Question about the words "Atheist" and the word "Evolutionist"?

Question

I don't believe in God and I believe in the Theory of Evolution, but who came up with these labels, "Atheist" and "Evolutionist",

do these labels really apply? Is it not "their" word that they gave to "us" because they feel we are somehow sub-human.

Should we campaign and ralley against the English Language containing the words "Atheist" and "Evolutionist".

What words should replace them.

And yes, I'm intelligent enough to know that the Theory of Evolution does not deal with the existence of God.

Answer 1

Have you ever sorted a cupboard full of food? Look at all those labels. Does this bag of oatmeal go with cereal or into the bagged products section. Orange juice - is that a fruit or a beverage. and so on....

You can mix your labels - they are not interchangable - wearing multiple labels helps others classify you, and unfortunately, form a prejudice against you.

Have you ever seen the prepared food product called poutine?* (Canadians know what I'm talking about) Where would you store that in your pantry? Just put it in the fridge, it's easier than trying to figure it out and I'm lazy.

Sometimes it's easier to lump all the people who think differently than you into one pile. Lazy.

Following all this? Imagine listening to me teach.....

I don't think of anyone subhuman - regardless of their beliefs. My particular religion forbids it. But that doesn't stop the lazy ones from exalting themselves over those who think differently....

Wear the labels with pride - if they fit. Create new ones if you need - even if nobody knows what neo-druid really means, don't worry about it. And if people don't understand the label, that's really their problem.

* Poutine - deep fried potato strips (french fries) with melted cheese (cheddar or mozzarella) curds and hot beef gravy.... see why I'm lazy about classifying it... I'd put it in the garbage myself.

Answer 2

Well, atheist is there in the dictionary, wear the name if you wish, explain how you are not one every time somebody calls you one if you wish. Evolutionist, I gotta say, drives me up a wall. It really is like the n-word in that nobody who agrees with the theory ever called themselves that. The name is only used by some people to describe a particular group of "others" and it's always disparaging. No two "evolutionists" are the same, they underwent no rites or anything to become "evolutionists" (there's no cambridge creed to swear to declare one's membership). One can be an "evolutionist" and a christian or muslim. It's pure nonsense and the only way I've come up with to fight it is to tell people how stupid (yes, stupid, idiotic, uneducated) they sound when they make up words like that.

Atheist I would keep but honestly I explain it a lot (so if one believes there's such a thing as Atman, can one still be atheist?). Evolutionist? Why bother replacing it. How about scientist?

Answer 3

I am an atheist and I think there's nothing wrong with this word. Everyone may call me an atheist any day.

As to the word "evolutionist", it does not make much sense to me but I also have no big problem with it. Evolution is a working model of certain aspects of reality, but not more, I would not treat it as a complete philosophy of life or such, and I would not like it if someone wanted to reduce me on this idea.

Answer 4

Evolution is a field of scientific study. You don't believe or disbelieve in a scientific theory. You either understand or do not understand a scientific theory. You make it sound as if evolution is a type of religion, which consists of beliefs and faith. It isn't . You are making the same mistake that the Creationism do by mixing science and religion. Intelligent design is a religious belief. Evolution is science.

Answer 5

As for atheist, clearly this is just a combo in greek adding "a" which means "without" to theos - "a god". This was a natural combination.

"Evolutionist" is merely ridiculous. It implies evolution is something to believe in, which it isn't.

Labels in general are useless.

Answer 6

Man, if you decide on another name for what those other names mean, let me know. People call themselves things in order to get past certain initial greetings. They want to talk about something beyond the label. So they accept the label and then get on with the issue.

So if you have some other name, name it.

Answer 7

Since believers like to put themselves into groups they feel the need to do it to non believers.

I think it's stupid

Answer 8

It's just so people have something to call us when they're talking about us.

Just call us intelligent, that should pretty much cover it.