The Atheism Symbol

[genkaus]

First of all, I'm not aware of any unique "Atheist Symbol". The one that you refer to belongs to American Atheists. Others include the Scarlet letter A, Empty Set symbol, Darwin Fish, FSM etc. However, while individuals and organizations alike may pick any of them (or come up with new ones), given the absence of any central doctrine, none of them can be regarded as "The Atheism Symbol".

Secondly, the symbol you mentioned, one that originated from a specific organization, is not supposed to represent atheists in general, it represents what they consider atheists should stand for. And what they hope atheists should be like is smart, scientifically-minded, educated free-thinkers and the symbol captures that quite well.

[Cyberman]

I see the problem, there would be another bad connotation if all atheists started wearing big red "A"s with circles around them!

The difference is that atheists in that scenario would be identifiable as "a-holes" only by their chosen symbology. Theist a-holes, on the other hand, would be recognisable regardless.

I don't get the FSM. I tried to read the Gospel but then I was always thinking "DAFUQ?"

That's the whole point. Satire, you see. It holds a mirror up to what it parodies.

[The_Thinking_Theist]

I see the problem, there would be another bad connotation if all atheists started wearing big red "A"s with circles around them!

The difference is that atheists in that scenario would be identifiable as "a-holes" only by their chosen symbology. Theist a-holes, on the other hand, would be recognisable regardless.

I don't get the FSM. I tried to read the Gospel but then I was always thinking "DAFUQ?"

That's the whole point. Satire, you see. It holds a mirror up to what it parodies.

I was referring not to a-hole, though you made a good point, but to the anarchy symbol.

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First of all, I'm not aware of any unique "Atheist Symbol". The one that you refer to belongs to American Atheists. Others include the Scarlet letter A, Empty Set symbol, Darwin Fish, FSM etc. However, while individuals and organizations alike may pick any of them (or come up with new ones), given the absence of any central doctrine, none of them can be regarded as "The Atheism Symbol".

Secondly, the symbol you mentioned, one that originated from a specific organization, is not supposed to represent atheists in general, it represents what they consider atheists should stand for. And what they hope atheists should be like is smart, scientifically-minded, educated free-thinkers and the symbol captures that quite well.

My living in America biases me. But still, it is prevalent and I don't like it.

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I don't get the FSM. I tried to read the Gospel but then I was always thinking "DAFUQ?"

You probably don't get it because you are a theist, and the parody is of your entire worldview.

I gathered that it was a parody of the Christian worldview, one which I do not have.

[Cyberman]

I was referring not to a-hole, though you made a good point, but to the anarchy symbol.

My mistake, though it shows up the level on which my mind operates that I'd completely forgotten that anarchy thing and went straight to the bottom.

[CleanShavenJesus]

From a design point of view I don't mind the atomic A, left open ended deliberately to suggest a continuing search for knowledge. I do see the potential for confusion though and maybe it's responsible for the frequent accusations of arrogance we get. However, the symbol I prefer and the only one I actually wear is the metal red A badge seen in my avatar.

I knew that was an actual photo of you.

[Cyberman]

It's the one I use on my passport.

[The_Thinking_Theist]

It's the one I use on my passport.

Really? How old are you?

That picture makes you look like an adult!

[Cyberman]

Photoshop's amazing, isn't it?

[The_Thinking_Theist]

Photoshop's amazing, isn't it?

Ah. You are an adult.

When it's late in New Orleans, everyone looks like they're 22.

[freedomfromforum]