Can anyone explain?
2007-03-19 05:34:08 · 14 answers · asked by Samurai Jack 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I try my best but I just can't help my pussycat nature filtering through...
2007-03-19 05:41:45 · answer #1 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You caught that from the earlier question posted in this section as well. Interesting wording the other user used. I do not know of any atheist zealots.
There was a question(s) about whether or not an atheist would say he/she beleived in god if they had a gun to their head, and was told the only way to live was to profess their belief. When most atheists said yes they would, the asker made the assumption we were weak. They couldn't understand that we would say anything to stay alive.
It really isn't much different than Constantine sanction christianity as the religion of the Roman Empire, and making it law, while still practicing as a pagan until he died.
So, to answer, no, I don't think there is really such a thing in general. Many of us are zealots when it comes the attempt made by those of religion to get their morals and beliefs placed into law in this country. But, I would consider that more political zealosy(is that a word?), more that atheistic zealosy.
*Added* Concerning an above answer.
You don't really hear on the news about atheists out there killing people of religion because they were attempting convert people. If a person comes to my door, I just turn them away. Now, if they persisted, and wouldn't leave me alone, I would get law enforcement involved, but some people may react differently. But, I still don't recall seeing any headlines about "Atheists kill man trying to spread his religious message."
2007-03-19 12:46:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so, and I think you see them on here all the time. I think of a zealot as someone who is so interested in putting their own views forward that they do not care how it will affect others. I see so many people on here from Christianity, Atheism, Islam and the Flying Spaghetti Monster that I would call zealots - people who feel their way is the only acceptable way and everyone else must be made to feel bad about their choice if it doesn't agree with them. Well, maybe not the Spaghetti Monster folks as much as the others.
Here's what Dictionary.com says about the term zealot:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/zealot
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
zeal·ot –noun
1. a person who shows zeal.
2. an excessively zealous person; fanatic.
3. (initial capital letter) a member of a radical, warlike, ardently patriotic group of Jews in Judea, particularly prominent from a.d. 69 to 81, advocating the violent overthrow of Roman rule and vigorously resisting the efforts of the Romans and their supporters to heathenize the Jews.
Heck, by definition #1, any of us could be considered a zealot.
Peace!
2007-03-19 13:21:45 · answer #3 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atheist can be enthusiastic the same as anyone else. For some reason, people seem to think there is something wrong with it though. I've never understood why it is okay for christians to get in people's faces and try to force their beliefs on people but no one else.
2007-03-19 12:38:46 · answer #4 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure... that would be an atheist who goes to great lengths to badger religious folk about NOT believing just as the religious folk badger the atheist. You can be a zealot about anything, not just pro-religion.
2007-03-19 12:40:04 · answer #5 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zealots tend to value the expression of their principles over the physical welfare of people. Richard Dawkins comes to mind as a strident promoter of atheism, but to my knowledge he hasn't advocated the death or injury of any theists. People who torture and kill in the name of their beliefs are zealots.
2007-03-19 12:46:24 · answer #6 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't remember the guy's name, but the atheist who took legal action to have "In God We Trust" removed from all U.S. currency a few years ago would be considered a zealot.
2007-03-19 12:37:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
From coming to this site one would think so.
They are a contradiction of terms and only serve to re-enforce what believers already believe as we were already warned about such persons.
2007-03-19 12:39:15 · answer #8 · answered by Angelz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think what the person is trying to say by that is a Fundamentalist/Evangelical Atheist. That's my guess.
2007-03-19 12:43:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh I bet they think I am but I'm really just a mellow type
2007-03-19 12:39:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋