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The Atheism Symbol
#11
RE: The Atheism Symbol
First of all, I'm not aware of any unique "Atheist Symbol". The one that you refer to belongs to American Atheists. Others include the Scarlet letter A, Empty Set symbol, Darwin Fish, FSM etc. However, while individuals and organizations alike may pick any of them (or come up with new ones), given the absence of any central doctrine, none of them can be regarded as "The Atheism Symbol".

Secondly, the symbol you mentioned, one that originated from a specific organization, is not supposed to represent atheists in general, it represents what they consider atheists should stand for. And what they hope atheists should be like is smart, scientifically-minded, educated free-thinkers and the symbol captures that quite well.
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#12
RE: The Atheism Symbol
(December 5, 2013 at 8:24 pm)The_Thinking_Theist Wrote: I see the problem, there would be another bad connotation if all atheists started wearing big red "A"s with circles around them! ROFLOL

The difference is that atheists in that scenario would be identifiable as "a-holes" only by their chosen symbology. Theist a-holes, on the other hand, would be recognisable regardless.

(December 5, 2013 at 8:24 pm)The_Thinking_Theist Wrote: I don't get the FSM. I tried to read the Gospel but then I was always thinking "DAFUQ?"

That's the whole point. Satire, you see. It holds a mirror up to what it parodies.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist.  This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair.  Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second.  That means there's a situation vacant.'
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#13
RE: The Atheism Symbol
(December 5, 2013 at 8:32 pm)Stimbo Wrote:
(December 5, 2013 at 8:24 pm)The_Thinking_Theist Wrote: I see the problem, there would be another bad connotation if all atheists started wearing big red "A"s with circles around them! ROFLOL

The difference is that atheists in that scenario would be identifiable as "a-holes" only by their chosen symbology. Theist a-holes, on the other hand, would be recognisable regardless.

(December 5, 2013 at 8:24 pm)The_Thinking_Theist Wrote: I don't get the FSM. I tried to read the Gospel but then I was always thinking "DAFUQ?"

That's the whole point. Satire, you see. It holds a mirror up to what it parodies.


I was referring not to a-hole, though you made a good point, but to the anarchy symbol.

(December 5, 2013 at 8:30 pm)genkaus Wrote: First of all, I'm not aware of any unique "Atheist Symbol". The one that you refer to belongs to American Atheists. Others include the Scarlet letter A, Empty Set symbol, Darwin Fish, FSM etc. However, while individuals and organizations alike may pick any of them (or come up with new ones), given the absence of any central doctrine, none of them can be regarded as "The Atheism Symbol".

Secondly, the symbol you mentioned, one that originated from a specific organization, is not supposed to represent atheists in general, it represents what they consider atheists should stand for. And what they hope atheists should be like is smart, scientifically-minded, educated free-thinkers and the symbol captures that quite well.

My living in America biases me. But still, it is prevalent and I don't like it.

(December 5, 2013 at 8:26 pm)futilethewinds Wrote:
(December 5, 2013 at 8:24 pm)The_Thinking_Theist Wrote: I don't get the FSM. I tried to read the Gospel but then I was always thinking "DAFUQ?"
You probably don't get it because you are a theist, and the parody is of your entire worldview.

I gathered that it was a parody of the Christian worldview, one which I do not have.
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#14
RE: The Atheism Symbol
(December 5, 2013 at 8:46 pm)The_Thinking_Theist Wrote: I was referring not to a-hole, though you made a good point, but to the anarchy symbol.

My mistake, though it shows up the level on which my mind operates that I'd completely forgotten that anarchy thing and went straight to the bottom.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist.  This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair.  Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second.  That means there's a situation vacant.'
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#15
RE: The Atheism Symbol
(December 5, 2013 at 8:21 pm)Stimbo Wrote: From a design point of view I don't mind the atomic A, left open ended deliberately to suggest a continuing search for knowledge. I do see the potential for confusion though and maybe it's responsible for the frequent accusations of arrogance we get. However, the symbol I prefer and the only one I actually wear is the metal red A badge seen in my avatar.

I knew that was an actual photo of you.
ronedee Wrote:Science doesn't have a good explaination for water

[Image: YAAgdMk.gif]



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#16
RE: The Atheism Symbol
It's the one I use on my passport.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist.  This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair.  Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second.  That means there's a situation vacant.'
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#17
RE: The Atheism Symbol
(December 5, 2013 at 9:07 pm)Stimbo Wrote: It's the one I use on my passport.

Really? How old are you?

That picture makes you look like an adult!
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#18
RE: The Atheism Symbol
Photoshop's amazing, isn't it? Tongue
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist.  This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair.  Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second.  That means there's a situation vacant.'
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#19
RE: The Atheism Symbol
(December 5, 2013 at 9:10 pm)Stimbo Wrote: Photoshop's amazing, isn't it? Tongue

Ah. You are an adult.

When it's late in New Orleans, everyone looks like they're 22. Wink
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#20
RE: The Atheism Symbol
[Image: images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT82afiPn6eBZL3gcQBs_O...-55gjkKKXQ]
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