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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 5:21 am
(This post was last modified: July 12, 2015 at 5:23 am by robvalue.)
Anti-theist would literally mean being against theism, not just religion. But I don't think that's how it is used, is it? Would anyone really be anti-deist or anti-"some higher power" in the same way they'd be anti-Christianity? Sure, you may think deism is silly, but is anyone actually strongly against it?
It seems like the wrong word, or rather it's picked up a narrower meaning, unless I'm mistaken.
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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 1:01 pm
(July 12, 2015 at 3:37 am)Parkers Tan Wrote: (July 12, 2015 at 2:06 am)Salacious B. Crumb Wrote: Teachers don't teach evolution in public schools, because it contradicts with the main religion of this stupid, superstitious country.
Huh? It's taught across most of the country here in America. Where do you live?
Las Vegas. It wasn't taught in my schools (I took accelerated classes in biology, chemistry, physical science, etc). If I really looked hard in some of the books, there would be about a page or two out of the entire science text book talking about the theory of evolution and natural selection. Everyone that I've talked to out here has never been taught it. I'm sure many areas in the bible belt don't teach it, because it would enrage people. I'm not talking about college, but schooling before that. Maybe they're including it moreso now, and I don't realize it, but I've talked to people in a few different states, and they were never taught it either, when in school.
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.' -Isaac Asimov-
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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 1:29 pm
(July 12, 2015 at 5:21 am)robvalue Wrote: Anti-theist would literally mean being against theism, not just religion.
Yes.
(July 12, 2015 at 5:21 am)robvalue Wrote: But I don't think that's how it is used, is it?
Sometimes, yes, but obviously sometimes people are likely to misuse a word.
(July 12, 2015 at 5:21 am)robvalue Wrote: Would anyone really be anti-deist or anti-"some higher power" in the same way they'd be anti-Christianity? Sure, you may think deism is silly, but is anyone actually strongly against it?
You don't have to be against something in the same way as something else to be against it, and you con't have to be as strongly against something as something else to still be against it.
I am an anti-thiest. I oppose theism. Theism is silly, ridiculous, and unfounded. It is irrational to be a theist, and I am against irrationality.
Now, one can pile on more irrationality and stupidity, and then I will be even more against it. But it is fundamentally the same problem, believing stupid shit for no good reason. So in my case, I am against it in the same way as religion generally, and for basically the same main reasons.
(July 12, 2015 at 5:21 am)robvalue Wrote: It seems like the wrong word, or rather it's picked up a narrower meaning, unless I'm mistaken.
It is the right word for me. If you are in favor of people believing a bit of stupid shit for no reason, but not other stupid shit for no reason, then it may not describe you, while still being anti-religion or anti-whatever-it-is-that-you-are-against.
"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Good analysis 
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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 2:57 pm
I used to find the anti-theist view that religion is evil and always opposes progress to be fascinating but I've grown over it - I could classify myself as an anti-theist only in the sense that if God existed and was omnipotent I would be against him because of all the evil there is in the world. If any opposition or criticism to religion is classified as "anti-theism", then most atheists are - If not, I'm not.
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you
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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 3:42 pm
(This post was last modified: July 12, 2015 at 3:47 pm by Catholic_Lady.)
(July 11, 2015 at 10:59 pm)whateverist Wrote: I'm anti-hater (that catches most fundamentalists). Life is precious and short.
It's the only way to be! 
(July 12, 2015 at 2:06 am)Salacious B. Crumb Wrote: Teachers don't teach evolution in public schools, because it contradicts with the main religion of this stupid, superstitious country.
I was taught about evolution in my Catholic junior high school. And again in public high school. 
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 4:31 pm
I'm just angry with God so I choose not to believe in him or follow any religion.
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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 4:32 pm
(July 12, 2015 at 4:31 pm)KUSA Wrote: I'm just angry with God so I choose not to believe in him or follow any religion.
What are you angry at Him about?
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 5:00 pm
(This post was last modified: July 12, 2015 at 5:01 pm by KUSA.)
(July 12, 2015 at 4:32 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: (July 12, 2015 at 4:31 pm)KUSA Wrote: I'm just angry with God so I choose not to believe in him or follow any religion.
What are you angry at Him about?
Because he is a dick. I had an important meeting and got a mustard stain on my shirt. The bastard wouldn't clean my shirt no matter how much I pleaded with him.
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RE: Atheist vs Anti-theist
July 12, 2015 at 5:01 pm
(July 11, 2015 at 10:52 pm)Pyrrho Wrote: I am an anti-theist. Religion has impeded science and progress. Religion promotes irrationality. Religion is in back of the hatred against gays and all sorts of other such things. Religion is evil.
Not to sound too invasive of your privacy - But do you think being an American atheist makes one more likely to be anti-theist as a result of religious influence in society? Living in a place where most people don't get asked what they believe, I've encountered many atheists with similar and different views on many subjects, but I rarely spot an anti-theist - Most people just don't care, they may be interested in an intellectual debate about the existence of god but aside from that "live and let live" suits most of us.
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you
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