Are you antitheists

[Larniavc]

It has been suggested that atheist is synonymous with antitheist.

I'd like to know how many antitheists are here.

 

[Freodin]

As with many questions of this kind, this is too simplistic.

I am not a "general" antitheist, no. It am not opposed to theism as a general position, and I am definitly not opposed - or hate! - theists, as has been suggested in another thread.

But when I observe occurances in reality that I see as "bad", and can understand them to be caused by theism, or I see people being "evil" because of their theism... then, yes, in these instances I oppose the theism that caused this.

(So perhaps you can adjust the poll to add a not-appropriate/explain further option? )

 

[Gene2memE]

In general cases no, in specific cases yes.

I think that most religious views are generally harmless, with positives and negatives for society in general. Unlike a lot of atheists I come across, I tend to favour the view that most religious belief sets can and do lead to a net positive for society (although I also think that if theism were to vanish overnight, shunting all that displaced action into more productive activities would benefit everyone).

So, broadly, no. I'm not opposed to individuals believing what they want to believe. Provided they don't try to force their beliefs on me, or use their beliefs as the basis for discrimination (or worse).

However, there are some religious views that I actively oppose. Islamic fundamentalism, Christian biblical literalism/evangelical fundamentalism and Hindu self/child/animal harming practices would be three cases where I would be opposed to particular sets of belief, as I see them as actively harming individuals and society.

 

[Sam91]

I don't know what one is... Could you possibly put a definition up to help others and myself please? Thank you

 

[jacknife]

I don't know what one is... Could you possibly put a definition up to help others and myself please? Thank you

Atheism is the lack of belief in deities, anti-theism is the position that theism is dangerous or damaging Antitheism - Wikipedia

 

[Sam91]

Atheism is the lack of belief in deities, anti-theism is the position that theism is dangerous or damaging Antitheism - Wikipedia

Thank you

 

[jayem]

The vast majority of us godless folks don't really care what you believe. Only how you act.

Not to go off-topic, but it was Jesus who claimed non-believers were enemies, just because of non-belief:

"He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters."

Matt 12:30

 

[KCfromNC]

It has been suggested that atheist is synonymous with antitheist.

Is this directed at atheists or all the Christians I see posting anti-Muslim rhetoric?

 

[Larniavc]

Is this directed at atheists or all the Christians I see posting anti-Muslim rhetoric?

A poster has maintained that atheists self identify as antitheist

This is to explore whether this is the case using the popn of this site.

 

[Cearbhall]

Sometimes theism is good, sometimes it's bad, and sometimes it's neutral.

 

[MehGuy]

No, I'm not an anti-theist.

All the awful things that theists engage in wouldn't change if they suddenly became atheists. They'd just find new ways to be controlling, hateful.. etc. You could see that with things like the atheist+ movement, and the horrible place known as "freethoughtblogs".

The problems are deeper than theism or non-theism.

 

[Paradoxum]

I suppose I'd be ant-theist. I think wide-spread false beliefs tend to be bad for society and individuals.

The problem isn't the belief in a god itself, but it never comes alone. It tend to justify positions that would be weaker without the 'justifying' belief. And this tend to oppress people. Sometimes in completely unacceptable and immoral ways.

This is not okay. Victims are not justifiable collateral for religious belief.

 

[Paradoxum]

I am not a "general" antitheist, no. It am not opposed to theism as a general position

Why not? You don't think it justifies oppressive or authoritarian positions?

 

[Paradoxum]

In general cases no, in specific cases yes.

Why? Don't you think such false beliefs would lead to bad actions?

 

[Paradoxum]

No, I'm not an anti-theist.

All the awful things that theists engage in wouldn't change if they suddenly became atheists.

I'm not sure that's true. My moral beliefs were influenced by my religious ones. Religion changes beliefs, it doesn't merely justify it.

 

[MehGuy]

I'm not sure that's true. My moral beliefs were influenced by my religious ones. Religion changes beliefs, it doesn't merely justify it.

I'm talking more overall character. From my experience it's quite true.

Most people also massively pick and choose when it comes to what they will follow and what they won't follow in religion. Most of the time the rotten apples will be rotten apples regardless.

 

[Paradoxum]

I'm talking more overall character. From my experience it's quite true.

Most people also massively pick and choose when it comes to what they will follow and what they won't follow in religion. Most of the time the rotten apples will be rotten apples regardless.

I agree that 'good people' will try to fin good religion, and vice versa. The issue is that people change. Bad religion keeps bad people bad... otherwise they might have been good... or apathetic.

Strengthening bad positions is bad, don't you think?

 

[MehGuy]

I agree that 'good people' will try to fin good religion, and vice versa. The issue is that people change. Bad religion keeps bad people bad... otherwise they might have been good... or apathetic.

Strengthening bad positions is bad, don't you think?

What do you mean by bad? There are plenty of idealogical thinking that can be kept alive in the secular world too.

 

[Paradoxum]

What do you mean by bad?

Promotes immoral or unprincipled things. eg: opposing some type of marrage, assisted dying, soft drug, abortion.

There are plenty of ideological thinking that can be kept alive in the secular world too.

I agree, but some bad thing are more supported by religion.

 

[MehGuy]

Promotes immoral or unprincipled things. eg: opposing some type of marrage, assisted dying, soft drug, abortion.

Yet you can find feminism in secular circles promote other hysterical values.

I agree, but some bad thing are more supported by religion.

In the end I think it's just shuffling the deck. Bad people will always find ways to control people, and even set up puritanical values under secular settings. Even if the new targets are different.