What is antitheism?

[Gambit]

What is anitheism?

Wikipedia defines "antitheism" as the "active opposition to theism." If you consider yourself to be an antitheist, why are you actively opposed to theism?

 

[The Hammer]

What is antitheism?

It appears to have linked you to a wikipedia article, you could start there.

I see anti theism as a strong and vocal opposition to all forums of theistic beliefs/views/thinking.

 

[LuisDantas]

As I understand it, it is just the clear stance of saying outright that it is best to avoid belief in deities if we can help it.

All the rest is optional, but I assume it is usual to complement it with some reasons why we should avoid believing in deities. One of the main ones is because that belief is often presented as justification for actions that would otherwise not be acceptable.

 

[Breathe]

Speaking neutrally, anti-theism is opposition to theism.

Regarding speaking personally, it's best if I don't give my opinion on anti-theism because it would no doubt ruffle some feathers. Save to say I have nothing good to say about it.

 

[leibowde84]

Speaking neutrally, anti-theism is opposition to theism.

Regarding speaking personally, it's best if I don't give my opinion on anti-theism because it would no doubt ruffle some feathers. Save to say I have nothing good to say about it.

I would think that there would have to be some anti-theists with good intentions. Maybe they see the harms caused by organized faith, and they want to put an end to them. I don't think they are all bad.

 

[Breathe]

I would think that there would have to be some anti-theists with good intentions. Maybe they see the harms caused by organized faith, and they want to put an end to them. I don't think they are all bad.

I am slightly more sympathetic to those who are just opposed to organised faith, but that is just one subset of anti-theism.

There are some people in every hate group with good intentions, at least in their minds. It does not mean it is right or good.

 

[LuisDantas]

I have the hardest of times attempting to imagine what kind of experiences might have led to such a strong disapproval of antitheism.

 

[Breathe]

I have the hardest of times attempting to imagine what kind of experiences might have led to such a strong disapproval of antitheism.

Antitheists.

 

[LuisDantas]

Disapproval of antitheists, is that what you mean? Not of antitheism as such?

 

[Breathe]

Disapproval of antitheists, is that what you mean? Not of antitheism as such?

No; I dislike antitheism and don't have a good opinion of it in the same way I dislike other forms of prejudice and hatred.

Many antitheists, though, have given me reason to dislike antitheism.

 

[LuisDantas]

No; I dislike antitheism and don't have a good opinion of it in the same way I dislike other forms of prejudice and hatred

I resent that bigoted judgement. Just for the record.

It is of course your sincere opinion. Which is why I can't in good faith fail to oppose it.

Many antitheists, though, have given me reason to dislike antitheism.

You seem to have decided that they are representative, so there is probably no use attempting to ask why at this moment.

 

[Breathe]

I resent that bigoted judgement. Just for the record.

Then you know how I feel having to deal with antitheism, being told we are morons, deluded, ignorance, blind, we don't think, having things taken out of context, we're all a bunch of creationists and literalists, the same old tired arguments brought up...

If it's bigoted to oppose what I see as bigotry, that is not my problem, especially when I kept my opinion to myself.

You seem to have decided that they are representative, so there is probably no use attempting to ask why at this moment.

Antitheism is like that, otherwise it's atheism. I have no beef with atheism.

If there's a movement that opposes theism, then opposition to theism (which usually manifests as attacks on theists) is representative of that, is it not?

 

[LuisDantas]

Then you know how I feel having to deal with antitheism, being told we are morons, deluded, ignorance, blind, we don't think, having things taken out of context, we're all a bunch of creationists and literalists, the same old tired arguments brought up...

Apparently so.

If it's bigoted to oppose what I see as bigotry, that is not my problem, especially when I kept my opinion to myself.

Do you think bigotry is not a problem when it keeps silent? I don't. There is really no hope but to expose it and allow it to be healed or dissolved with knowledge and respect.

Antitheism is like that, otherwise it's atheism. I have no beef with atheism.

Well, sorry, I just won't accept that as enough. Anti-theism is legit and necessary. Calling it atheism instead is just not good enough, not acceptable.

If there's a movement that opposes theism, then opposition to theism (which usually manifests as attacks on theists) is representative of that, is it not?

I don't think attacking theists characterizes antitheism. One would expect challenging theism to be what does.

 

[Midnight Rain]

What is anitheism?

Wikipedia defines "antitheism" as the "active opposition to theism." If you consider yourself to be an antitheist, why are you actively opposed to theism?

Its usually anything that actively feels that religion is a negative thing and often opposes its existence or at least presence in governing bodies or public view.

I am not anti-theist in general but I have strong opinions about any religion in government and certain sects of religions.

 

[Breathe]

Do you think bigotry is not a problem when it keeps silent? I don't. There is really no hope but to expose it and allow it to be healed or dissolved with knowledge and respect.

I don't consider my opinion to be bigoted any more than opposing the values of black or white separatists is racist.

When it is bigoted to oppose a movement which opposes a central part of who you are actively is being thrown around legitmately, it's evident that it's not me that needs to be healed or needs to obtain some respect or knowledge. It's from knowledge of antitheism and antitheists that it brought me to my position of opposing it in the first place.

However, the reason I wished to keep silent is mainly because of the rules of the forum.

Well, sorry, I just won't accept that as enough. Anti-theism is legit and necessary. Calling it atheism instead is just not good enough, not acceptable.

As I'm sure you understand, I don't think anti-theism is a legitimate need, or is necessary.

I don't think attacking theists characterizes antitheism. One would expect challenging theism to be what does.

Our differences with antitheists is extremely different. Challenging is fine, but antitheists from experience don't just challenge, they insult theism, beliefs, and believers.

 

[LuisDantas]

I don't consider my opinion to be bigoted any more than opposing the values of black or white separatists is racist.

Then we have a problem. I can't in good faith approve of it.

When it is bigoted to oppose a movement which opposes a central part of who you are actively is being thrown around legitmately, it's evident that it's not me that needs to be healed or needs to obtain some respect or knowledge. It's from knowledge of antitheism and antitheists that it brought me to my position of opposing it in the first place.

It seems to me that you are calling just plain disrespect "antitheism" for no good reason I can figure.

However, the reason I wished to keep silent is mainly because of the rules of the forum.


As I'm sure you understand, I don't think anti-theism is a legitimate need, or is necessary.

No, I do not understand that at all. I suppose I am suspect, though.

Our differences with antitheists is extremely different. Challenging is fine, but antitheists from experience don't just challenge, they insult theism, beliefs, and believers.

When they do, that is of course wrong and must be correct, simple as that. But you insist that it is a necessary component of antitheism.

 

[Breathe]

Then we have a problem. I can't in good faith approve of it.

There is nothing I can do about that. There is no way I can approve of the opposition of belief in good conscience.

It seems to me that you are calling just plain disrespect "antitheism" for no good reason I can figure.

Your inkling is wrong, but I am sorry you feel this way.

No, I do not understand that at all. I suppose I am suspect, though.

I do not know why.

When they do, that is of course wrong and must be correct, simple as that. But you insist that it is a necessary component of antitheism.

It seems to be. That is how I consider it.

 

[LuisDantas]

There is nothing I can do about that. There is no way I can approve of the opposition of belief in good conscience.

Belief can be misguided. Sometimes it must be opposed. Some (few? most?) of us are antitheists because we feel that the belief in God's existence is itself at least potentially dangerous, so we feel honor-bound to advise against it.

Of course, there are many ways of doing it, and some are indeed too disrespectful. I would like to believe they are rarely used, but you seem to know differently and I must assume you have your reasons.

Your inkling is wrong, but I am sorry you feel this way.

Your sentiment is appreciated. It is something of value in what seems to me to be a rather miserable situation of clashing perceptions.

I do not know why.

I consider myself an anti-theist, simply because I advise against belief in God. It seemed to be reason enough...

It seems to be. That is how I consider it.

So what is my mistake? Am I misunderstanding or misrepresenting anti-theism? Am I being disrespectful without realizing it? Am I somehow a "wannabe", perhaps?

 

[Breathe]

Belief can be misguided. Sometimes it must be opposed. Some (few? most?) of us are antitheists because we feel that the belief in God's existence is itself at least potentially dangerous, so we feel honor-bound to advise against it.

I understand your position though I do think it is a little patronising, in some ways. Many theists can and do question their beliefs, after all. Many of us go through a period of questioning, often for a long time, as you know.

I'm sure there are also people who think that interracial relationships are dangerous. That doesn't mean it's true, or a good position.

Of course, there are many ways of doing it, and some are indeed too disrespectful. I would like to believe they are rarely used, but you seem to know differently and I must assume you have your reasons.

Honestly, I wish I could say it was rare or it was just a ********* thing. I wish I could believe it, but I can't pull the wool over my eyes. Sadly, it is far more frequent.

Your sentiment is appreciated. It is something of value in what seems to me to be a rather miserable situation of clashing perceptions.

Ultimately, Luis, I just want to live in peace as much as possible. I don't want to force my views on others, and I don't want others to force their views on me. Hating people based on race, creed, gender, sex, etc is not conductive to this, which is why I do not consider antitheism, the opposition of theism, to be a good thing.

I consider myself an anti-theist, simply because I advise against belief in God. It seemed to be reason enough...

So what is my mistake? Am I misunderstanding or misrepresenting anti-theism? Am I being disrespectful without realizing it? Am I somehow a "wannabe", perhaps?

Personally, I don't consider you to be an antitheist in the way that I understand it. If you are an antitheist in your mind, then I must say that you are the exception to antitheists I have encountered, rather than the majority.

 

[LuisDantas]

I understand your position though I do think it is a little patronising, in some ways. Many theists can and do question their beliefs, after all. Many of us go through a period of questioning, often for a long time, as you know.

As well we all should. There is little hope for people without questioning.

Not sure why you see my position as patronising exactly. Is it particularly different from the certainty that, say, some people have that monotheism is better than polytheism?

I'm sure there are also people who think that interracial relationships are dangerous. That doesn't mean it's true, or a good position.

It does however mean that they should speak their minds and be given reason to reconsider when reasonably possible.

Not that I quite understand the comparison.

Honestly, I wish I could say it was rare or it was just a ********* thing. I wish I could believe it, but I can't pull the wool over my eyes. Sadly, it is far more frequent.

Those excesses you speak of can't be accepted, that much is clear.

Ultimately, Luis, I just want to live in peace as much as possible. I don't want to force my views on others, and I don't want others to force their views on me. Hating people based on race, creed, gender, sex, etc is not conductive to this,

Fair enough...

which is why I do not consider antitheism, the opposition of theism, to be a good thing.

... but this does not follow.

Personally, I don't consider you to be an antitheist in the way that I understand it. If you are an antitheist in your mind, then I must say that you are the exception to antitheists I have encountered, rather than the majority.

I am definitely an antitheist in my mind. For good or worse.