General Discussion

Orrex

(66,876 posts)

46. Just one: have you ever met an actual atheist?

Sun Aug 14, 2016, 01:27 PM

Aug 2016

Shockingly, I don't accept Wikipedia as the definitive arbiter of all matters pertaining to science and theology, and the excerpt that you cited is incomplete because it omits a key subset of atheist. Of course, since you conveniently grabbed only the first few dozen words from the Wiki article, it's hardly surprising that the the details would be left out.

Just about every atheist I've ever met has characterized their atheism this way: "I do not believe in any deity."

That is not "the rejection of belief" nor "the position that there are no deities." It also makes no agnostic claim of inability to comprehend deities; it is simply a positive declaration about one's own lack of belief, full stop.

The insistence that atheism must equate with (or predispose one to) closed-mindedness is a statement of bigoted ignorance.

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Would you vote for an atheist president?Definition of atheism:lack of belief in the existence of god [View all] yortsed snacilbuper Aug 2016 OP

Atheists should be publicly shamed and run out of the country Orrex Aug 2016 #1

Yep, they should run us to the south of France or Tuscany. trof Aug 2016 #13

Run me to Iceland, please! Iggo Aug 2016 #15

I'll take Canada rurallib Aug 2016 #54

So will I. SammyWinstonJack Aug 2016 #160

How would one really know who is an atheist? Many of the people who say they are Christian are not. glennward Aug 2016 #157

True atheists have an atom-shaped birthmark on their ass Orrex Aug 2016 #158

YES! I doubt such a person would win in this country, unfortunately. n/t Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #2

This message was self-deleted by its author Lebam in LA Aug 2016 #5

Yes onecaliberal Aug 2016 #3

Christian privilege makes this a semi-legitimate q'n. We nearly elected a Jewish Prez this year. nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #4

Oh no... whathehell Aug 2016 #30

Explain if you have the time. And the spelling is "privilege". . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #61

No, it seems I don't have the time.. whathehell Aug 2016 #101

I'm not surprised. . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #112

Lol.. whathehell Aug 2016 #113

I wrote "if you have the time" so that you could have a graceful exit from an ambiguous non-post. nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #114

Really? whathehell Aug 2016 #118

Really. Hard to know if you were being sarcastic, serious, or ironic. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #132

A little of each, maybe? whathehell Aug 2016 #137

If that was all, just say so when invited to do so. That's simplest and best. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #138

Um, first, you need to know that I don't take orders from you.. whathehell Aug 2016 #145

I grant you the last word. . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #149

You grant nada.. whathehell Aug 2016 #156

Oddly enough, I think the concept of privilege is being trivialized and minimized LanternWaste Aug 2016 #146

With similar oddness, perhaps, I think it's whathehell Aug 2016 #148

I would prefer one. Ace Rothstein Aug 2016 #6

Certainly. librarylu Aug 2016 #7

Sure, why not? MineralMan Aug 2016 #8

I, too would prefer one. I can't see bowing and scraping before a fairy tale deity as Francis Booth Aug 2016 #9

Securing and defending fairy-tale borders is much more rational. LanternWaste Aug 2016 #147

I agree! tazkcmo Aug 2016 #153

Yes, enthusiastically, but not for an atheist primary candidate. Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2016 #10

My position exactly; that's why I couldn't vote for Sanders LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #72

I think Sanders was viewed far more as Jewish than Atheist and, alas... Moonwalk Aug 2016 #83

Romney's Mormonism probably hurt him a bit too. white_wolf Aug 2016 #85

Absolutely. Mormonism has always been outside of "mainstream" American Christianity.... Moonwalk Aug 2016 #89

I don't think it hurt him early on, but once people started to really look at LDS belief LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #90

As someone who enjoys reading about religions and philosophy white_wolf Aug 2016 #96

Trust me, I know; I live in Mesa, AZ :D LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #97

What's the difference? If you don't mind me asking. white_wolf Aug 2016 #122

I'm speaking as an outsider, but you see two main types of Mormons LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #125

That's really interesting. Thanks! white_wolf Aug 2016 #134

I think he had a better chance wile he was viewed as Jewish LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #88

Absolutely. I might add I think I have already voted for an atheist president. Vinca Aug 2016 #11

Something I told someone just last night. lindysalsagal Aug 2016 #40

I wouldn't vote for someone because they're atheist but Quackers Aug 2016 #12

Of course. Iggo Aug 2016 #14

I'd vote for an atheist ahead of some Abrahamic looney Matrosov Aug 2016 #16

Yes! sarae Aug 2016 #17

Yep grubbs Aug 2016 #18

Hell yes! Auggie Aug 2016 #19

Yes HDSam Aug 2016 #20

It'd be refreshing to have a candidate that didn't suck up to the fairy tale crowd. NightWatcher Aug 2016 #21

Definitely! StrictlyRockers Aug 2016 #22

Post removed Post removed Aug 2016 #23

Well, that's a gross mischaracterization, but ok. Orrex Aug 2016 #33

is it?, "Atheism is, in the broadest sense, the absence of belief in the existence of deities.[1][2] Demonaut Aug 2016 #37

Two questions. Exilednight Aug 2016 #42

as I stated in my first response, I''d prefer an agnostic president Demonaut Aug 2016 #48

That's a lie told by a pro-religion bigot Orrex Aug 2016 #50

so now I'm a bigot...is this statement wrong?, you can't equate my statement Demonaut Aug 2016 #59

I'm not equating your statement to the murder of homosexuals. Orrex Aug 2016 #63

calling me a "pro-religion bigot" is an emotional response. Demonaut Aug 2016 #68

You made a bigoted statement, and I called it out. Orrex Aug 2016 #70

Not really; generally, atheists simply reject deities as unproven LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #74

No. Wrong. It is NOT a belief system. PoutrageFatigue Aug 2016 #133

I'm open minded enough... TipTok Aug 2016 #159

Just one: have you ever met an actual atheist? Orrex Aug 2016 #46

of course I grabbed the first lines in wiki, and a short response will not resolve Demonaut Aug 2016 #52

"so there are versions of atheism that don't agree with your interpretation?" Orrex Aug 2016 #57

oh, to answer your question....yes, and I call them friends Demonaut Aug 2016 #60

How about opening YOUR mind before making a negative blanket statement about atheists. Avalux Aug 2016 #69

Definition of atheism in English: yortsed snacilbuper Aug 2016 #124

Lol. So ridiculous. La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2016 #129

We are only closed minded Eko Aug 2016 #154

Not true at all. If you don't believe in santa, the tooth fairy, unicorns, does that lindysalsagal Aug 2016 #41

Besides, presidents aren't supposed to be making decisions about religion rurallib Aug 2016 #58

A.Men. n/t. lindysalsagal Aug 2016 #75

Could say agnostic pres would be wishy-washy, indecisive, fence sitter, unwilling to act. . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #62

If I agreed with the policies they were promoting.. ABSOLUTELY Peacetrain Aug 2016 #24

No I won't for Trump! whistler162 Aug 2016 #25

Add me to the list of those who would STRONGLY prefer an atheist president. MANative Aug 2016 #26

yes, gladly. nt La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2016 #27

Sure thing - but not a lie-berterian atheist. GoneOffShore Aug 2016 #28

I would bet a LOT of money Greybnk48 Aug 2016 #29

Yes, I would GP6971 Aug 2016 #31

Yes Hayduke Bomgarte Aug 2016 #32

Yes. Especially one that does not embrace the concept of "end times" and the rapture. TheBlackAdder Aug 2016 #34

DEFINITELY! RebelOne Aug 2016 #35

Absolutely. (n/t) SMC22307 Aug 2016 #36

of course. barbtries Aug 2016 #38

Yes... Deuce Aug 2016 #39

Yes, and for the record I am a Buddhist. Exilednight Aug 2016 #43

Of course I would Wounded Bear Aug 2016 #44

Atheists live for now, not heaven, which makes them uniquely responsible lindysalsagal Aug 2016 #45

Absolutely yes!!!! avebury Aug 2016 #47

I would because I am one. Throd Aug 2016 #49

I would prefer an atheist as POTUS. panader0 Aug 2016 #51

Why not? Person 2713 Aug 2016 #53

Yes indeed Duckhunter935 Aug 2016 #55

Religion, spirituality, and morality are all very different thing that are often confused AgadorSparticus Aug 2016 #56

We apply a religious test even though The Constitution clearly prohibits it. But it's the voters, brewens Aug 2016 #64

Yes n/t jamese777 Aug 2016 #65

Yes I believe you could trust an atheist to be more honest than doc03 Aug 2016 #66

Yes, I absolutely would! csziggy Aug 2016 #67

It sucks that this question is still being asked Warpy Aug 2016 #71

Maybe. If the person was tolerant of theists, I wouldn't hold it against a candidate HereSince1628 Aug 2016 #73

Provided that it wasn't some asshole who mocked "invisible sky monsters" or similar, Nye Bevan Aug 2016 #76

Absofrigginlutely! shadowmayor Aug 2016 #77

Depends on if I liked their platform treestar Aug 2016 #78

I would PREFER one. n/t broadcaster75201 Aug 2016 #79

Yes Motley13 Aug 2016 #80

Of course, words do not scare me I know what they mean and fear nothing from a Godless heathen. Rex Aug 2016 #81

I would vastly prefer to. CharlotteVale Aug 2016 #82

Would not impact my vote one way or another n/t etherealtruth Aug 2016 #84

I would be more inclined to vote for an Atheist over a Christian. B Calm Aug 2016 #86

As an Atheist madokie Aug 2016 #87

Yes, if the atheist is a Democrat. JustABozoOnThisBus Aug 2016 #91

Yes. I don't base my vote on the candidates religion or lack of religion. I do vote madinmaryland Aug 2016 #92

Of course... Mike Nelson Aug 2016 #93

Of course, but not just because frogmarch Aug 2016 #94

YES kpete Aug 2016 #95

It's not a problem with me. Pyrzqxgl Aug 2016 #98

Yes, if I liked their proposed policies. roamer65 Aug 2016 #99

Atheists no longer the least electable many a good man Aug 2016 #100

Depends. relayerbob Aug 2016 #102

The person could be fornicating with barnyard animals... egduj Aug 2016 #103

Only if.. whathehell Aug 2016 #104

From either party? cherokeeprogressive Aug 2016 #105

Depends; bananakabob Aug 2016 #106

Why is there such opposition anyway? Calculating Aug 2016 #107

Would I, would I, would I!? rock Aug 2016 #108

wouldn't be a consideration spanone Aug 2016 #109

Absolutely. Alkene Aug 2016 #110

Not an atheist but yes, I'd vote for one. Love trumps hate... think Aug 2016 #111

It is a sad truth get the red out Aug 2016 #115

Claiming a belief to... deathrind Aug 2016 #116

Yes. LWolf Aug 2016 #117

For primaries, I juggle candidate electability, energy, experience, policies, and political skill struggle4progress Aug 2016 #119

Yes. Loki Aug 2016 #120

I don't care about religion... MrScorpio Aug 2016 #121

Of course, I'm pretty sure we already have. Philly-Union-Man Aug 2016 #123

An atheist president would be a plus True Dough Aug 2016 #126

Yes Stinky The Clown Aug 2016 #127

yes Warren DeMontague Aug 2016 #128

The U.S. Is a theistic country jamese777 Aug 2016 #130

As long as he or she swore to uphold the Constitution thucythucy Aug 2016 #131

In a heartbeat Jarqui Aug 2016 #135

why not? Liberal_in_LA Aug 2016 #136

Absolutely, if I agreed with the politically n/t Zing Zing Zingbah Aug 2016 #139

Yes mfcorey1 Aug 2016 #140

Of course. Bonx Aug 2016 #141

I don't believe in atheists and I'm not too sure about agnostics. eom MohRokTah Aug 2016 #142

Yes. yortsed snacilbuper Aug 2016 #143

I suspect we have one now... TipTok Aug 2016 #144

Maybe melman Aug 2016 #162

On the whole, the atheists I've know in my life have had more of a moral compass than Native Aug 2016 #150

Absolutely!!! n/t RKP5637 Aug 2016 #151

Yes. tazkcmo Aug 2016 #152

Can he or she govern? Bluzmann57 Aug 2016 #155

Of course (or Prime Minister/ MP in my case) LeftishBrit Aug 2016 #161

It seems Tony Blair is a religous-right nutter, but he hid it while in office, yortsed snacilbuper Aug 2016 #164

America is extremely bigoted against the non-religious Taitertots Aug 2016 #163