Saw a National convention for American Atheists on C-Span. I didn't know one existed. It was pretty refreshing. People were saying you don't need God to know morality and ethics. For example, you don't lie because if you do people will not consider you reliable and trustworthy anymore. Not because Jesus said so.
Anyway, they said the biggest prejudice in America against Atheists is the fact that they are associated with dictators and inability to love anything.
Their right, I've lost several close friends because I don't belive. They say I must be a satan worshipper. I tell people I don't belive in any kind of spirit life, but they say I have to belive in something. It goes on and on, they get mad and I'm out.
Their right, I've lost several close friends because I don't belive. They say I must be a satan worshipper. I tell people I don't belive in any kind of spirit life, but they say I have to belive in something. It goes on and on, they get mad and I'm out.
Unless your were very obnoxious about it (and I doubt that you were), they weren't really close friends. Real friends will respect each other's beliefs, even if they don't share them. Besides, if you were a satan worshipper, you wouldn't be an atheist.
The biggest prejudice in America is not against Atheist. How could you be prejiduce against people that believe in nothing. Now I do believe that there is a healthy dislike for those Atheists who are attempting to stifle the rights of Theists. Also how long before we view Atheism as a form of religion or as a belief structure that falls under the seperation of Church and state. If Atheist's ban together and battle against traditional religion then I think they should be treated as a religion.
The biggest prejudice in America is not against Atheist. How could you be prejiduce against people that believe in nothing. Now I do believe that there is a healthy dislike for those Atheists who are attempting to stifle the rights of Theists. Also how long before we view Atheism as a form of religion or as a belief structure that falls under the seperation of Church and state. If Atheist's ban together and battle against traditional religion then I think they should be treated as a religion.
I dont know how that sounds exactly.
Atheism is a belief, but I don't think you could classify it as a religion. I see religion as a belief in a deity. Atheism believes in no deity.
Atheists (at least this one) don't want to abridge anyone's rights to worship as they please, they just don't want to be forced to support a religion they don't believe in with their tax money or in their government in any form (in courtrooms, on money, in the Pledge of Allegiance, etc.).
Many people at the Convention said they came from religious families and practiced religion themselves at some point. They said they became atheists because they did not find enough evidence to accept their belief in God.
I know what you are saying Spider but I do not think that Atheists should have a broader platform to voice their beliefs than a person of faith does. I guess the question is, do you believe that atheistic groups who preach against religion should recieve government funding in some form or are they to seperate like religious groups are supposed to be.
Scott,
You could create your own atheist non-profit group and gain a tax exempt statis.
Big,
Logic and reason are not always the best way to aproach life. And if you have ever had a girlfriend you would know that. Any man who has been married knows that emotion trumps logic every time.
Many people at the Convention said they came from religious families and practiced religion themselves at some point. They said they became atheists because they did not find enough evidence to accept their belief in God.
If they needed physical evidence then I would say they never believed in the first place. Remember after Jesus was resurrected he appeared to Thomas and Thomas who doubted Christ stuck his finger in the spear wound in Jesus's side. Jesus told Thomas that he was blessed because he had seen the resurrection but he also said to Thomas, those who have not seen yet still believe are more blessed.
American Atheists 
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