Are you an assertive atheist or a passive one?

[Welsh cake]

Are you an assertive atheist or a passive one?

Definition.

Passive atheist. One who does not actively seek out theists to try to convert them.

Assertive atheist. One who will actively seek out theist and try to convert them.

Please tell us why you do as you do.

Regards
DL

I'm not sure what you're implying - I think what you're trying to ask us is whether or not we're apatheists?

At any rate. I don't agree with your definitions - its passive–aggressive behaviour you're referring to, not the non sequitur of 'passive–assertive'. Even so, its never as clear cut or as black-and-white as this, and none of these labels have anything much to do with atheism in particular.

I'm not a "proactive atheist" or "activist atheist", if you will for sake of the argument permit usage of those terms. I don't go out of my way to de-convert theists and rob them of their fantasies if it keeps them happy and productive members of society.

However there are exceptions to this, I'm not always "inactive". I will respond to theists who honestly ask me what I do and don't believe. I believe intellectual honesty is paramount - I will not lie to them and say I accept there's a god, just to please and/or deceive them. In a civil discussion I will explain my atheism to them to clear up any pre-misconceptions they may harbour.

Now that's if they are mature, I draw the line when arrogant, presumptuous and controlling theists out there try to force their crap onto other people, especially children's developing minds in schools, or when they attack non-believers and deny them basic human rights and privileges, for simply not subscribing to their dogmatic cults. That shit definitely doesn't fly with me.

[Gawdzilla]

So you do not actively seek theists out then?
You do not go to the more religious sites or dialog with those here, if any, who are giving a theistic view?

We try to get away from preaching. Besides, atheists are routinely banned on the theist sites I know, they are not open to differing viewpoints, they stifle and censor. Fuck 'em.

[Santewi]

One day my Aunt, who is a member of a Christian "super church", asked me how I knew about evolution etc, to which I replied that I have learned about it from reading books. She then fired back that I "shouldn't believe everything I read." This coming from someone who claims to read and believe the new testament. Since these are the kind of people I deal with, I find it exhausting to even consider trying to make them think scientifically, and convert them from their irrationality, to free thought and careful examination of evidence. It's just pointless... don't you think?

You should have said: "Yeah, good thing your religion is not based on a book"

I actually feel bad for you because you need to live with such people. Maybe if you come up with few really good questions they can't answer, they will stop trying to convert you and start thinking with their own brain?


I'm not a passive atheist, but not so assertive either. Sometimes I talk about religion with my sister or my mom, and usually they just say something like "Stop it already" or "I don't want to listen". I guess they just can't accept that they might be wrong. But I'm not trying to convert anyone, I just like messing with them, and then see their reactions when they can't prove me wrong and especially when they have no actual evidence to back up their faith.

[KichigaiNeko]

Why is a question regarding Atheism in Christianity?? Just askin

[Greatest I am]

I'm not sure what you're implying - I think what you're trying to ask us is whether or not we're apatheists?

I have no idea what that means so I will pass here.

At any rate. I don't agree with your definitions - its passive–aggressive behaviour you're referring to, not the non sequitur of 'passive–assertive'. Even so, its never as clear cut or as black-and-white as this, and none of these labels have anything much to do with atheism in particular.

I'm not a "proactive atheist" or "activist atheist", if you will for sake of the argument permit usage of those terms. I don't go out of my way to de-convert theists and rob them of their fantasies if it keeps them happy and productive members of society.

However there are exceptions to this, I'm not always "inactive". I will respond to theists who honestly ask me what I do and don't believe. I believe intellectual honesty is paramount - I will not lie to them and say I accept there's a god, just to please and/or deceive them. In a civil discussion I will explain my atheism to them to clear up any pre-misconceptions they may harbour.

Now that's if they are mature, I draw the line when arrogant, presumptuous and controlling theists out there try to force their crap onto other people, especially children's developing minds in schools, or when they attack non-believers and deny them basic human rights and privileges, for simply not subscribing to their dogmatic cults. That shit definitely doesn't fly with me.

I take it then that you do not go to boards or posts that are more for debate with theists.

That is about all I wanted to know. Thanks.

Regards
DL

---

So you do not actively seek theists out then?
You do not go to the more religious sites or dialog with those here, if any, who are giving a theistic view?

We try to get away from preaching. Besides, atheists are routinely banned on the theist sites I know, they are not open to differing viewpoints, they stifle and censor. Fuck 'em.

Many sites are quick to ban for sure.
Many do not.

Thanks for this.

Regards
DL

---

I actually feel bad for you because you need to live with such people. Maybe if you come up with few really good questions they can't answer, they will stop trying to convert you and start thinking with their own brain?


I'm not a passive atheist, but not so assertive either. Sometimes I talk about religion with my sister or my mom, and usually they just say something like "Stop it already" or "I don't want to listen". I guess they just can't accept that they might be wrong. But I'm not trying to convert anyone, I just like messing with them, and then see their reactions when they can't prove me wrong and especially when they have no actual evidence to back up their faith.

That is at home.
What of this board and other more religious type boards?

Regards
DL

---

Why is a question regarding Atheism in Christianity?? Just askin

Just checking the mind set.

Regards
DL

[ElDinero]

I'll put myself in with the others who have said something to the effect of:

I will robustly defend my position and won't shy away from the arguments. I don't hound people who are religious, but if the topic comes up and they say something obnoxious, I will usually challenge them depending on the situation.

[Greatest I am]

I'll put myself in with the others who have said something to the effect of:

I will robustly defend my position and won't shy away from the arguments. I don't hound people who are religious, but if the topic comes up and they say something obnoxious, I will usually challenge them depending on the situation.

Let me get and ask the stock question then.

So you do not actively seek theists out then?
You do not go to the more religious sites or post in here to dialog with those, if any, who are giving a theistic view?

Regards
DL

[The Grand Nudger]

I'll put myself in with the others who have said something to the effect of:

I will robustly defend my position and won't shy away from the arguments. I don't hound people who are religious, but if the topic comes up and they say something obnoxious, I will usually challenge them depending on the situation.

Let me get and ask the stock question then.

So you do not actively seek theists out then?
You do not go to the more religious sites or post in here to dialog with those, if any, who are giving a theistic view?

Regards
DL

Negatron. I swim in these waters, not "Christislove.org". The only reason I'd wade into a group of the fundamentally religious is such that it need not be spoken in civil company.

[frankiej]

I would say that I am neither... I am a friendly neighbourhood atheist.

[Castle]

So you do not actively seek theists out then?
You do not go to the more religious sites or dialog with those here, if any, who are giving a theistic view?

We try to get away from preaching. Besides, atheists are routinely banned on the theist sites I know, they are not open to differing viewpoints, they stifle and censor. Fuck 'em.

I know what you mean; half of my replies did not get through this atheist forum censor on my thread called - Is Masturbation Sin? I seem it not just the Christian that is lame about the topic.

As far as being aggressive or passive about being an atheist, What can be more extreme then claiming there is no God, when 90% general consensus of the world's population says there is God?
The greater extreme are religious groups claiming their group is the only soul salvation to GOD.

I am so happy I don't these kinds of problems chocking me from unlimited thinking or stuck only in one ego group force to defend its double morals or ethics. Not puting anyone down, just glad to be free.