Thursday, July 31, 2008
Oh Gawd!
To continue the ongoing atheism talk, I thought this was interesting in as far as sports and religion, as the writer mentioned about baseball, are linked quite often. Which again makes me think: What if an athlete or a major politician or the like was open about his or her atheism? I'm not talking about flaunting it, or taunting Christians, but if they weren't afraid to talk about it publicly if asked or confronted with a religious situation where the person had to make a choice. I still think they would be demonized. And very few care. It's just interesting to me. I'm not equating it with racial or sexual discrimination (it certainly isn't close), but it falls somewhere in the ranks of ridicule.
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I think your pretty much right on. When you say "they would be demonized. And very few care." don't forget that Atheism is a bit nihilistic by nature. True very few people might not care, but you also don't see many hardcore atheist. So why would they want to talk about and be demonized when they really don't feel all that strongly about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd on a side note. Are you an Atheist? Good to see the big city hasn't stripped you of your roots. j/k enjoy your "religious experience" at the Radiohead show.
I'm not sure we're on the same page as far as "very few care." I meant few non-atheists would empathize with a demonized atheist, in my opinion. (Maybe that's what you meant too, I'm not sure.) Sympathy for such a viewpoint just doesn't seem like something people rally behind these days.
ReplyDeleteI agree some are more open and vocal about their atheism, just like any other religious belief, or certain viewpoint in general. And, maybe like you mentioned, that inherent nihilism may cause apathy; it's not like atheists' rights are being infringed upon like, say, homosexuals, so why make a big deal of it? But when Christianity permeates so much of society, especially amongst our politicians, it has to bother even the most docile, yet true, atheist. "Stop saying God speaks to you!" Bullshit, even to a Christian.
I don't believe in a G(g)od. I was never into the Catholic thing. You go through the motions because that's all we knew in a Catholic town, secluded in Catholic schools. But I never felt any kind of connection; just latent feelings of humor, confusion and indifference.
That all said, it's hard to call myself an atheist. I'm not sure if that makes sense. I guess I've previously said agnostic, but that seems like a massive copout; I'm not really straddling the fence. Maybe I don't say I'm an atheist because we're taught to perceive that as a bad word. So I'm still under that spell, I guess. To be honest, I am one (I can't say it).
I will now worship at the Head of Radio altar. Presiding is one Thom Yorke. Hypnotic background music by Jonny Greenwood and co. (Yes, I'm a jackass.)
I saw somebody takling with Nancy Pelosi about her faith last night (for example) and I do cringe when people in power talk about their religious beliefs.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part there is nothing wrong with religion, it is usually just the people who are fucked up.
For me, I don't think it matters whether or not God exists because you will never know, and you can't live anywhere but here (in a world where you will never know)
The point of my original comment was how do you expect any non-atheist to care when most atheist don't care.
I hear you, but I'm not sure it's true that most avowed (not hardcore, just certain in their beliefs) atheists don't care how they're perceived. I don't care if that fact is true or not though, I don't think it would make a difference to non-atheists; they'd still ridicule or, in some instances, vilify those that don't believe in God or a higher power.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't atheist make more of a fuss? It's that mix of nihilism among the less fortified and acceptance of the system in place, I guess. And the fact that they don't see everyday discrimination, so why bother?
You're right, it doesn't matter. Anyway, anything cool going on in Springfield lately?