What are your opinions on Anti-Theism?

[Sha'irullah]

I am an anti-theist and just curious on the overall opinions of anti-theism by theists and nontheists

 

[Alceste]

I am an anti-theist and just curious on the overall opinions of anti-theism by theists and nontheists

I think anti-theists generally underestimate and oversimplify humans' amazing diversity of religious experience and belief, which makes most of their arguments whiff a little of straw men.

 

[Brinne]

I think anti-theists generally underestimate and oversimplify humans' amazing diversity of religious experience and belief, which makes most of their arguments whiff a little of straw men.

^ This.

I also view anti-theists as the more radical side of the spectrum of beliefs, with radical fundamentalist theists being the opposite to it.

I just don't see it as necessary, opposition to organized religion is understandable to an extent however opposition to theism in general just seems like people are doing it to cause problems. It'd be better for the world if we could just learn to accept that other people are going to think differently.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

^ This.

I also view anti-theists as the more radical side of the spectrum of beliefs, with radical fundamentalist theists being the opposite to it.

I just don't see it as necessary, opposition to organized religion is understandable to an extent however opposition to theism in general just seems like people are doing it to cause problems. It'd be better for the world if we could just learn to accept that other people are going to think differently.

this, too!

 

[Alceste]

this, too!

^ and this.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I find it very immature and ignorant.

 

[LuisDantas]

I find it necessary and healthy. Plenty misunderstood, too.

What is the harm is stating out aloud that we would probably be better off without belief in deities? It is the truth as I perceive it.

 

[Chakra]

I don't understand how belief in deities harms anyone at all unless the believer takes his beliefs and tries to push it onto others.

 

[Glaurung]

What is the harm is stating out aloud that we would probably be better off without belief in deities? It is the truth as I perceive it.

Nothing per se. But the irrational hatred of those who don't agree with your ideology is a problem. Going out of your way to start fights about religion when it's only tenuously relevant to begin with is also very annoying.

I can deal with the fact that some there are people who actively oppose theistic thought. But the people who go into attack whenever they come across the mere suggestion of theistic or religious thought are not rational people despite their endless appeals to being so.

 

[LuisDantas]

I don't understand how belief in deities harms anyone at all unless the believer takes his beliefs and tries to push it onto others.

That is one of several possible ways. Theism can be harmless and even very positive... particularly if it is questioned at least occasionally.

 

[vskipper]

I don't understand how belief in deities harms anyone at all unless the believer takes his beliefs and tries to push it onto others.

All mainstream religion stresses the golden rule in one sense or another. The problem comes when the followers focus more on the trivial & less on the overall. And for the record I have seen just as much damage done by individuals who were in truth secularist more than religious. (Most American presidents in the past 30 yrs would fit this category).

 

[LuisDantas]

Nothing per se. But the irrational hatred of those who don't agree with your ideology is a problem. Going out of your way to start fights about religion when it's only tenuously relevant to begin with is also very annoying.

I can deal with the fact that some there are people who actively oppose theistic thought. But the people who go into attack whenever they come across the mere suggestion of theistic or religious thought are not rational people despite their endless appeals to being so.

That is just barely a problem that actually exists, far as I can tell.

 

[LuisDantas]

All mainstream religion stresses the golden rule in one sense or another. The problem comes when the followers focus more on the trivial & less on the overall. And for the record I have seen just as much damage done by individuals who were in truth secularist more than religious. (Most American presidents in the past 30 yrs would fit this category).

Really? That really goes against the grain of how I perceive it.

 

[Brinne]

I find it necessary and healthy. Plenty misunderstood, too.

What is the harm is stating out aloud that we would probably be better off without belief in deities? It is the truth as I perceive it.

Would you think the same of the more radical theists who are anti atheism? The ones who try to force their beliefs down your throat and tell you that you're wrong? I mean, in the end these people are doing what they believe is healthy and right by trying to bring you towards salvation right?

I can understand pointing out faults in scripture, organized religion, theological doctrines, ect. that's OK. That makes people think, thinking is good. However, when people go out and say they are anti-theists and are against theism that's different. Now tell me, how does my praying to say Tenchi Kane no Kami prove of any hindrance or harm to anybody? Why is it wrong for me to do this? As long as I'm not breaking down doors forcing people to accept the way of my religion I don't see any problems with it.

However, this is just my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Glaurung]

That is just barely a problem that actually exists, far as I can tell.

I was an active member of an atheist forum for years. My opposition to these people was not spawned by my Christianity, I saw them for what they were long before that.

 

[Chakra]

All mainstream religion stresses the golden rule in one sense or another. The problem comes when the followers focus more on the trivial & less on the overall. And for the record I have seen just as much damage done by individuals who were in truth secularist more than religious. (Most American presidents in the past 30 yrs would fit this category).

In India, this is definitely the case. Hinduism is a part of India, whether any atheist or secularist likes it or not. For some reason, secularists are intent on separating India from Hinduism in all ways possible. To lose Hinduism would be to lose India's heritage IMHO.

 

[LuisDantas]

Would you think the same of the more radical theists who are anti atheism?

I would, if they were... well, if they were respectful and sane.

Many are, but you are talking about the more radical ones, of which there are plenty, I must state plainly that they have not earned a lot of respect. Then again, it takes a radical to actually find a problem with atheism in the first place.

More to the point, anti-atheists / radical theists (not completely different groups at that) are not challenged nearly as often as they should, and in fact end up drawing a lot of attention from the press and political parties. Questioning the sense of that is a matter of civical duty, IMO.

The ones who try to force their beliefs down your throat and tell you that you're wrong? I mean, in the end these people are doing what they believe is healthy and right by trying to bring you towards salvation right?

Yes, and I expect them to stand to what they say and accept the due criticism. In that respect there is a simetry; I expect the same from anti-theists such as myself.

It is by no means a fair and exciting comparison if one wants to see roughly the same intensity or sanity in both sides, but that is how it is.

I can understand pointing out faults in scripture, organized religion, theological doctrines, ect. that's OK. That makes people think, thinking is good. However, when people go out and say they are anti-theists and are against theism that's different.

How different is it from capitalists and socialists disagreeing between them, for instance?

Now tell me, how does my praying to say Tenchi Kane no Kami prove of any hindrance or harm to anybody?

I can't make witness of what I don't know. Do you want examples of harmful theism that I know about?

Why is it wrong for me to do this?

It is not, until and unless it drives you away from more constructive and healthy situations. Which I freely admit having no reason to believe to be the case. I simply don't know you nearly well enough to even have an opinion.

I have no duty to automatically approve of theism, though. More to the point, I have the full right to advise against theism in general, and I feel I have good reason to.

As long as I'm not breaking down doors forcing people to accept the way of my religion I don't see any problems with it.

You are not alone. Many people don't even realize that there are subtler dangers in theism.

However, this is just my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[LuisDantas]

In India, this is definitely the case. Hinduism is a part of India, whether any atheist or secularist likes it or not. For some reason, secularists are intent on separating India from Hinduism in all ways possible. To lose Hinduism would be to lose India's heritage IMHO.

I must assume India's situation is far different from that of the environments I am familiar with then.

 

[Chakra]

I must assume India's situation is far different from that of the environments I am familiar with then.

It probably is.

The point is that removing every religion from the face of the planet would cause a lot of a damage to humankind.

 

[Sha'irullah]

I think anti-theists generally underestimate and oversimplify humans' amazing diversity of religious experience and belief, which makes most of their arguments whiff a little of straw men.

Really? I am not like this in the slightest bit. Favorite story is The Songs of Ilion. The human need for things like ritual are very important. It is just the need for the supernatural that I oppose.

Have you ever seen Islamic architecture or the Hassan II Masjid? Beautiful works of art