Atheists, why do we suck so horribly at naming things?

Question

I have just found out that there is a little-known Humanist variant of Christmas called "HumanLight"... First "brights" now this?...

Is there anything we can do to stop the slaughter of good ideas with horrible names?

Answer 1

No...the only thing we can do is refuse to adopt these terms, and hope that others will also refuse to adopt them and that they will die out eventually.

"Brights" just makes me cringe.

It's still better than using words like "fruitful", though.

Answer 2

Why can't I celebrate Christmas when I don't believe in a god?

It's become such a secular holiday anyway, that I can ignore all the religious connotations and instead believe in Santa, who is just as likely real as Jesus.

"Gaytheists"
why do people call things they don't like gay? Some people don't even find that offensive. What if there's a gay atheist out there...he might adopt that name for all gay non believers and that, actually, would be a cool new name. Oh wait, it was a believer that came up with that. Damn.

Oh well, we can still celebrate Ground Hogs day and we don't have to rename that!

Answer 3

Actually, I think Humanlight was first...but the problem is that atheists tend to think in complex terms, thus complex and unmarketable names. This actually applies to educated folk in general; I was talking with a friend the other day who wanted to rename "Brain Gyms" to, well, something incredibly complex and not rolling off the tongue.

Religion, OTOH, excels at marketing to the masses. Centuries of encouraging and breeding for simplemindedness in the flocks makes a ready market for things like "Left Behind" (atheists would probably have called the series "Port Buttock") or "Intelligent Design" (which is the opposite, and an evolution of the even simpler term "creationism" that got tossed because even judges saw through the scheme.

Answer 4

Well, we're not the only ones. The Jews have lifted Hanukkah, which was a minor holiday, to something to compete with Christmas. There's also Kwanzaa. Pagans and atheists celebrate the solstice, which is really the real motivation for the rest.

The term "brights" really bugs me, though I understand what they're trying to do. I haven't heard of "HumanLight".

But, yesterday, I did go to a great Festivus party with all of my atheist friends.

Answer 5

Ambrosia--nutrition of the gods Our God Is an extremely good God--Christian hymn Jesus Loves Me there's a hollow interior the floor Of Heaven--usa song Heaven could be lacking An Angel--old disco song anticipate A Miracle--evangelist television Holy Cow--Toledo--Moley--Smokes--you get the belief portray of The final Supper The Pledge Of Allegiance--(One usa decrease than God) Heaven Can Wait--Warren Beatty action picture in simple terms yet another Day In Paradise--Phil Collins song

Answer 6

I still think I'm going to have a RamaHanaKwanzMassaNalia party next year. Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, Saturnalia (intended to include all Solstice Celebrations)...
But perhaps now I should call it HumanaRamaHanaKwanzMassaNalia...
Eggnog before you try to say that, anyone??

Edit: You'd think I was trying to prove Brent's point. I'm not an Atheist, but I think like one!

Answer 7

Ahh, but you're assuming the idea being fronted by a horrible name actually is a good idea.

I've found, more often than not, the name is highly indicative of the thought- hence, crap name, crap idea.

Answer 8

In fairness, it's because all of the good names have been taken. (Human light though? Sounds kind of creepy...)

Answer 9

At least we don't spell Atheists, "athiest".

Answer 10

that is awful...can\t we just celebrate the solstice?