Are most atheists lapsed fundies?

Question

They sure sound like it. Same mentality,same intolerance,same literalism,just like flip sides of the same coin. If they are,maybe that explains their intense hatred - as well as their evident assumption that fundies are a majority of Christians (not even close). Opinions?

Oh come on - you folks can do better than this. You sound like a child who has just been accused of being mean to his sister ( he is) and now he goes,who me? Gee whiz,gosh no...I mean,check out the tone here!

I have two degrees,Jared - and you're name-calling does not suggest you are in any position to call anyone "ignorant". Look in the mirror when you say that,little boy.

Answer 1

i like it .. atheist fundamentalist .. has a good ring to it ..

Answer 2

I'm an Atheist, but I'm not intolerant of Christians, you seem to be the intolerant one, my mom is a Christian. And It's not a fact that God doesn't exist, but it's not a fact he does. And I obviously don't have an intense hatred. All my friends are Atheists, but I didn't know that when they became my friends, and it wouldn't have mattered to me if they were. Religion has caused many problems in the world, but it also makes the world more interesting. I even like learning about different religions. Some Atheists are like that, some aren't. Just like with people who are religious. Kinda like you, don't you think? Oh. and the intense hatred thing? Many Christians believe Atheists and sinners burn in Hell for eternity, so you really shouldn't be talking about our intense hatred.

EDIT: And to all those people who have rated my answer and other peoples valid answers as bad, is it because you are being intolerant of our belief? Proving that what the asker of this is saying has little truth to it, if not the opposite of what the asker said.

Answer 3

I think some are. Others are lapsed from other religions that they found to be over-strict once they grew up. But I think most of them are born and bred atheists and are reacting to the politicization of religion they see happening these days.

As for fundies being a majority of Christians, well I know they're not, but THEY think they are! A fundy friend told me once that all through Europe only 5-8% of people were church-going Christians. I said I was sure there was a much bigger percentage than that of Catholics in Catholic countries. He said 'Oh, we don't count Catholics.'

Answer 4

Are you saying that the majority of Christians *don't* believe in a literal god?



I would think that the fundie strains of religion would be more likely to inspire people to reject them, but at the same time they also contain more safeguards against people leaving (e.g. more social pressure, more threats, more indoctrination).


I think many of us atheists come off as angry because we have had experiences with fundamentalist groups, so we know how scary they can be. This does not, however, mean we still hold to a fundie mentality AT ALL. Nor does it imply the same sort of intolerance. (Most of our mockery of religion is because we put into practice our belief that religions should not be given sacred, unquestionable status, keeping them exempt from criticism.)

You comment about literalism appears misguided, since we do not have sacred texts to interpret, literally or otherwise.


So, while those who escape fundamentalism are probably more likely to criticize it, that does not imply that the fundamentalist modes of non-thought stay. You can probably find reasons to attribute the anger and hatred to any group thanks to something like the Forer Effect, so really your accusation is empty.


Edit: Your calling some guy ignorant (while using an incredibly condescending tone) simply for criticizing your overzealous generalization does not speak well of your objectivity.

Answer 5

I would doubt this - I know that my available database is small, but the three atheists with whom I am friends in real life were all raised in non-religious homes.

Now, I do agree that *some* atheists are just as sure that they have the "only true' view of the world as some fundies. And some atheists are just as likely to butt in on conversations between relgionists as, say, fundies are to butt in on conversations between Pagans.

Personally, I don't see the point in most of the back-and-forthing between these groups.

I doubt very much that anyone is going to change their mind because of it.

.

Answer 6

This doesn't read like a question, but more like a poorly disguised rant. No offence.

I am an agnostic, yet I don't subscribe to this kind of hate and generalized bigoted comments that you are exhibiting. Most Christians and atheists I meet don't either.

So you are atypical of most Christians, I would say, and your comments about atheists are also.

I don't understand the bit about 'fundies'. Surely if someone isn't fundamentally following their religion, they are not really part of it?

Atheism isn't a 'theism' just like atypical is not a type of 'typical'

Answer 7

Many,not all or even most. Probably the most virulent are. Anyway,atheists and fundies think very much alike and are just as intolerant,they just take opposite views.

Answer 8

Who says we're intollerant? Infact, I would think that more Christians are intollerant than Atheists. The point of atheism (ok, I should say 'the point), is that we don't belong to a belief system.

People that do belong to a religion, obviously would think only "their" beliefs are right, which is why they belong to that religion in the first place. Now, isn't that more intollerant that someone who doesn't belong to a religion at all?

Answer 9

Girl, that is one good observation. I never thought of that, but you're right -- maybe not most, but at least the real rabid ones sure do share a lot of things with the fundies and phobics. I'm real interested in what responses you get.

Answer 10

All atheists are fundamentalists. Considering the only thing all atheists agree on is there is no god and that is our only "teaching" then we are all fundamentalists.

A Christian fundie is someone who takes the teachings literally. Just because a word is used in one situation does not make it a bad word.

Answer 11

Lancaster seems to have confused fool with educated idiot.

I think some are just fundamentalist Atheists.