Because I'm definitely critical of some gods more than others...
Not that I am against the followers of any gods or want to tell people what to believe. But I'm much more critical of the Abrahamic god (as described in the Bible) than I am of the Hindu or Pagan gods. (Some of whom I actually like and respect, even if I think they are just stories/archetypes.)
Is it literary bias or do I need to go back ot Atheist Bootcamp?
2007-10-02 08:34:08 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If that makes you a "bad atheist" then pretty much every atheist on R&S is a "bad atheist." You're in good company.
2007-10-02 08:37:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 13⤊ 0⤋
This has nothing to do with your status as an atheist and everything to do with you as a person.
A "bad atheist" would be an inconsistent one in terms of their viewpoint. Its not like you deny the Abrahamic God but believe Vishnu looks down upon you - that would be inconsistent.
However, you may be more critical about the Abrahamic god due to bad experiences with people who are purported to follow that line of thinking. This may engender a level of criticism that does not get levied against the others.
Its as simple as "One group bothers me more...so i bother them back."
However - (and this is a big however), perhaps on a moral and social basis you should attempt to step beyond all that.
There is a kind of bias built in to others where we take on phrase, one word, and use it connotate all the negatives of the world. Look at the way say a Democrat might refer to a Republican or vice versa.
What's distasteful in that respect is that the individual gets lost behind the label.
Perhaps the best thing to do would be to evaluate the person as he/she is - if she believes that Vishnu, Buddha, Jesus, Pat the Bunny, or no one at all is there - yet acts in a manner that is at the least polite and respectful - where comes the problem?
Treat a person as an individual - and that way you'll be an atheist and a good person.
2007-10-02 15:51:31 · answer #2 · answered by D.Chen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's probably a bias against the religion telling you that you're a worthless sinner but by 'the Grace of God' (I'm sure the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah saw it that way) and the partisan adage of 'We have the Truth!'
Last I checked, Hindu and Pagasn gods/goddesses aren't that judgmental. And, Christians, nor the Isamic, nor the Jews have the truth.
2007-10-02 17:20:27 · answer #3 · answered by strpenta 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, and being a Christian I thank you for your respectful treatment of believers. I have been termed a bad Christian because I also find value in Pagan and other beliefs. Of course I don't believe that they are 'just' stories or archetypes.
2007-10-02 15:42:50 · answer #4 · answered by PROBLEM 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am the same and I think there is good reason. The Abrahamic Gods followers are trying to interfere with science and daily life. While Hindu or Pagans followers don't try to control what other people do. Also Pagan and other religions don't denounce other God's as much as the Abrahamic God. This is one of my main criticisms of that religion.
2007-10-02 15:41:46 · answer #5 · answered by Monkey Man 3 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Ah! How cute! Another western child is entranced by eastern mysticism! (I like the Hindu g-ds better!) All that is strange and wonderfully new attracts like a flame attracts the moth. Poor moth.
I vote for the literary bias. There is no atheist bootcamp (the rules don't apply - anything goes as long as it feels good!)
2007-10-02 15:40:46 · answer #6 · answered by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I think you might need to go back to Atheist bootcamp
It seems that any feeling toward any god gives credance to the existance of that god. As an atheist, I would think that would be against what you believe. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you don't believe in god, then you don't believe in them equally.
2007-10-02 15:38:57 · answer #7 · answered by lupinesidhe 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nah, I'm the same way. I'll call it a literary bias. It's perfectly accceptable to dislike one fictional character more than another.
2007-10-02 15:46:31 · answer #8 · answered by Intoximicated Kitteh 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You don't have to be critical of all gods to be an Atheist, you just have to not believe in any of them.
It's understandable for you to feel more critical towards the Judo-Christian god, seeing as his followers are much more numerous in the States, and he's the only god that people are trying to force into laws.
2007-10-02 15:39:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
Well, since you're an atheist, your statement that you are against a particular god is just another way of saying you're against the people who claim that god as their own. It only stands to reason that you would oppose some people more than others.
2007-10-02 15:38:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Rachel is right. I think most of us (atheists) feel similarly. Fact is, some gods/religions are just more violent and bloodthirsty than others and thus more deserving of contempt.
2007-10-02 16:25:23 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋