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As I'm sure many of you have heard, a study was done sometime over the last few years showing that atheists are the least trusted minority in the country.
We're also the least desirable marriage material for the average American's child.
I would like to know, why? I have my suspicions, and I believe some of them are correct. However, I'd like to hear it straight from others, what don't you like about us? What makes you uncomfortable? I'd really like some honest opinions.
I'm not starting this because I want to be degraded, or because I want to fight, but as an educational venture.
I, for example, believe that if more people came to know me, and my altruistic ways, they would reform their opinions on atheists. Some of my friends already have.
So tell me, and maybe I and other fellow disbelievers can educate you on who we really are.
I don't venture over to the R&P very much but this post made me stop and think. I think that I love all people, atheist or not. And so does God. If anyone wants me to expound on that I can certainly do that.
I think when that poll was done religion was a hot topic on the national level with everyone trying to play the god card to win elections, etc. The public is stupid, generally speaking, and will be swayed by whatever is being talked about at the time. Any group will be the least trusted given the right "spin". Personally, I don't trust people who identify themselves and Christians or church goers without prompting. They are usually trying to make themselves look good.
You should call in more often dear lady. We're much more amenable than they are on your forum...and the coffee is better.
I know all that, yet I am a creature of habit and having two threads going over there keeps me pretty busy. I love you guys and I miss June so much, thanks for the last tet-a-tet or whatever you call that stuff between you and June, it was lovely to see.
Wow, that's awful. I was atheist for 20 years and would never have told people to do any of those things or judged them based on whether they do those things. Especially the "don't reproduce" one. How insulting. I'm so sorry about any atheist or agnostic that told you that. Please know that not all atheists are like that!
I know it's not common for atheists to be that way. I'm just saying the few people I knew who were that way were atheist or at least non-theist.
One of the cases that hit me hardest was online, but the strange thing is he backed-off and apologized. I think why it bothered me with him is he was a pretty nice guy. He even tried to teach inner-city school kids. (That didn't really work out, their problems were more than he could handle, but I think he was trying to be a good guy in his life) So I was a bit blindsided in a way. I think it was one of those things that sounded good/just in his head, reducing the rate of suffering in the world and all, but on saying it he realized he wasn't thinking of all the consequences. Or how it might sound to someone with such a condition.
The other atheist/non-theist who suggested it had many good qualities, but frankly he was kind of a snob about some things. It wouldn't surprise me if he thought reproduction should be limited to people with Master's Degrees from good Universities, in fact I think that might have actually been part of his idea. So I don't know that it shocked me too much he was concerned about medical conditions being inherited. Part of why people might not expect this will upset me is that I'm actually not interested in reproducing. It's not that I think another person in the world with my condition is a bad thing. To be honest having a kid without my condition would also make me nervous. I just don't feel I have the emotional equipment or stamina to be a decent father. Also I like my life simple, even if I like some of my beliefs to be complicated, and I think having kids would complicate my life more than I could handle. I just don't like the idea of people telling me I shouldn't reproduce. I'm not doing it because I don't want to, or I don't think it'd work for me, not because I owe it to the species or something.
If it helps there have been Christians who told me some pretty weird things too. A relative pointed at a guy in a wheelchair and told me "If I had to be disabled like that I'd kill myself." That's not really a Christian belief, but sometimes Christians say things that don't really flow from their religion. (In particular you can find Christians who talk about "white trash" and "welfare scum" or the like.) In fairness my disability is somewhat unique, no part of me is paralyzed or spastic, and I sometimes don't even see it as a disability as I was born this way. So some of my relatives pick up on that "vibe" and don't think of me as disabled. Another Christian referred to me as a "that" which could be "healed" by Benny Hinn I think.
Generally though I find people, theist or not, to be fairly good with my disability or condition. I remember the weird ones because they stand out so much.
Um...you mention atheist "propaganda" then go on to talk about evolution. Hate to break it to you but evolution is not a defining "belief" of atheism. Anyway, whether or not I have a belief in organisms changing and adapting over time, has nothing to do with my lack of belief in any gods.....
Why do you assume that I am unaware of theistic evolution or that I am defining evolution as atheistic by default?
BTW
Belief in a biblically-described creator doesn't require one to reject all biological adaptations. It simply places a limit as to how far those adaptations can go.
Why do you assume that I am unaware of theistic evolution or that I am defining evolution as atheistic by default?
BTW
Belief in a biblically-described creator doesn't require one to reject all biological adaptations. It simply places a limit as to how far those adaptations can go.
"adaptations" is the golden word.
As much possible I prefer to be peaceable with all but I tend shy away from extremist/division artist of any sort.
In my book, they are not worth what the owl left on the limb.
.....or whatever you call that stuff between you and June, it was lovely to see.
See? Some atheists aren't so bad after all and can be quite lovable individuals.
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