5 questions to atheists, by an atheist

Something a-little different, for those tired of answering questions about Christianity and such. A handful of questions we should think about answering about our own community.

Questions in brief:
I. Is it hypercritical to scorn Christians for proselytising when we do a similar thing with our own opinions & is it right for us to try & silence them?

II. Which of these three demographics is the most important, when we are trying to educate people out of religious thought?
-Those who have no religious beliefs yet (children in the main)
-Those who are and have always been of one religious persuasion or another
-Those who were rationalist but have since moved towards theism

III. Why do you think people turn from the schools of rational thought & convert to a particular religious group?

IV. Where do you see the religious/rationalist balance shifting within your country over the next 10 years?

V. If your country was engulfed in a crusade, fatwa or any other type of religious conflict, would you choose a side to fight for? If yes which one & why. If no, why not.

Looking forward to your answers.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• questions
• atheists
• religion
• answers

[ALoreMiles]

Depending on the situation...if it was an "atheists Vs religions" war, I'd most probably side with atheists...but not unconditionally. I'd fight for the one I thought was right, or try to remain neutral.

I'm a pacifist, and prefer to avoid any kind of violence. Anything done with intent to seriously hurt others in any way never (or rarely) yields in anything good.

There, my answers, written at 1 AM, night before the math exam. :D

Cheers!

VM

[TheTempusFugitive]

Well thanks very much for the answers :).

I hope you do well in the exam, & don't blame me if your don't :P (you'll do fine!)

-TTF

[JuggyMcNoobTube]

5. Assuming it was a religion vs. religion thing, I would just try to steer clear. If things really got out of control I would GTFO if possible.

If it was a religion vs. my country thing, in that case I would be much more likely to get involved.

[TheTempusFugitive]

Thanks for the answers, the more the better :D

-TTF

[bicokun]

(cont)

IV. Rationalism will have grown, but I don't see it toppling religion anytime soon.

V. If I were to take a side in a religious crusade it would be for nonreligious reasons, obviously, and that would all depend on the circumstances.

[bicokun]

I. I don't see it as hypocritical. I, personally, scorn them for proselytizing by lying and appealing to base emotions and ego. In general, I see atheists simply trying to correct those mistakes.

II. Anyone who is capable of rational thought should be our target.

III. Either because they were not rationalist and believed the right things for the wrong reasons or because their emotional comfort outweighed intellectual honesty.

(cont)

[ScipioAfricanusI]

Thank you for some provocative questions. I concurr that a fight among religions would be absured to participate in. Are you hinting that one sect is better than another? For example: are some protestant are better than some Jewish sects? I do think that Humanism is the measure for building alliances with religious people. We (atheists) should retain and defend our positions but within an alliance of those that are compelled to work for social good.

I am on the East Coast of the US.

[CrapnellGates]

I wish you would have narrated the Audio books to "The God Delusion" and "God is not Great". They are seriously so bad I just read the books the old-school way. (not with my ipod)

[karoosten]

you have a great voice!

[avitardotnet]

1. It benefits society to correct poor decisions made by individuals which affects society. As an atheist I look at it like telling a child not to touch a hot stove.

2. Everyone with the capacity to reason.

3. Varies, often societal pressures

4. Rationalist Secularism in the USA

5. Neutrality as long as possible, then if I must fight atheism because I would rather die than live in a lie.

[Shavarnarak]

1) I have not seen any serious advocates of atheism suggest we silence theists. Most of the serious ones are very strong proponents of free speech.

2) Children, innoculate them against religion with knowledge!

3) Far as I'm concerned, lack of intellectual fortitude, or intellect itself.

4) Less religious yet.

5) No, not my business. I don't fight anyway, I flee to a safe spot. I'd go to Australia I think. Why? Because I like to live.

[mkmason2002]

If you were born blind & I tried to explain color or your own blindness or sight, would you be capable of understanding? Of course not. If I told you "you're blind" that would be meaningless to you. If I said "you're in darkness" could you agree? Never. If I told you that you needed to see, that you would be so happy if you could see IT WOULDN'T MEAN A THING TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE BLIND. You my friend are spiritually blind,...just a fact.

[cjhmmp]

@FIVERBEYOND Because they have been witness to more of the negative religious aspects, Im australian and europe has been exposed to more of the harmful side effects of religion than alot of regions, atheism is organic, it occurs naturally everywhere where as organised religion requires indoctrination to survive one or two generations without preaching and its gone atheism dos not require preaching because it is logical