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This post is like a litmus test for separating pretentious reddit atheists from people who can actually take a joke, bravo
In either case, she’s not going to be disappointed
This dude’s hair makes me irrationally angry lol
But, it’s the perfect topper to an amazingly punchable face!
I’ve watched couple of his videos and I found his voice to be irritating af. Don’t know why.
If you mean Adam Ruins Everything, then him taking all smug about everything is kind of the point.
Nah. His podcast. Watched episodes with Ed Zitron and Cory Doctorow.
As a guy who can’t even pull off the Jean Luc Picard look, and has to shave his head, I applaud everybody who still has their hair; especially the ones with outlandish hairstyles.
Why is that a picture of a real man, and not a man made of straw?
Atheist?
We call ourselves antitheist.
(Yes, I’ll talk about the ills of religion and why it should be abolished. No, I’m not doing it at grandmas deathbed.)
There isn’t anything wrong with having a community of people who share your beliefs and values and holding ceremonies and celebrations with them. The problem is when you try to force your religion on everybody else.
The problem is when you try to force your religion on everybody else.
Which religion does by existing. Everyone gets to vote. And as long a religions exist, some will do so based on things that are not real.
Additionally, respecting different ways of life, and being religious, are mutually exclusive concepts.
Someone that can genuinely think the way I live my life leads to eternal damnation, and also respect my right to choose, is not a good person. To merely treat others decently, the religious must reconcile internal moral beliefs in ways no-one should have to.
Non-secular thinking is not compatible with a secular utopia on earth. And I’m not talking about horoscopes. But religion, which by definition, is a set of rules for how society should work and how people should live. Often applied on the pain of death, or worse.
Pushing those rules on non-conformers is a intrinsic systemic component. Religion without it is not religion. It’s just a nice idea, which subscribers get to hold dear while somehow accepting that anyone who doesn’t must inevitably rot in hell, and they have to be ok with that.
So you’ve made up a very narrow and arbitrary definition of “religion” which sounds very much like evangelical Christianity.
All religions, consist of rules for how things should be.
That is not compatible with live and let live. That I reference the worst of them does not make the lesser ones innocent. Just lesser. Half bad is still bad. So is a quarter. Or any fraction.
Religion is informal law, which unlike actual law, is not up for a vote. And with which the inconsistency of interpretation, is a feature, not a bug.
And believers do get to vote, which can make their laws, our laws.
And trusting them to “live and let live” which in their frame of reference might doom others to some purgatory or other, isn’t as valid an option as you make out.
“Actually, he didn’t help build Roko’s Basilisk so he’s in hell now”
As an atheist, I don’t go around bashing on others’ beliefs - as long as they’re respectful to others and don’t use their beliefs to police others.
A grandma on her deathbed, trying to find comfort in her faith? Hell, I will sit with her and confirm that she’s indeed about to see her dead husband and spend eternity with him. Because at that point, being kind is more important than being right or debating theology.
But, the moment you try to use your beliefs to dictate how others live (beyond basic morality, going beyond the golden rule), out comes the “fuck off with your imaginary sky daddy” argument. You are free to live your life by any doctrine you want, as long as it doesn’t affect others negatively. You don’t want to eat meat? Sure, go for it. You don’t want to eat pork/beef/seafood? It’s your body, your choice. You don’t want to get an abortion or transition to a different gender or be in a gay relationship? Again, it’s up to you. But the very second you try to tell others to live by your rules, you can fuck right off, and then fuck off some more just for good measure.
And it’s not like I’m not open to debate. I guess at the end I’m more agnostic rather than atheist, in this aspect. I welcome theological debate. I’ll gladly argue about it for hours as long as you’re respectful. I’ve got a bunch of theist friends - Christians, Muslims, Hindu, a variety of pagan/wiccan witches, and so on - with whom we do sit down on occasion with a drink or a joint and debate various aspects of belief, religion (organised or personal), their effects and influences on society and vice versa. It can be a brilliant topic of discussion as long as everyone respects the others and listens to their side. After all, every single person has their own point of view formed by their upbringing, their life experiences, and so on, and these are equally important regardless if you agree with them or not. But it’s equally important to understand that these debates aren’t meant to convert anyone. They are there to convey a part of you you find important, so others can better understand you. Understanding why one turned away from, or turned to religion, and how that helped them as a person.
To summarise: religion is like a penis. It’s okay to have one, it’s okay to not have one. It’s even okay to be proud of (not) having one. Hell, it’s even okay to think yours is better than others’. What’s not okay is pulling it out in public and trying to force it down others’ throats, or try to legislate in the form of a dick measuring contest.
You don’t want to eat meat? Sure, go for it.
But the very second you try to tell others to live by your rules, you can fuck right off,
I agree with you, it’s cruel to force others to live by your dietary rules. I’m personally vegan, and I’m completely fine with meat eaters as long as they don’t force their dietary choices onto other people or animals.
Right? It’s maddening to see that meat eaters can not see this incredibly obvious contradiction in their otherwise commendable live and let live mentality.
And also like a penis, keep it away from children. It sickens me how much religion preys on children to indoctrinate them before they have the critical thinking skills to see through the grift.
fuck off with your imaginary sky daddy
Do one better, tell them that your sky daddy is bigger than theirs and could beat him in a fight, then pull out pamphlets on your chosen fake god and give them to them for a change.
Literally did it last week, couple Mormons came to sell me bullshit, I pulled out a couple pamphlets from The Church of the SubGenius and told them the good word of “Bob”. Much more fun, and it’s harder for them to dismiss than anti-theism outright because they’re used to that but like nobody does this lmao.
Which Bob are we talking about here?
The only “Bob” that matters of course, the Saint of Sales and One True Slack Master himself, J. R. “Bob” Dobbs. “Bob” is the founder of The Church, in 1953 while working on a television set it shocked the living ghee out of him and through this he communicated with JHVH-1 (Jehovah as you may know him), he pretends to be a god but he told “Bob” the Truth, he’s an evil alien from some corporate sin galaxy here to take our Slack! After this Revelation “Bob” founded The Church to help save the True SubGenii (that’s me, and maybe you! Find out at www.subgenius.com or send $5 to “Bob” at P.O Box 807 Glen Rose TX 76043 and request the pamphlet) hiding amongst the humans and stop JHVH-1. To do this he sold the planet to the good aliens, the X-ists, who will come rupture all the ordained SubGenii into the PleasureSaucers come X-Day (July 5th 1998, which hasn’t happened yet despite what The Conspiracy wants you to think. 2026, pfft yeah right, then where’s my Saucer?).
It’s true, scout’s honor.
So not one of the Bobs of Dennis E. Taylor?
Nah, none of them have the quotes.
What the HELL do you think you’re doing!?
(Also, here’s Arise! because I love it)
Lmfao that summary. I have a very similar approach to life. It’s blindingly apathetic, for the most part. I just don’t care which way your gate swings, what, if any sky daddy you believe in etc. My only rule is simple: don’t be a shitbag. That’s it. That’s all. Treat people like they’re humans. If you are a shitbag, out comes the billy club.
I agree that this is the best approach to it. Live and let live.
I’m an atheist as well, and I definitely went through that stereotypical antagonistic phase when I was much younger, and now I cringe about it. I’ve softened on religion a lot since then and no longer view it as a human failing that has only caused harm. I respect that others may have reached a different conclusion than me, and I recognize that religion has served as a vehicle for culture that has driven much of the societal progress and values that we take for granted today.
Don’t feel cringey about personal growth, that’s a badge of honor
I was very antagonistic because I grew up an atheist in a conservative ultracatholic hell. Now I live in a chill place that used to also be conservative ultracatholic hell. I got to meet religious people that didn’t sincerely believe that I deserve to be tortured forever for not believing in what they do, who aren’t bigots, who believe in abortions, who hate rapist priests. When people aren’t mad at you all the time, it’s so much more peaceful to reciprocate.
It’s easy to fall into antitheism when the only religious people around you are structurally supporting evil, it’s hard when you see that people can actually have a positive relationship with their religion and community, even if they are incorrect about some metaphysical truth.
I guess at the end I’m more agnostic rather than atheist, in this aspect.
I don’t like how agnostic and atheist have been used. Atheist means a lack of belief in a god. Anti-theist is the active belief there isn’t one. Agnostic is someone who knows that they cannot know if there’s a god. Agnostic atheist is someone who knows they can’t know if there’s a god and lacks the belief in one.
Agnostic is not the same claim as atheist or theist. It is a claim on the ability to know something, not on the beliefs that person holds. A gnostic atheist is the same as an Anti-theist. They think they can know there isn’t a god. The inverse for a gnostic theist. You can also be an agnostic theist, who doesn’t think it can be known, but they still believe.
Okay then let me rephrase my beliefs:
- I do not believe in any deity et al
- I do not dismiss the potential for a higher being to exist
- I will not believe in such an entity until undismissable, scientifically verifiable, direct proof is given
And its like ‘grandma even if I’m wrong and you’re right, you know that’s never gonna happen. Grandpa was a good person.’
This is truly the behavior to expect from theists. You’re lying there waiting for death and some wannabe preacher tells you that it’s not too late to join their cult
What, that she says she gets to go be with g-pa? Let her have her moment. OP is making this situation way more complicated than it needs to be.
this gives “I talked to a JW once” energy
Nah I grew up in fundamentalist circles
dam, rough.
Protestant indoctrination is why most people leave Christianity. Hope you find Christ, Frater
Protestant indoctrination
apparently you’re not disgusted by the long history of child rape in the catholic church? or do you actively help the coverup?
Protestants lolol
I hope you wise up and find Ganesh someday
Remover of obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, lord of letters and learning, and chicks dig a prehensile nose. There’s definitely worse choices if you’re shopping for deities.
I was at a funeral where the preacher was doing that! “If she were here now, she would tell you to make sure that you get your life right with Jesus.” Um, no, she fucking wouldn’t! Her fiance was sitting in front of me, and I thought I could see smoke coming out of his ears.
It was her family’s funeral, though, and apparently they were Christians.
As an atheist, I never bring up my beliefs unless asked. My religious friends and relatives on social media spout their shit non-stop. If I did 1/10th of that they’d be up in arms.
This post just seems like a straw man to try and keep atheists invisible.
Don’t worry. I got you covered. I whine about religion all the time and make sure to mention I’m an atheist. As you said, they’re constantly pushing their thing down other people’s throats. If they can’t handle the comments, they should keep it to themselves. The same way they want gay people to keep it to themselves.
yeah this is the part that slays me. “vocal atheists are so annoying”
asshole, how many times have atheists knocked on your door?
how many atheists did you encounter on your way to your pap smear at planned parenthood?
fucking hypocrites, child rapists and child rape accomplices.
Annoying militant atheists are definitely rarer than annoying militant christians, but they do exist. Especially on reddit. One of the reasons I enjoy lemmy is that those people are rarer.
Fun side fact: I knew one of my two best friends for over a decade before finding out they were christian. They had been wearing the same cross necklace under their shirt that whole time. We just never talked about it because it didn’t come up and they aren’t preachy.
This post just seems like a straw man to
try and keep atheists invisible.farm engagement.It doubles up on religious debate, and hating on Reddit.
Correct, plus if it’s reddit it’s possibly a bot created specifically to make that straw man real. Christians in particular have a persecution fetish, after all.
Eh I mean I was there 15 years ago when /r/atheism was a default subreddit (when default subreddits were a thing, nowadays I believe that’s no longer the case). Some of the commenters/posters seemed like they’d be genuinely exhausting people in real life. Not a majority by any means, otherwise I would’ve unsubscribed fairly quickly.
Well then isn’t it refreshing that a real human stole that reddit bot post who stole it from a human on twitter and gave it to us here on Lemmy, restoring it back to human-to-human sharing.
They found Russian agents working through social media to widen rifts in the US electorate, specifically on the vaccine debate. They had agents playing both sides: pro-vax and anti-vax.
Who knows how many entities are doing this right now? On which topics? On which social networks?
So, yes, fake atheists being assholes, but also fake Christians being assholes. You are always being manipulated. There is never a time you are not being manipulated.
You are not immune to propaganda
I am not immune to propaganda
We are not immune to propaganda! ☭
☭
gold
I feel like Reddit atheists are far too commonly given the spotlight, and intentionally so by theocratic fascists.
There are countless genuinely terrible things about organized religion and its role and influence in society. This conversation absolutely needs to be had. Nobody serious is going to grieving or dying people to shit on their coping skills using religion.
Well, the US certainly needs to have a discussion about organized Christianity. That’s the only religion I ever see getting up in my business.
I’ve talked with missionaries before, but never atheist ones.
Ironically, reading religious texts and critically thinking about them are the best way to convert someone from a religion to atheism.
Plot twist: Grandma is also atheist and we are both happy that wherever she is headed is the same place as grandpa and everyone else, the eternal nothingness from which we came.
Yeah, achieving the same state as them is a pretty low bar to claim.
Facts. Like just last week I had some Northern Unorthodox Atheists ringing my doorbell trying to tell me the good news about their “no god” or something, idk I wasn’t really listening.
Anyway, all I had to do was start speaking Latin backwards and crawl on the ceiling to get them to leave.
