RE: Collaboration with theists?
November 2, 2009 at 10:30 pm
(This post was last modified: November 2, 2009 at 10:34 pm by Secularone.)
Pippy,
I can tell you that I am personally acquainted with about three to four hundred atheists through my support and/or participation in numerous organizations. All of these organizations are dear to me for a number of reasons even though many are not atheist in character. Some are. It doesn't matter. Among them:
Atheist Alliance International
Atheists of Florida
Council of Secular Humanism
American Humanist Association
Humanist Association of West Central Florida
American Civil Liberties Union
National Organization for Women
NARAL
Planned Parenthood
People for the American Way
American's United for Separation of Church and State
Southern Poverty Law Center
Equality Florida
I represent none of these organizations in my activism. That would be unfair to them. But I share common values, philosophy, etc.
It is clear that I have strong convictions about what I believe and am willing to put my life on the line in support of my values. That effort is often characterized as extreme, militant, fanatical, etc. I make no attempt to deny that my behavior lends itself to these descriptions. I certainly do tread where others dare not.
However, those who know me would not describe me as unreasonable, dangerous, unfair, mean spirited or fascist. They have the highest esteem for my character and are proud to associate with me.
Therefore, I have many friends, some of which are theist. And while they may not approve of my activism, they have not found cause to vilify me. None have spread lies against me either. I can only guess it is because they know me personally and understand what is motivating me.
Having said all of this, I can personally attest to the fact that I have never encountered any atheist who conspired to abolish religion or obstruct religious freedom. And if you think about it, isn’t such an idea obviously absurd? What atheist is so stupid as to believe religion can be abolished? Sorry! In all my travels, I’ve never found one. Could someone conspire to obstruct religious freedom? Yes, but I’ve never found anyone willing to do that. If they exist, they’re so rare nobody can find them.
Yes, I hate organized religion. I think the world would be much better off without it. I wish religion could be abolished. But I’m not stupid. The only hope I could have that would make any sense whatsoever is that religion would evolve into something better. To that end, I protest, people notice, we talk, they ask questions, they learn. Sometimes I learn too.
You seem to interpret the desire of many atheist activists to see the negative influence of religion diminished, as having an agenda to abolish or obstruct it. Surely, if you exercise some objectivity here you should realize that no sane person could ever believe that religion could be abolished. But I do believe that people can be educated and encouraged to think critically. If they do so, they may abandon it of their own accord.
So, let’s see now… How many converts have I to my credit? Well, I actually did once have a young woman tell me that she abandoned religion on account of a conversation she had with me. But… it has never been my goal to make converts. I only want to get people to think critically for themselves. If they do, I have confidence they will find better answers to their questions. Those answers might not be mine, but that’s not important. If they actually come from legitimate critical thinking, they might be better than mine.
Again, if you cannot cite names and details of those with the agenda to deny theists their freedom of religion, I suggest you abandon that accusation against atheists as unfounded.
I can tell you that I am personally acquainted with about three to four hundred atheists through my support and/or participation in numerous organizations. All of these organizations are dear to me for a number of reasons even though many are not atheist in character. Some are. It doesn't matter. Among them:
Atheist Alliance International
Atheists of Florida
Council of Secular Humanism
American Humanist Association
Humanist Association of West Central Florida
American Civil Liberties Union
National Organization for Women
NARAL
Planned Parenthood
People for the American Way
American's United for Separation of Church and State
Southern Poverty Law Center
Equality Florida
I represent none of these organizations in my activism. That would be unfair to them. But I share common values, philosophy, etc.
It is clear that I have strong convictions about what I believe and am willing to put my life on the line in support of my values. That effort is often characterized as extreme, militant, fanatical, etc. I make no attempt to deny that my behavior lends itself to these descriptions. I certainly do tread where others dare not.
However, those who know me would not describe me as unreasonable, dangerous, unfair, mean spirited or fascist. They have the highest esteem for my character and are proud to associate with me.
Therefore, I have many friends, some of which are theist. And while they may not approve of my activism, they have not found cause to vilify me. None have spread lies against me either. I can only guess it is because they know me personally and understand what is motivating me.
Having said all of this, I can personally attest to the fact that I have never encountered any atheist who conspired to abolish religion or obstruct religious freedom. And if you think about it, isn’t such an idea obviously absurd? What atheist is so stupid as to believe religion can be abolished? Sorry! In all my travels, I’ve never found one. Could someone conspire to obstruct religious freedom? Yes, but I’ve never found anyone willing to do that. If they exist, they’re so rare nobody can find them.
Yes, I hate organized religion. I think the world would be much better off without it. I wish religion could be abolished. But I’m not stupid. The only hope I could have that would make any sense whatsoever is that religion would evolve into something better. To that end, I protest, people notice, we talk, they ask questions, they learn. Sometimes I learn too.
You seem to interpret the desire of many atheist activists to see the negative influence of religion diminished, as having an agenda to abolish or obstruct it. Surely, if you exercise some objectivity here you should realize that no sane person could ever believe that religion could be abolished. But I do believe that people can be educated and encouraged to think critically. If they do so, they may abandon it of their own accord.
So, let’s see now… How many converts have I to my credit? Well, I actually did once have a young woman tell me that she abandoned religion on account of a conversation she had with me. But… it has never been my goal to make converts. I only want to get people to think critically for themselves. If they do, I have confidence they will find better answers to their questions. Those answers might not be mine, but that’s not important. If they actually come from legitimate critical thinking, they might be better than mine.
Again, if you cannot cite names and details of those with the agenda to deny theists their freedom of religion, I suggest you abandon that accusation against atheists as unfounded.
