Do people take their atheism too seriously?

Question

How do you know when someone is taking atheism too seriously?

Would they crucify Santa or sacrifice Rudolph?

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Reindeer sizzling in hot grease..."

Answer 1

Yeah, I remember last night, we had just eaten some babies and burned a church, and Chuck said: now let's go door to door and spread some pamphlets.

We all just looked at him.

Answer 2

Humanity has suffered greatly because of Believers taking their religion far too seriously for thousands of years. What's happening now is the natural reaction to centuries of systematic oppression by religious authorities who wield far too much power, considering they have not one shred of tangible evidence to substantiate their ancient superstitions. Now that many of us are educated well enough to truly understand the principles of scientific inquiry, it's become painfully obvious that all of religion is nothing more than the politics of ignorance. Humanity will be far better off, once we rid ourselves of those who use the ignorant superstitions of our ancestors to further their own ambitions.

Science has taught us that truth must always be consistent with objective (physical) reality. Beliefs which are inconsistent with the observable facts are simply not the truth. For example, the realization that Aristotle and the Catholic Church were completely wrong -- that the physical realm is objectively real -- has brought human civilization enormous tangible benefits in just the last few hundred years. Human civilization is now literally drowning in traditional ignorance and modern atheists are the epic heroes of our times, struggling to rescue the truth of real knowledge from the ignorance of imaginary superstition.

For the record, the above is simply a statement of my own opinion and should never be interpreted as an attempt to compel others to agree with me. Believers need to appreciate that when people disagree with them, it is neither a personal attack nor is it a demand that others accept a particular view. Atheists are not like Christians -- we are not compelled by doctrine to convert everyone to our way of thinking. Please try to understand that...

Answer 3

Yes, they sometimes do. Often I feel they are no better than the religious types. I do consider myself an atheist but I am more likely to label myself as non-religious. Religion and god, or lack thereof, is just not a factor in my life at all. I don't speak for or against it, it is just not a part of my life and I rarely discuss it.

Answer 4

Our presentation of our atheist beliefs are a reflection of how vigorously we are attacked by people who think that by the virtue of them being dependent on so many things to have emotional stability, that they are stronger than someone who doesn't require the crutch.
As an atheist, I would be happy to never even mention my opinion, but we must constantly defend ourselves against the encroachment of religion on our own lives and freedoms.
Religion tries to permeate every aspect of life, for "our own good", so we must keep reiterating the point that we dont want it interfering with our lives. Have your religion, but keep it to yourself. Most religious people cant do that, so we have a constant back and forth of viewpoints. Most religious people aren't happy unless their religion is spilling over onto someone else's plate.

Answer 5

I think it's really just on here that anyone is is SUPA-ATHEIST mode.
None of the atheists I know in my life [myself included] are anywhere near as extremist in real life as they are here.
It's really just fun to be an extreme every once in a while instead of a nice healthy middle thing.

Answer 6

To be honest I don't think about it outside of these forums. It is an extremely small part of who I am.
So no, I don't take it seriously at all. It has no bearing on how I live my life and does not influence my decision making process

Answer 7

some people do. I believe this is because some Atheist's have been so inundated with the Christ illusion, the "your going to hell" lines and just the total incomprehension that so many people would believe in a God the Hebrews invented.

Answer 8

dont think so-its that live and let live attitude that seems common place to atheists-almost a shame as the political power the could be gained would be unbelievable-ten percent of the population could be the deciding factor in almost any election---just my thoughts-smile and enjoy the day

Answer 9

Some do. Just like some Christians take theirs too seriously.

Answer 10

A true atheist does not proselyte unprovoked. For myself, I don't have any problem with people practicing or professing their beliefs. I only have a problem when someone is a hypocrite; then I get my panties in a bunch.

Answer 11

here in the us freedom of religion is what we stand for if you have no religion it is your choice i dont think it is taken too seriously however this country was founded on the beleif of god so i can see where it would be .

i myself beleive that no matter what religion we are we all look to some sort of higher power no matter what that may be.

if you have a tree that you go to every day and it gives you the strength to go on every day more power to you . if you go to church and pray and believe in god and it gives you the strength to go on every day great

isnt that the point of freedom

the freedom to choose