I just read Christopher Hitchen's book, "God is Not Great", and I find his frank and blunt style kind of appealing, but does it get us anywhere? I guess I am not sure where an uprising of atheism can really attain. Yet, being silent won't work either, we will just get run over by the zeleots. Any thoughts?
2007-08-23 07:52:24 · 34 answers · asked by Quimby 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sure Bosco, How about forced prayer in schools. Tax free churches offering political views that create a voting block, there by enabling them to blur the line between church and state. I could go on.
2007-08-23 08:05:07 · update #1
yes, we need to be a little more vocal, in a non-obnoxious way, so that the majority will see that there are other views out there besides their own.
2007-08-23 07:55:26 · answer #1 · answered by superwow_rl 5 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Yes, make yourself heard. Atheistism is an umbrella. Some atheists believe in a higher power but do not call it a god. Some atheists simply don't and don't want to believe the thrust of force doled out by zealots on religion. Hitchens is a fantastic speaker, is well informed and easily stops the religious nonsense that is thrown about. Religious people like to throw what they are told [not what they know] at you any chance they get. They never take the time to learn - its easier to be told what to believe then to know the truth. Further, belief is only an illusion or delusion. I once believed in Santa but I know there really isn't one. I don't have a problem saying there really is no Santa because I know its true. Knowing the truth about Santa doesn't take away from Santa, it just puts him into perspective.
Truth needs to come out - needs to be told whatever umbrella its under. But most importantly - when you present the truth don't guess at it, make sure it is true. That might take some work but its worth it - men like Hitchens need our backing.
2007-08-23 08:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by Tricia R 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am a Christian. The problems you face in spreading your belief is the same as Christians. Somehow, the crazies always steal the show and the only thing other insterested parties remember is what they said/did. Hence the Christian bullhorn guy with a sign on his neck with "the end is near" screaming on a street corner about the pits of hell. Or the athiest who wants to worship the devil (you see the irony in that). I would say, if you feel it is necessary to spread the belief of believing in no higher power (which I really see no point in spreading this belief, but I do see your reason for spreading ACCEPTANCE and TOLERANCE for this belief)..start with your close family and friends.
2007-08-23 08:06:57 · answer #3 · answered by snowbunny 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I believe in choosing your battles carefully, I do it with my children and with my life. I don't care what others believe or practice unless it is hurting someone else. I think many people of all beliefs are going overboard, who cares if someone says Merry Christmas to you and you aren't Christian, it isn't a big deal. I don't care if someone says God bless you to me, it doesn't affect me at all.
I am vocal about laws being based on religious beliefs and I am vocal about others wanting to teach things in a science class that are not science but are religious, and I am vocal when someone follows me to my car at the grocery store trying to harass me into listening to something I don't have the time or inclination to listen to. That is enough for me. Through life what I have learned is that people are more likely to listen if you choose the right moments to speak.
2007-08-23 08:15:47 · answer #4 · answered by curls 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can hoot and holler, but you aren't going to change anything.
Language helps people communicate. Sure they can say awful things and conspire to do awful things, but still nobody wants to give up the power of speech. Religion always and everywhere helps people cooperate. So what if they believe some goofy stuff. Of course they don't always cooperate to do nice things, but cooperation is to valuable to throw away. Go to church; sing a couple of hymns and get in on the social stuff. You don't have to believe anything.
I went to an atheist meeting once and only once. Coffee and cookies with the guys sucks.
2007-08-23 08:18:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't read fictional books and atheists should just be quiet but we know they won't. We'll have to wait until Armageddon when they're completely annialated; maybe not all meaning those who don't have accurate knowledge, but the ones that know the truth and are just rebellious---those are the worst. I cannot judge but I know what God's word the Bible says about these blasphemers and ridiculers: "They are animalistic not open to reproof and hating those reproving them".
Armageddon will be a wonderful day. I do care that atheists are in the downward spiral that they continue to decline in, but no matter what they do is not going to change my love and dedication, and loyalty to Jehovah God, his Son, and Godly standards.
Don't sweat what we have no control over; just keep loving what is good and doing what is righteous in the eyes of Jehovah God. The evil ones will be destroyed soon enough.
Trust..
2007-08-23 07:58:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Personally, I believe in live and let live. We are all entitled to our own beliefs. I only have a problem when someone starts trying to ram their beliefs down my throat or when the "zealots" try to take over the government. Our founding fathers went to great lengths to separate church and state for good reason.
2007-08-23 07:58:47 · answer #7 · answered by marlio 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hitchens and Dawkins write that way to make a point.
We don't have to be so "in your face" about our beliefs,... or lack thereof.
I do have a Darwin fish on my bumper though!
If someone ask me, or makes some assumption about what I believe, I will tell them.
2007-08-23 07:58:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
As an atheist, you should not care what other's believe, so explaining yourself to those who want to understand is fine, but preaching is not. Religions preach to "save" people so they can share in eternal life, but as an atheist you believe that everyone is going to the same place no matter what they believe, so why preach. I feel I should just let people be happy in their faith, I have no way of proving them any different if they can't logically make that assertation themselves.
2007-08-23 08:00:18 · answer #9 · answered by WJ 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think they need to be vocal to make sure religious views stay religious views. Otherwise the christians will try to legislate their beliefs.
At least in the US.
And wow, some of the christian responses here are rather full of themselves. A pity really.
2007-08-23 08:00:22 · answer #10 · answered by Armless Joe, Bipedal Foe 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
After several months of reading the religious types posting on this site I think we should force them into power, and then sit back and watch as sectarian violence takes over and they start killing each other off again, just like they used to.
2007-08-23 08:00:33 · answer #11 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋