I strongly prefer the term "Naturalist" to the term "Atheist".

[Kazak]

My beliefs are in line with most of the folks here who would proclaim themselves as atheists. I'm a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and a staunch humanist at heart. However, I've always equated "God" in my mind with "nature". "God", I define as the ultimate of what is possible, and since I don't believe anything can be "super"natural, meaning nothing can be above nature, then nature is the ultimate of what is possible, therefore "God" = "nature". By this reasoning, I strongly prefer the term "Naturalism" to "Atheism" since it says what I am, not what I'm not. Am I the only one?

[htuttle]

1. I like that

I agree, it would be best to not have to define one's beliefs as merely being 'against' something (ie., 'a-theist').

on edit:

One last thought (in general): I wish more people would put posts like this in the religion and theology (or atheism) groups, instead of the free-for-all that is GD. You'd probably get more thoughtful discussion, and fewer flaming drive-by posters.

[arwalden]

3. The "a" in "atheist" means "without"... not "against".

[htuttle]

4. Well, true enough

But to define oneself in terms of being 'without' something seems to suggest that the normal case is being 'with' that thing.

[arwalden]

9. I understand what you're saying but it doesn't sound logical...

For example: my body and face are both asymmetrical (without symmetry). That doesn't mean that the "normal" case is that faces and bodies are symmetrical.

The importance given to being theistic is something that the theists have done. Unfortunately many people are only perpetuating the notion that "atheism" is a word to be ashamed of, or that it's somehow confrontational and "anti". When people recoiling from, and seek substitutes for perfectly legitimate word, they only reinforce the theists notion that atheists are "lacking" or deficient... or that the "normal" state of being is to have theism.

-- Allen

Sorry, I know that's a bit convoluted and awkwardly worded. I hope you can make sense of it without me having to rework it and type it again.

[not systems]

2. "Natualism" sounds like another word for nudism...

not "Atheism".

[elehhhhna]

5. Isn't it? tink so mon.

[JHB]

6. You walk around naked?

Wait, that's "naturist".

But "Naturalist" is already in use: they study nature:
http://www.amnat.org/

[Kazak]

7. Well, I'm co-opting in then...

:)

[Zenlitened]

10. Exactly. The nudist community tried to take ownership of this word...

... once before, and it didn't work fortunately.

Let's leave 'naturalists' to the Darwins of the world, shall we? :)

[Az]

8. There are a lot of negative connotations surrounding the word atheist

I would rather people did not shy away from an accurate description of their position simply because of social stigma but I do understand the tendency to do so.

By allowing others to chase you away from a position it gives them power. It further creates a scenario where those that are being stigmatized can be isolated and silenced. I meet so many atheists that believe they are alone in this world. Simply because it is socially unacceptable to be open about our atheism.

We are a social species. The atheists that tend to speak up and get noticed tend to be the lone wolf angry variety. They have an axe to grind and they don't care who notices. But there are so many other atheists out there. And they don't have axes to grind. But they might like to find others of a similar mind with which they can weather the turmoil of our god soaked society. But this is often denied them because the only atheists they themself are aware of are the angry ones. And those atheists can even scare other atheists.

I will not run from the word atheist. It accurately describes me. I am someone that does not happen to have a belief in god or gods. I am also a naturalist in that I believe that in understanding nature we understand the entirety of the cosmos. And I wish to provide a beacon to other atheists to let them know they are not alone. That there are others out here. That we can shelter each other should the need arise or we can rejoice in our shared love of nature and the universe.

[Malva Zebrina]

11. Non-theist works for me

and for those who are angry--I think it is a natural phase for many who have been taught to believe in a god and reach the conclusion as an adult that they were lied to. It happens often and usually burns itself out as one adjusts to the change.

It is not fair, AZ, to demonize atheists who are angry. I have read many quotes from many prominent atheists, whose tone is one of anger.

[Kazak]

13. This still defines yourself in terms of what you are not,...

not what you are.

[Malva Zebrina]

15. true, but so does "atheist" nt

[Kazak]

16. Yeah...

That's the trap I'm attempting to get out of...dig?

[Malva Zebrina]

18. Yeah, I do

but fail to see why you consider it is a trap.:shrug: :hi:

[Kazak]

21. Hi, my name is...

not Bob, I'm a non-female, non-colored person, non-republican. How about yourself?

I just prefer to describe what I am, rather than what I'm not. I guess that makes me non-normal.

:crazy:

[Malva Zebrina]

22. OK

but using the negative is part of describing who you are. If you use the negative, you are defining the positive. People do it all the time. I am a non user of Wal Mart--for instance. What does that say? I do not support Wal Mart.

If you are looking for something positive, then try perhaps something ike " freethinker".

Non theists exist in this country which is 85% believers--Christians. Why not describe oneself as a non believer or non theist?

We are used to it. After all, in every election, we must capitulate and vote for our candidate, who inevitably, is ALWAYS a believer and has no compunction to saying "god bless you" after each speech. LOL

That has been going on for a couple of centuries.
We are used to it.

It seems to me you are struggling with your non belief.

[Az]

17. Actually

I was once a lone wolf angry atheist. I am not demonizing them. I am merely reporting that I have come across many closeted atheists that when I mention the idea of joining various groups are repulsed because of the attitude they have witnessed amongst some of the more caustic atheists. They are looking for positive aspects of life rather than focusing on assailing religion.

I am reminded of the details of an event a friend of mine recently attended. It was a confrence sponsored by American Atheists. This is the surviving faction of individuals brought together by Madeline Murray Ohare. When an invited speaker suggested that some attention should be paid to getting along with religious individuals and that not all were represented by the fundamentalists there was practically a call for his head immediately.

They angry atheists are angry for reasons. And these reasons need to be addressed. But there are other dynamics in play as well. And sometimes it becomes necissary to lay our anger down and consider long term goals and hopes as well as what is within the realm of possibility.

[Malva Zebrina]

19. Of course, but it is quite understandable

to me why and it is my experience that the anger eventually does burn itself out as it is expressed more and more.

Just needs to ride the wave until it lands on the shore.

We are all, after all, only human beings.

on edit--Madeline Murray Ohare was actually a very sweet person and atheists have a lot to thank her for. A friend of mine who had occasion to meet her when O'Hare was a social worker, is immensly grateful to the attention and care O'Hare afforded her.
There are lots of urban legends floating about re O'Hare. One can google in urban legends and seek them out.

To try and distance oneself from O'Hare reminds me of today's feminists who try to distance themselves from the work the brave women of yesteryear devoted to women's issues. IT does appear to be ingratitude at times.

[megatherium]

25. Some prefer 'agnostic'

although that sounds like a bit of a concession, you're just saying you don't know whether there is a God. But I think Bertrand Russell used agnostic to describe himself, under the logic that he has no knowledge of the existence of God but he likewise cannot disprove the existence of God either.

There's the lovely, well-known story of the lady who was told that Russell was agnostic, and replied that everyone worships God in his own way.

[maxsolomon]

12. you are a Pantheist or a Panentheist

as well as a UU.

don't worry so much about it, atheism is fine on its own.

[Kazak]

14. Yeah, I know...

It's just a little something minor that has always bothered me.

[toddaa]

28. More specifically

You are most likely a scientific pantheist. What bothers you about that.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

20. I prefer: "It's nobody's business, nor are other's beliefs my business"

All this 'in your face' religion: I'm sick of the fish decals on cars. I'm sick of the T-shirts. And I'm sick of every politician trying to out-religion the next one.

Can't we talk about anything else in this country these days? Sorry, nothing against your post, but it is just so constant since the election.

[bleedingheart]

23. Why not Heretic?

:evilgrin:

sorry I couldn't resist...

seriously though i understand your situation and I think it makse sense..

[Xithras]

24. Definition of naturalist:

1: an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms 2: a biologist knowledgeable about natural history

Looks like it would work for you.

[Nye Bevan]

26. A group of atheists is calling themselves the Brights

and trying to get the word "bright" (as a noun) to mean atheist. See:

http://www.the-brights.com

I guess the concept is to try to get a more "positive" sounding description than "atheist" but IMHO "Brights" sounds much too smarty-pants.

[JanMichael]

27. Call yourself whatever you'd like. Actually you sound like a Deist.

But I'll stick with atheist, because I'm NOT a Theist in any way shope or form and Naturaist makes me think of naked people, thank you very much:-)

[LittleClarkie]

29. Dude, naturalist makes it sound like yer nekkid

I'm just sayin'.