Ok, I'm an atheist, as it seems. I don't believe in a Higher Power. God is not even a concept to me.
I just have some problems with the label 'atheism'. Why would I label myself that? An atheists doesn't believe in God. So what?
Why is there even a label for people who don't believe in something of a fairytale that has been invented by others anyway?
I don't believe that I will like raw fish if I eat it. That makes me an asushist? I'm a man, does that also make me an awoman?
2007-01-13 21:02:23 · 21 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One of the things that I've learned from hanging out on this forum is that many Christians absolutely insist on seeing the rest of the world through their vocabularly and point of view. Some of them even try to make theories of evolution into a religion, which is nothing short of ludricrous.
They refuse to conceive of someone without religion or belief as they define it. Hence, they insist on labeling us.
I will call myself 'atheist' because I am not a theist or deist. But I steadfastly refuse the term 'atheism', it is not a religion or philosophy.
2007-01-13 21:27:45 · answer #1 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, the root of the problem is this: People in this society love to classify themselves and others. It makes it easier to understand the world when one can generalize about reality instead of investigating details and specifics. Unfortunately, classification also leads to stereotypes and subsequent discrimination. After all, labeling people allows one to group them into sets and then apply conditions (which, given enough time, often end up being negative) to the people in those sets.
Take myself, for instance. I'm a follower of Christ. I hesitate to call myself a "Christian", though. Why? I dislike the stigma associated with the word. It seems that you dislike being labeled as an "atheist". I think it's fine to reject stereotypical associations that come with labels.
God bless.
2007-01-14 05:20:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Asushist? Now THAT'S funny.
Calling us atheists (with the same tone of voice in which they might say "child molester') is a way for Christians to feel superior. We scare them because we don't need to rely on higher powers, only on ourselves. They can't handle that sort of self-confidence, and they can't understand why we don't believe. I think it frustrates them that we refuse to join the herd. Although I can usually ignore the bible-thumpers, I get a little upset with being told I am somehow less than American because I don't believe. That bugs me.
2007-01-14 05:20:00 · answer #3 · answered by link955 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sam Harris, a very famous and outspoken atheist, makes the same point in his book "Letter to A Christian Nation." You're spot on. However, until the day the general population can understand that, atheist is a useful word to refer to the philosophy.
2007-01-14 05:08:49 · answer #4 · answered by M L 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
For some they do not believe in a higher power such as a godlike creature. But those same people believe in an evil or other higher power commonly referred to as Lucifer,satan,lord of the dead etc...
These are not true aetheist. True aetheist believe in very little to be exact. No god,devil heaven or hell. They believe we are what we are and we are born and die. Short story.
2007-01-14 05:12:53 · answer #5 · answered by Superman 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's because of "the norm". Ever heard of "heteronormativity"? That's the assumption that everyone is heterosexual unless they identify or demonstrate otherwise. The same goes for belief. It's assumed that everyone is a believer because that's the general trend. It's nice to be known for being oneself instead of letting people take the "safe bet".
Of course it's also true that it's ridiculous that this HAS to happen at all... but I can understand it's necessity, silly or not.
2007-01-14 05:12:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sam Harris addressed this very topic in The End of Faith and Letter To a Christian Nation.
Just as you said, we don't have a word for someone who doesn't believe in Zeus, or in Astrology, so he questions why those of us who don't believe in deities should label ourselves as atheist.
However, I am content with identifying myself as an atheist should anyone ask, given the prevailing opinion in the country.
2007-01-14 05:09:24 · answer #7 · answered by Diminati 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Semantics are a funny thing. By the time you're very old (or your kids are), the labels for standards/identifications may have evolved to be more pragmatic.
You sound like a sensible sort.
2007-01-14 05:11:53 · answer #8 · answered by Zeera 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is your right to believe or not believe as you choose. Language just happens to give those who do not believe in a higher power as athiest. Those who believe in a higher power, but not organized religion are agnostic. It's a fact of life. Deal with it.
2007-01-14 05:10:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its just a way for christians and the like to generalize the non believers.
2007-01-14 05:07:37 · answer #10 · answered by Jen 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋