Atheists must be a truly fearsome bunch, I guess.

[MineralMan]

We must strike fear in the hearts of the religious, due to our popularity and political clout. Even as a tiny minority of the population, we appear to inspire total terror, even in the very largest of church organizations, and simply because we don't believe that deities exist. It's amazing, really.

It's a pity we don't know just how powerful we are. If we did, we could, perhaps, band together and completely defeat religious belief throughout the world. I'd get started on organizing all atheists, but I'm too busy not believing and simply don't have time. I'll have to leave such planning and organizing to others, I suppose.

[Glamrock]

1. Hahahahahahahaha

Well, speaking for myself, I am quite powerful and fearsome! I understand why they're so afraid.

[Moostache]

2. Atheists are more like herding cats than Democrats are...

Too many factions, flavors and shades to actually stand as one outside of the generic "no evidence to believe in gods" platform...but you are right, most organized religions know in their core that the invisible product they sell is much harder to peddle in the light of day than it is under cover...

Same reason almost all "ghost hunters" film in dark, confined spaces at night that allow the imagination to fill in where light makes it obvious they are full of shit...

[MineralMan]

3. Yes. There's a good reason that atheists

do not have any major organizations that represent them. It's pretty hard to organize people who simply do not believe something. What would they talk about when they got together?

"So, John, do you persist in your unbelief?"

"You bet, Mary. I still don't believe that gods and supernatural stuff exist."

"OK. I just wanted to check. See you around."

"Good. Bye, then."

[Moostache]

4. LOL...the meetings might not accomplish much, but we'd have great snacks!

It would be kind of a lame agenda...

5:00 PM - Introduction and Call to Order
5:02 PM - Confirmation of non-belief
5:05 PM - Review and open mockery of recent stupidity from Young Earth Creationist types
6:00 PM - Wrap-up and Open Bar

[MineralMan]

5. Yeah, but that would require at least some organizational work.

Why not just crash a wedding reception? That's what I do.

[Mariana]

11. The main reason atheist organizations exist in the US

is to fight against the constant illegal promotion of religion by government entities.

"So, John, did you hear they've been reciting Christian prayers during the daily announcements at the high school?"

"You bet, Mary. My son attends that school and he's afraid to protest, because the last student who did so received death threats and left town in fear for her life. I'd like to do something to stop him and the other non-Christian students from feeling compelled to participate in these prayers."

"OK. I just wanted to check. I want it to stop, too. You know, we'll be able to do a lot more if we work together to oppose this. Let's form a group to coordinate our efforts."

"Good. Let's each make a few calls and we'll set up a meeting to figure out what we're going to do. Bye, then."

"See you around."

[MineralMan]

13. That's true, of course. I'm just using humor to make a point.

[Ferrets are Cool]

6. +1

[Hokie]

7. I think the fact that Atheists exist awakens the doubt that most all believers have

Last edited Sun Feb 11, 2018, 05:05 PM - Edit history (1)

Believers thrive on support from others. I think in almost every believer there is a bit of logical thought buried somewhere that it is all a myth. Mingling with their own kind suppresses that doubt. But having to admit that Atheists not only exist but live normal lives and are growing in numbers is very troubling to the religious. I think that is why we see unreasonable overreaction from the religious to nonbelievers. The phony war on Christmas is a perfect example of that phobia manifested into a meme held by conservative Christians.

The last thing most believers want to do is confront their doubt. They just haven't been brought up to handle it. They want to be wrapped in their security blankets.

[Iggo]

10. Self-examination. It's scary. And it's lonely.

But after you come out the other side, it beats the hell out of self-delusion.

[walkingman]

8. I think the reaction to atheists is very similar to the way that I view religious zealots.

Personally I don't really care what someone thinks in terms of spirituality as long as it isn't reflected in our laws and civil behavior. The problem is that sometimes that is not the case. I think religion is used as political tool by people and organizations to maintain power and influence. It is hard to overcome religious indoctrination no matter the religion. It's not a perfect world and never will be. Religion does give some people hope and that is a good thing. I seriously doubt that religion will ever "be defeated". There are too many people that are really, truly desperate around the planet (including America) and need something to give them HOPE for a better life and better world. Not sure what would fill that void in lieu of religion? Greedy people certainly will not. So maybe a "magical belief system" is the only answer?

[Pope George Ringo II]

9. Look at how terrified they are of us

Some of them flatly refuse to even acknowledge the actual definition of atheism. I'd call it the grown-up equivalent of hiding under the covers, but I'm not sure it's mature enough to qualify.

[Iggo]

12. Smacks of desperation.

The "you're just as dumb as we are" argument, I mean.

[Bradical79]

14. Apparently we may not even exist

http://www.science20.com/writer_on_the_edge/blog/scientists_discover_that_atheists_might_not_exist_and_thats_not_a_joke-139982

Despite telling me it's not a joke, I do find the headline pretty funny.

[Iggo]

16. And here's his premise....

"Cognitive scientists are becoming increasingly aware that a metaphysical outlook may be so deeply ingrained in human thought processes that it cannot be expunged."

...are becoming increasingly aware that [it] may be...

That's some real good weasel-wording there.

And hey Cogs, just because someone's "hardwired" to believe in something that doesn't exist, that doesn't make it real.

[Bradical79]

17. Basically we don't exist because of feelings lol

Yeah, having feelings of spirituality doesn't mean I believe in some deity or the supernatural. Having been all in on religion before, I get the same feelings out of non-supernatural things like the feeling of awe when contemplating our astronomical discoveries, or observing nature. My emotions don't suddenly vanish because I don't believe a deity exists. And I don't suddenly think a deity exists because I have feelings.

[Iggo]

22. We're smart enough to have figured out not to fly into the flame.

Sometimes you outgrow your instinct.

[Pope George Ringo II]

25. And it's one thing to say we never really escape that influence

But you have to limit it to what it actually applies to. I mean, I'm certain the Jehovah Monster doesn't exist. I had a good hard look at that thing and I'm quite satisfied that the SOB doesn't exist, never existed, and never could have existed. And like with Sauron, that's a good thing.

But the Jehovah Monster is a couple of decimal places away from being 1% of the gods postulated. Being an atheist means being skeptical of gods we've never even heard of. When they start telling me I have actual positive beliefs on the existence of Numbnuts the patron god of water buffalo hunters in Weirdgodsistan or whatever, they're just not making a serious argument.

[Permanut]

15. Meetings would be held right after the others..

That is to say,

The Easter Bunny deniers
The Santa is a Hoax Society
The Society for the Non Belief in the Tooth Fairy SNBTF.

Some others as well, all with the same meeting agenda. Of Course the Easter Bunny fanatics aren't trying to convert me, make me conform by changing the laws, or trashing the Earth.

Not sure about the others.

[trotsky]

18. Well, apparently just voicing our opinions about religion on a message board is being hostile.

Clearly some religious people are so insecure in their beliefs, they want atheists to shut up and go to the back of the bus. (If not get thrown under it!)

[MineralMan]

19. And yet, we persist.

Even in the face of hijacked threads and inane arguments, we continue to give voice to our thoughts.

[Iggo]

24. I'd just like to say right here that I'm hair-trigger hostile, on the board and in real life.

Like I said in another thread, I'll get shitty and like it.

I'm nicer here on the board than in real life, because here on this board we're about electing Democrats.

But in real life, up against some rando xian talking shit? I'm done being quiet. I'm done being nice. And my "Polite" fuse is veeeery short.

[AtheistCrusader]

20. People don't like having their worldview run over with a truck.

I guess if you can't protect your worldview, the next fallback point is to dislike the people driving the truck.

[MineralMan]

21. I would suggest that atheists are driving subcompact hybrid cars,

not trucks.

[Iggo]

23. Yet they keep right on standing in the street. (n/t)