Do atheists fancy themselves as nonconformists?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:When an atheist believes in atheism, what does the atheist believe is doing the believing?

Atheist is the lack of belief in a deity. Atheists don't believe in atheism just as non-addicts are not addicted to non-addiction.

But who goes around calling themself a "non addict"?

No one. So your analogy


FAILS

If we lived in a culture in which most people were addicts, the people who were not would distinguish themselves by calling themselves non-addicts

I didn't grow up with religion so I have never defined myself in relation to religion (or lack thereof). It's not part of my culture at all. I only call myself an atheist on DCUM responding to atheist-bashing threads. -AO

Per the analogy, you should call yourself non-religious. Not atheist.

NP.

But it's not just a lack of religion. One can not follow a religion and still believe in a spirituality; that's not what an atheist is or does.

Agreed. No religion, no gods, no spirituality, no special forces (Mother Nature, karma, etc). I don't really call myself anything IRL because it's not something I use to define myself. I'm just me. If someone were to straight out ask "do you believe in god?" I'd say "no", but I don't sit around thinking about how gods and religion do or do not fit into my life. Might be different though if you once did believe in god and are trying to differentiate what you thought before vs now. Maybe? -AO

Agreed. I don't need a title for what I believe or don't believe. The only time I even think about it is when I read a thread on DCUM.

If someone asks what church you go to, what do you say?

I'm the bolded poster and I don't think anyone has ever asked me what church I go to. Do people ask that? If someone did, I'd also just say "I don't go to church". -AO

+1

Never experienced that. Have lived in the south for many years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When an atheist believes in atheism, what does the atheist believe is doing the believing?

Atheist is the lack of belief in a deity. Atheists don't believe in atheism just as non-addicts are not addicted to non-addiction.

But who goes around calling themself a "non addict"?

No one. So your analogy


FAILS

If we lived in a culture in which most people were addicts, the people who were not would distinguish themselves by calling themselves non-addicts

I didn't grow up with religion so I have never defined myself in relation to religion (or lack thereof). It's not part of my culture at all. I only call myself an atheist on DCUM responding to atheist-bashing threads. -AO

Per the analogy, you should call yourself non-religious. Not atheist.

NP.

But it's not just a lack of religion. One can not follow a religion and still believe in a spirituality; that's not what an atheist is or does.

Agreed. No religion, no gods, no spirituality, no special forces (Mother Nature, karma, etc). I don't really call myself anything IRL because it's not something I use to define myself. I'm just me. If someone were to straight out ask "do you believe in god?" I'd say "no", but I don't sit around thinking about how gods and religion do or do not fit into my life. Might be different though if you once did believe in god and are trying to differentiate what you thought before vs now. Maybe? -AO

Agreed. I don't need a title for what I believe or don't believe. The only time I even think about it is when I read a thread on DCUM.

If someone asks what church you go to, what do you say?

I'm the bolded poster and I don't think anyone has ever asked me what church I go to. Do people ask that? If someone did, I'd also just say "I don't go to church". -AO

+1

Never experienced that. Have lived in the south for many years

In a big city or in a small town?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When an atheist believes in atheism, what does the atheist believe is doing the believing?

Atheist is the lack of belief in a deity. Atheists don't believe in atheism just as non-addicts are not addicted to non-addiction.

But who goes around calling themself a "non addict"?

No one. So your analogy


FAILS

If we lived in a culture in which most people were addicts, the people who were not would distinguish themselves by calling themselves non-addicts

I didn't grow up with religion so I have never defined myself in relation to religion (or lack thereof). It's not part of my culture at all. I only call myself an atheist on DCUM responding to atheist-bashing threads. -AO

Per the analogy, you should call yourself non-religious. Not atheist.

NP.

But it's not just a lack of religion. One can not follow a religion and still believe in a spirituality; that's not what an atheist is or does.

Agreed. No religion, no gods, no spirituality, no special forces (Mother Nature, karma, etc). I don't really call myself anything IRL because it's not something I use to define myself. I'm just me. If someone were to straight out ask "do you believe in god?" I'd say "no", but I don't sit around thinking about how gods and religion do or do not fit into my life. Might be different though if you once did believe in god and are trying to differentiate what you thought before vs now. Maybe? -AO

Agreed. I don't need a title for what I believe or don't believe. The only time I even think about it is when I read a thread on DCUM.

If someone asks what church you go to, what do you say?

I'm the bolded poster and I don't think anyone has ever asked me what church I go to. Do people ask that? If someone did, I'd also just say "I don't go to church". -AO

+1

Never experienced that. Have lived in the south for many years

Have lived in a small southern town and large Texas cities. Have absolutely been directly asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Why should you say you don't go to church? Who cares if you go to church or not? Saying that you don't go to church doesn't mean you're an atheist. It just means you don't go to church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

Yikes. Where is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

Yikes. Where is this?

Lot's of places in the south and mid-west. Not so much in DC or on the coasts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

Yikes. Where is this?

DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

Yikes. Where is this?

DCUM.

Yes -- certainly on DCUM, but not everyone is that way

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

Yikes. Where is this?

Lot's of places in the south and mid-west. Not so much in DC or on the coasts.

Yeah, my husband would die if I told anyone where he is from that we're not religious (much less not Christian) because of the of the reaction it would get and the blowback/gossip onto his very religious mother within a small community. They absolutely ask things like what church you go to and whether or not you are "saved". The majority of people I speak with down there are overtly Christian and assume everyone else is as well. My husband tells me that this is pervasive between the coasts and that my experience with religion being no big thing is less usual than his.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

Yikes. Where is this?

Lot's of places in the south and mid-west. Not so much in DC or on the coasts.

Yeah, my husband would die if I told anyone where he is from that we're not religious (much less not Christian) because of the of the reaction it would get and the blowback/gossip onto his very religious mother within a small community. They absolutely ask things like what church you go to and whether or not you are "saved". The majority of people I speak with down there are overtly Christian and assume everyone else is as well. My husband tells me that this is pervasive between the coasts and that my experience with religion being no big thing is less usual than his.

I grew up in the Rust Belt and so did my husband. Not true that this is pervasive "between the coasts". I've never been asked about religion back home or in his hometown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For atheists, maybe if the question is "what religion are you?" the answers "none" _ I don't have a religion. I don't believe in god"

You have to see how that feels like meaningless semantics to us

It is meaningless semantics. That's the whole point. It's not sufficient for an atheist to simply say they don't believe in god or have no religion. They have to attack religion. That's what being an atheist is really all about. It's not metaphysical, it's psychological and political.

Has an atheist ever answered that question by saying "I prefer not to discuss my personal beliefs" or "that's private"?

So weird. If someone asks me as an atheist about my religious beliefs, why should I say "that's private" any more than any one else? Because I am ashamed? Because I don't want to politicize? Just not following

Really. I posted earlier. If someone asks me which church I go to, I respond that I don't go to church. That's all. I don't attack religion.
I agree with the above. WHY should I say "that's private"? It isn't private to me. I don't go to church. I don't believe in God. How and why is that private?

Unfortunately, in the still pervasive pro-Cristian culture we live in, the mere acknowledgment of not participating in Christianity can be seen as an attack. This is partly the responsibility of atheists who have feigned belief in the past in order to fit in or not make waves (the way gay people used to do).

Yikes. Where is this?

Lot's of places in the south and mid-west. Not so much in DC or on the coasts.

Yeah, my husband would die if I told anyone where he is from that we're not religious (much less not Christian) because of the of the reaction it would get and the blowback/gossip onto his very religious mother within a small community. They absolutely ask things like what church you go to and whether or not you are "saved". The majority of people I speak with down there are overtly Christian and assume everyone else is as well. My husband tells me that this is pervasive between the coasts and that my experience with religion being no big thing is less usual than his.

I grew up in the Rust Belt and so did my husband. Not true that this is pervasive "between the coasts". I've never been asked about religion back home or in his hometown.

Much of the rust belt is in the north where there are fewer fundamentalist Christians.