Association of your values with Devil / Satan: is it offensive?

[Anonymous]

This issue came up on a different forum section, but it is more appropriate to discuss it here. Should an atheist feel offended when atheism is associated with the Devil / Satan?

Here are a few opinions:
1. Since atheists don't believe in Devil / Satan, they should not be offended
2. Since atheists know exactly what religious people mean by associating them with Devil / Satan, they have reasons to feel offended.

What do you think? Feel free to mention your religious affiliation to provide context.

[Anonymous]

It’s not the association with satan, of.course that is meaningless. It is the suggestion that atheists have no or bad morals that is offensive.

[Anonymous]

Well, first, you should evaluate whether you are the a hole. Really think about it. Are you wrong, and a dick? If not, you should be offended, because you were insulted. It, of course, has nothing to do with religion, and this is a supremely stupid question.

[Anonymous]

If I were to associate your god’s value to satan/devil, would it be offensive? Yeah I think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, first, you should evaluate whether you are the a hole. Really think about it. Are you wrong, and a dick? If not, you should be offended, because you were insulted. It, of course, has nothing to do with religion, and this is a supremely stupid question.

I will have to disagree, there is no Satan / Devil outside religion. Here is more context, so you understand the situation. I am at a show, eager to learn about thousands of years of Chinese culture. Colorful costumes, synchronized dancing, talented dancers. Then a tenor comes on the stage and starts singing that "Between atheism and evolution, Satan lurks." Later in the show, a soprano comes on stage and sings that "Atheism and evolution are the Devil's deceit." I am not sure if I was an a hole, but you can decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the association with satan, of.course that is meaningless. It is the suggestion that atheists have no or bad morals that is offensive.

I believe that is the implication: you don't believe in God, you likely don't have a moral compass.

[Anonymous]

Why ask a Christian? Jesus once said:

It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

[Anonymous]

Matthew 15:26

[Anonymous]

I am offended when other Christians associate being progressive with Satanism or demons. I would assume atheists feel that way too.

[Anonymous]

Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

[Anonymous]

It certainly doesn’t offend me, an atheist, because Satan doesn’t exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

They 100% are. And for those that are confused, no one in OP’s thread in the Entertainment forum said he didn’t have morals. You do not need to be religious to have morals. Otherwise we wouldn’t have millions of stories of religious men acting without morals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It certainly doesn’t offend me, an atheist, because Satan doesn’t exist.

+1

[Anonymous]

I’m an atheist. I guess it would annoy me/offend me in same way if you compared me to any mythological or fictional villain. Like the Joker, a skinwalker, Loki, or the boogeyman.

I do get offended when my values are compared to real evils like the Holocaust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez, are you the same poster who went on and on about feeling duped by that Shen Yun show? Atheist here, and I think you need to get a grip and let it go. Who the heck cares whether your belief system is associated with the devil in some people’s religions? Since I don’t believe in it, whatever, it’s like being associated with the tooth fairy or something.

So I assume you go for #1 then. Thanks for your input.