Is there a new face of atheism?

[rug]

The Irish Times - Friday, October 26, 2012

JOE HUMPHREYS

The winds of change are blowing through the world of atheism, as it seeks a softening of its ‘Dawkinsian’ attitude to religion and a more inclusive approach

ATHEISTS ARE on the march. Census results published last week showed there was a four-fold increase in the number of people who said they had no religion, or were either atheist or agnostic, between 1991 and 2011, with 277,237 people falling into this category last year. The figures, however, only tell part of the story.

Ireland is seeing the emergence of a newer kind of atheist, who is anxious to dispel the myth that they are all one-dimensional, rabidly anti-religious Dawkinsians.

The winds of change could be seen at last weekend’s AGM of Atheist Ireland, where delegates agreed a new focus on promoting “an ethical society”, engaging in charity work and social justice campaigns, and even collaborating with religious groups on issues of common concern.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/1026/1224325730359.html

http://www.atheist.ie/2012/10/working-for-an-ethical-secular-society-atheist-irelands-plans-for-next-year-from-our-agm-yesterday/

[cleanhippie]

1. With the ever-increasing numbers of non-believers, it will no longer be easy to pigonhole them

into one general category.

But why the need to expand that one general category; non-belief in a god?

Aside from that shared trait, atheists can be anyone, from nearly any ideological background. It's only the trait of non-belief that we share.

[MrYikes]

2. and atheists are definitely NOT on any march, we just don't care.

[cleanhippie]

3. I'm not sure I can agree with that. Non-believers are becoming more vocal about the intrusion of

religion into secular society, much to the dismay of believers. To me, this is where the strife lies; believers, especially more liberal and progressive ones, having to face the reality that non-believers are no longer going to just sit silently while religious zealots run rampant.

[cbayer]

5. Perhaps true for you, but there is a vocal and growing activist community.

[MineralMan]

9. In reality, there is only a tiny activist community of atheists.

Most atheists have no interest in activism about their atheism. It is a small part of their lives. Atheism is not a belief system. It is simply non-belief. There's really nothing to be an activist about, really, except for objections about attempts to force religious beliefs on people. Atheists are not the only people who resist such attempts, either.

For most atheists, other issues are far higher on their lists than their disbelief. The disbelief just is, and doesn't consume their lives at all.

It's a mistake to overestimate the number of atheists who are activists about atheism. The very, very large majority rarely thinks about atheism at all. There are more pressing issues. What the reality is is that it is mainly religious people who are concerned with atheism, as we see here in this group on a daily basis.

[rug]

13. Do you have a link for any of those pronouncements?

Even a tiny link will do. Without one, you are coming perilously close to leaving the impression that you are a spokesman for atheists or that your opinion carries any weight beyond your chin. Feel free at any time to edit your post to include "IMHO". Otherwise, post a link.

[muriel_volestrangler]

16. Polls estimate perhaps over 10 million atheists in the USA

1 in 20 adults: http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2012/08/14/american_atheists_1_in_20_americans_say_they_are_atheists_.html

There are nowhere near 10 million activist atheists in the States. They would be a huge force in the media and on the internet if there were.

[cbayer]

17. I think the same could be said of those of different religions as well.

The fact is that there are activist atheists and groups that are becoming more proactive. It's a fascinating movement to watch. Most religious people aren't activists or members of larger organizations either. In fact, many aren't even members of congregations.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. But "Most atheists have no interest in activism about their atheism" is clearly true

I suspect a far greater proportion of theists are active than of atheists - look at the time a good quarter of theists spend going to church, donating money to the church, buying religious books (there are many Christian publishers, and Christian bookshops, that can survive on just Christian books; there is nothing like the equivalent industry for atheism). It's possible a bare majority of theists aren't active, but I do think at least 25% can be said to be. 55% said, in 2011, religion was very important in their life.

[MineralMan]

20. No link is needed. There are millions upon millions of atheists.

There are a few atheist organizations, with a total membership that is a tiny fraction of atheists. Some things are self-evident, rug.

I'm not a spokesperson for anyone but myself. I don't belong to any atheist organizations, just like the vast majority of other atheists. If you think my posts are not informative or accurate, you can simply ignore them.

[rug]

26. It is not prudent to ignore misinformation.

[MineralMan]

29. Yah, well I haven't presented any misinformation.

Organized atheist are a tiny minority of atheists. The rest of us have other things to do.

[rug]

30. No, you presented pure opinion.

Activists are a tiny portion of the Democratic Party but are discussed all the time. "Tiny" does not equal insignificant, much as you believe it. You have more important things to do than talk about unimportant things on the internet, maybe.

[MineralMan]

32. Oh, dear. I always present my opinion.

That's quite clear. If I present someone else's opinion, I put it an an excerpt box and include a link. If it's my words, it's my opinion.

I figured you knew that. You should try presenting your own opinion sometimes, rather than just copying and pasting stuff from other people. You might find it refreshing.

[rug]

33. Oh my opinions are all over the place. Most of them are more than dismissive.

[Angry Dragon]

4. Asinine post

[rug]

6. What's asinine about it?

Other than it irks you?

[Angry Dragon]

8. The religious try to equate their pushing belief on the non-believers

with the non-believers telling the religious to stop pushing their beliefs on everyone

Any push-back is the fault of the religious

[rug]

11. How, precisely, do you draw that from this article?

I understand how that post can be cut and pasted into any number of threads. but I don't see how that comes from this article.

[Angry Dragon]

14. Why does atheism need a new face??

Why do they need to be inclusive??

Atheism is not a changing belief system
The religious are the ones for the most part that promote the divide

[rug]

15. The article doesn't say it needs eiteher. It's a report on what is happening, need or no.

It doesn't say anything about religious push-back either. In fact, it reports quite the opposite.

[pinto]

23. It's the title of the Irish Times article that the editors chose to run with the piece.

[cbayer]

7. Similar to what appears to be happening here.

I like the emphasis on social justice activities and the distinction between these groups and anti-atheists.

[MineralMan]

10. Most posts in the Religion group about atheism

are not posted by atheists. It's a fascinating phenomenon, really.

[rug]

12. Most posts in A&A about religion are not posted by religionists.

It's a fascinating phenomenon, really.

[2ndAmForComputers]

19. "But Mommy, Timmy hit me first!"

[rug]

24. Yup, that's about the level of your posts.

[2ndAmForComputers]

28. "I know you are but what am I" does not good debating make.

[rug]

31. No, it doesn't. You really should stop it.

[MineralMan]

22. A&A? I almost never post there.

I don't even visit that group very often. So, I'll have to take your word for it.

[rug]

25. You do that.

[beam me up scottie]

37. rug almost never posts there either.

But we can feel his presence.

[rug]

46. You must have supernatural ability.

Or paranoia.

[beam me up scottie]

36. Well duh. A&A is a group for atheists and agnostics.

While the Religion Group is for everyone:

Religion (Group): About This Group
Statement of Purpose:

Discuss religious and theological issues. All relevant topics are permitted. Believers, non-believers, and everyone in-between are welcome.

But you knew that.

[rug]

45. And atheism is defined as a nonbelief in a god and religion.

Duh.

[Goblinmonger]

47. I believe in religion.

Why would I deny its existence?

[rug]

48. As does atheism, which is defined by nonbelief in a god.

Really, it has no other meaning absent a notion of a god. Why should it not be discussed in Religion?

If you think atheism should not be discussed in Religion, that's fine with me.

[Goblinmonger]

50. I was responding to this from you:

45. And atheism is defined as a nonbelief in a god and religion.

Which seemed, to me, to be a statement that atheists don't believe in religion and, as such, shouldn't be in this group discussing it. Perhaps I'm reading that incorrectly.

[rug]

51. It would be more accurate to say religious belief.

Regarding bmus' snark, do you think atheism should be discussed in the Religion Group?

[edhopper]

21. Star Trek

has millions of fans. People who love the show and characters and enjoy watching all it's variations.
There are a small minority that like to go to conventions , dress like deck officers, wear Spock ears, or speak Klingon.
Nothing wrong with that and I hope they are having a great time. But it is far from indicative of most Star Trek fans.
But they get almost all the press.

[Leontius]

27. Your point is?

[edhopper]

42. I like Star Trek

Just kidding.

It's extrapolating about a large group based on a small minority who are more visible is problematic.
They are representative of themselves only, not all or most atheists

[cbayer]

49. But as the *voice* of atheism, you may have some interest in what they have to say

or how they say it.

You may not feel they represent you, but if the general public hears only from them, they may assume otherwise.

This is what happened to christians when the religious right took over. Now there are many assumptions made about all christians. One can see it here every day.

[edhopper]

52. And that is what happens to Star Trek fans

when the public only sees people dress up like Klingons.

[beam me up scottie]

34. Let' see, old atheism = lack of belief in god(s), new atheism = lack of belief in god(s).

Nope.

[rug]

35. Discussing an ethical society that is not based on religious belief is much more interesting

than posting on the internet that one has no belief, over and over. Really, after one time what more is there to say.

The posters usually are more interesting too.

[beam me up scottie]

38. One would think that constantly trying to redefine atheism to create a strawman would get old.

And yet here you are.

Again.

[Laochtine]

40. lol

TY for that

[beam me up scottie]

41. YW

[rug]

43. And who is trying to redefine atheism? Why it's atheists!

And here you are beating the tired old drum.

Again.

[Laochtine]

39. stop passing religious laws

and I go away, simple as that

[rug]

44. And who are you that they're busy passing laws against?

You must be important.