Is 'Atheist' a dirty word?

[naomi24]

At least twice on AB recently, on threads quite unrelated to religion, I been accused of being an atheist. I say 'accused' because the word was spat out as an accusation clearly as a last resort in order to muster support from others for the accuser's floundering argument. Whilst I found the superstitious naivety of it somewhat amusing - it reminded me of the witch-hunters of the 17th century - actually in this day and age it's quite worrying that apparently intelligent people believe that absence of faith can justifiably be used as a weapon. So, is atheist a dirty word, and if so why?

[KARL]

It appears to me that those who are not particularly religious (i.e more than 50% of westerners, possibly fewer elsewhere) have no particular view on this question. But fervently religious people are similarly hissing toward atheists (and even agnostics) as others are toward gay people, those who dress in unorthodox ways, males with long hair, etc., etc. It is to them a deep affront that someone openly refuses to conform, or even pay lip service. In my experience, many Muslim people divide the non-Muslim world into three categories: 1. non-muslim monotheistic people, 2. non-Muslim believers in more than one god (e.g. Hindus), and 3. those who pointedly have no religion (i.e. primarily atheists) - all in order of increasing disapproval. I think some strongly conformist Christians do not see things very differently and I would agree with those who have said the religious (Christians) are often surprisingly ignorant of what the Bible (including the New Testament) actually says. Not long ago I earned the vitriol of an American (typically overtly Christian) when I pointed out that nowhere in the scripture does it say that Jesus claimed to be God (son of maybe, but not God or a god) nor that his mother was a virgin. At first it was angry protest time, but when I could not be disproved (frantic search on the internet drawing a blank) I became dispised/hated. On the other hand, I know quite a few people of Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths who are very tolerant of my agnostic position and show practically no tendendency to question/challenge it - at least no more than I (rarely) gently rib them about their faith (the difference naturally comes up very occasdionally in conversation).

[naomi24]

Thanks Society, but it doesn’t worry me in the least. It amuses me more than anything. Why people feel justified in using the word ‘atheist’ as a weapon is what baffles me. It’s as though they somehow believe they possess the moral high ground and everyone else will champion them in whatever argument they’re engaged in simply because they believe in God and their opponent doesn’t.

The funny thing is from the same sanctimonious keyboard came one of the unkindest things I’ve ever seen written on AB - not aimed at me, but about someone else. All I can say is if that’s religious compassion, thank God I’m an atheist! I’d rather be me any day!!

Shaney, yes, if people find comfort in religion it is up to them - until it affects others who then have every right to challenge it.

Karl, ‘hissing’ is the perfect description. That's exactly what it is.

[shaneystar2]

I really don't need to study a book wyzard to tell me what to believe or disbelieve .
Life tells me what I need to believe .
It's given me all the information I need so far :)

[society]

Shaneystar, stop sounding like you know Methuselah, I know you don't. ;-)

[123everton]

No, it's not.

[mike11111]

I'm not an atheist, but I see where you are all coming from with the 'born again' mentality. They are just like ex-smokers who ram their new gospel down your throat. By the way, I still smoke.

[jomifl]

'The less you believe in the happier you will be' Anon

[DTCwordfan]

In summary, each to his own and there is nothing wrong with healthy debate.

Too often here, there are attacks by the Chrissies on aetheistic views, and on views of other religions esp. the Muslim faith. And attacks on the others by the Aetheists...and occasionally, very occasionally, from a Muslim or another religion. When comments become personal attacks or use of "stoopid" or "what do you know" then this is the time to abandon the thread.
Personally, I find comparative religion quite interesting and if topics here help explain the history, tradition, meaning of an "angle" of a religion, that is interesting - and we must face it, society and religion in all its different colours are intertwined...... Some of my most interesting exchanges have been during travel around the Middle East - so there is so much misunderstanding on both sides of the Christian-Muslim faiths and only a small percentage of folk understand the commonalities that are shared - like one God (Allah) - and add the Jewish faith in for the third part of the triangle with the same God (Yahweh).

[society]

"'The less you believe in the happier you will be' Anon "

I disagree with Anonymous. It's always good to believe in oneself.

[woofgang]

I do believe that god exists (but I firmly DO NOT believe in organised religion). One of my baseline beliefs is that my every word and action should make the world a better place, not a worse one...and that includes abusive speech. So what Andy and Shaney said goes for me too.

[123everton]

Converts, can be such bores, lol.
You know Wyz, I've just read "The Forgotten Highlander" by Alastair Urquhart, he gets captured in Singapore, sent to the two worst camps to build the bridge over the river Kwai, put onto a "Maru" hellship, torpedoed and sunk, cast adrift, rescued and taken to Nagasaki.
When he was conscripted into the army he was an atheist, he became a believer in the camps, it's a funny thing faith....

[mibn2cweus]

Having been duped into abandoning reason as the means to justify their beliefs, what other alternative do they have but to attack the messenger?

Oh yeah . . . but then, "Thank you for shattering my delusions." rarely crosses their mind.

[mike11111]

Adeste, fideles, laeti, triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem.

[123everton]

I dunno, a cuppa tea and a biscuit and thank their lucky stars?
If you allow yourself a lucky star or some such phrase;-))

[jomifl]

Being sent to sunday school did it for me Wyz