What is the educated Atheist's agenda in this category?

Question

I'd like to limit this particular question to atheists who hold graduate or post-graduate degrees and frequently contribute to the discussion in this category.

Being aware that the most convinced of theists who read your questions and answers will not be converted to atheism, what is your purpose or agenda in contributing to the discussion in this category? Being an educated Christian who contributes frequently to the discussion in this category, I know what my own purpose/agenda is from my vantage point. I'm just curious if you feel the same from your own vantage point. Your honest & thoughtful responses are appreciated.

Answer 1

For me there are two purposes.

It may be true, as you say, that "most theists" will not be converted to atheism - and that's fine with me. However, there are critical thinkers in the camp of theism who can be affected by a reasoned approach as it pertains to critical issues, e.g., the dangers of theocracy and dogmatic attacks on science. In other words, it doesn't matter to me that they stay in church. But I do want the seed of reason to germinate in them and affect their attitudes on policy.

Secondly we act as a force against anti-intellectualism, docility, and downright sloppy thinking. We become part of the social mix in which religious people find themselves - the dissenting voice demanding to be heard.

In summary, we remind everyone that there is absolutely nothing that cannot be questioned or examined. And in that we are fostering the primacy of compassionate reason in human affairs.

Answer 2

I will complete my graduate degree in 6 months. Is that close enough?

I have two main goals. The first is the truth, and trying to ensure that more than just opinion and persuasion is being presented as answers to sincere questions.

The second is that I think there are a lot of people questioning their beliefs here, and most of my responses should fuel that questioning, or perhaps even ignite new questioning.

My question to you is: how can you be educated and still believe in Christianity? Have you not studied both the history of the religion and the history of it's holy book? Have you not studied the history of it's parent religion, and the histories of the mythologies that even that religion was borrowed from? Have you not seen religion after religion, fervently believed in during their reigns, now being shown as only mythology?

Answer 3

Atheist/BS in Chemistry (currently working in Network Administration)

I am here for 3 reasons.
1- I am very annoyed at the Christian effort to push into science class in the public schools and want to defend against it.
2- I wish to defend atheism against the constant attack that it is under with Christian misinformation.
3- I was very young when I figured it out. It is a hard thing to be OK with since everyone keeps telling you that you are going to Hell. I was very relieved when I met others. I do run into other people that were where I was about 30 years ago fairly often.

Answer 4

I'm a graduate though not in the subjects that most interest me - physics, chem and bio, though I'm fairly scientifically literate.

I think we provide a counter point to the dogma of the religious folks on here - I also like seeing how the atheists' responses are often, more thoughtful, eloquent and more sophisticated ethically.

I accept that fundamentalists cannot be rescued from their beliefs - they insulate themselves by such things as 'evidence for evolution is a work of satan' - thats paraphrased from earlier today and such people can never break out of their ignorance. However, I think we can help people who think they need religion to be moral, or to fit in.

Answer 5

I don't have a graduate degree, but I do have an undergraduate degree, thus I don't really know if your question was directed at me, but anyway, my answer would be nothing more than:
Curiosity about people whose beliefs are so different than my own.

Answer 6

It is not my agenda to make any person convert from one set of beliefs to another.

It is my agenda to make certain that the voices of atheists are not drowned out by the shouts of hallelujah from those who persist in believing that the United States is a Christian nation and Christian doctrine should be law.

It is my hope that intelligent discussion will arise from the forum. I have pursued further *many* concepts that I first learned of here, from theists and atheists alike.

It is my reality that I have formed many friendships with people of *all* faiths, whom I would never have met were it not for a forum such as this. What I have learned from them is invaluable.

I end with a mea culpa -- I hold no degree and have answered your question under false pretenses. Do you forgive me?

.

Answer 7

As long as Christianity, as well as several of the other "ultimate truths", have as their end and gleefully sought after goal, the END OF THE WORLD, and as long as they believe that their rights are being violated if they are denied the opportunity to use the coercive power of the state to shove their god down every ones throat, you will have to put up with us being in your face. Why should we abandon a forum where we can let you know that you will not be allowed to carry out the silly "End Times" rubbish that you seem to forget would include the rest of us.

Answer 8

The same way I know that theists will not be "converted" by my opinions, I will not be converted by theirs. This is just a forum to express one's opinon and be exposed to those of others.

Answer 9

while i don't quite meet your educational criterion, i come close, so ...

i am a firm believer that religion has totally messed up the world and that the more people who reason out our problems, the better. the first step is moving away from the superstition that is the root cause of the problem.

there will always be loads of complete nutters out there that will never change, but i think there are plenty who are fence-sitters and could be brought over to the light.

Answer 10

Anyone can contribute to this category. It does say Religion and Spirituality...And not Christians Only.