Current Events > Internet atheists explains why it's difficult for atheists to be 'nice guys'

(+) Yeah! (+)

Sounds like a south or midwest issue. Up here in the ivory tower that is The Northeastern Region of The United States of America, you would only ever hear this (that "nice atheists" aren't "real") from people that most other locals would consider to be oddballs.

Didn't watch the video, but the title sounds like an excuse to be an asshole.

Theres no correlation between religious belief and morality. But at least an immoral atheist isnt a hypocrite, unlike the good Christian who routinely violates the commandments and lacks the self awareness to realise what that means.

Because no one wants to hear your wet blanket bullshit. And this is coming from an atheist.

I am not particularly interested in being nice. Not so long as religion has its hands on the levers of power around the world at any rate.

Dark_Arbron posted...

Theres no correlation between religious belief and morality. But at least an immoral atheist isnt a hypocrite, unlike the good Christian who routinely violates the commandments and lacks the self awareness to realise what that means.

The new King James version of the bible itself calls out those types of parents who kick out their kids pretty harshly.

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8

Their own holy texts flat-out say non-believers are better than believers who don't follow the rules. Never gonna hear any of them say that, though.

There is no reason to be nice to people who still hide behind a "belief" in a fairytale (especially when it's a very safe bet that they don't actually believe it) to justify being a vile asshole.

Sounds like he wants an excuse to be a bigot. It's one thing to be mean to Christians (or anyone else) trying to shove their religion down his throat. It's another to be a jerk to anyone who is Christian as some preemptive strike because they might not treat you right.

Call me crazy but I think you should be angry towards those who deserve it because of their actions and not because they're religious or non religious. If someone tries to convert you to their religion or deconvert you into their world view after you have made it clear you're not interested that's when you get angry and aggressive. Doing it beforehand is the very definition of prejudice.

nocturnal_traveler posted...

Didn't watch the video, but the title sounds like an excuse to be an asshole.

It's not.

I actually never met a nice atheist, but that's because atheism was heavily associated with communism in my country, and communism in my country was seen like how Americans see Nazism so the "nice atheist" would just register their identity under another religion.
And those who openly atheist are mostly jerks, and ironically they do support communism.

But I've seen plenty of Animist tho, and they're just normal guys. And yes, they are also registered under other religions.

Note that it's the case of my country, obviously would be different in USA.

Sure, I am one. Granted, if someone starts preaching or proselytizing or saying evangelical shit in our vicinity, many of us will have very low patience for that shit. Im used to hearing it from family so I usually just roll my eyes and move on.

Of course there are lots of nice atheists.

The edgy, confrontational ones you sometimes meet on the internet are not typical.

Atheism doesn't shape or dominate your life in the way that being devoutly religious can do.

ai123 posted...

Of course there are lots of nice atheists.

The edgy, confrontational ones you sometimes meet on the internet are not typical.

Atheism doesn't shape or dominate your life in the way that being devoutly religious can do.

The Rational Response Squad could have been spared a lot of misery if they learned that before they formed.

AldousIsDead posted...

I am not particularly interested in being nice. Not so long as religion has its hands on the levers of power around the world at any rate.

Cool, enjoy being an outcast from society because you're so very smart and enlightened.

I keep writing and deleting but my oldest friend I think is one but I went to the church he was baptized in (I think he was) for his mom's funeral. Just saying I attend church semi regularly still and I am in the mindset where this all I think may be real because I get really confused but I just don't care. So I believe and give everyone the finger on occasion.

At least Agnostic means you aren't sure. I know that is a bad stance for picking the BIG GAME on Sunday!!!! But.

Atheism is sometimes used as an excuse to be a dick, just as religion is.

The truth is that you can be a dick regardless of your religion, or lack of one. You can also be a real stand up guy regardless and of what religion you do or dont have.

......I tend to think maybe it's because I drank too much or overthink things, but once I thought there was zero after life in my early 20s. Now I am like, maybe there's something......but who cares. Blah.

The reincarnation idea is neat. I wouldn't mind being reborn as an animal or a pretty tree maybe a lighthouse. The last two are so outdated but eh :P

I know some enlightened fedora atheists who got that personality from reddit but most people I know are atheists and regular people. I barely know any outspoken religious people and theyre considered kind of odd in The Netherlands.

https://youtube.com/shorts/eZRzy2McZek?si=9kHH0R-Guzcbe9N9

variasuite posted...

Cool, enjoy being an outcast from society because you're so very smart and enlightened.

Atheism is intrinsically contrary to the "established order". We may find religion a detriment to society, but the absence of attachment or central governance is a cornerstone of atheism.

Any advocacy groups calling out the corruption in religious organizations, are acting on their own accord. They don't represent all atheists.

mistymermaid posted...

Atheism is intrinsically contrary to the "established order". We may find religion a detriment to society, but the absence of attachment or central governance is a cornerstone of atheism.

It's only the established order because Christianity is a religion that uses fear and conformity to keep it's adherents in line.

I don't think the level of attachment to various governing systems has any correlation to whether or not someone is an atheist, in fact it's the opposite. Atheists hold a wide swatch of political views, in fact someone just expressing they are an atheist is far less of a predictor of their political views than someone who is part of a specific religious sect.

It's honestly just a personality thing, if you're confrontational and overly aggressive when it comes to your opinions, you're more likely going to come off as an asshole to most people in general. While I'll admit the majority of my closets friends are Christians, as an Atheist myself, I've also met many Atheists who keep their opinions about religion to themselves. In fact, the only time I ever bring up I'm an Atheist is if the person personally asks me. I'm so good at BS'ing prayers/graces most people flat out assume I'm a Christian lol. The only time I ever usually participate in religious dialogue from an Atheist perspective is if I feel there's a certain level of dishonesty being portrayed whether it's representing either the Atheist or Christian arguments.

mistymermaid posted...

Atheism is intrinsically contrary to the "established order". We may find religion a detriment to society, but the absence of attachment or central governance is a cornerstone of atheism.

Any advocacy groups calling out the corruption in religious organizations, are acting on their own accord. They don't represent all atheists.

Citation needed.

mistymermaid posted...

Atheism is intrinsically contrary to the "established order". We may find religion a detriment to society, but the absence of attachment or central governance is a cornerstone of atheism.

Any advocacy groups calling out the corruption in religious organizations, are acting on their own accord. They don't represent all atheists.

Bro most Dutch people are atheist and I challenge you to find a more bureaucratic species. They have a rule fetish.

Glob posted...

Citation needed.

It's funny because I was going to respond to him by saying atheists are frequently accused of being "statists" and other misinformed mutations of communism by religious conservatives that get their marching orders from Fox News and the billionaire right wing media machine.

But in reality, atheists are all over the place because it is the absence of a specific type of belief that is the only thing that literally defines an atheist. Beyond that there are far right libertarian atheists, secular humanists, nihilists, progressives... all over the place.

Torgo posted...

It's only the established order because Christianity is a religion that uses fear and conformity to keep it's adherents in line.

I don't think the level of attachment to various governing systems has any correlation to whether or not someone is an atheist, in fact it's the opposite. Atheists hold a wide swatch of political views, in fact someone just expressing they are an atheist is far less of a predictor of their political views than someone who is part of a specific religious sect.

I more meant that atheism doesn't have a governing body to be attached to.

And yeah it's misunderstanding atheism to correlate it too much with political views. Since atheism is defined by the LACK of a deity, there's nothing to even base any political views on.

Torgo posted...

It's funny because I was going to respond to him by saying atheists are frequently accused of being "statists" and other misinformed mutations of communism by religious conservatives that get their marching orders from Fox News and the billionaire right wing media machine.

But in reality, atheists are all over the place because it is the absence of a specific type of belief that is the only thing that literally defines an atheist. Beyond that there are far right libertarian atheists, secular humanists, nihilists, progressives... all over the place.

This, Atheism is not a religion. There's no ritual, prayers, practices, lifestyles, beliefs, doctrine, etc. that you are required to follow. Atheism is simply an answer to a question, that's it. You can still be spiritual and be an atheist, that's literally Buddism. Atheism is as much of a religion as Bald is a haircut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WdttiSg5PM

17 years ago. But I mean heck. I had strange family problems while being spiritual at least.

Prestoff posted...

This, Atheism is not a religion. There's no ritual, prayers, practices, lifestyles, beliefs, doctrine, etc. that you are required to follow. Atheism is simply an answer to a question, that's it. You can still be spiritual and be an atheist, that's literally Buddism. Atheism is as much of a religion as Bald is a haircut.

Not entirely true. Many of the more militant atheists are very evangelical in the spreading of their good news. It's why no one likes them.

variasuite posted...

Not entirely true. Many of the more militant atheists are very evangelical in the spreading of their good news. It's why no one likes them.

That's a personality issue, not an Atheism issue. There's nothing about Atheism that requires "spreading the good news". The same can't be said about about the Abrahamic religions that really push conversions.

Also it was in Kansas City!!!! I hope in well now NFL days. Kelce and Swift make it to Germany safe. Well I mean some parties made it there. Taylor Swift or I think the Dolphins lol I forget.

variasuite posted...

Not entirely true. Many of the more militant atheists are very evangelical in the spreading of their good news. It's why no one likes them.

Just because some people engage in a behavior that you can liken to a similar behavior from other groups, does not mean it's the same thing.

I really get annoyed by this "everything people are passionate about is a religion" line of thinking, it's stupid. It's just re-defining things around when we all know we're talking about belief in a god, supernatural realm, or set of deities.

Kamil posted...

Also it was in Kansas City!!!! I hope in well now NFL days. Kelce and Swift make it to Germany safe. Well I mean some parties made it there. Taylor Swift or I think the Dolphins lol I forget.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/9/95c69ab3.jpg

Prestoff posted...

This, Atheism is not a religion. There's no ritual, prayers, practices, lifestyles, beliefs, doctrine, etc. that you are required to follow. Atheism is simply an answer to a question, that's it. You can still be spiritual and be an atheist, that's literally Buddism. Atheism is as much of a religion as Bald is a haircut.

First, Buddhism is a religion. Second it's not inherently atheistic as there's various versions of Buddhism some theistic some atheistic other transtheistic. Third there are firmly atheistic religions like various forms of Satanism or Creativity (which is atheism + white supremacism).

The "calling atheism a religion is like calling bald a hairstyle/color" analogy is just dumb. No, atheism is not a religion. That doesn't mean being an atheist and being religious are mutually exclusive and the sooner this dead horse gets sent to the glue factory the better.

The militant unchanging mind of some ppl especially my older brother bothers. The commandants are an obvious start, but then when it gets into "oh you are you just playing God". Like shit. Like oh I decided I wanted to swear or decided maybe I can be selfish and it doesn't hurt anyone......

OMG the voice of God is gov't. Sinners repent!!! I gotta share that song it makes me laugh. I do give some money to my local churches but that television stuff.

Torgo posted...

Just because some people engage in a behavior that you can liken to a similar behavior from other groups, does not mean it's the same thing.

I really get annoyed by this "everything people are passionate about is a religion" line of thinking, it's stupid. It's just re-defining things around when we all know we're talking about belief in a god, supernatural realm, or set of deities.

Frankly I'm annoyed at antitheists using passionate as a eumpahaism for dick behavior.

ForsakenHermit posted...

First, Buddhism is a religion. Second it's not inherently atheistic as there's various versions of Buddhism some theistic some atheistic other transtheistic. Third there are firmly atheistic religions like various forms of Satanism or Creativity (which is atheism + white supremacism).

The "calling atheism a religion is like calling bald a hairstyle/color" analogy is just dumb. No, atheism is not a religion. That doesn't mean being an atheist and being religious are mutually exclusive and the sooner this dead horse gets sent to the glue factory the better.

It is the literal meaning of the word.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNVSUWFAzlQ

I feel like this was serious and with a smidge of irony. Like how the Offspring released a b-side "Promoting" Drinking and Driving, Welll I think BR was more serious here but my older brother Offspring was promoting drinking and driving for some reason.

Zwijn posted...

It is the literal meaning of the word.

No it's not. Being an atheist means you don't belive or have a belief in the existence of a deity. Religion is about more than belief in a god.

Sinners repent!

ForsakenHermit posted...

No it's not. Being an atheist means you don't belive or have a belief in the existence of a deity. Religion is about more than belief in a god.

Gods or supernatural powers are the first used definition of religion in every single dictionary. What people come up with after is meaningless.

Zwijn posted...

Gods or supernatural powers are the first used definition of religion in every single dictionary. What people come up with after is meaningless.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

This took seconds of googling. Try again.

Zwijn posted...

Gods or supernatural powers are the first used definition of religion in every single dictionary. What people come up with after is meaningless.

Conflating them doesn't really work either. You can believe phenomena have explanations other than a god.

ForsakenHermit posted...

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

This took seconds of googling. Try again.

A definition using its own word to define itself, come on. Take just that single definition and tell me what religious means. Its like explaining cake to someone with the word cake.

Zwijn posted...

A definition using its own word to define itself, come on. Take just that single definition and tell me what religious means. Its like explaining cake to someone with the word cake.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion

Right up to the first citation sets it quite nicely.

ForsakenHermit posted...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion

Right up to the first citation sets it quite nicely.

So if you arbitrarily cut out the spiritual part its not spiritual, got it.

Care to address how Satanism and Creativity aren't religions? Or are you gonna continue to bury your head in the sand?