Can someone explain to me why people who ask about the attitudes and beliefs of atheists seem to be incapable of using the plural form of the noun?
In most cases, such as the one in this question, the asker uses the singular form "atheist," when they address the question to a plural audience, as evidenced by the verb.
Is it because these people imagine one large "atheist" mind that thinks for all atheists, rather like Star Treks "Borg," or do they imagine themselves speaking only to one person?
It happens with much more regularity than chance would have it
2007-03-01 15:17:57 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We are one. Resistance is futile. Join the all encompassing non-believing unity.
2007-03-01 15:21:48 · answer #1 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The S can only exist if there is a group when the word is used on its own- in this case, however the use of an S would be appropriate because you are announcing to a group of people and logically assuming there is more one atheist.
Though the question is directed at a "non-group" (only one person at a time rather than say, asking about the beliefs of Catholics or Buddhists) or on a person-to-person basis because atheists aren't categorized in this way. Instead, they are asking attention from all atheists present, so atheists IS the appropriate word, you are correct.
sweet! daywalkers!
2007-03-01 23:29:42 · answer #2 · answered by billthakat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've noticed that too! It isn't because they are addressing one person, because they do it in the third person too (Why do atheist...). They aren't thinking of a singular either, or they'd say "Why does atheist", not "Why do atheist", as you say. I think it's just poor spelling...half the time they spell it "athiest", regardless of whether the singular or plural form is used.
Maybe they're using atheist as an adjective and leaving out a plural noun ("Why do athiest [whatevers]...)
2007-03-01 23:24:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the "st" on the end gives a misleading impression. I never paid that much attention to the plural versus singular form. It is not due to thinking that it was one mind.
2007-03-01 23:21:24 · answer #4 · answered by Chi Guy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it is just plain not having the knowledge. Or maybe not caring to get the knowledge.
i have noticed the same thing. The other thing they do a lot is assume agnostics and atheists are one in the same. Taking no time to find out they are actually very different.
Wanna be blind syndrome is what i call it.
2007-03-01 23:23:21 · answer #5 · answered by purple dove 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is done on purpose. They do not like to think there is more than one singular atheist in the world. It would be too scary to acknowledge that there are several of us around.....boo!
2007-03-02 00:31:19 · answer #6 · answered by CC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have not noticed that phenomenon. But I cannot claim to have been paying careful attention. I usually ignore the spelling, grammatical, and other gaffes in questions to attempt to deal with the issue rather than with its clothing.
2007-03-01 23:22:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Either it's a mistake or we are, in some of their minds, lowered to lesser beings. Like their 'forefathers' did with people of other races and the labels they used on them.
2007-03-01 23:21:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheists are individuals--they do not go to church, mosque or temple to practice atheism. They simply do not believe in God...period. They don't look to have a spokesperson speak to all of them at Yankee Stadium--they simply want to live their individual lives, without being preached AT by anyone of any religion.
2007-03-01 23:24:22 · answer #9 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your Borg is more akin to organized religion not the Atheist's mindset.
Just chalk it up to ignorance of grammar.
2007-03-01 23:22:37 · answer #10 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋