Observations On Atheism Part I - Beliefs
November 20, 2008 at 8:53 pm
(This post was last modified: November 20, 2008 at 8:59 pm by Daystar.)
As some of you may very well know, I am not an admirer of organized religion due to its potential to be abused and manipulated. No religion has ever remained true even to itself and I don't believe one ever will. I would like to see all organized religion dissolved into nothing more than a bad memory. Though I do try and respect others rights to believe whatever they wish, I have a problem when it comes to enforcing those beliefs on others. You can't make someone believe something. You can't convert anyone else, that is up to them.
When I compare Xian message boards I have participated in with Atheist message boards I have participated in the Xian boards are generally more intolerant than Atheist message boards, though not by much. They tend to differ in this regard in their method.
Xian message boards have a tendency to create the illusion that any opposing dogma will corrupt or stumble some Xians - newly interested ones or those weak in the faith. I think this is pure nonsense and they are really only afraid of someone exposing their own false teachings. I have noticed that it is primarily those who can provide thoughtful and accurate criticism that are quickly removed from the discussion. A remarkably transparent reason is often given. A dishonest and cowardly display, without a doubt.
The Atheist boards tend to allow opposing viewpoints, but rather then removal of those who would disagree they tend to mock, belittle and insult. They tend to only remove anyone if they return the mockery and insult as if they hold the believer on a higher level once breached is a sign of dishonesty. They are more confident of their beliefs than the Xian, but seem less focused or knowledgeable of their own beliefs. Typically the Xian board will have a particular denomination and the Atheist boards don’t have that sort of cohesiveness.
Younger Atheists tend to enjoy discussing interests that are similar among themselves, as if perhaps Atheism is new to them and they are exploring the surface. They want very little to discuss the Bible, either mockingly or in the form of a serious criticism. Older Atheist differ in that they tend to want that sort of discussion, mockingly and seriously criticizing the Bible. Older Atheist are also markedly more political, though there is some of that in the younger Atheists as well beginning to formulate.
I think that the main difference between the average Xian and the average Atheist is the notion of a freedom of belief. The Xian and the Atheist both would like to see a time and place where their beliefs are predominant, but the Xian sees that time and place as being completely without atheism. The Atheist is far more tolerant once you get past all of the open hostility and mockery.
When I compare Xian message boards I have participated in with Atheist message boards I have participated in the Xian boards are generally more intolerant than Atheist message boards, though not by much. They tend to differ in this regard in their method.
Xian message boards have a tendency to create the illusion that any opposing dogma will corrupt or stumble some Xians - newly interested ones or those weak in the faith. I think this is pure nonsense and they are really only afraid of someone exposing their own false teachings. I have noticed that it is primarily those who can provide thoughtful and accurate criticism that are quickly removed from the discussion. A remarkably transparent reason is often given. A dishonest and cowardly display, without a doubt.
The Atheist boards tend to allow opposing viewpoints, but rather then removal of those who would disagree they tend to mock, belittle and insult. They tend to only remove anyone if they return the mockery and insult as if they hold the believer on a higher level once breached is a sign of dishonesty. They are more confident of their beliefs than the Xian, but seem less focused or knowledgeable of their own beliefs. Typically the Xian board will have a particular denomination and the Atheist boards don’t have that sort of cohesiveness.
Younger Atheists tend to enjoy discussing interests that are similar among themselves, as if perhaps Atheism is new to them and they are exploring the surface. They want very little to discuss the Bible, either mockingly or in the form of a serious criticism. Older Atheist differ in that they tend to want that sort of discussion, mockingly and seriously criticizing the Bible. Older Atheist are also markedly more political, though there is some of that in the younger Atheists as well beginning to formulate.
I think that the main difference between the average Xian and the average Atheist is the notion of a freedom of belief. The Xian and the Atheist both would like to see a time and place where their beliefs are predominant, but the Xian sees that time and place as being completely without atheism. The Atheist is far more tolerant once you get past all of the open hostility and mockery.
