Religion

Cartoonist

(7,579 posts)

28. OK, I'll admit it.

Sun Nov 23, 2014, 03:21 PM

Nov 2014

I became an atheist by walikng in the anti-theist door. Anti-theism is still my prime motivator. I went to a Catholic school and church. In the vestibule of the church was a map of the United States highlighting religious landmarks. In California, there were a number of drawings showing the old Missions along the coast. When I learned the truth about these missions, I became ashamed of my religion. As I learned more about the genocide and oppression commited by Christianity, how could I not lose my faith?

Religion leads the world in acts of murder and oppression. From the war on Gays to the bombing of Iraq, the crimes commited by religion and its adherents far outweigh any good its apologists claim. How anyone who values human life and decency can believe in a just and merciful God is a mystery to me. So damn straight, I am an anti-theist. And if you don't like it, that's too bad.

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Let’s Stop Calling New Atheism, “Atheism,” and Start Calling it What it is: Anti-Theism [View all] rug Nov 2014 OP

I don't like the term "new atheists" because it's not new. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #1

Frankly, very little new on the nonexistence of god(s) has been written since Epicurus. rug Nov 2014 #3

The difference is wickerwoman Nov 2014 #2

Anti-theism is neither the natural nor logical consequence of atheism. rug Nov 2014 #4

What evidence has been presented that there is no god? cbayer Nov 2014 #95

There is plenty of evidence that God as concieved by the major religions wickerwoman Nov 2014 #124

Please, please share with me all that evidence that god does not exist. cbayer Nov 2014 #130

As I said in my last post, wickerwoman Nov 2014 #142

So, the bottom line is that you don't really have the evidence that cbayer Nov 2014 #147

I think there's a distinction between evidence and conclusive evidence. wickerwoman Nov 2014 #168

That distinction is highly questionable, but I see that you cbayer Nov 2014 #169

No, it's based on the definition of the word evidence. wickerwoman Nov 2014 #171

I guess if you use it as something that simply supports an assertion cbayer Nov 2014 #172

Let's look at two assertions: wickerwoman Nov 2014 #174

Well of course those two assertions are completely different, but that is cbayer Nov 2014 #175

Look, wickerwoman Nov 2014 #177

OK, you're call. cbayer Nov 2014 #178

Plenty of people are against atheists "just because" Fumesucker Nov 2014 #180

And plenty of people are against muslims "just because" cbayer Nov 2014 #186

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Fumesucker Nov 2014 #187

I'm not assuming you hate theists. Where in my post did you pull that from? cbayer Nov 2014 #188

I'm going to say this knowing you'll almost certainly misinterpret my words Fumesucker Nov 2014 #194

I think I understand what you say, and I don't think it is unique to theists. cbayer Nov 2014 #195

I prove negatives all the time. stone space Nov 2014 #158

If Science and Technology has shown us anything, it is that... stone space Nov 2014 #173

Plate Tectonics Lordquinton Nov 2014 #143

How does plate tectonics and evolution prove there is no god? cbayer Nov 2014 #148

Two points of knowledge that changes the way... stone space Nov 2014 #166

That's fine edhopper Nov 2014 #5

Some atheists have always been militant. rogerashton Nov 2014 #6

And many, I suspect the majority, have not. rug Nov 2014 #8

This militant atheist prefers to rant and rail against the Gods of Metal... stone space Nov 2014 #24

+1000. okasha Nov 2014 #32

So you think edhopper Nov 2014 #38

Of course we can. But sometimes, instead... stone space Nov 2014 #167

They feel the need largely because they have been taught to feel that need Fumesucker Nov 2014 #181

Maybe it's the bullets. (nt) stone space Nov 2014 #184

As I said, against organized falsehood. rogerashton Nov 2014 #58

I don't call myself an atheist because there are different definitions of God. I definitely don't rhett o rick Nov 2014 #71

Old School atheist here. stone space Nov 2014 #7

I've been an atheist my entire life. I'm an anti-theist because I'm sick to death of religious AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #22

This is the fucker who lied about being an atheist, wrote a book disparaging them, and Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #9

He said he was an atheist? Got a link? rug Nov 2014 #10

The title of his book is "Why I'm an atheist who believes in God".... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #11

Oh, you're talking about Schaeffer. Aslan wrote the article. rug Nov 2014 #12

Sorry, I do have them confused, my bad, Schaeffer is still an asshole... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #14

Proud Anti-theist here ... Trajan Nov 2014 #13

theists are against freedom? hrmjustin Nov 2014 #17

In general yes, depending on the sect, they either worship a great dictator in the sky... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #18

lmfao! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #19

You must not know many theists. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #20

We have free will and can make our own choices. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #21

Yes, and that's why Jesus introduced the concept of hell, such a nice guy. Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #25

Well I don't believe in hell so I feel very free. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #27

That's interesting, so you changed your religion to make it more acceptable to your... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #31

My religion is based on the Anglican three legged stool. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #34

I don't care whether we agree if there is a god or not, I just find it amusing... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #39

I think are are all sinners. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #43

Oh what, so you believe in annihilation instead? That's so much better! Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #54

You asked. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #55

True, and frankly it just confirmed why I believe Christianity to be, at best, an amoral... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #56

And I find that opinion equally.. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #60

See, but here's the difference, I show a disgust towards a belief you have about other people... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #65

So? hrmjustin Nov 2014 #66

See, this is the disconnect, I put people first, I'm a humanist, so that's how I view things... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #68

No, no, no! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #70

Why the revulsion. Christianity is just a series of ideas and beliefs... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #89

You made the point it is amoral i believe. i find that repulsive. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #94

Amoral is not the same as immoral... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #96

It seems to me you believe in annihilation. rug Nov 2014 #81

True, but at least I don't think I would be spared that because I'm a Christian or something. Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #87

Isn't nonexistence Dorian Gray Nov 2014 #185

I don't believe in an afterlife, that is true, but that applies to everyone... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #189

That's fair enough Dorian Gray Nov 2014 #190

Disbelief in hell, okasha Nov 2014 #36

And what of free will, in this supposed inevitable universalist afterlife? AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #40

And you would choose to harm someone okasha Nov 2014 #44

When the fuck did sin equal harming someone? Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #52

In all cultures I'm aware of, okasha Nov 2014 #77

Well that's just not true, just look in the Bible for examples of that... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #88

Eh? okasha Nov 2014 #127

Actually, you are correct in a way, but still incorrect... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #139

Funny, don't recall saying anything about harming another person. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #69

See above. okasha Nov 2014 #78

Different religious groups vary. Some include self harm. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #113

Assuming you were in "this UU heaven," okasha Nov 2014 #117

You first. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #119

Sorry, but your question okasha Nov 2014 #120

If I'm not capable of anger, despair, grief, etc, I am not free. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #121

It's not my idea of the afterlife, either. okasha Nov 2014 #122

What I cherish, is the freedom to choose. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #123

Let me interject Cartoonist Nov 2014 #109

okasha changes the meanings of words to suit her argument, it renders her arguments meaningless... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #111

Well, in this case, UU itself declines to define sin for the most part. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #116

No, okasha claimed that to sin is to harm others in "all cultures she's aware of" this is false. Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #140

Now, that is pathetic. okasha Nov 2014 #114

UUA doesn't consider itself a Christian Denomination anymore... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #41

Irrelevant. okasha Nov 2014 #47

I don't think it is irrelevant at all. Leontius Nov 2014 #59

They no longer claim to be a Christian denomination themselves... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #64

I find their inclusiveness laudable Leontius Nov 2014 #67

So can a subject of the crown. Free will doesn't imply no consequences. AtheistCrusader Nov 2014 #37

You would be surprised, there are significant fractions of Christians and Muslims... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #23

Ok you have a point there. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #26

I've met such Militant Christians in real life. stone space Nov 2014 #30

Yeah, everyone else's freedom. Jamastiene Nov 2014 #125

Meet different theist then! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #126

This is just a reflection of your unfortunate experience with theists, Jamastiene. cbayer Nov 2014 #131

Besure to check out their sister group! Lordquinton Nov 2014 #144

You are calling the reddit Mens Rights group the sister group of NALT? cbayer Nov 2014 #149

The problem is your assumptions. It leads you to untenable opinions. rug Nov 2014 #45

Yeah ... right Trajan Nov 2014 #73

Glad you afgree. rug Nov 2014 #76

Theists are anti-freedom? MLK? Eugene Robinson? William Barber? cbayer Nov 2014 #98

Well, he's painting with a rather broad brush. longship Nov 2014 #15

Sounds a lot like standard right wing christian fundie whining to me. Daemonaquila Nov 2014 #16

Exactly. n/t djean111 Nov 2014 #29

That sounds like you're describing your reply. rug Nov 2014 #46

OK, I'll admit it. Cartoonist Nov 2014 #28

Got stats? okasha Nov 2014 #42

About what? Cartoonist Nov 2014 #74

"Religion leads the world in acts of murder and oppression." okasha Nov 2014 #80

I don't get you Cartoonist Nov 2014 #86

I don't "claim to have ties" to Native Americans okasha Nov 2014 #91

Is this the same Baptist church Cartoonist Nov 2014 #104

Wrong again. okasha Nov 2014 #107

To him that's an insult, an indescribably huge insult. Leontius Nov 2014 #141

If I understand you, one of your reasons is you're ashamed of what the RCC has done. rug Nov 2014 #48

That's a good question Cartoonist Nov 2014 #72

I think it's a mixed bag. rug Nov 2014 #79

That would be two of us. okasha Nov 2014 #82

Did you ever hear of the HUAC hearings in Buffalo in 1964? rug Nov 2014 #90

I had read about them. okasha Nov 2014 #103

Ah, I was with the WSA faction. rug Nov 2014 #108

I was. okasha Nov 2014 #112

Tsk. rug Nov 2014 #115

I know. okasha Nov 2014 #118

The corruption in the RCC Cartoonist Nov 2014 #83

How about my religious views or lack of views are my buisness and have nothing to do with you. gordianot Nov 2014 #33

Standard, right-wing word-gaming. immoderate Nov 2014 #35

If you want to call what I, uh, 'practice' rock Nov 2014 #49

Who the hell are you? rug Nov 2014 #50

Exactly rock Nov 2014 #51

Who cares? rickford66 Nov 2014 #53

+1000 catbyte Nov 2014 #62

What a perfect response to these daily jeremiads. nt procon Nov 2014 #75

No, but... Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #129

So? rickford66 Nov 2014 #138

I think you miss the critical point that these particular people don't completely cbayer Nov 2014 #150

Now if football fans would just stop trying to use law to force me to act like a fan too Fumesucker Nov 2014 #182

I'd say Aslan has it right! - n/t Jim__ Nov 2014 #57

Anti-Theism is a good thing bowens43 Nov 2014 #61

If you must label me, make it "Anti-myth-and-superstition." KansDem Nov 2014 #63

I'd forgotten Dawkins' comment okasha Nov 2014 #84

He said that? wow what a jerk he is! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #85

“If I could wave a magic wand and get rid of either rape or religion, ... stone space Nov 2014 #92

I find amusing that in this circlejerk, no one has pointed out that it wasn't Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #93

Who said it? hrmjustin Nov 2014 #99

Sam Harris, I think. (nt) stone space Nov 2014 #100

Thanks. whoever said it should be ashamed. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #101

You're right. It was Sam Harris. rug Nov 2014 #102

Oh, I'm not defending him, Sam Harris is an asshole in many different ways, this just being one... Humanist_Activist Nov 2014 #105

Wups, I misread that. okasha Nov 2014 #110

I am a rape survivor and appalled that someone said that. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #97

I reject calling it new atheism. Call them what they are - religophobes. cbayer Nov 2014 #106

Some of the "New Atheists" are assholes Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #128

How dare they write books edhopper Nov 2014 #132

Glad to have entertained you Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #133

So you don't want to address edhopper Nov 2014 #134

Again, not seeing what I'm saying Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #135

No edhopper Nov 2014 #136

I already acknowledged that many believers have shitty attitudes Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #137

I guess I am not edhopper Nov 2014 #157

Love, unlike gods, can be proven Lordquinton Nov 2014 #145

OK Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #146

+1,000, including for your faith that one day one of these posters may open their minds n/t zazen Nov 2014 #154

What would be the name of that chemical, Lord? cbayer Nov 2014 #152

How about we call atheists atheists.. vi5 Nov 2014 #151

I agree. It's the same problem that, say, christians have cbayer Nov 2014 #153

That's fair enough n/t Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #156

And bible-thumping, self-righteous assholes Feral Child Nov 2014 #155

So you're not anti-theist? rug Nov 2014 #159

Religophobia - the irrational fear of religion and those that are religious cbayer Nov 2014 #160

Maybe s/he's a vegetarian. rug Nov 2014 #161

I'm guessing that kidnapping by a band of hyenas was involved. cbayer Nov 2014 #162

The dingo ate me soul! rug Nov 2014 #163

do you think someone edhopper Nov 2014 #164

Yes. cbayer Nov 2014 #165

Reza Aslan is an apologist for bigotry... MellowDem Nov 2014 #170

OTOH, he does not prefer outlawing religion to outlawing rape. rug Nov 2014 #176

OTOH, your post is a non-sequiter... MellowDem Nov 2014 #179

OTOH, you wouldn't recognoze a non sequitur if you spent half a day following one. rug Nov 2014 #191

You provide plenty of examples... MellowDem Nov 2014 #193

I'm sure this thread went well. Dorian Gray Nov 2014 #183

Aside from the predictable squealng. rug Nov 2014 #192