Atheist, why do you take a form of protest against the religous establishment?

Question

I certianly do, but in all honestly - I cannot give a clear definitive answer as to why. I think the religous indoctrination of childern keeps soceity as whole superstitious. I also feel it`s time for the world to shake out the cognitive cob webs of mythological ancient folklore, and to explore free thought.
Yet I don`t deem these reasons to be satisfactory when it comes to the question - of why I take a form of protest against the relgious establishment.
Why do you?

Tanjo22 - I really appreciate grammar Nazi`s like you on Y/A. My grammar and spelling is horrible. Thank You!

Answer 1

if you were ever a theist and were indoctrined by your parents then it was built into your psychology at a very early age so if you are now an atheist, its kind of like taking a stand against the institution who brainwashed you as a child trying to force you to think a certain way, i would be mad if someone tried to convince me every week that there were monsters under my bed and then find out that monsters don't exist.

Answer 2

Religion, as a whole, has been the cause of some of the most horrible acts of war and hatred. The crusades, witch burnings, the purges just to name a few. Not all are Christian (the purges weren't) but those are just the most resent ones and come to mind easiest. True it has done some good, but really the negitives seem to far off set the good.

Religion is a like leash and humanity is the dog. As long as religion is around we will never truly be free.

"Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."
--- Denis Diderot

Answer 3

I am a big fan of seeking truth rather than trying to prove something you like to be true. That means being open-minded to new ideas. Most religions do not allow for this.

I have noticed the Christian mindset produce many negative things in society, such as hatred toward gays and pro-choicers. One of the biggest problems of Christianity is that believers are required to believe all the good and all the bad. Those who pick and choose end up starting a new sect or denomination. That only adds more confusion. Instead of choosing the version you like best or modifying one that is close, why not start from scratch and then go with what makes the most sense?

"Blessed are the destroyers of false hope, for they are the true messiahs." - Anton LaVey

Answer 4

I don't. I'm a humanist. Like that better than atheist. Says what I am, not what I am not. Here, check it out. No need to protest anybody.


Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion.

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.
Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death.
Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding.
Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world.
Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion.

Answer 5

Well fortunately in uk its dying its own death, and the Christians here are nothing like the American ones. They keep it to themselves and on the whole don't interfere with government policies, if they attempt to they don't get very far anyway.

Hopefully it may be the same in America some day too, but I think it will be quite a long time away yet.

Answer 6

Science and technology are bringing changes to the world, but religion causes people to resist it. This is because some people try to keep religion and science together as one. Religion resists change, some don't even allow it. When science interferes with their beliefs through new discoveries that proves a religious doctrine wrong, religion fights back.

I protest against the religious establishment because they resist change.

Answer 7

Sacrosanct doctrines (like Christianity, Islam, Judaism) are inherently bad, and ultimately stifle the progress of society. Even the founding fathers knew the importance of allowing laws to evolve with the times, which is why our Constitution can be amended and interpreted. Too much has changed in the past 2000 years for us to blindly accept rules that were written at a time when superstition and mysticism ruled over logic and reason.

A moral/ethical doctrine being ancient doesn't make it bad, but if it cannot evolve with the culture, it is worse than having no doctrine at all.

Answer 8

I protest to keep them from flying airplanes into buildings and ushering in what they think is Armageddon. Actually for the simple fact that historically and currently they impede progress because it conflicts with their religion. They abuse their children by indoctrinating them into a believe system that encourages them not question or think for themselves. You see how those in here are anti-science. We need to keep them from legislating in Congress from an obsolete mythological belief structure.

Answer 9

I certainly don't have anything against any individual who has faith, to each his own. But I think the animosity comes out when religious people try to impose their beliefs into public policy, for things like marriage, abortion, wars, etc... Basically for me it really just comes down to the whole separation of church and state idea.

Answer 10

You mean that good ole murder your babies because they are only fetuses? Or truth is relative so steal from your neighbor? We are animals so have all the irresponsible sex you like (and hope you don't get AIDS)? Smoke dope and destroy your minds? And what ever selfish, secular, materialistic, humanist concept of 'free will' you can derive?
And the racist teachings of evolution?

And then teach it to the innocent children so that they may ruin their lives and future generations?

Oh wait...isn't this what the world is already about. As if you haven't already noticed. You don't have to be religious to be stupid.