Atheism, Scientific Atheism and Antitheism
January 16, 2015 at 8:12 am
(This post was last modified: January 16, 2015 at 8:14 am by tantric.)
Okay, so I'm new here. I could use some advice on the cultural norms, re: the difference between scientific/rational atheism, being a philosophical position, and antitheism, which is basically an antipathy towards god and religions, without the logic? Is it appropriate or useful to hate religion?
I get it. I grew up a gay atheist in the deep south. Until I got to college, my only thoughts towards religion were "I'm not having it". I've dealt with my share of creepy xtian BS - I knew a guy who wouldn't let me touch his Bible.
But I don't hate it. Don't care, really. I just see myself as an outsider in a land where the majority culture has some unusual and sometimes inconvenient rituals. When I'm in a group and they pray, I bow my head and think my own thoughts. I don't care at all about holiday stuff - put a nativity, an xmas tree and a menorah on the Mall, it's all good. People have cultures, they like to express that, so long as it does no harm, it's all good. I can't see a purely secular society - well, at least, I suspect that when you get rid of the religious stuff, it'll get replaced by non-religious stuff that serves the same purpose. People will still have their displays, rituals, symbols, what have you. Frankly, if I had to choose between the Christian idea of Christmas and the Consumer Capitalism version, I'm going with Jesus - I just don't get why xtians blame secularists for ruining xmas instead of capitalism.
The anti-religion thing, where atheists mock and deride religions and religious people, reminds me very much of one facet of the behavior of church-people that I rejected as a youth. The us vs them tribalism. It's not good. When I was on RevLeft, I noticed that a significant number of the members were revolutionary socialists not because they had come to it through political philosophy, but because they were nuts and were looking for something that would justify their alienation and desire to overthrow society. Some of them were excellent logicians and theorists, but the emotions were in the drivers seat - logic was a tool for them to use to get to their goal. And yeah, I know people are emotional. I'm talking about basic motivations. Fanaticism has no place in civil society.
So, tell me - can I be a part of this forum given that I strongly dislike anti-theism?
I get it. I grew up a gay atheist in the deep south. Until I got to college, my only thoughts towards religion were "I'm not having it". I've dealt with my share of creepy xtian BS - I knew a guy who wouldn't let me touch his Bible.
But I don't hate it. Don't care, really. I just see myself as an outsider in a land where the majority culture has some unusual and sometimes inconvenient rituals. When I'm in a group and they pray, I bow my head and think my own thoughts. I don't care at all about holiday stuff - put a nativity, an xmas tree and a menorah on the Mall, it's all good. People have cultures, they like to express that, so long as it does no harm, it's all good. I can't see a purely secular society - well, at least, I suspect that when you get rid of the religious stuff, it'll get replaced by non-religious stuff that serves the same purpose. People will still have their displays, rituals, symbols, what have you. Frankly, if I had to choose between the Christian idea of Christmas and the Consumer Capitalism version, I'm going with Jesus - I just don't get why xtians blame secularists for ruining xmas instead of capitalism.
The anti-religion thing, where atheists mock and deride religions and religious people, reminds me very much of one facet of the behavior of church-people that I rejected as a youth. The us vs them tribalism. It's not good. When I was on RevLeft, I noticed that a significant number of the members were revolutionary socialists not because they had come to it through political philosophy, but because they were nuts and were looking for something that would justify their alienation and desire to overthrow society. Some of them were excellent logicians and theorists, but the emotions were in the drivers seat - logic was a tool for them to use to get to their goal. And yeah, I know people are emotional. I'm talking about basic motivations. Fanaticism has no place in civil society.
So, tell me - can I be a part of this forum given that I strongly dislike anti-theism?
My book, a setting for fantasy role playing games based on Bantu mythology: Ubantu
