Off The Map Discussion Board for Christians, Atheists and People In-between

[Stephan]

There has been discussion here about the fact that Atheists, according to a recent University on Minnesota study, are the least trusted minority in America. I think I may have thought of at least one reason why this is. I am not trying to pass judgment on anyone here, just make an observation.

Atheists are for a great many things – education, conservation, human rights, etc. But when an Atheist becomes an activist they are almost always speaking against something – religion. This is something that most people in our country feel is a pretty good thing, so when the spokespeople for Atheism seem to be unanimously lined up against it, that paints the whole group in a bad light.

I realize that saying Atheists are against religion is not entirely accurate. For the most part they are willing to leave religion alone unless it becomes involved in politics, but the way most people view it, they are against religion in general, and for the most strident ones this is actually true.

Are there any ways that Atheists can change this perception? Can Atheists be activists without appearing to be against religion?

[JaysonB]

[TXatheist]

Jayson is correct imo.

[Julie Marie]

[TXatheist]

FFRF is a group I support financially and donate to regularly on a national level. I help UU with hands on housing on a local level. My time now is very consumed with my young son but when I get more time, hopefully, I'll go back to getting religion out of the public realm including getting the 10 C monument off the Austin capitol grounds and for Texas to acknowledge a national day of reason to balance out the national day of prayer.

[Julie Marie]

[Julie Marie]

[TXatheist]

Julie,
What was the gist of the Charleston issue? I'll tell you why I'm curious. My brother is a xian now because of his wife, for the most part, but her dad is an absolute atheist and talks bad about xianity so I don't know if she does it to be rebellious because she disagrees with me on almost everything and usually has to have the last word, I've learned that is fine as it's not worth arguing but I only met her Dad at the wedding and would love to meet him and discuss the Charleston thing with him, before he goes. [/b]

[Julie Marie]

TX, I tried to find a transcript of the debates, but can't. Herb Silverman, PhD, math professor @ College of Charleston, challenged all comers to a debate on finding God in the consitution. The debate ran over a few weeks, in the paper, and generated a handful of letters to the editor.

Dr. Silverman, I found out, (while trying unsuccessfully to get your info) has fought long and hard for atheist rights down in the lowcountry. (thats coastal SC). He had to fight a legal battle to even have the right to be a notary public.

Of course, that bit of news probably just added another plank to your justifiably angry platform. Sorry about that.

While researching I also found out Dan Barker was here last month speaking. If I'd have known that I'd have gone and listened.

[TXatheist]

It only adds to the ignorance like Texas. The TX Constitution says to hold public office in TX one must acknowledge a supreme being. I'll look up the Silverman stuff now that I have the basics, thanks for looking though.

[Julie Marie]

[Karen]

Trying to organize atheists is the like proverbial trying to herd cats.

The thing is, we don't have any organizing principles - other than our nonbelief. So, if we're not opposing religion's intrusions on our freedoms, there's no overarching need for us to come together.

That said, there are groups like the FFRF that do try to oppose the takeover of secular society by religion. But because many of us have come from religious backgrounds where we were not allowed to think for ourselves, and we've spent years breaking free from that training, we do tend to be pretty independent-minded types.

Scriptures and religious tradition vilify and denigrate nonbelievers. That's the main reason atheists are misunderstood and mistrusted, IMO.

[Julie Marie]

[TXatheist]

Good luck, in Texas the law is absurd. Attorney General Greg Abbott said in the 10C trial to have that monument removed that the 10C are a secular document and should stay because of that.

[Siamang]