Eight Atheist Theses

[phildonnia]

Here is a small collection of opinions I have heard on message boards and talk radio. Said of myself, I consider all of them to be false. For discussion:

1. Atheists hate God
2. Atheists have no morals
3. Atheists are destroying America
4. Atheists believe only in their own egos
5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone else
6. Atheists want to outlaw religion
7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional family
8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialists

And to avoid getting into semantic arguments, let's use "atheist" == "a person who feels strongly that there is no God".

[DarkMagician]

Originally posted by phildonnia
Here is a small collection of opinions I have heard on message boards and talk radio. Said of myself, I consider all of them to be false. For discussion:

1. Atheists hate God
Yeah, that bastard gave me change for a 10, when I gave him a 20. And an--
Oh, you're talking about God. For a second there, I thought it was on Gord.
2. Atheists have no moralsNo one does. At least we're honest about it.
3. Atheists are destroying AmericaPlease, why would anyone want to destroy a country that'll implode under its own weight when the world is out there for the taking.
4. Atheists believe only in their own egosYeah, they're nice, crisp, and deli-- I did it again, didn't I?
5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone elseDuh.
6. Atheists want to outlaw religionNo, actually that's a co-- Oh, you aren't talking about Bad Religion
7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional familyWhile Christians will leave it to divorce.
8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialists
/libertarians/nazis/racists

[Bjorn]

Originally posted by phildonnia
8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialistsLike Rikzilla ...... :p

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by phildonnia
Here is a small collection of opinions I have heard on message boards and talk radio. Said of myself, I consider all of them to be false. For discussion:

1. Atheists hate God
This one just slays me. How can one hate something that one does not beleive to exist. They may as well say I am angry at Santa for not giving me the present I wanted
2. Atheists have no morals
Micheal Shermers book 'The Science of Good and Evil" refutes this far better than I could ever hope to. Otehrwise all I can say is that the atheists I know are neither more nor less moral as a group than the non-atheists I know.
3. Atheists are destroying America
Yeah right. As Riddick is so fond of pointing out, we are a tiny minority. We couldn't destroy America if we wanted and I doubt many of do. All we ask is that we not be forced to partake of other peoples religion, that is hardly destroying America.
4. Atheists believe only in their own egos
This doesn't even make any sense. Who says we have to believe in anything?
5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone else
Some individuals undoubtedly do. So do some theists. It's a bs argument.
6. Atheists want to outlaw religion
See number three. Some theists confuse our not wanting to be forced to observer their religion with wanting to outlaw religion in general. I don't understand why.
7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional family
No. Some Atheists (me for instance) very much enjoy the traditional family. Many (most I would dare say) support the right of others to live how they wish. THis is often spun as a desire to destroy the traditional family but it's exactly that, spin.
8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialists


I think this goes back to the McCarthy era. Where Communist=Atheist and vice versa. A look at the political views of many on this board should provide good evidence that atheists are not necessarily of any particular politcal persuasion.

[cbish]

9. Atheists are negative/pessimistic.
10. Atheists are angry.
11. Atheists are not truly happy.

[Bjorn]

Originally posted by cbish
9. Atheists are negative/pessimistic.
10. Atheists are angry.
11. Atheists are not truly happy. 12. Atheists aren't, really.

Jedi Knight

[Yahweh]

Originally posted by phildonnia
Atheists have no morals
http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38590

[Silicon]

I'll add a few:


Atheists have an anti-God agenda.

Atheists believe that man is the supreme being, and elevate him to God-like status.

Atheists believe that man is an animal, therefore animals are equal to man.

Atheists believe in moral relativism.


(heard these in a rant by a Christian "comedian" Brad Stine. MAN what a long drive that was when being forced to listen to this drivel!)

[geni]

With the exception of 3 all can be applied to some atheists (because they don't have enogh power to do that). I think they can all be applied to some non atheists

[MLynn]

Originally posted by cbish
9. Atheists are negative/pessimistic.
10. Atheists are angry.
11. Atheists are not truly happy.
Actually 9. - 11. belong to some of the Christians I've met throughout my xian experience so far (also at RR).

[Brian]

Originally posted by phildonnia
Here is a small collection of opinions I have heard on message boards and talk radio. Said of myself, I consider all of them to be false. For discussion:

1. Atheists hate God
2. Atheists have no morals
3. Atheists are destroying America
4. Atheists believe only in their own egos
5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone else
6. Atheists want to outlaw religion
7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional family
8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialists

And to avoid getting into semantic arguments, let's use "atheist" == "a person who feels strongly that there is no God".
I disagree with your definition. But, let's not quibble.
1. Self contradicting.
2. Ad-hom.
3. Ad-hom.
4. Ad-hom.
5. Ad-hom
6. Ad-hom.
7. Ad-hom.
8. We come in All shapes and sizes.

2-7 have no bearing on whether or not god exists. 8. is an ad-hom if you're biased against those groups. 1. is flat out dumb.

[Yahweh]

Atheists really believe in God, but they are in denial.

Atheists have chosen to allow Satan to manipulate their minds.

Atheists are part of a conspiracy to lead people away from salvation.

Atheists are not being rational, just closeminded.

Atheism is a religion.

So is Evolution.

Atheists believe in evolution, which means they believe in "survival of the fittest". By that logic, they would have no problem stealing from the less fortunate (i.e. those who are the least fit).

Atheists worship the absence of God.

Atheists are dumb.

[evildave]

1. Atheists hate God
And Mickey Mouse too, I bet.

2. Atheists have no morals
Comming from people who tell me if they weren't a Christian, they'd be 'axe murdering', raping, stealing, doing drugs, etc.?

3. Atheists are destroying America
Say the people who want to make America a theocracy, like other successful theocratic regimes, like in Afghanistan, Iran, and probably soon to be Iraq.

4. Atheists believe only in their own egos.
Say the people who believe a so-called omnipotent creator of all things is at their beck and call. After all, what is prayer?

5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone else
Not necessarily. There are a lot of very clever theists who are certainly smarter than me. Just look at all of those rich televangelists! If I were half as smart as them, I'd get people to send me money for telling them they're damned.

6. Atheists want to outlaw religion
Heh! They usually cite court cases that came from Christians suing each other.

7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional family
How so? If by 'traditional family' you mean mom, dad, 2.4 kids and a dog, why should I be against anything like that?

8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialists
Theists are commonly liberals and socialists. In fact, look at all those predominantly Christian European states that are 'socialist'.

As for communism, there's what?

China
Cuba
Laos
North Korea
Vietnam

China, Cuba and Vietnam are gradually shifting towards capitalism.

China has a lot of religions, including Islam and Christianity. Hardly all atheist.

Cuba? Lots of religions.
http://www.adherents.com/adhloc/Wh_82.html#202

North Korea has an official state religion, called 'Juche'. Basically a sort of emperor worship. Retarded and horrific garbage; but hey, just what I keep hearing the Christians want for America.

9. Atheists are negative/pessimistic.
Only when it comes to the ebuliant predictions of what putting a Christian theocracy (which flavor?) in charge.

10. Atheists are angry.
Read the list, and wonder to yourself whatever would make me 'angry' about such rhetoric?

11. Atheists are not truly happy.

Just today I had two different strangers tell me I was smiling. Must've been an unusual sight for them to comment on it. I'm smiling even as I type this, though it does sadden me in a way that people "think" like this.

Christians really believe in demons and death. They believe all of the best things occur after they die. How could anybody be happy to be alive, thinking they'll be better off dead?

12. Atheists really believe in God, but they are in denial.

Christians really believe there are pink elephants between their toes, but they deny it when you ask them about it.

13. Atheists have chosen to allow Satan to manipulate their minds.

Christians have squirrels in their heads.

14. Atheists are part of a conspiracy to lead people away from salvation.

See above comment about believing all the best things happen when you're dead.

15. Atheists are not being rational, just closeminded.

I admit I could be wrong, but you don't.

I could elaborate, but you'll just complain it's some supernatural 'demonic' bogey-man thingamajog talking.

Want to "cure" all the atheists instantly? Objectively prove your god really exists. That's all you have to do.

16. Atheism is a religion.

Not playing golf is a sport. I think I'll also practice not racing cars and not playing football, as well.

17. So is Evolution.

I guess astronomy must be a religion, too. And electronics. So keep worshiping at the altar of bits.

18. Atheists believe in evolution, which means they believe in "survival of the fittest". By that logic, they would have no problem stealing from the less fortunate (i.e. those who are the least fit).

Christians believe all the best things come after death, so clearly they have an increased risk of committing suicide.

19. Atheists worship the absence of God.

Yes, and think of all the other things I must be 'un' worshiping at the same time! Add that to my list of un-golf, un-car racing, un-football and un-cribbage.

20. Atheists are dumb.

Typically says the 'home schooling' victim who usually can't get 'to', 'too' and 'two' straight, or spell three words in a row right, and believes such a statement (and the others, above) is a valid argument.

[epepke]

Originally posted by phildonnia
Here is a small collection of opinions I have heard on message boards and talk radio. Said of myself, I consider all of them to be false. For discussion:

It's pretty boring to refute this. What is much more interesting is to interpret these with respect to the mindset of those saying it. I don't want to use the word Christian to describe them, as a substantial number of Christians aren't stupid like this. So I'll just call them Fanatics. Of course, there are other kinds of fanatice, but for the purpose of this post, Fanatics are, well, you know.

1. Atheists hate God

Fanatics are certain of the existence of God and certain that everyone else is the same. Therefore, to a Fanatic, atheists must hate God, because they cannot possibly not believe in God.

Of course, this is a gross insult to atheists and a failure even to acknowledge the beliefs to atheists, but then again, Fanatics aren't terribly bright.

2. Atheists have no morals

To a Fanatic, morals are, by definition, someting that comes from God, so one who rejects God must necessarily reject morals.

3. Atheists are destroying America

Pretty paranoid, considering how few atheists there are. Of course, atheists have the largest sexual organs, so perhaps this is intimidating.

4. Atheists believe only in their own egos

Again, the Fanatic assumption is that there is a God, or at least a God as a job-description. Anything that an atheist figures out, if it infringes on God's job-description must necessarily be a belief in the atheists' own ego.

5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone else

Either yes or no. I'm an atheist, and there are probably about 10,000 people on the planet as smart as I am. The rest of you can just suck wind.

6. Atheists want to outlaw religion

To a Fanatic, any restiction on their abilitiy to convert everyone to the One True Fanatic Religion, complete with the tattoo on the forehead, by force if necessary, is tantamount to outlawing their religion.

7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional family

You know, I've always wondered about the traditional family. It's supposed to be a bulwark. Yet, if a gay couple moves into the neighborhood or something, it like sends zoobie rays into all the Traditional Families™ and somehow satanically causes them all to blow up like popcorn. Why, some nights I can hardly sleep for the sound of righteous Fanatics exploding in mid-air.

8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialists

Younger atheists tend to be more libertarian. But, yeah, sort of. Inasmuch as traditionalism involves Yea, verily Thou Shalt behave as Everyone else, lest Ye be smitten with Brickbats and smushed into a Bloody Pulp on the Sidewalk or else Not be Citizens according to George Bush, well, yeah, to be an atheist involves rejecting some of that.

[cbish]

I heard Rush Limbaugh say that atheists were "militant environmentalist wacko's"!

(that one lost me too!)

[sorgoth]

Pretty paranoid, considering how few atheists there are. Of course, atheists have the largest sexual organs, so perhaps this is intimidating.

:D But of course! A bit of unexpected humour in this thread.



For the "Atheists have no morals thing"...

Well, it's disturbing when people realise that I act morally out of my own free will, and not out of fear of retribution (Supernatural or otherwise) and don't understand why.

[Chanileslie]

Originally posted by phildonnia
Here is a small collection of opinions I have heard on message boards and talk radio. Said of myself, I consider all of them to be false. For discussion:

Alrighty then.

Originally posted by phildonnia
1. Atheists hate God

No - there is no god. How can one hate that which is not?

Originally posted by phildonnia
2. Atheists have no morals

No - morals are a social thing, not a religion thing.

Originally posted by phildonnia
3. Atheists are destroying America

Six words (and one initial): George W. Bush is not an atheist.

Originally posted by phildonnia
4. Atheists believe only in their own egos

I'm not even sure many of us even believe in that.

Originally posted by phildonnia
5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone else

Okay, this one I probably have to agree with to some extent. I think some atheists do think they are smarter than everyone else, and I personally know that I am. :D

Originally posted by phildonnia
6. Atheists want to outlaw religion

Nope - Freedom to believe in what you want is fine with me. I don't think religions or churches should get special treatment though, and for crying out loud, don't don't attempt to shove your (impersonal your, btw) delusions down my throat!

Originally posted by phildonnia
7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional family

Hmmm, not from what I have seen. Family good. Love family.

Originally posted by phildonnia
8. Atheists are generally communists/liberals/socialists

I don't know about communists or socialists, but I do think that most atheists tend to be pretty liberal although there are the occasional conservative atheist. Hey, even we atheists have our bad apples. :D

[!Xx+-Rational-+xX!]

1. Atheists hate God

Yes, and God doesn't exist because of science! That is a fact!

4. Atheists believe only in their own egos

Yes, but I also believe in materialism since it's scientific fact!

5. Atheists think they're smarter than everyone else

Exactly! This is just axiomatic fact!

6. Atheists want to outlaw religion

Yes! In with Skeptiscientisuperioristism! People aren't capable of deciding for themselves what to believe which is why we have skeptics!

7. Atheists want to destroy the traditional family

Not enough families are materialists!

[Yahweh]

Game, set, match, evildave :)

You are delightfully cynical :)

[ca3799]

Two that annoy me are:

Atheists are the result of bad parenting.

Atheists just went to the wrong church.

[triadboy]

1. Atheists hate God

I can't hate the unknowable.

[evildave]

Atheists are the result of bad parenting.

Curious that every 'Satanic Ritual Abuse' case has turned up nothing, while parants kill their own children for God every year.

Then you can watch the proud parents on TV telling you about their son/daughter, the suicide bomber, who is now in heaven.

Atheists just went to the wrong church.

Methodist, me. But not often. Of course, I would see exposing children to the sort of bogeymen and gibberish that Christian religion calls for to be irresponsible.

I heard Rush Limbaugh say that atheists were "militant environmentalist wacko's"!

Well, since the Earth is our home, and it isn't nice to ***** where you live, I'd say I am a bit of an environmentalist at heart. At last, a kernel of truth, there. At least I don't believe a demigod will beam me up buck nekked to live forever in 'perfection', whatever that is, after I deliberately the planet a smoking ruin.

We don't have to protect the environment - the Second Coming is at hand.
James G. Watt - Secretary of the Interior (that's ecological/environment/national park things things), under Reagan

[Yahweh]

Originally posted by evildave
Atheists just went to the wrong church.

Methodist, me. But not often. Of course, I would see exposing children to the sort of bogeymen and gibberish that Christian religion calls for to be irresponsible.
Me wonders why the other people who went to my church didnt turn atheist...

Maybe the atheist went to the right church, he was never a True Christian™.

[epepke]

Originally posted by evildave
Well, since the Earth is our home, and it isn't nice to ***** where you live, I'd say I am a bit of an environmentalist at heart.

Not much choice, is there? Even Habanero peppers seem insufficient to achieve orbital velocity.