Atheists turning to cult behaviour?

[robvalue]

A few from your personal life is not "most atheists".

Yes, some people are dicks. And they may presume to speak for atheism. They should be dealt with on an individual level. It has nothing to do with being an atheist.

My point is that trying to say there's a problem with atheists is saying there's a problem with people who aren't delusional.

I totally agree that if someone is behaving badly, that behaviour should be addressed. But trying to link it with atheism is a total non-sequitur.

I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just highlighting the problem with your claims. What do you propose? Atheism has no structure. There are no rules to change to stop people being a dick.

I just don't know what your point is. Atheists are sane. Some sane people can be dicks. So...?

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The only way you could address what you're saying is to actually create a structure to atheism. Which would then make it just like religion, defeating the object.

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I see alex, I guess you are making the distinction between a general atheist and an "active atheist", one who does join some sort of group or movement. That's fair enough, but to refer to them as the same thing in an accusation is dishonest.

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It is good that you are standing up against what you perceive as a problem. I'm all for that. My point is that you are misrepresenting the problem. If you want to make any sort of link between atheism and a general behaviour, you necessarily have to pick out a certain group of people within atheism, who have agreed on some sort of extra agenda.

Other atheists are not responsible for this. It's not like religions where we are worshipping the same book that promotes such behaviour. I'm a person, who happens to not be delusional.

I totally agree that any kind of bullying behaviour is disgusting and should be addressed. But it has to be dealt with either on an individual level, or as a group of self-identified atheists such as a particular forum or group. Just pointing the finger at atheists in general and saying we need to get our shit together makes no sense.

So my question is, what do you propose? I'm happy to speak out against atheists who are being dicks. That's no problem. I do not lend any support to any of their actions because I happen to also be an atheist, either implicitly or explicitly.

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To continue my drivel...

How is this problem any different to just highlighting particular people or self-identified groups who are doing something wrong, and dealing with them? Bringing atheism in general into it is like complaining that they have 2 legs. They might decide to be the 2 leg let's bully people club, and then they should be stopped. But having 2 legs has nothing to do with the issue.

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Atheists bully people who are different... Again a wildly broad and dishonest claim. SOME atheists may do this. Sure. And they damn well shouldn't.

It's religion who generally persecuted atheists. It may be that as atheism has grown legs, some people feel the need to get their own back. That is childish and wrong, and should be stopped. On an individual level.