Atheists turning to cult behaviour?

[Alex K]

I mean, it is a bit like "the gays", isn't it. Gay or LGBTwhatever people have widely different philosophical and political views, and in the same sense it is nonsensical to discuss what "the gays" are doing wrong, it is also with atheists.
The lowest common denominator is more or less to try and get legislation and society as a whole to move in a direction such that equal rights are ensured and discrimination is minimal. However, as soon as you get people to step up into the spotlight or organize in some way, as is necessary to reach any of those goals, you have opened pandora's box of movement politics and tribal behavior. How can I communicate to the public that, just to give an example, I fully support Richard Dawkins' scarlet letter Out campaign for the usual reasons, but the guy does not speak for me on any issues, he's not my or anyone's atheist pope and his opinions mean squad to me unless he provides a good reason, like anybode else? It seems it is nigh impossible to get that into peoples' heads.

[robvalue]

Exactly, that is what I've been bleating on about too It is a gross error to take any person, or group, to be representative of atheism. Anyone who does so misunderstands the whole concept.

We may agree with things a 'prominent' atheist says, we may not. I think people are used to the farcical situation where you have some guy like the pope who tells you what your moral stance is, tells you what you believe or should do, pretty much. That's what makes it such a stupid system.

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I find I agree with most of what the 'prommers' happen to say, but rarely with all of it.

Funnily enough I think atheists would agree more overall about things such as morality, than theists would. Which kind of throws a spanner in their works. I'm not even talking about different religions.

[Alex K]

I think people are used to the farcical situation where you have some guy like the pope who tells you what your moral stance is, tells you what you believe or should do, pretty much

Religious people have such a hard time understanding that there are others whose world does not work like that, it's so ingrained in their thinking.

[FatAndFaithless]

*slowly puts down his spirit pole and chicken -blood-splattered headdress* So...so the cult stuff...its a no-go?

[Alex K]

*slowly puts down his spirit pole and chicken -blood-splattered headdress* So...so the cult stuff...its a no-go?

Sorry, the atheist cult meeting is cancelled because it's "politically incorrect". Blame the feminazis.

[robvalue]

Sorry, that's a no. No cult today. Maybe tomorrow. Time to calm down

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Sooooooo... Yeah, the atheist movement is really just gay nazis. What more can be said.

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If you look back at the OP, it doesn't look much to do with an atheist movement to me.

Just a general criticism by someone who may or may not be Chad

What a cunty faggoty thing to do. (Just kidding )

[SoFarEast]

Chad, we know it's you.

I don't know who Chad is, but I assure you I'm not him.

[Alex K]

Chad, we know it's you.

I don't know who Chad is, but I assure you I'm not him.

Good for you. Anyways...

Chad's not important. The movement is important. Have you read our blah, and do you have anything to weigh in on the discussion with?

[robvalue]

Hmm, that's just what Chad would say...

Just kidding

Yes, if you've got any more to add now we've finished thrashing out these definitions, I'll be happy to hear it

Everyone should be nice to everyone else as far as possible. It's simple and effective. You don't need 10 retarded commandments when one simple bit of advice will do the trick.

[Spooky]

Hello.

I've observed a growing trend in public interactions and online spaces in the way atheists behave. Bullying women, insulting gays, alienating anyone who doesn't subscribe to nerd culture. Is the lack of humanistic principles in Atheism leading to cult behavior? Or what else explains this?

It may not be a religion, but most atheists behave exactly like members of organized religion. Sorry if this has been brought up before. It's a worrying trend. A lot of late teen, early 20 atheists I've met won't think twice before using 'cunt' or 'faggot', or other such forms merciless insulting.

Are you sure you're not confusing atheism with Christianity? You've described many of the things I hate about religion. Lets face it, most single deity religions are pretty misogynistic. And for the record, one of my best friends is gay.