Atheism: A Rant Against Religion?

**TestudoAubreii** · May 30, 2007, 09:14 AM

Greetings,

While searching for something one the internet, I came across this article from the Washington Post and thought I'd share it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...052501953.html

By devoting so much space to explaining why religion is bad, these critics argue, atheists leave little room for explaining how a godless worldview can be good.

Are atheists really "preaching" religion s bad? I think not. Why do the religious folk spend some much time, money and space explaining why religion is good. I haven't really heard of atheists trying to tell people what is good or bad, perhaps just deabating why they do not believe in god(s). I believe that one reason why atheists "leave little room for explaining how a godless worldview can be good" because it is not up to atheists to try and convince anyone why a godless worldview is good. We tend to live our lives the way we want and get into a occasional debate why we think the way we do. Generally, atheists do not push not being godly on anyone. I've been an atheist for a while and my life if as good as someone living in a world of god.

Humanism seeks to provide a positive, secular framework for leading ethical lives and contributing to the greater good.

The term "Humanism" sounds like another term to try and sway the fence sitters, perhaps like creationism and intelligent design did when it first hit the market. I realize this may be a long shot comparison, but it is what I thought of while I read the article.

"Atheists are somewhat focused on the one issue of atheism, not looking at how to move forward," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the Washington-based American Humanist Association. While he appreciates the way the new atheists have raised the profile of nonbelievers, he said humanists differ by their willingness to collaborate with religious leaders on various issues. "Working with religion," he said, "is not what [atheists] are about."

Not looking at how to move foward? How is that? I believe that without the constraints of god, atheists are able to move foward, in my opinion of course.

All right. I'll stop breaking down the article. I just do not understand why atheists, or non-religious people, get a bad wrap.

morrisonicus

**Spart** · May 30, 2007, 10:09 AM

What the..? I thought humanism rejects faith and supernatural beings as a basis of morality and so on..

The whole religion thing seems to be quite different in US. Here, for example (where we are mostly lutherans) it's just "mind your own business". Hell, I don't even know if some of my friends believe in god. Being atheist ot theist isn't even worth mentioning. So this theism vs. atheism battle is a bit weird area for me.

Anyway, the funniest thing is that some see atheism as a kind of religion or movement of some sort. Goddamn, it's just lack of belief in god, it has nothing to do with anything else. Simple as that. Thus, such generalization as "atheists" is just unnecessary and stupid.
While I'm not really anti-religion, I understand that religion is still a big nuisance and major power in some places, and people definetely have a right to fight it. As long as these *******s make such idiotic statements about atheists in general, we have a right to defend.

By devoting so much space to explaining why religion is bad, these critics argue, atheists leave little room for explaining how a godless worldview can be good.

This is the best part.. Perhaps some atheists try explain why religion is unnecessary in making the world better? How does belief in god make world any better? People only know how to behave when they're afraid of going to hell? Yeah, that might work and I've got no problem with that. But there are other views too.
Isn't humanism just there to explain how the world can be good without god and holy books and such?

Dumb ****er.

**TestudoAubreii** · May 30, 2007, 10:36 AM

From what I've read on these forums, yeah, religion is way different in the U.S. than it is in, let's say Europe and that is great. (Europe, I mean). In the U.S. it is free to practice whatever religion you want, but the U.S. is definitely not free from religion, if that makes any sense.

This is the best part.. Perhaps some atheists explain why religion is bad to make the world better? How does belief in god make world any better?

That is what I tried to state in my post. I think it is ridiculous to think that just because you live your life without religion or god that (1) you are a bad person or (2) you go around trying to tell everyone why they shouldn't live thier life with god or religion.

**Falconius** · May 30, 2007, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by morrisonicus

From what I've read on these forums, yeah, religion is way different in the U.S. than it is in, let's say Europe and that is great. (Europe, I mean). In the U.S. it is free to practice whatever religion you want, but the U.S. is definitely not free from religion, if that makes any sense.

It's freedom of religion, not from.

**Lord Bohemond** · May 30, 2007, 12:09 PM

What the..? I thought humanism rejects faith and supernatural beings as a basis of morality and so on..

That's the modern perception of Humanism. Back in the Rennaissance, Humanism simply rejected self debasement. Instead, humanists believed man's achievements should be glorified instead of put down. So no, it doesn't contradict religious or moral beliefs.

**TestudoAubreii** · May 30, 2007, 01:05 PM

It's freedom of religion, not from.:wink:

That is where I was going. I know of a few times I was looked down upon for expressing how I really feel. I recall this one time in particular, well I posted it in another thread and I'll try to find it. I do not want to re-type it. Anyhow the bottom line is that I wasn't looking for an arguement, I didn't provoke an arguement and I was not trying to push what I believe/do not believe on to the woman of whom I speak. Now, her on the other hand....well, you get the picture.

This should take you to the thread. It is post #92:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...t=morrisonicus

Let us take my post example. I did not provoked that in anyway. Well, maybe bringing my assignment into work was a little provoking, but I didn't stand in the front, and as everyone came in, explained what it was. I didn't even argue with her about this, yet she kept going on and on telling me one day I'll "see." It just urks me.
The people interviewed in this article should take a look at their responses and think a bit. I liked to know the last time an atheist tried to explain to them how a godless world can be good. From personal experience, I believe atheists do not tend to go around doing this sort of thing.

**Chaigidel** · May 30, 2007, 04:45 PM

I think the whole idea that religious people go around trying to convert everyone is kind of silly--- I do actively try to open peoples minds to a belief in god, but I also expose those who are "devoted" to "god" that there is a way without a god... I really think this idea that people are always trying to force you to believe what they do is kinda silly and almost an urban myth--- I live in the deep south and I havent seen or heard of someone trying to convert people on the street -- I live in a town with probably 8 denominations of christianity with probably over 40 churches in the county--- my numbers are probably low--- but the most i ever see is church billboards I have rarely been approached by mission minded christians and when I was, there was no conflict or delay when I politely informed them I was not interested in what they had to say.