[quote][quote='Faith No More' pid='178730' dateline='1315975224']
I think it goes further than just a fear issue. We are seen as hopeless and empty beings void of morals. We are seen as idiots who can't see the obvious evidence of God's wisdom and beauty all around us. Most of all, we are seen as people who hold nothing sacred and can't justify being good people. People are also under the impression that a person cannot be good without god, so not to despise us would be admitting that is a false concept.
[/quote]
You bring up great points, FNM, and I agree that it goes beyond just fear, though fear is a big part of it.
I think the biggest issue is highlighted by the way you express it in when you say "we are seen as." When you compare the way you see things, knowing that being an atheist is not a prerequisite for the negatives nor a barrier to the positives you list (and I fully agree with you on that score), it's clear that there's a large gap between your reality and how that reality is perceived by those who are soaking in another reality.
I think it goes further than just a fear issue. We are seen as hopeless and empty beings void of morals. We are seen as idiots who can't see the obvious evidence of God's wisdom and beauty all around us. Most of all, we are seen as people who hold nothing sacred and can't justify being good people. People are also under the impression that a person cannot be good without god, so not to despise us would be admitting that is a false concept.
[/quote]
You bring up great points, FNM, and I agree that it goes beyond just fear, though fear is a big part of it.
I think the biggest issue is highlighted by the way you express it in when you say "we are seen as." When you compare the way you see things, knowing that being an atheist is not a prerequisite for the negatives nor a barrier to the positives you list (and I fully agree with you on that score), it's clear that there's a large gap between your reality and how that reality is perceived by those who are soaking in another reality.
