RE: A question for Anti-Theists
June 29, 2014 at 10:02 pm
(This post was last modified: June 29, 2014 at 10:03 pm by Dystopia.)
(June 29, 2014 at 9:43 pm)Rhythm Wrote:(June 27, 2014 at 9:58 pm)blackout94 Wrote: Personally I am not an anti theist, just an agnostic atheist, I do not have a problem with religion, mainly because in my case it has never affected me negatively nor has it prejudiced my life in any way. I live in a secular country where religious beliefs (or lack of them) are kept to oneself and do not influence public/political decisions. And b sides that, my girlfriend is a Christian so it would be pretty bad if I was an anti theist.The anti-theist might make the case that religion has affected you, that you probably wouldn't be able to find something in which religion isn't already deeply embedded (your public/political decisions...in your "secular" country). My wife is a christian, it's pretty good. Just as counterexamples from anti-theism..lol.
I agree with you that religion is 'already deeply embedded', but this is something that can hardly be changed. Like one of my professors told me, Christianity influenced western civilization so strongly that even Gnostic Atheists defend principles, values and ideas that identify with Christianity, even if they completely despise religion. I think it is ok to accept historical influence caused by religion, after all, it is a part of our culture and who we are, but this doesn't mean I accept religion or embrace any religion. For instance, you could argue that defending the principle of helping your neighbor is a Christian 'thing' to do, and I support this principle (with moderation), just like my political ideas and opinions can be influenced by Christianity (in my case, it is the predominant religion), even though I doubt it, I support secularism and religious freedom, religion should not dictate public decisions - Would you consider, let's say, defending Human Rights something influenced by religion?
I'd also like to ask what was the purpose of putting the word 'secularism' between commas as if it was a fake secularism, in my country, despite the predominance of Christianity (70% more or less), there is an Atheist associations to defend atheists rights, just like religious organizations for other minor religions are allow, there is not a special benefit given to Christianity and a simple evidence that it doesn't influence public decisions is the legalization of gay marriage, abortion, and gay adoption is also on it's way.
Were you saying your wife is a Christian? So if you're an anti-theist, how do you get along so fine? I'm guessing it's just as an ultra conservative dating a communist
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