Bright or Swift?

[Rose]

I don't recall who at TAM II mentioned the idea of using the term swift in lieu of bright in reference to us non diest types, but the more I think about it the mroe I like the idea. Besides being a nod to Randi, Swift is a less...abrasive word. And since Swift is not used as often in day to day dialogue I think it it makes more sense than bright. I've also heard other terms offered, but swift really jumps out at at me. Any comments or ideas on the matter?

[Phil]

Neither

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Phil
Neither

I have to agree with Phil. I think we should stick with the current terminology it is well understood.

I also have an aversion to any more "name-calling", as it is.

G6

[UnrepentantSinner]

I'm going with neither, but I like Swift better especially if it is used and explained in context.

Bright just seems to smug and pretentious to me. There's already a Dim backlash, though I fear that Swift would elicit a Slow backlash as well.

Maybe we could hijack Naturalist from the Nudists. :)

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

How about the word ... skeptic?

~~ Paul

[Pirate_Lad]

Neither. To be frank, I find both terms to be goofy-sounding.

I'll continue to refer to myself the same way I've been doing for the last two years: A Skeptic and an Atheist.

[clinttaylor]

Personally, I abhor labels or being labelled. I'm just me.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

United Church of the Bright and Swift?

~~ Paul

[Chanileslie]

I vote neither. But then I have never used the term Bright - I am what I am and that is an atheist and a skeptic. I will respond to either of those two terms.

[Jeff Corey]

Originally posted by Rose
I don't recall who at TAM II mentioned the idea of using the term swift in lieu of bright in reference to us non deist types, but the more I think about it the more I like the idea.
That was my modest proposal.

[tamiO]

Did anyone at TAMII bring up and discuss the word "Bright" as a label?

I am thinking that by not reading his own forum, Mr. Randi may be unaware of what a bomb that word is amongst the people.

[Phil]

Originally posted by tamiO
Did anyone at TAMII bring up and discuss the word "Bright" as a label?

I am thinking that by not reading his own forum, Mr. Randi may be unaware of what a bomb that word is amongst the people.
The use of the word "Bright" was mentioned very sparingly. No formal discussion of it at all.

If you haven't seen it, check out the latest edition of Skeptic mag. Shermer runs off the history of the word from it's adoption by himself, Dawkins, Randi and others, and includes feedback from various sources, including the negative backlash.

[dimossi]

I think the last thing we need is yet another label. Here is a list I compiled of labels I know of that can be used by "freethinker/skeptic/non-theist" types:


Agnostic
Atheist
Bright
Deist
Disbeliever
Doubter
Esotericist
Freethinker
Gentile
Giaour
Heathen
Hedonist
Heretic
Humanist
Hylotheist
Igtheist
Infidel
Latitudinarian
Materialist
Naturalist
Non-believer
Non-theist
Objectivist
Pagan
Pantheist
Positivist
Pragmatist
Pyrrhonist
Rationalist
Scientist
Secularist
Skeptic
Solipsist
Somatist
Truth Seeker
Unbeliever
Unitarian
Universalist


Did I forget any? (Penn may have a new one: "non-mentally ill retards") :rolleyes:

To me, the most appealing labels are:
Freethinker
Rationalist
Humanist

The label that best fits my position, philosophy, and methodology would be:
Skeptic

But I prefer not to use labels at all. They can be restricting and result in prejudging of a person. Although, the label "Human" isn't so bad. :)

[tamiO]

Originally posted by Phil

The use of the word "Bright" was mentioned very sparingly. No formal discussion of it at all.

That's a shame. It seems to be a hot topic here on the forums. I will check out the mag, thanks Phil.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

The problem with swift is that we're just begging for someone to prefix it with not too.

~~ Paul

[Solitaire]

I could go with Sprite or Critical Thinker.

[Quinn]

Originally posted by dimossi

Did I forget any?

You left out "None," my personal favorite of the hip, new terms (although I still think "athiest" does the job just fine).

[Sidhedevil]

At least in the US, Unitarians and Universalists are religionists.

Sure, belief in Upstairs isn't mandatory since the UUA withdrew its one "tenet" ("a belief in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God"--known as "BOMFOG" by UUers) a while back.

But the majority of UUers have some vague sense of a "higher power" or "the universal transcendence" or some such thing.

Also sprach the former UUer.

Q: How can you tell when a Unitarian moves to a small Southern town?

A: The Klan burns a question mark on her lawn.

Similarly, most US pagans have some degree of supernatural belief, ranging from a Skymommy just as meddling and petty as old Yahweh to a general "universal energy" thingie.

[tamiO]

Originally posted by Quinn


You left out "None," my personal favorite of the hip, new terms (although I still think "athiest" does the job just fine).

I just say what suits the mood and situation of the conversation. I have never needed a label. It feels silly to say, "I'm a Bright!" to prompt the other person to ask, "Really? What is a Bright?"

So contrived.

There is nothing special about skepically minded people. We should be the norm. There's nothing wrong with organizing and fostering a skeptical community; I just disagree with any label. We are skeptical people. What's wrong with just saying that?

[RichardR]

Critical Thinker. It describes the process rather than any specific beliefs. And when people ask what critical thinking is, you can tell them. And who could argue that critical thinking is a good method? So when they understand it you can explain how they should apply it to their fairytale belief (whatever it is).

[kevinsbikes]

Personally, being a lifelong member and president of "Critical Thinking, Dim-wit Athiest Club of My House", I have a hard time with Bright and Swift as do many of you. I am however a:
Freethinker
Humanist
Atheist
Skeptic
and all around nice guy. :j1:
Titles of superiority have never impresssed me. Bright and Swift refer to "the others" as Dim and Slow... why stop there, just call them retards. (not literally)

Kevin