Atheist Symbol?

[Libertarian]

Is there an atheist symbol, a la the A in a circle for "anarchy" or the Jesus fish?

Seems like someone should have invented one by now....

Then, if you're out driving your car and see one on another car, you could toot your horn and wave.

[Fade]

Why would there be a symbol for something like atheism?

It's not an organization, or a belief, or a philosophy. It would be like there being a symbol for not liking hamburgers.

[zakur]

From American Atheists (http://www.atheists.org/visitors.center/logo.html):An international symbol for Atheism has long been needed. When American Atheists was formed in 1963, a contemporary scientific symbol was chosen; this acknowledges that only through the use of scientific analysis and free, open inquiry can humankind reach out for a better life.

Recognizing the new atomic era, but also emphasizing the truths of older scientific findings, the atomic whirl was chosen. The atom is still a distinguishing unit of all matter, the smallest particle of an element that can exist and still retain the properties of that element.

You may notice that one of the orbital in our symbol is broken, or open-ended. This demonstrates that while Atheists rely on the scientific method for learning about the cosmos and increasing our knowledge about nature, we know that "not all of the answers are in." We recognize that with new knowledge come new questions and areas for human inquiry and exploration.

http://www.atheists.org/visitors.center/images/logo4.jpg

The U.S. Veterans' Administration will provide—free of charge—a grave marker or headstone to the family of a deceased veteran. VA form 40-1330 states that certain optional items, which "may be inscribed at Government expense," may include "an authorized emblem reflective of one's belief." Among the options listed in Section 11: "Desired Religious Emblem" is16. Atheist: A stylized symbol of an atom with the letter A in the center.

[evildave]

The "Darwin Fish" is nice, but we could always point the jesus fish DOWN, since it was a perfectly good pagan fertility symbol before the xians coopted it.

O' course, it could be a slutty fertility symbol, laying on her side with a "come hither" expression.... maybe it's been too long since I've been laid.

Originally posted by Fade
Why would there be a symbol for something like atheism?

It's not an organization, or a belief, or a philosophy. It would be like there being a symbol for not liking hamburgers.

Hmmmm.

A-theism is just another beleif.

There are also organizations that only want your money.

Is under a foolosophy.

Thanks,
S&S

[evildave]

Aww, isn't that cute, S&S is using Franko's word!

At least an atheistic symbol doesn't have to include some dying loser tacked to a stick cryin' to his make-believe sky daddy over the pain of his elaborate suicide.

All I'm saying is, if you're going to borrow a fertility symbol like the stick-fish, you may as well orient it the right way 'round.

Syncretism is lots of fun as a topic. Perhaps atheism should coopt Easter and Christmas as holidays. Oh wait, I forgot. Santa and the Easter Bunny already did that, just as "The Church" had done before. Grab up those "pagan" holidays so you can practice your own rites, rituals & rapacity in yet another god's name.

The secret message in the fun with elves and bunnies is, that like GOD/Jehova/JHVH/YHWH/Allah, etc (well, any name is as good as another). and the IMMORTAL Jesus (and other demigods), they're all a combination of fantasies of deluded minds, and greedy marketing.

...

Hey! How about a dove impaled on a crucifix? How do you think that would go over? It certainly meshes well with the lines about 'I come to pit brother against brother, father against son, yadda-yadda-yadda...'

Maybe a crucifix 'penetrating' the fish, which is oriented in the proper manner?

Now that would be a nice symbol. Way better than the darwin fish mounting a jesus fish. It describes what Christians do to each other without any external influence.

As for organizations that only want your money, there are hundreds of Christian churches that fit that description. It might be said that the churches that don't make money, don't survive. Of course, some of these churches want your freedom as well as well as your money.

Not that the religious-minded would miss their freedom from being coerced into worshiping in some manner (except when the WRONG religion wins this right). As a Roman Catholic, wouldn't it be fun to be forced to worship as a Baptist? Maybe in the good ol' Islamic style? Maybe be forced to practice Judaism?

It's all the same god, anyway. You shouldn't mind at all.

[Fade]

American Atheists is an organization. As such, their symbol is recognizable.

However, if you want to tell me that there ought to be a symbol FOR atheism, you're nuts. As I said, atheism is not an organization. It is not a system. It is not anything but one single view on one single issue. If people begin to institutionalize atheism, it will wind up becoming just another religion, as people begin to capitalize on peoples natural tendencies to follow the leader.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Edit-

This post very succintly demonstrates the need for an English word equivalent to the German words "Ihr" and "es"

[bjornart]

I'm certain I don't want to be lumped together with all the nut-case atheists there are out there. My personal preference for symbol is

I

Very simple, and you can read lots and lots of symbolism into it. And it doesn't stand for 'atheism' it stands for ... whatever I believe or don't believe. :D

Originally posted by evildave
Aww, isn't that cute, S&S is using Franko's word!

At least an atheistic symbol doesn't have to include some dying loser tacked to a stick cryin' to his make-believe sky daddy over the pain of his elaborate suicide.

All I'm saying is, if you're going to borrow a fertility symbol like the stick-fish, you may as well orient it the right way 'round.

Syncretism is lots of fun as a topic. Perhaps atheism should coopt Easter and Christmas as holidays. Oh wait, I forgot. Santa and the Easter Bunny already did that, just as "The Church" had done before. Grab up those "pagan" holidays so you can practice your own rites, rituals & rapacity in yet another god's name.

The secret message in the fun with elves and bunnies is, that like GOD/Jehova/JHVH/YHWH/Allah, etc (well, any name is as good as another). and the IMMORTAL Jesus (and other demigods), they're all a combination of fantasies of deluded minds, and greedy marketing.

...

Hey! How about a dove impaled on a crucifix? How do you think that would go over? It certainly meshes well with the lines about 'I come to pit brother against brother, father against son, yadda-yadda-yadda...'

Maybe a crucifix 'penetrating' the fish, which is oriented in the proper manner?

Now that would be a nice symbol. Way better than the darwin fish mounting a jesus fish. It describes what Christians do to each other without any external influence.

As for organizations that only want your money, there are hundreds of Christian churches that fit that description. It might be said that the churches that don't make money, don't survive. Of course, some of these churches want your freedom as well as well as your money.

Not that the religious-minded would miss their freedom from being coerced into worshiping in some manner (except when the WRONG religion wins this right). As a Roman Catholic, wouldn't it be fun to be forced to worship as a Baptist? Maybe in the good ol' Islamic style? Maybe be forced to practice Judaism?

It's all the same god, anyway. You shouldn't mind at all.

Him evildave:

Are you defending your beleifs attacking the same mistakes in your oponents?

You have to live with that.

Is the same s*it , just has a different color.

Thanks,
S&S

[evildave]

MY goodness S&S, whatever could you mean? Please elaborate.

[c4ts]

They should complete that orbit. I know what it symbolizes but it just looks like the symbol is cut off at the bottom by mistake.

Originally posted by evildave
MY goodness S&S, whatever could you mean? Please elaborate.

Just because you asked :

A-theists : just another beleif
A-theists : are reunited in organizations
A-theists : have and look for symbols
A-theists : the organizations ask for donations.
A-theists : are just another cult.

The same s*it with different color.

Thanks,
S&S

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by S&S
A-theists : just another beleif
A-theists : are reunited in organizations
A-theists : have and look for symbols
A-theists : the organizations ask for donations.
A-theists : are just another cult.

The same s*it with different color.
I'm curious then, S&S. If there were a person who did not believe in any religion or God, what would you call that person?

edited for poor wording

Originally posted by Upchurch

I'm curious then, S&S. If there were a person who did not believe in any religion or God, what would you call that person?

edited for poor wording

person

Thanks,
S&S

[BillyTK]

Originally posted by zakur
From American Atheists (http://www.atheists.org/visitors.center/logo.html):The U.S. Veterans' Administration will provide—free of charge—a grave marker or headstone to the family of a deceased veteran. VA form 40-1330 states that certain optional items, which "may be inscribed at Government expense," may include "an authorized emblem reflective of one's belief." Among the options listed in Section 11: "Desired Religious Emblem" is

Holy moley! Captain Atom's symbol (http://www.toonopedia.com/capatom1.htm) is the same symbol for atheism? I always knew there was an anti-christian subtext to that comic book! ;) :D

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by S&S
person
Fair enough. I'm not an atheist. I'm a person.

edited to add:

S&S, I'd like to invite you to go read this thread (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8028&perpage=40&pagenumber=1). I think it (or the first page, anyway, it tends to degrade after that) argues both sides rather well and explains why I don't buy this "atheism is a cult" nonsense.

[UnrepentantSinner]

There's a guy with a American Atheists symbol on his grave marker right near my dad's stone. I have a photo of it somewhere and will try and post it some time.

Another true beleiver?

Thanks,
S&S

[c4ts]

If atheism were some kind of religious organization, then Creationists wouldn't have to keep defining it and telling athests how to argue.

Originally posted by c4ts
If atheism were some kind of religious organization, then Creationists wouldn't have to keep defining it and telling athests how to argue.

No , just an "Anti"-religion organization.

A-theists : just another cult that beleives that God doesn't exist , and also has no proofs of God's non-existence..

The same s*hit with different color.

Thanks,
S&S

[c4ts]

Originally posted by S&S
A-theists : just another cult that beleives that God doesn't exist , and also has no proofs of God's non-existence..

And here you are joining the Creationists in telling the atheists what to do.

Originally posted by c4ts


And here you are joining the Creationists in telling the atheists what to do.

And here you are joining the A-theists in telling the theists what to do.

Thanks,
S&S

[evildave]

Originally posted by S&S


Just because you asked :

A-theists : just another beleif
A-theists : are reunited in organizations
A-theists : have and look for symbols
A-theists : the organizations ask for donations.
A-theists : are just another cult.

The same s*it with different color.

Thanks,
S&S

So, you believe your religion is "s*it", then? Why do you practice it, if you know it to be "s*it"?

[c4ts]

Originally posted by S&S


And here you are joining the A-theists in telling the theists what to do.

Thanks,
S&S

:confused:

[MRC_Hans]

Originally posted by S&S


No , just an "Anti"-religion organization.

A-theists : just another cult that beleives that God doesn't exist , and also has no proofs of God's non-existence..

The same s*hit with different color.

Thanks,
S&S "A-theist" is an expression invented by Franko. According to his description, A-theists are immoral dogmatic pigs, and might well be in some kind of cult organisation ;)

--Problem is, I never met one. Or heard of one, except through allegations from posters like Franko, JK, S&S, and such.

Proof of God's non-existence cannot be made: You cannot prove a negative. Just like you cannot prove that I do not have an invisible dragon in my attic.

Therefore the burden of proof always rests with the claimant.

Hans

Originally posted by c4ts


:confused:

Just because you are slow to understand or because my english is not good enough :

When A-thiests mocKered about how traditional religions can not give a "testable" proof of the existence of God, is the same thing as the A-theist can not give a proof of God non-existence.

A.theist and theist are based in the same principle.

Thanks,
S&S

[c4ts]

Originally posted by S&S


Just because you are slow to understand or because my english is not good enough :

When A-thiests mocKered about how traditional religions can not give a "testable" proof of the existence of God, is the same thing as the A-theist can not give a proof of God non-existence.

A.theist and theist are based in the same principle.

Thanks,
S&S

Yes, but where, exactly, am I telling you what to do?

Originally posted by c4ts


Yes, but where, exactly, am I telling you what to do?

How can you tell me what to do if you don't have nothing to support your beleifs as an A-theist.

For the same reason you are not allowed to mocker about how different cultures have their own beleifs.

Thanks,
S&S

[c4ts]

Perhaps I should rephrase my question: "did I actually tell you what to do and how to believe? and if so, please quote me."

bla bla bla.
------------------
They should complete that orbit. I know what it symbolizes but it just looks like the symbol is cut off at the bottom by mistake.
--------------------
Just complete your own orbit.

Thanks,
S&S

Originally posted by MRC_Hans
"A-theist" is an expression invented by Franko. According to his description, A-theists are immoral dogmatic pigs, and might well be in some kind of cult organisation ;)

--Problem is, I never met one. Or heard of one, except through allegations from posters like Franko, JK, S&S, and such.




Your ignorance about atheists organizations is not a proof that they don't exists.

You are just an ignorant .

Thanks,
S&S

[MRC_Hans]

Now you suddenly say "atheist". I know some atheist organisations exist. But earlier, you said "A-theists", and I never met such people.

There are atheist organisations, but they dont represent all atheists.

Hans

[Libertarian]

The best I can say about the symbol above is that it looks "dated." As soon as I saw it, I thought "Jetsons" and jet packs and the movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

How about a circle? What about the mathematical null sign?

[CWL]

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (http://www.iheu.org/) has this logo:

[Jethro]

That one looks like he's getting mugged.

[UnrepentantSinner]

I guess you guys interacting with Carlostroll haven't seen his handywork in other forums. :(

[CWL]

Originally posted by Jethro
That one looks like he's getting mugged.
:D You know, I never thought of that.

I think the symbol is supposed to express human creativity and freedom from dogma, etc. Rather like: "Yo, Secular Humanism's in da house! So put yo hand's in da air..."

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by CWL

:D You know, I never thought of that.

I think the symbol is supposed to express human creativity and freedom from dogma, etc. Rather like: "Yo, Secular Humanism's in da house! So put yo hand's in da air..."

Maybe the hands of the Humanist symbol can be joined together to form an A.

Or would that look too much like a cheerleader?

[CWL]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner


Maybe the hands of the Humanist symbol can be joined together to form an A.

Or would that look too much like a cheerleader?

Or the "A" in the YMCA dance! :D

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by CWL


Or the "A" in the YMCA dance! :D

I gotta be a MACHO maaan.

Wha? [looks around] oh. excuse me.

[Upchurch]

Originally posted by S&S


When A-thiests mocKered about how traditional religions can not give a "testable" proof of the existence of God, is the same thing as the A-theist can not give a proof of God non-existence.Yes, but can you give proof of the non-existance of God's non-existance? If you can, I will give you evidence of the non-existance of the non-existance of God's non-existance. Deal?
A.theist and theist are based in the same principle.

Originally posted by Upchurch

I'm curious then, S&S. If there were a person who did not believe in any religion or God, what would you call that person?

edited for poor wording

person

Thanks,
S&S
if atheism and theism are based on the same principle (belief, I'm guessing?), then I'm glad I'm a person.
Thanks,
S&S No. Thank YOU.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by CWL


Or the "A" in the YMCA dance! :D

Maybe, if some of us are musically inclined, someone could come but the "YMNA" for "whY i'M aN Atheist" and run with it.

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner


Maybe the hands of the Humanist symbol can be joined together to form an A.

Or would that look too much like a cheerleader?

Maybe YOU are looking like the brainwashed cheerleader of the pseudo skeptical A -thiests of this Forum .



Thanks,
S&S

[CWL]

Originally posted by S&S


Maybe YOU are looking like the brainwashed cheerleader of the pseudo skeptical A -thiests of this Forum .

Thanks,
S&S

Hey - a new LD kid in town.

IRRATIONALITY controls FRANKO controls S&S

:rolleyes:

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by CWL


Hey - a new LD kid in town.

IRRATIONALITY controls FRANKO controls S&S

:rolleyes:

Actually no, he's been around for a year and a half, and he's been suspended. Don't bother replying to him either, he has "comprehension problems."

[CWL]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner


Actually no, he's been around for a year and a half, and he's been suspended. Don't bother replying to him either, he has "comprehension problems."

Oh, I know he's been around. I just didn't know that he had joined the Church of Logical Deism. Are all trolls on this forum members?

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by CWL


Oh, I know he's been around. I just didn't know that he had joined the Church of Logical Deism. Are all trolls on this forum members?

I think he's a recent convert. ;)

[PitPat]

I reckon this may be a provocative introduction to this fine community. But nonetheless, hi.

I think atheists need an agreed-upon new symbol. I've been wearing my baseball cap with the American Atheists' atom-with-the-A-in-the-middle for a few years now, and nobody, with the exception of one curious friend, has even asked about or commented on it. Let's be honest, it's outdated. It just reminds people of the atom bomb or the Jetsons, the former being immensely more destructive.

There's been sort of a mini-movement in culture recently (at least American) with media attention toward books questioning the function of religion. Consequently, it feels like the time is ripe for the launching of a new, all-important marketing logo. Something that rivals the popular symbolism of specific religions. It's a visual, quick-message world.

I don't know what the new symbol could be, but it certainly shouldn't be one of those circle-with-a-line-through-it deals. It has to change though, and the atheist community must unanimously embrace it. Granted, that's a tall order. Any ideas?

I'll start with one: the first 4 randomly-generated characters of every world culture's alphabet or language system. It may be a little too bleak to sell, but there ya go.

[The Atheist]

I don't know what the new symbol could be, but it certainly shouldn't be one of those circle-with-a-line-through-it deals.

Oh weally, Wabbit?

[Darat]

I suggest the following image, it symbolises everything that all atheists have in common and is easily reproducible even by those with little artistic ability:

[The Atheist]

I reckon this may be a provocative introduction to this fine community. But nonetheless, hi.

Taken you a fair while to say hi!

Welcome along.

I think atheists need an agreed-upon new symbol. I've been wearing my baseball cap with the American Atheists' atom-with-the-A-in-the-middle for a few years now, and nobody, with the exception of one curious friend, has even asked about or commented on it. Let's be honest, it's outdated. It just reminds people of the atom bomb or the Jetsons, the former being immensely more destructive.

There's been sort of a mini-movement in culture recently (at least American) with media attention toward books questioning the function of religion. Consequently, it feels like the time is ripe for the launching of a new, all-important marketing logo. Something that rivals the popular symbolism of specific religions. It's a visual, quick-message world.

I don't know what the new symbol could be, but it certainly shouldn't be one of those circle-with-a-line-through-it deals. It has to change though, and the atheist community must unanimously embrace it. Granted, that's a tall order. Any ideas?

I'll start with one: the first 4 randomly-generated characters of every world culture's alphabet or language system. It may be a little too bleak to sell, but there ya go.

All joking aside, Darat has it right - the mere fact that "atheism" isn't an anything else means that you're never going to find much support for anything outside of whichever group it's being discussed with.

The problem is that if a universal symbol were agreed upon, it would kind of pander to some christians description of atheism as a cult itself.

Besides which, I can destroy any chance of universal agreement merely by agreeing with a proposal, so you'd better make sure I don't like it first!

[Achán hiNidráne]

I was never a fan of the "Atheist Atom" symbol. It makes us look like were members of the Church Of The Jetsons.

Who needs a silly icon anyway?

[SezMe]

The Darwin fish is the closest thing to such a symbol. I agree with Mark that the "atom" thing is a non-starter.

[Fronzel]

I've seen the Invisible Pink Unicorn logo. The problem is that it is as obscure as the atom.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is probably more recognizable.

[SezMe]

Neither the IPU nor the FSM are generally known outside the skeptical community. Thus, they fail as a generally recognizable logo.

[Fronzel]

Yeah, I was fixing to edit that in.

I think if there was a logo that was agreed upon, it would be more recognizable. I'm betting not many people recognized the rainbow triangles 10 years ago(if they were around).

[Achán hiNidráne]

I like the Darwin Fish as a parody, giving a much needed tweak to the collective noses of fundamentalists everywhere. However, I don't see it as a symbol of atheism unless we're going to concede to the tired Creationist claim that evolution equals atheism... which it doesn't.