It really depends on what she means exactly. Some people can't help but be theists, of course. But it is well past time to denounce some of the excesses made in name of the belief in God.
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Anti-theist
- Thread starter Antitheist Girl
- Start date
It really depends on what she means exactly. Some people can't help but be theists, of course. But it is well past time to denounce some of the excesses made in name of the belief in God.
Well, that can be difficult when non-religious folk often do the same to religious folk.
Sir Doom
Cooler than most of you
Can you explain (using logic and/or science) why I shouldn't be a hypocrite and why I shouldn't put others down for their beliefs?
Well, if you're a hypocrite, then nobody will trust you, and if you put down others for their beliefs, then you don't get to complain when others put you down for your beliefs.
These aren't logical/scientific issues; these are social issues.
Sir Doom
Cooler than most of you
Only if they find out. And even then... what reason do I have to value their trust?
and if you put down others for their beliefs, then you don't get to complain when others put you down for your beliefs.
Unless you are a hypocrite!
Exactly my point
fantôme profane;3179384 said:
You're forgetting that those things; communism and republican, are philosophies, they attempt to change the world and affect you.
Theism is a theological view, religion is religion, they can't affect the world unless they hold too much power, which we all know it is utterly close to impossible, if not impossible.
Being against someone for their opinions is bigotry. Being against someone for their opinions if their opinions affect you is logical.
If there isn't trust between people, then we can't function together as a group. And despite what some people would like to think, society does function as a group because homo sapien is an extremely social animal.
Which is not a wise thing to be.
Demonstrate.Exactly my point
I do it every day and its not that hard. Even when I am chastised for my non belief in a god, I agree to disagree.
...you mean you don't, as in, you don't put others down for their beliefs. That's great. It's just a shame that others don't.
There's something I've observed about human behavior over the years, that we seem to have an innate desire to... fight with our enemies' weapons, as it were. As a result, the innocent, theist and atheist alike, become victims of this dehumanization by others who were treated the same by others.
I, too, generally don't, but I think it's easy for me because I've rarely been dehumanized for my beliefs (mostly because I don't generally share them in public.)
I don't put others down for their views, because I try to treat people as I wish to be treated. I like good, mind opening conversation and you don't get that from bashing others perspectives.
Then we're on the same page. :yes:
Sir Doom
Cooler than most of you
The point I was trying to make was about Paul's distinction between faith and science/logic. He said to use logic, and that science always backs its claims up with facts. Then went on to make a general statement from his own subjective morality that has no basis in logic or scientific fact. Seemed like obvious hypocrisy to me.
fantôme profane;3179384 said:Is an anti-communist a bigot? What about an anti-republican? Or an antidisestablishmentarianist?
You are making the mistake that people always make with this debate of confusing ideas (like theism, communism, liberalism etc) with people (Blacks, Gays, Jews etc.)
If being "anti-anything" is considered bigotry then being anti-bigotry would be a form of bigotry.
A theist is a person- a single person- theism is the idea- so you should say anti-theism instead, you have to think about that. Anti-religion would be a much better term even than anti-theism. Most people don't like religions but don't have much to say about individuals who believe in God or gods.
I r Baboon
Egalitarian Epicureanist
Nice!
I r Baboon
Egalitarian Epicureanist
Be who you are! If that means militant anti-theocracy then so be it. If not...then so be it...if something in the middle...then so be it...we are all in the midst of a dryer cycle of ideas...run with them all if you can
Who is this "we all" you talk about, o sentient being?
Theism and religion have had considerable political influence pretty much from their starts. That alone is enough reason to criticize them. It is not only a right, but in fact a duty.
As a fellow anti-religionist I would like to make a few suggestions.
Develop the anti-theism within yourself more clearly. Do not take an aggressive approach to it because of dislike of religion (if it exists), take a calm and calculated approach to it. Once it becomes clear what you are and what you really believe in, you will yourself see no need in going out of your way to point out the flaws of faith and religion. I mean if someone knows what your beliefs are and are interested in hearing them sure, but I would suggest that attempts to convince people of religion to buy into your beliefs is exactly what you must avoid. That kind of condescending stuff is what people of religion do, the general point of being a disbeliever is kind of avoiding what people of religion do to spread their faith.
And oh, another thing. If coming out of the closet means having problems with your family or community, avoid it. It just isn't worth it to let them know what you really believe. As long as you truly know what is right and what isn't within yourself, that is all that matters.
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I think you have misunderstood. An anti-theist is a person. A person who is opposed to theism. What other term would you use for a person who is opposed to theism?
So if someone believes that an idea is harmful to the world then they are justified in being "anti". You say that this is not the case with theism. You say that it is nearly impossible for theism to hold too much power. Even if I were to agree with you, the point is that the anti-theist would disagree. The anti-theist would say that theism is a belief that is out to change the world, and is inheriently harmful.
For the record I think that the anti-theist is over simplifying and over generalizing. But so are you when if you think that theism cannot be an attempt to change the world and affect you.
fantôme profane;3180013 said:
I think I have misunderstood the term in the same way. To me anti indicates being opposed to/against. Theist is a person.
For me, an "antitheist" seems like -- one who opposes theists (a person whose foundational belief system is that of opposing other people that hold theistic views.)
Otherwise, if it is not based upon opposing another for their views, then I don't see why the term atheist would not apply. I guess Antitheistic Atheist might come across more clearly to me. Either way, it seems as though it is not a belief system that believes anything in particular -- except that another group is wrong.