Things like this (that I shared from another's wall)
"If I am wrong and there is a Judeo/Christian god, the day of mydeath will truly be judgment day. I do hereby affirm that I will give him a fair chance to account for his deeds before I pass judgment upon him."
This sparks a lot of good discussions. I don't really consider myself an activist (that term always tends to make me squirm a little bit), but I suppose I am by definition. I do hope that at some point at least one person feels a little bit less "alone" as an atheist by me opening my big flapping jaws. I tend not to get much for mean, angry, hateful, and vile comments (I know, just wait). I believe that most people are good, honest, and loving (religious or otherwise... religion does not hold the market on morality).
Every once in a while I get a message or comment like the one I'm posting below. It is far from mean, but it does imply that they would like me to post less. To tell anyone to post less of anything is a little thing called an attempt at censorship and is an example of the bad form of discrimination. To threaten in any way (this person did not) if the request is not met is a threat of persecution. I actually consider what this person posted more of a question than anything... I look at it as if he is asking "why?" and that is the most important question there is. The question "why?" is the reason I left religion.
I actually agree with two things this person wrote (I mentioned in my reply).
I am posting this because it is likely to get lost amongst all the "atheist propoganda" I post on my facebook page (LOL) and I really would like feedback on my response. I am leaving names out, since they are totally unimportant to the issue, and I will refer to the person as "Theist A" (I would use "Theist Z", but I'm saving that one for a zombie).
Theist A ~
"Ok we get it, you and G*d don't see eye to eye!
But your fight is'nt with G*d, it's with the Church and the idiots who would use G*d's name to hide their own misdeeds.
G*d exists, even if only as a figment of our imagination . . . but even that is infinately beyond anything we can understand or imagine . . . just as it is human arrogance to claim to speak on G*d's behalf, it is utter hubris to deny the existence of something that obviously created all that is, however it happened.
They only thing that matters in the relationship between man and G*d, is the relationship between man and G*d."
My Quick Response ~
"I agree with some of what you said & firmly disagree with some."
My Full Response (Once I had time to sit at a computer) ~
"Ok, I finally have a couple minutes so I can reply:
No, obviously you don't "get it"... lol
It is not that any deity & I "don't see eye to eye", there would actually have to be a deity and there is no reason to believe there are any gods.
My argument is more with religion itself... the hate, bigotry, elitism, biases, persecution, death, immoralities, pain, and other bad crap it promotes and causes more than with religious people (unless they themselves do the same). The average person (religious or non-believer) is a good person.
I agree that to believers their god(s) exist in their imagination... but that is not beyond what we can understand. A deity that exists outside of their imagination, as long as it has any connection/association with our physical world is also something that is not beyond what we can understand (or test, for that matter). A deity that has no connection or association with our physical world should be of nobody's concern because it may as well not exist, there would be no difference.
"it is utter hubris to deny the existence of something that obviously created all that is, however it happened" Where is the evidence for this claim you are making? I (and many others, including almost everyone in the scientific community... you know, the experts in that field) strongly disagree that there was "obviously" a creator.That implies a vast amount of evidence... more than just asking for some to even support anyone's belief in a creator. To say something of this magnatude about that is truly human arrogance.
I agree that the only thing that matters in the relationship between a person and their personal god(s) is just that... untill they bring someone else into it and impose their morality, restrict their rights, etc. That is simply wrong.Everyone has the right to believe whatever they want, as long as it doesn't restrict anyone elses rights, freedoms, or liberties.
All that said, atheist activism is basically the same as any other activism... it is really similar to gay activism since there are many many (you would be surprised how many & who) atheists who are afraid to "come out" due to the persecution they may (and often do) recieve.
Yes, I post things I agree with because I like it (just as many theists post woo on their walls all the time)... It is my wall and I can do whatever the fuck I want. If someone doesn't like it they don't have to look at it. They can ignore, block, delete, etc... that is their right. But I also post things to let others know that when they use logic, reason, and rational thinking they are not alone... Maybe, just maybe someone will "come out" and not feel trapped to hide who they are. When I finally broke the chains of religion I felt so free and relieved, the guilt for nothing was gone! Everyone should be allowed to freely express themselves and who they are, without reprocussions from people who disagree with them. I am not out to "convert" anyone. Actually, the only good thing that comes from debating with someone who has closed their mind and refuses to use skepticism is that there are others who will see/hear and that might help them. Cognitive Dissonance is a powerful thing."
------------------------
Ok, doing this blog post I realized I did miss one very important key issue... I forgot to ask him who was this "we" he was speaking of in his first sentence.
So let me know what you think... I thank you in advance.
And because my blog posts get the most traffic for the horny (according to the search engines) here is a picture of Megan Fox:
Sooooo freakin' true!
~John V.
