Originally posted by OrangestO
I guess according the Mr. Watts I'm Atheist. I still dislike the categorization, though.
Meh. I'm the same. I don't believe in God, but I don't like calling myself an atheist and rarely do, even if that's what I am. Doesn't feel right to put myself into the same category as the stereotypical atheist militant you imagine when you think of an atheist.
OrangestO
quote:
Originally posted by Lews
Meh. I'm the same. I don't believe in God, but I don't like calling myself an atheist and rarely do, even if that's what I am. Doesn't feel right to put myself into the same category as the stereotypical atheist militant you imagine when you think of an atheist.
Exactly my thinking.
srussell0018
Lira
quote:
Originally posted by OrangestO
In case some of you are interested. Interesting video that I was just given to watch and discuss in my class. I like his points.
It's quite appalling that Sam Harris gets so much attention saying what so many people have said before him... without giving them any credit.
quote:
Originally posted by Lews
Meh. I'm the same. I don't believe in God, but I don't like calling myself an atheist and rarely do, even if that's what I am. Doesn't feel right to put myself into the same category as the stereotypical atheist militant you imagine when you think of an atheist.
That's like a moderate Christian saying they don't like to call themselves Christians because of the most unhinged members of the religion - even though it's part of a long fruitful tradition with great names such as Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky and so many more.
I don't mind being called an atheist exactly for this reason: I can look up to people such as Bertrand Russell and Linus Pauling, among others, who were more than happy to claim they were agnostic in a broad sense or atheists. If I've got arguments I find interesting, it's because I'm myself part of a long tradition as well.
Tasty Onions
quote:
Originally posted by nefardec
i also dont typically call myself an atheist because i don't like to be associate with the militant science fanboys
Hey, a person can be both atheist and a total science fanboy without being militant.
nefardec
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Originally posted by Tasty Onions Hey, a person can be both atheist and a total science fanboy without being militant.
no problem with that, i'm just not.
Lews
quote:
Originally posted by Tasty Onions Hey, a person can be both atheist and a total science fanboy without being militant.
Lews
quote:
Originally posted by Lira
That's like a moderate Christian saying they don't like to call themselves Christians because of the most unhinged members of the religion - even though it's part of a long fruitful tradition with great names such as Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky and so many more.
I don't mind being called an atheist exactly for this reason: I can look up to people such as Bertrand Russell and Linus Pauling, among others, who were more than happy to claim they were agnostic in a broad sense or atheists. If I've got arguments I find interesting, it's because I'm myself part of a long tradition as well.
It's also like someone who believes men and women are equal and should have equal rights not wanting to be called a feminist due to crazy extremist feminists. Aka, it's stupid, but it's something humans do a lot :p
It's easier for me to simple say I'm "kind of agnostic" or that "it's complicated," then saying I'm an atheist and getting into all the details.
Lira
quote:
Originally posted by Lews
It's also like someone who believes men and women are equal and should have equal rights not wanting to be called a feminist due to crazy extremist feminists. Aka, it's stupid, but it's something humans do a lot :p
It's easier for me to simple say I'm "kind of agnostic" or that "it's complicated," then saying I'm an atheist and getting into all the details.
Do what I do: tell them you're a Naturalist and watch their reaction as they try to imagine you naked.
It's an awesome way to find out who fancies you and who doesn't :D
OrangestO
quote:
Originally posted by Lews
It's also like someone who believes men and women are equal and should have equal rights not wanting to be called a feminist due to crazy extremist feminists. Aka, it's stupid, but it's something humans do a lot :p
It's easier for me to simple say I'm "kind of agnostic" or that "it's complicated," then saying I'm an atheist and getting into all the details.
I just say "non religious" and people usually leave me alone. I've noticed that a lot more people that I'm surrounded by share in my view points to a certain extent, though. My assumption is because I'm at a university now, and amongst educated people. I could be wrong.
Lira
quote:
Originally posted by OrangestO
I just say "non religious" and people usually leave me alone. I've noticed that a lot more people that I'm surrounded by share in my view points to a certain extent, though. My assumption is because I'm at a university now, and amongst educated people. I could be wrong.
The only friend I've ever ditched for religious reasons had a Master's in psychology, so I'm quick to dismiss education as a foolproof path to tolerance.
