The atheist perspective

[Welsh cake]

1. Many atheists get frustrated when their view is stated to be a belief, yet openly admit they do not know a God/god (in any form) does not exist. So why be annoyed when your view is described as a belief?

I imagine its the same reason why many get frustrated with people's misconception that The Big Bang theory is supposed to provide an explanation for the origin of the universe. It does not. The model explains its early evolution. Likewise, theists propagating false ideas that on the subject of gods' existence inclusively and exclusively, and asserting that atheism, the lack of belief, is a belief is not simply inaccurate - this is factually wrong and such an error cannot go uncorrected.

Its not so much that they're wrong that annoys us though. Everyone is wrong at same point or other in their lives. That's life for you. Its the fact that they're overbearingly ignorant of the definition of the word "atheism" yet mindlessly regurgitate the term non-stop as if they already know what its meaning is without taking the time to actually learn it first.

One of life's lessons: Never use words you cannot pronounce or understand lest you want ridicule and humiliation from your peers.

2. If your view is inactive and the burden of proof is on the theist believer, why congregate under the atheist banner? Is it an attempt to expose theists to a rational perspective? Is it to find solace from the outside theistic world?

Well, banners are used to convey ideas or principles and with them rally public opinion or protest. We're not under a banner, although some have tried with the Invisible Pink Unicorn and Flying Spaghetti Monster, but these belong in satire only. We don't identify ourselves with a "lack of belief", we are simply trying to let vulnerable people out there who are going through turmoil, thanks to theists, know that 'You're not alone'. 'There are communities with others out there like you who also don't believe in religious dogma.'

We are trying to make people 'wake-up' and realise that atheism is not dangerous, its no threat and is not to be equated with devil-worshippers who want to destroy everything believers cherish (though ironically many of them actually want this world to be destroyed via Divine Judgement or other, but that's another story). We want to be supportive to all those facing oppressive and difficult times by promoting positive atheism.

I don’t follow what the purpose of the atheist is. I don’t believe in many things yet take no active involvement in denying these things (bigfoot, santa....). Is it due to the sheer number of people and resulting actions who do believe in a God/god that requires some form of response by atheists?

There is no 'purpose', because my atheism says nothing about me as an individual. Neither does someone else's theism tell you anything about their personality, character, hobbies, interests, likes, dislikes, accomplishments or failures.

Atheism is simply but one position, one response to a single claim - the belief in god or gods as unproven to be true and not sufficiently met their burden of proof.

To find out more about me all you have to do is... ask. Same with running any line of enquiry with any other human being I suppose. Naturally I have the right not to discuss some aspects about my personal life, and the person asking should respect my privacy on some sensitive subjects. Anonymity on the Internet is one reason behind its world-wide success.