Do you hesitate to call yourself an atheist because of the negativity associated with atheism?

Question

Are you philosophically an atheist but hesitate to identify yourself as such because of the negativity associated with atheism? What would you suggest that atheists do to alter the perception that we are scoffers and killjoys?

My stance on whether or not there are supernatural beings is atheistic, but I don't identify myself as an atheist because that only says what I am not, like calling a Christian a not-Jew or not-Muslim. When I first came to realize that I had evolved beyond a belief in supernatural beings, I sought out fellow atheists, hoping to find kindred spirits. What I found was very depressing. I wasn't interested in sitting around calling my neighbors of faith "stupid" and patting myself on the back for being "more enlightened." I wanted to put that enlightenment to work to improve the world. It was only when I discovered Humanism that I felt I was working *for* something again. Emphasis shifted to things positive, like standing for individual freedom and personal responsibility, human values and compassion, and tolerance and cooperation.

Answer 1

I don't hesitate to call myself an Atheist, because I'm not. As a true Catholic, I think the reason that Atheists are considered "scoffers and killjoys" is because there are loud-mouthed professional Atheists who act that way and dominate the image of atheism. Perhaps, instead of lying to people about your Religion, you should say "WelI, I am an Atheist, however, I do not subscribe to the intolerant and bigoted attitude of other Atheists who are cynical and heartless."

Answer 2

I am a bit nervous about revealing that I am an atheist in real life. I live the middle of the Bible belt. Even non-religious people will look at me like I have horns growing out of my head. There is definitely a really bad association with the word.

I am not sure how to alter this perception. There have been outspoken atheists in the past that did a lot to put forward the idea that we are angry people bent on making people uncomfortable. My husband, who is as affable a person as you have ever met, makes a point in telling people, in a nice way, that he is an atheist. He asks them if they ever knew somebody that was and they almost always say no. It puts a face on it. I guess I am too chicken! Or maybe I am afraid I will give us a bad name.
;-))

Answer 3

I make my own shirts that say things like "Demand Freedom FROM Religion" and "ATHEIST" so that everyone knows what I believe. I also wear Bad Religion shirts. I would love to have a big sticker on the back of my car saying something about being an atheist but I know that my car would be vandalized by a religious person.

I'm not afraid to tell people I'm an atheist and that I hate religion.

Answer 4

I am entirely forward in declaring myself to be an atheist, and often I will bring the subject up. I've always found those sort of conversations to be a very good test of the new people I meet. Also, I doubt any intelligent and educated person really considers all atheists to be "scoffers and killjoys", and I don't care to converse with those who are not, thus removing the problem.

Answer 5

I might nonetheless name myself an atheist it doesn't matter what the federal government declared. The executive says plenty of foolish matters it doesn't suggest I agree. Atheism is not more a faith than no longer gathering stamps is a passion. I might no longer be in prefer of this taking place when you consider that it might be a misnomer and might additional confuse the general public approximately what atheism is. I might no longer meet in a constructing and gather cash. Remember atheist haven't any traditional philosophy rather then a loss of perception in a god. We haven't any rituals or liturgy or another elements that you simply feel of while defining a faith. Tax exempt repute is, for my part, only a rip-off for the Scientologists and Jimmy Swaggarts of the arena to counterpoint themselves on the rate of others. I do not feel anybody must be tax exempt adding me. Peace

Answer 6

I refer to myself as agnostic because I feel that it is impossible to know with certainty either that God (or god) does or does not exist. I think that atheism requires a belief in the nonexistence of a deity. However, if I were to be invited to align myself with one view or the other (theism or non-theism), I would lean toward the latter. In my opinion, religions tend to be limiting and rigid, and I currently resent the intimidating Right Wing Christian movement which is so prevalent in our country. I do not often discuss my irreligious perspective with anyone because I am continually surrounded by evangelical believers with whom, in my experience, I can not have an intellectual discussion about religion or my opposing views. I have explored the world of the occult and esoteric disciplines as well, ultimately concluding that I could not discover in those areas the definitive answers I sought, eventually accepting that my "philosophy" remained agnostic, despite the fact that such indecision may indicate my inability to commit myself to any ideology! As for atheists, I admire their stances and am heartened to find so many fearlessly expressing their generally thoughtful arguments here in this forum; I find their views refreshing and hope that they will continue to post their outspoken irreverent answers...

Answer 7

I still find the idea that there's negative associations with atheism laughable. In the UK, someone's religion, or lack of it, seems so much less important than in the US. I think it's because we (the UK) actually have freedom of religion, whereas the US just talks about it.

In the UK just now the only negative associations related to religion are for scientologists (and scientology isn't a recognised religion, anyway) and Muslims (whose image is suffering because of the extremists). In time, it should just be the scientologists and life can go back to normal.

Answer 8

If I am asked directly, "What do you believe?", then I give an equally direct answer. I'm an atheist.

Now this is almost invariably followed by a lot of BS and attempts to save my soul, but I won't lie about who I am.

If it doesn't come up, though, then I don't just go around with an "I'm an atheist," T-shirt or anything.

Answer 9

I do not mention that I'm atheist because of the looks I get when I do - as though I am seriously handicapped by my own choosing. I simply say "I don't have a religion" when asked.

Answer 10

My husband (an atheist) was hesitant for me to use the word, because of the associations people have about it...sweet, really...