Q for atheists: should we campaign?

[michephantom]

Hi, all. I'm an atheist (sometimes and agnostic, but whatever). There was a news story on yahoo news about an advertising campaign that was printed on buses "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life" (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090119/lf_afp/lifestylebritainreligion
transportatheism;_ylt=An1q42ZzNc0jZMyYlXsA7zF34T0D) Now, I do find this funny, and I understand why they are doing this (to combat advertising that says nonbelievers go to hell), but I also don't believe that we should be telling people there is no god.

As an athiest, I get upset when people tell me that I should believe in god, and that athiests are bad. I would want to tell them off, but I don't believe that should include attacking their beliefs. If it what they do makes me mad, why should I do the same?

Also, I believe that religious belief can give people a certain joy that I am almost envious of. What reason do I have to try and take that joy away?

This also gets complicated because many religious beliefs interfere with scientific facts and also, many people can end up chained to the good book and not able to take other veiwpoints. But this is still not a reason to try and stop people's beliefs.

In the end, my question is, how can we stand up for our beliefs without attacking other's beliefs? Can we?

 

[SuperFerret]

In the end, my question is, how can we stand up for our beliefs without attacking other's beliefs? Can we?

(This question can apply to people of all faiths, and as such, my answer does as well.)

There is a way to do so, but it's difficult for most. Basically, all you need to do is just stand up and be secure in your own belief. Other people may say things, try and convince you that you're wrong, and you can't do anything to stop them, so just wave them off, be polite, and just remember that as far as you're concerned, you're right.

Of course, not only is it human nature to believe that you are right above all else, it's in our nature to go forth and pester/belittle/harass those who are "wrong".

 

[chaseter]

Trying to get people to become an atheist is sort of like a religion and paying for advertising like bumper sticker, shirts, etc... and spending time trying to do so just further validates that. But I think the best way is just to live your life like Ferret mentioned. If someone wants to know, then be more than happy to explain to them your viewpoint. It will never happen as a whole in this world but oh well.

 

[SuBe]

You don't. You let others believe what they want, then you believe what you want.

 

[Addendum]

Respect another person's right to believe. But you don't have to respect what they believe

 

[huskerwebhead]

I loathe people who try and force their beliefs upon me....so I certainly won't turn around and do that to other people. I'm a firm believer in "keep thy religion to thy self." But if someone asks me I'll be more than happy to explain my beliefs.

My parents, thank gods, gave me the opportunity to decide for myself. They presented me with what was out there, answered questions I had, but ultimately, the path I chose was my own. People shouldn't be "convinced" into believing...they need to come to that revelation by themselves...or their faith will only be as strong as the next good argument.

 

[DareDemon]

Hi, all. I'm an atheist (sometimes and agnostic, but whatever). There was a news story on yahoo news about an advertising campaign that was printed on buses "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life" (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090119/lf_afp/lifestylebritainreligion
transportatheism;_ylt=An1q42ZzNc0jZMyYlXsA7zF34T0D) Now, I do find this funny, and I understand why they are doing this (to combat advertising that says nonbelievers go to hell), but I also don't believe that we should be telling people there is no god.

As an athiest, I get upset when people tell me that I should believe in god, and that athiests are bad. I would want to tell them off, but I don't believe that should include attacking their beliefs. If it what they do makes me mad, why should I do the same?

Also, I believe that religious belief can give people a certain joy that I am almost envious of. What reason do I have to try and take that joy away?

This also gets complicated because many religious beliefs interfere with scientific facts and also, many people can end up chained to the good book and not able to take other veiwpoints. But this is still not a reason to try and stop people's beliefs.

In the end, my question is, how can we stand up for our beliefs without attacking other's beliefs? Can we?

I am a Christian, and they Christians who attack athiests make me angry, as do the athiests who attack Christians. There's no harm in a real discussion, but they never seem to take place. Especially on the internet.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea I hate people who come up to me in the street or knock on my door preaching their religious beliefs. It works the other way round. I don't wanna be like one of those, but claiming that god isn't real n all that.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

You tell them George Carlin added another commandment to the list as his dying wish:

"Keep thy religion to thyself."

Best commandment ever.

I believe in God and everything, but I can't stand the Bible Thumpers that show up at my door at 8 in the morning.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea some of them showed up at my door yesterday about 10.30am. I was severely hung over so I had to tell em to piss off.

 

[Nirvana]

Whether people believe in God or not, we're all still crazy.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Hahaha and I live my life by that code Craziness or God? Craziness!

 

[Ugfugly]

Ok I can't speak for other's faith but I can of the one I know about and here's the thing, the whole point of Christianity is to proselytize. That is, to make their beliefs known and make believers of others. By doing that they are following the tenets of their faith, they are just doing what is required of them as Christians.

Atheists in essence are those who believe in nothing. What are they accomplishing by advertising that there is no god? By speaking against Christianity or whichever religion, what exactly are you trying to accomplish except to generate hate or be the real world equivalent of a troll.

 

[chaseter]

I just thought the whole point of atheism was to believe in nothing ala having no belief system or system of. Organizing, changing other's beliefs, advertising, spreading the word, whatever makes it a religion with the belief in nothing. I do think atheism has garnered enough support in the world for it to become a large demographic but doing all that I mentioned seems hypocritical to me.

 

[Arcturus]

Here is a webpage which covers atheism and agnosticism. It has lots of information, if you want a better understanding.

 

[Star]

Considering one of the main reasons I became an Atheist was because of the CONSTANT harassment I received from psychotic Christians, I personally find it disturbing to read about that stupid bus campaign.

 

[Ugfugly]

Hey Star, is that M.I.A. on your avatar? Have you heard her live? She's so frikkin disappointing. She's like the female Wycleff Jean, great recorded music but sucks ass live. It doesn't help that she seems high most times lol

 

[Venom'sDad]

In the end, my question is, how can we stand up for our beliefs without attacking other's beliefs? Can we?

As long as there is disagreement, there is discord.

Best way is to state your facts, beliefs, and/or opinions in a well-mannered, gracious, and respectful way.

Now I know that's hard to do when the other is being seditious and inflammatory; but for the most part, one can control the nature and tone of the debate, by controlling their own nature and tone.

 

[Eggyman]

Considering one of the main reasons I became an Atheist was because of the CONSTANT harassment I received from psychotic Christians, I personally find it disturbing to read about that stupid bus campaign.

I agree. One of the things I despise about religion is how it is forced on me - shoved in my face, shouted in my ear. I'd have to be pretty hypocritical to be in favour of advertising my own beliefs or lack thereof.

 

[Cosmic]

In the end, my question is, how can we stand up for our beliefs without attacking other's beliefs? Can we?

What beliefs? The only belief we, as athiests have to stand up for is the belief in the right to live freely without having other's religious beliefs forced onto us. Obviously, you don't need to be an athiest to share this belief.

Maybe we should just stop referring to our values as beliefs. My core personal values didn't change all that much when I stopped believing in god. They're just no longer rooted in a belief in supernatural things. I don't believe in god, but things I do believe in, like basic human rights and dignity, are pretty much universal, regardless of whether or not you believe in any god.

Also, I'm with you in regards to the ad campaign in question. I just don't find it amusing, or useful in any way. I don't agree with it at all. But I don't know...I sometimes get very easily irritated by childish, ignorant BS, which is what I think this is.

 

[michephantom]

Here is a webpage which covers atheism and agnosticism. It has lots of information, if you want a better understanding.

I feel I know what it means to be an atheist. agnosticism, that's different, many people hodl different ideas to what that means. However, small point, but isn't a lack of belief in god the same as a belief that there is NO god? "I don't believe in god" = "I believe there is no god." It's like "I don't believe the book is on the shelf" = "I believe the book is not on the shelf."

 

[Franklin Richards]

But if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

 

[The Battousai]

But if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

Well, since physics don't just cease functioning, yes.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

Well, since physics don't just cease functioning, yes.

I used to think this, but one of my science teachers in college told me the correct answer is actually no, since you need a receiver (our eardrums) for the waves to be developed into a sound.

 

[The Battousai]

I used to think this, but one of my science teachers in college told me the correct answer is actually no, since you need a receiver (our eardrums) for the waves to be developed into a sound.

Uh, no.

That's like saying a painting doesn't exist unless you have eyes.