The harm religion causes is a problem in the world, sure. It's one problem among many.

I wouldn't expect every person to be actively involved in addressing every single problem. That's unrealistic. So I won't think badly of people who just want nothing to do with it at all.

I would hope that, if asked, most atheists (and even the more reasonable theists) would agree that the very real harm done in the name of religion is bad. But whether they choose to publically voice that opinion, or take even further action, is up to them.

I'm "anti religion" in the sense I think religion does more overall bad than good in the world.

I don't actually wanna deconvert anyone.

(July 15, 2016 at 11:22 am)Detachable Wrote: As of today, 7 have clicked "Active" and 8, "Neutral" (Passive: 0). Again, I'm surprised at how many seem to feel no inclination to advocate for atheism.

I would, and I did, but I'm now feeling more and more that it's not worth the aggro to argue or even debate, at all, with them about religion. More and more I'm looking at the theist posts on this site and just ignoring them outright as not worth responding to or even wasting time thinking about. I'm sorry if that sounds like a cop out but we only get one life and I'd rather not spend it arguing, to no avail whatsoever, with deluded people who won't budge an inch no matter what you say.

(July 11, 2016 at 2:29 am)Alasdair Ham Wrote: I'm anti religion but I'm not really actively anti-religion.

Very few are, I don't imagine they made up a word just for those few.

(July 15, 2016 at 12:29 pm)Alasdair Ham Wrote: I'm "anti religion" in the sense I think religion does more overall bad than good in the world.

I don't actually wanna deconvert anyone.

I agree, it does.

My aim is to bring more rationality and morality to the world. If that means some theists become atheists during this shift, that's cool. If theists remain theists but examine their beliefs to bring them more in line with reality and decent morality, that's cool too. If someone listens to me but decides they're fine how they are, no problem.

More than anything, I want people to stop and really think. Especially about concepts they may never have given much serious thought to. It becomes clear some people really haven't when they get stumped by such a simple question as, "What is God?"

I fall in the first camp and I'm honest about it. No, I don't do anything worthwhile for the "cause" to eradicate religion, which is a noble cause in itself, granted, but given the fact that I dislike religion for what it does to the thinking mind and all the violence it inspires in people, I'm definitely against it. There is nothing wrong with being opposed to an idea. And there's nothing wrong with telling it like it is. Atheists who are assholes though, and bring up religion by themselves, without being provoked, and are generally just ruining the atmosphere for everyone involved whenever they encounter a religious person, are just that, assholes. But then we've got assholes everywhere and everyone is an asshole at times. That shouldn't define a whole movement.

The only honest way you can say you're an atheist and not also an antitheist is if you're as deluded about the effects of religion as religious people themselves. That, or you're morally compromised. There's also the option of being confused about language and having been bullied into misusing it, which is the real reason, I think, people won't accept the "label" antitheist.

(July 15, 2016 at 1:13 pm)robvalue Wrote:

(July 15, 2016 at 12:29 pm)Alasdair Ham Wrote: I'm "anti religion" in the sense I think religion does more overall bad than good in the world.

I don't actually wanna deconvert anyone.

I agree, it does.

My aim is to bring more rationality and morality to the world. If that means some theists become atheists during this shift, that's cool. If theists remain theists but examine their beliefs to bring them more in line with reality and decent morality, that's cool too. If someone listens to me but decides they're fine how they are, no problem.

More than anything, I want people to stop and really think. Especially about concepts they may never have given much serious thought to. It becomes clear some people really haven't when they get stumped by such a simple question as, "What is God?"

I hate to sound cynical Rob but good luck with that, at least with the theists on this site 

Sure, I don't expect hardly any of the theists on this site to change their minds about any of it. It has happened a couple of times though. At least two quite significant changes of opinion that I can recall, since I've been here.

My target is the wider audience, I believe something like 95% of our viewers aren't members. I hope to provide some food for thought for all those lurkers out there. Theists providing fallacious defences only strengthens my position.

Hi lurkers!

4) A reactive atheist. I don't have a problem with theists until their head starts spinning round and round and they begin projecting word-bile. Then we have a fuckin' problem.

I didn't vote. I am constrained by environment and circumstance.

I would love to actively promote atheism.  I would love a way to actively promote atheism without the religious folks feeling like they are being attacked . . . but in my part of the world, they feel attacked when you say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", so it's a puzzle.  

And I lost a job for having AF show up in my computer history at work.  So . . . I come on this site to get my atheist fix.  I read a lot.  But only a few people know that I am an atheist.