The Atheist Pig

As to terming ourselves, I don’t think “dropping” what we are called in lexicon is smart. First of, it shows a lack of courage (and maybe lack of emotional pride that people look for in strong movements,) thus making us look foolish. Second, that is what we are by dictionary definition. It is a lot wider than a single definition, true, but maybe the answer lies in expanding the list of labels we call ourselves. That way, we can get more specific and honest to what we as individuals are, and technically be more correct. No matter what we call the movement or our core belief, it will be used as a weapon, much like when being black was a weapon that people used to discriminate while it actually gave credence to the idea of the movement, like a piece of pride. It isn’t the title, but the concept of atheism, humanism, or any “No-god” viewpoint that is going to get harsh criticism.

I think Robert Stoll pretty much hits it right on the nail.

Just like Robert, I have to acknowledge that I truly have no knowledge of the existence of a divine being or not. And so, I wouldn’t reject the possibility out of hand. This I guess makes me an Agnostic – which is also how I term myself.

That being said, I personally have a very hard time seeing “the hand of god” in this most unfair, unjust and sometimes extremely cruel world. So as far as it goes, I would be ready to accept the label Atheist.

Also, if there is a God (and “it” is supposed to be a moral beacon), then I think it is doing a really shitty job. So in that case, we are better of without that God anyway.

As beings capable of systematic thought and empathy (some of us at least) there is really no reason to have a God to sanction a humanist morality (say, Kant’s Categorial Imperative). I really don’t understand why religious people need God to be good people. It is as if they are incapable of that in the absence of a direct command. That is rather sad.

Long story short, use the term (atheist, agnostic, humanist) most appropriate to the context.

P.S. Love the blog! I find myself fortunate to live in a country (Denmark), where invoking the will of God in the public sphere outside churches and temples is something of a joke.

Do you define yourself as:

•Atheist
•Humanist
•A non/dis/un/believer
•Skeptic
•Agnostic
•Freethinker

and why?

All of the above.
Why? I’m open to the notion of a God(s). But I’m skeptical enough (my god given abilities (!)), to not want to follow a lie.

I’ve been around long enough to listen to lots of folks who want me to join their particular brand of faith. Each and every one of them feels that they, and they alone, have access to the ‘truth’.
What makes them so special? If they have access to the “truth”, then their ability to act in accordance with their beliefs (i.e. the Power of Discernment, a.k.a. Guidance by the Holy Spirit) should make them nigh Super Human in their day to day actions.
Instead.
What I’ve observed is a bunch of folks acting with the confidence of same, yet continuing to make fools of themselves time and again. And never once admitting that they ever do make mistakes.

In short- Narcissism

All brands of Xtianity (Catholics, Prots, Morg), Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseum; all act as if they’re hyped up on Angel Dust.

Very seldom do any of them have enough humility to see the errors of their vanity. And even the humblest, seek to apologise and rationalise away the errors. If not attempt to project my skepticism as being somehow ….unfair.

They are akin to those who go after James Randi’s Million Dollar Prize, prior to the test, they’re self assured enough to make plans about how they’re gonna spend that moola.
And inevitably, when their claims never match up. They’ve got a kazillion excuses: Negative Vibrations, Too Many Skeptics, The Stars weren’t right, etc etc etc.

I have a limited time upon this planet. Even the religious folks agree to that! So naturally I want to devote myself to the wonders to that which is proven.

Not this happy horsefeathers that is constantly being shoved in my face. I remember from childhood, not being able to get a cool drink on a hot day because it was Sunday, out in the country. But when I was in a big city, the local Jewish Delicatessen, had plenty of cool drinks to sell on a hot Sunday.
As an adult living in places like Utah,Texas, Oklahoma, and other social wastelands, I began to abhor religion. And that abhorrence became a full blown disgust when I was stationed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Life is too short to waste on inanities. Now, we’ve got dipthongs worried about Gays marrying. Same dipthong who is on his fourth marriage, pontificating about how Gays are gonna destroy the sanctity of marriage. All the while not noting the irony.

Religions promises much, delivers little.

I’m ok with all of them but I tend to say I’m an Atheist because I think that the likelihood of god existing is pretty close to 0. This makes my creationist friend alternate between calling me close minded or agnostic.