobs and survival should not ever be jeopordized by our atheism.

babelfish · 04-09-2003, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loki
There seem to be many proactive atheists here, who read atheist literature, actively seek seminars and lectures, actively strive to raise their children in a secular environment, counter theism often, etc. How do you all feel about the "apathetic atheists," who claim atheism, but don't get involved, are sort of ambivalent towards religion, don't actively seek out atheist companions/groups, etc?

I don't think I'm very proactive, except when it comes to my kids. I'd like them to be honest with me, therefore I'm honest with them, especially when the subject is my personal religious beliefs. At the same time, it's been remarkably easy to teach them the importance of respecting other people's beliefs.

(At first, you might think it would be difficult to teach children morality without also instilling the fear that someone "up there" is always watching them. But it's not.)

MzNeko · 04-10-2003, 06:55 AM

How about apathetic agnostics? We're even more lackadaisical about the whole thing...

Walross · 04-10-2003, 07:31 AM

You could probably say that I'm pretty apathetic. I enjoy a good debate, and I like to read skeptical/atheist literature, but that's about it. Most of my friends are even more "apathetically" atheist, and get pretty bored pretty quickly when I talk about "atheist issues".

Walross

Shadowy Man · 04-10-2003, 07:49 AM

Well, I would find it hard to fault someone for lack of activism about something they don't believe in.

BioBeing · 04-10-2003, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AspenMama
I suppose it depends on the nature of the ambivalence. It does bother me when I see atheists allowing their children to be raised religously. It bothers me when I see mixed marriages where in order to keep the peace, the atheist spouse is required to stay silent. I dated a guy a while back who insisted his son pretend to pray when they visited his parents. That seemed dishonest to me. On the other hand, when your livelihood is at stake or your food and shelter may be jeopordized by activisim, then I think silence is sometimes the most rational idea. And I guess that is the very argument some would use to promote a greater commitment to activism...that our jobs and survival should not ever be jeopordized by our atheism.

AspenMamma - I know that your comments were not targetted towards me, but, since your post immediately followed mine, let me clarify my position. I talk to my wife about religion - neither of us are silent about the issue. And while I do not openly come out and say to my son I do not think there is a God, I do answer him when he asks "Why did God make lightning" with God did not make it - it is natural. When he directly questions me, I answer him. Until then, I do not want to make it too hard for him at school. As to why we sent him to a Christian mothers day out in the first place - it is a good (educationally), safe, loving, environment. We tried to find a more secular one, but for various reasons, they all fell short. He will go to public school when old enough - I have put my foot down there. At least this way, my kids can grow up just as screwed up as the rest of us...

Ensign Steve · 04-10-2003, 10:51 AM

Given that atheism is simply a lack of a specific belief, a lack of action would seem to be about as atheist as you can get!

Only half-kidding. I didn't seek out this board because I am excited by or turned on by my atheism. I come here because I love philosophy and this is an excellent place to philosophize about existentialsm, ethics, etc, which others who share my atheist and materialistic world-view. I'm not saying all or most atheists are materialists, but some are, and very few theists are, that I'm aware of, so this is a good place to find materialists. It's also a good place to discuss life issues without having to hear "I'll pray for you" or "Put it in God's hands" and instead get some actual good advice.

The only action I take toward furthering our agenda (haha) is to lead by example. I educate myself, and make it known to those with a vested interest that I am an atheist. I show that I can live a moral, meaningful, fruitful life without the god-crutch, and I am a damn happy person. I have led 2 people to the Truth (tm) in the last few months, by doing nothing but answering the questions they asked me.

Okay, long story short, I'm not proactive, as you say, but that doesn't make me apathetic, either. I'm reactive.

04-09-2003, 08:41 PM	#1
Loki Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Land of hippies and fog Posts: 2,075	Apathetic atheists v. proactive atheists? There seem to be many proactive atheists here, who read atheist literature, actively seek seminars and lectures, actively strive to raise their children in a secular environment, counter theism often, etc. How do you all feel about the "apathetic atheists," who claim atheism, but don't get involved, are sort of ambivalent towards religion, don't actively seek out atheist companions/groups, etc?

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04-09-2003, 09:24 PM	#2
Nostalgic Pushhead Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So. Burlington, Vermont Posts: 4,315	I'm probably an "apathetic" atheist. I argue on webboards, but thats about it. I'm pretty "devout", sure of my (lack of) belief, but I don't seek out (and haven't really had the opportunity to) discuss it with people in real life.

04-09-2003, 09:44 PM	#3
BioBeing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 6,004	Although a near lifelong atheist, I am not as pro-active as I was when I was younger. I guess I have become a lapsed atheist! My wife is a weak theist, my kids go to church MDO, I live in the Bible Belt - its hard to be too vocal in everyday life. Isn't that what these boards are for? Actually, I think that because of some of the things that are going on in my life, I have started to search out boards like these and who knows, maybe it will evolve into more in the future? Any good atheist groups in Memphis, TN?

04-10-2003, 06:55 AM	#6
MzNeko Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Long Beach, California Posts: 1,127	How about apathetic agnostics? We're even more lackadaisical about the whole thing...

04-10-2003, 07:31 AM	#7
Walross Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 1,569	You could probably say that I'm pretty apathetic. I enjoy a good debate, and I like to read skeptical/atheist literature, but that's about it. Most of my friends are even more "apathetically" atheist, and get pretty bored pretty quickly when I talk about "atheist issues". Walross

04-10-2003, 07:49 AM	#8
Shadowy Man Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Shadowy Planet Posts: 7,585	Well, I would find it hard to fault someone for lack of activism about something they don't believe in.

04-10-2003, 10:51 AM	#10
Ensign Steve Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Augusta, Georgia, United States Posts: 1,235	Given that atheism is simply a lack of a specific belief, a lack of action would seem to be about as atheist as you can get! Only half-kidding. I didn't seek out this board because I am excited by or turned on by my atheism. I come here because I love philosophy and this is an excellent place to philosophize about existentialsm, ethics, etc, which others who share my atheist and materialistic world-view. I'm not saying all or most atheists are materialists, but some are, and very few theists are, that I'm aware of, so this is a good place to find materialists. It's also a good place to discuss life issues without having to hear "I'll pray for you" or "Put it in God's hands" and instead get some actual good advice. The only action I take toward furthering our agenda (haha) is to lead by example. I educate myself, and make it known to those with a vested interest that I am an atheist. I show that I can live a moral, meaningful, fruitful life without the god-crutch, and I am a damn happy person. I have led 2 people to the Truth (tm) in the last few months, by doing nothing but answering the questions they asked me. Okay, long story short, I'm not proactive, as you say, but that doesn't make me apathetic, either. I'm reactive.

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