IPU, SM, The Brights, Blasphemy 'Challenge', Scarlet A, etc.

[T'ai Chi]

Will anything ever catch on as an atheist rallying symbol? Why have a lot of these fell flat?

An aside, is what is with trying to copy or follow in the gay and lesbian communities' footsteps? Pink? The Brights movement specifically mentions it. 'Coming out' obviously mimics it.

[quixotecoyote]

Franky most of those didn't catch on because a lot of atheists have an aversion to arrogant BS. It also explains why you tend to be taken lightly.

[Cleon]

Will anything ever catch on as an atheist rallying symbol?

Yes. The Question Mark and Middle Finger.

[IMST]

why not use the Kitteh? which I suspect I will be resorting to soon based on prior experience.
nonbelief does not require symbols.
ETA An aside, is what is with trying to copy or follow in the gay and lesbian communities' footsteps?
Got a problem with that?

[Foster Zygote]

Take that!!!

[bobcarp]

Will anything ever catch on as an atheist rallying symbol? Why have a lot of these fell flat?

Probably because an atheist's beliefs are not based on symbolism.

[Dancing David]

Will anything ever catch on as an atheist rallying symbol? Why have a lot of these fell flat?

An aside, is what is with trying to copy or follow in the gay and lesbian communities' footsteps? Pink? The Brights movement specifically mentions it. 'Coming out' obviously mimics it.


171,000 images on Google for flying spaghetti monster isn't bad.

[Dancing David]

Yes. The Question Mark and Middle Finger.

Now wait a minute, the Unitarian Universalists have the question mark!

[Cello Man]

Will anything ever catch on as an atheist rallying symbol? Why have a lot of these fell flat?

An aside, is what is with trying to copy or follow in the gay and lesbian communities' footsteps? Pink? The Brights movement specifically mentions it. 'Coming out' obviously mimics it.

I suspect that atheists on the whole tend to be more individualistic than their theistic counterparts. Sure, we're still social creatures, that's unavoidable. At the same time we realize that groupthink can be dangerous in excess so we tend to shy away from forming a united front.

[Ryokan]

I suspect that atheists on the whole tend to be more individualistic than their theistic counterparts. Sure, we're still social creatures, that's unavoidable. At the same time we realize that groupthink can be dangerous in excess so we tend to shy away from forming a united front.

Not only that, but atheists only have one thing in common, their lack of belief in deities. It might not be enough to base a whole movement that everybody can agree on.

[T'ai Chi]

Why wouldn't it be strong enough to base a movement on?

Lots of movements are just based on one single thing.

[Ryokan]

Why wouldn't it be strong enough to base a movement on?

Lots of movements are just based on one single thing.

Sure there has. But lack of belief in a single thing? Can you even cite one such movement that has had any success?

[Dr Adequate]

Could we also agree on symbols for people who don't believe in homeopathy? Aliens with rectal probes? 9/11 Twoof? Magic pixies?

Damn, I'm going to be plastered with the things, aren't I? I'd look like a racing car sponsored by sanity.

I have a simpler idea. I'll just wear a T-shirt which lists, in full, all the woo beliefs I do have.

http://www.gawscorporate.ie/images/5days/white-t-shirt.jpg

[T'ai Chi]

I don't find the phrase 'lack of belief' to hold much, if any, meaning, since lacking a belief is still a worldview, an idea, a way to life your life, etc.

[strathmeyer]

I don't find the phrase 'lack of belief' to hold much, if any, meaning, since lacking a belief is still a worldview, an idea, a way to life your life, etc.

How can something that describes something not have any meaning? Isn't that the definition of meaning?

[Miss Anthrope]

The Darwin fish car symbol most certainly has not fell flat. Those things are everywhere.

[Miss Anthrope]

I don't find the phrase 'lack of belief' to hold much, if any, meaning, since lacking a belief is still a worldview, an idea, a way to life your life, etc.

But you see, unless it is a matter of theists really shoving their views into law and education, there is nothing to get all in a huff about. What you seem completely unable to grasp is that non-belief can exist as a dismissive shrug of the shoulders, as a "meh", rather than being some huge issue in life.

[Hokulele]

I think the point Dr. A was trying to make is that I have a "lack of belief" in many things. Why would I only pick one, and not necessarily the most important one? I mean, I feel more strongly about the lack of MSG in my life than the lack of any god. I certainly spend more time checking food labels for their contents than checking the local churches.

[Dr Adequate]

I don't find the phrase 'lack of belief' to hold much, if any, meaning, since lacking a belief is still a worldview, an idea, a way to life your life, etc. My lack of belief in flying pigs is indeed an "idea", but to describe it as either a "worldview" or a "way of life" invests it with a dignity which it does not in fact possess.

[Dr Adequate]

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9918/flyingpigzp6.jpg

[Cleon]

May the Great Oinker be with you, Dr A. For we know The Truth--that all pigs remain on the ground! They only fly when transported by plane, helicopter, hot air balloon, or dirigible.

Are you coming to the Gravitational Pig Lodge this Sunday for the weekly devotionals?

[triadboy]

I don't find the phrase 'lack of belief' to hold much, if any, meaning, since lacking a belief is still a worldview, an idea, a way to life your life, etc.


Does your 'lack of belief' in the powers of Zeus provide "a way to life [sic] your life"? Of course not. Accordingly, lack of belief in the power of Yahweh works just as well.

[Achán hiNidráne]

We don't need no stickin' symbols. Actions will always speak louder.

[Wowbagger]

If any movement does not need a unifying symbol, it would be the skeptical movement. One of the (many) problems we perceive in the world, is that too many people often get too caught up in symbolism, so they miss out on what really matters in life. To "symbolize" its devotion to real issues, I think the skeptical movement should remain free from unifying symbology.

Logos for specific organizations (such as The JREF logo), can stay. But such logos should not be mistaken as "official symbols" of the whole movement. They only apply to stuff put out by the organizations.

[T'ai Chi]

The Darwin fish car symbol most certainly has not fell flat. Those things are everywhere.

Yeah, but it is reactionary. It wouldn't exist if not for theism.

[T'ai Chi]

Does your 'lack of belief' in the powers of Zeus provide "a way to life [sic] your life"? Of course not.


Of course we all know that atheism rejects all gods, not just Zeus as you are trying to portray. Although, certainly back in the day where a lot of people believed in Zeus and you were in that society, rejecting the belief in Zeus would indeed be a big deal.

So the answer is Yes, your lack of belief is indeed a way of life, a worldview, a thought you have about how you interact with the universe and operate day to day.

[Irony]

Yeah, but it is reactionary. It wouldn't exist if not for theism.

Atheism is reactionary by nature. If it weren't for people trying to force their religion on others via the government or bullying, atheism would be as much a non-issue as athorism.

[triadboy]

Wow, that was twisty.

Of course we all know that atheism rejects all gods, not just Zeus as you are trying to portray.

My point was Xianity rejects Zeus. Xianity is atheistic in regards to Zeus. [I have no idea how you twisted up that question like that.]

So the answer is Yes, your lack of belief is indeed a way of life, a worldview, a thought you have about how you interact with the universe and operate day to day.

Someone (Shemp, Tricky,...) related God Worshipping to Stamp Collecting; and Atheism to ...Not-Collecting-Stamps. (I'm sure it was more eloquent than that.)

My point is - how could "Not Collecting Stamps" be a "Way Of Life"?

[slingblade]

Not believing in gods is a religion as not collecting stamps is a hobby.

And anyway, what flipping "movement?" I've no intention of joining an atheist "movement," unless I have to stand in line for the restroom at TAM.

[Mojo]

Will anything ever catch on as an atheist rallying symbol? Why have a lot of these fell flat?


Because atheism isn't a religion.

[CFLarsen]

Yeah, but it is reactionary. It wouldn't exist if not for theism.

It wouldn't exist if it weren't for Creationists like yourself who want to throw out science and replace it with your own religious dogma.

In other words, turn the world into a religious dictatorship.

[HarryKeogh]

The Darwin fish car symbol most certainly has not fell flat. Those things are everywhere.

And I'm sure a lot more people would have them on their car (like myself) if they didn't have to worry about their car being keyed while in the mall's parking lot.

[quixotecoyote]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vzqspFxNe4

[Robin]

Will anything ever catch on as an atheist rallying symbol? Why have a lot of these fell flat?
Haven't heard of most of these. IPU was never supposed to be a rallying symbol, it was just a concept introduced to illustrate one argument.

Why would atheists need a rallying symbol anyway?

[Miss Anthrope]

And I'm sure a lot more people would have them on their car (like myself) if they didn't have to worry about their car being keyed while in the mall's parking lot.

Yes, that happened to me.

I've replaced it with a fish featuring "N Chips" inside.

So far, no keying me for my pesco-vegetarianism.