What's the big FREAKING deal about "Atheist"?

Question

So, I definitely have been getting emails from an "atheist" about how I'm retarded because I capitalize "atheist"...

So what's the big deal? I capitalize Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc....although Atheists are defined by a lack of faith in a God why shouldn't it be capitalized too?

I'm an Atheist...I know it's not a religion(that's why I said it's a LACK of a belief in a God/gods)

And I agree...atleast I respect them...right?

Heaven Child, I've gotten 4 or 5 from them!!!!

Answer 1

ok...I see...we're not supposed to capatilize the "A"...alright.

I suppose that would make more sense if I capatilize the "T"

let's see.....aTheist....yeah...looks better now. God Bless!

Answer 2

I do, too. Just seems polite.

If this crowd at R&S is any indication, Atheism IS a kind of faith, and a very strong one, fanatically defiant about the remote possibility of any other sane belief. Otherwise, You would be peacefully agnostic. Instead, many As are as fervent as any fundie, worshiping Science as the one and only Truth available to everyone, too bad the B-crowd (believers) are deluded and headed for what is, IMO, the worst possible hell, which is the A's version of death.

Now, ReadySetGo! Rant and prove me right. Or let's all admit that a little respect is long overdue from both sides.

Answer 3

Actually I emailed you about something entirely different and you capitalized atheist. I mentioned how that was incorrect and went on with the information you asked for. You also mentioned that atheism is a religion. You then said how you were absolutely correct and that you couldn't possibly be incorrect since 30,000 people at your school were looking at a book. I then linked the rules for capitlization to you, which very clearly indicated that it would not be capitilized. You then posted this question and I correct you again.

Answer 4

I capitalize it as well, but more so for recognition that it is a group of people with one basic thing in common - they don't believe in God(s) or the supernatural. Didn't realize someone was getting picky about it... they never email me over it. Though I probably wouldn't pay too much attention to it if they did email me about it... I'm not in English class, I'm online and I don't think it matters too much if I capitalize one word...

Answer 5

I personally don't care, though as noted before it's not an organized body nor a specific dogma, so it is not properly capitalized.

What I DON'T capitalize is god, bible, or any other religious word that is so vague as to be meaningless. Which god, of all the thousands invented? Which bible, as there are dozens of translations that differ significantly? Unless someone is specific, as in Catholic God, God of the King James Version Bible, etc., those words should be treated as generics.

BTW, I'm a retired English professor.

Answer 6

chuffed xmas i don't get it the two. A Pagan pal (works interior the retail corporation) merely complained that a woman in her keep merely asked her if she knew Jesus. She stated no and the female have been given huffy. while she finished the sale my pal stated Merry Christmas and the female advised her she had no perfect to assert that because of the fact she did no longer have faith in Jesus. She stated the female merely does no longer enable it go. i locate it ridiculous that any one might act this manner while the guy in merely being effective.

Answer 7

At least you spelled it correctly...

As for the capitalization, you oughtn't treat it like an official faith or religion. Capitalization is supposed to be an indication of "officialness". Atheism isn't "officially" anything other than a lack of belief in gods. Therefore... don't capitalize.

Answer 8

It can either be capitalized or not capitalized... they are both correct. Even though it is not a religion or denomination, neither are Republican or Democrat... These are groups of people who tend to agree on certain subjects, so it is OK to capitalize.

The guy who is flaming you is just bored, or overly aggressive.

Answer 9

See how you atheists are after each others' throats. The devil punked you. Christians and Jews have a common denominator and I'd sooner listen to arguments from Muslims and Hindus than give a time of day to your lot. Defect!

Answer 10

I don't much care if you capitalize it or not, but since it is not the name of a religion, there's no need to do that, unless you are in the habit of randomnly capitalizing nouns and adjectives.

Answer 11

It sounds to me like somebody has 'WAY too much time on his hands. It's not a proper noun most of the time, so it's not capitalized, but I understand why you do.