Proselytism and Atheism (Jesus, follower, choice, experience, atheist)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by crystalonyx

I'll be honest, I've never seen an atheist proselytizing in public in my life (including me).

What do you think would constitute atheist proselytizing?

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

So taking that into consideration, it seems to me that the latest trend within atheism is exactly the wrong path to take. Many atheists have decided that it is not okay to just live their lives as an atheist, they want you to be an atheist too. A world without religion would be a better place, they claim. When people think of atheism, they think of that irritating person who tells them how irrational and stupid they are for believing in God.

Have you seen the South Park episode "Go God Go!"? It is about this same topic.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Apex

Have you seen the South Park episode "Go God Go!"? It is about this same topic.

Science be praised! I loved that episode!!

[Fluffy]

Heya cystalonyx,
I believe problems get solved when we stop focusing on what everyone else should be doing and start focusing on what we should be doing. I am not for a moment saying that atheists proselytise as much or to the same extent as Christians. I am saying that atheists are seeing the proselytism of Christians and responding to it in the wrong way.

I do not think that expressing one's opinions is proselytism but I do think the problem extends beyond proselytism. It is also about holding exclusive beliefs. If you have beliefs that do not hold a place for the Christian, the Muslim, the Jew, the atheist e.t.c. then this will lead to conflict. It is a problem that is prevalent through the major religions but not in the minor ones. I would dearly like to see atheism take the path of the minor religions and not the major ones.

Heya Christine,
I am in full agreement with you. I don't think this is about expressing opinions but rather about holding beliefs that do not make room for the beliefs of others. I know many atheists who think the world would be a better place without Christians and I am scared that if enough people start thinking that way then it can only lead to trouble. We are all part of this world and we all have to learn to accept each other.

Originally Posted by Apex

Have you seen the South Park episode "Go God Go!"? It is about this same topic.

Yes I have. I thought it was full of good points.

[fantôme profane]

I have a bit of a different view on proselytism. I personally am not interested in doing it (at least not proselytising about atheism). And it can be annoying at times, but at other times I welcome it.

I like to study other religions and other views of the world and consider new ideas. And there is just so much out there that there is no way I would ever have the time or the energy to fully explore all of them. Ah, but there are these people out there who are eager to give me the best case they can, all the best evidence, the best arguments, the best reasons that they can come up with. And these people have put a lot of time and a lot of effort into this. And of course there are people out there proselytising for other views, opposite views. It is like an advocacy system and I am the judge. I don’t know if it leads to the truth, but it is a resource that I take advantage of.

[logician]

As I've said before, evangelical religions are dangerous, (remember 9/11, the crusades), and will remain so. Atheism is not my nature evangelical, so it doesn't fit in this category.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by logician

As I've said before, evangelical religions are dangerous, (remember 9/11, the crusades), and will remain so. Atheism is not my nature evangelical, so it doesn't fit in this category.

It's those other people! They're the one's who are evil! If only they didn't exist then I wouldn't have to hate them! It's all their fault!

[Apex]

Originally Posted by lilithu

It's those other people! They're the one's who are evil! If only they didn't exist then I wouldn't have to hate them! It's all their fault!

lol. Just remember, its always the peoples fault who think differently than your self. You, and those like you, are never to blame.

[fantôme profane]

Originally Posted by logician

As I've said before, evangelical religions are dangerous, (remember 9/11, the crusades), and will remain so. Atheism is not my nature evangelical, so it doesn't fit in this cat