I like atheists!

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

When I see Christians who go out of their way, often at the earliest opportunity saying things like "I like atheists, I am glad your here" etc etc... ad nauseam.

It makes me wonder, does it strike a similar tune to this?

I like American - YouTube

Does it sound that way? Considering this character's role in the killing of the American soldier nearer the end of the movie.

Satine · Apr 2, 2012

*rustles popcorn bag and offers it to the next poster*

fenix144 · Apr 2, 2012

I've never been told by a christian he loved me. Oh well.

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

/Briareos resists taking the opportunity to tell fenix144 that he loves him.

jacks · Apr 2, 2012

Thanks for the popcorn.
I love you Fenix144!

To the OP I don't get it. Do you mean that Christians that say "I like atheists, I am glad your here"; are really just afraid of them and will kill them later if they get the chance?

Believe it or not many Christians (I for one) "like" many atheists/agnostics and am neither afraid of them nor want to kill them. They are all God's children.

keith99 · Apr 2, 2012

My father was a rather strong athiest. One of his dearest friends was the director of the local YMCA and a devout Christian. The friendship was maintained even though the Christian moved away and persisted for over 45 years, ending only with my father's death.

Decent people who are secure in their beliefs (and both these men fit that mold) can easily maintain a friendship with huge differences in this area.

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

jacks said:
Thanks for the popcorn.
I love you Fenix144!

To the OP I don't get it. Do you mean that Christians that say "I like atheists, I am glad your here"; are really just afraid of them and will kill them later if they get the chance?

Believe it or not many Christians (I for one) "like" many atheists/agnostics and am neither afraid of them nor want to kill them. They are all God's children.

I too value and appreciate atheists etc, I was only asking if some atheists do actually feel like what you said above (without such literal implications).

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

keith99 said:
My father was a rather strong athiest. One of his dearest friends was the director of the local YMCA and a devout Christian. The friendship was maintained even though the Christian moved away and persisted for over 45 years, ending only with my father's death.

Decent people who are secure in their beliefs (and both these men fit that mold) can easily maintain a friendship with huge differences in this area.

agreed. ty

wanderingone · Apr 2, 2012

I'd start singing "my universe.. will never be the same" but then I'd once again have to review how it is I know lyrics by some british boy band.... seriously was it in a movie or something because that darn "glad you came" song is so often stuck in my head.

Any way.. do we do that here.. all that "I like you atheist, come sit, have tea I'm glad you came?" cause I don't know.... most often I find myself thinking "another flippin' atheist sounding more Christian than 3/4 of the Christians I know" and fairly often I see a "Why are so many atheists here" thread... or response when someone gets frustrated...

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

I understand.

Jade Margery · Apr 2, 2012

I don't think I've ever seen a christian say 'I like Atheists'. 'Course, I've never said, 'I like Christians'. It's a blanket statement about a group of people that can't possibly be universally true.

Edit: *Looks at lower topics on discussion board* Oh. XD

Mling · Apr 2, 2012

Lol...

I, too, have never once heard a Christian say "I like atheists," so it's sort of a moot point.

If I heard a Christian say "I like atheists," it would sound to me like when white people say they "like" black people, or straight people say they "like," gay people--it's condescending, and only a slightly less offensive form of -ism than if they said "I hate x."

As for the social structure depicted...well just...lol.

Major offenses committed in the name of atheism lately--prescribing ridicule.

Major offenses committed in the name of religion lately-- countless variations of murder and slaughter, on large and small scales, often with the support of the religiously affiliated government.

So...yeah...lol.

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

Thanks to all for contributing

Jro · Apr 2, 2012

I have come as a representative on behalf of all atheists, and we would just like to say that we think you are swell. Live long and prosper briareos.

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

WOW REALLY?

/DANCE DANCE DANCE

you love me! you really love me!

heh

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

Mling said:
Lol...

I, too, have never once heard a Christian say "I like atheists," so it's sort of a moot point.

If I heard a Christian say "I like atheists," it would sound to me like when white people say they "like" black people, or straight people say they "like," gay people--it's condescending, and only a slightly less offensive form of -ism than if they said "I hate x."

As for the social structure depicted...well just...lol.

Major offenses committed in the name of atheism lately--prescribing ridicule.

Major offenses committed in the name of religion lately-- countless variations of murder and slaughter, on large and small scales, often with the support of the religiously affiliated government.

So...yeah...lol.

Why would the phrase "I like atheists" be condescending based on those words alone?

I would only cite cultural Anthropologist Jack David Eller who said it better than I can
"virtually every form of religious violence has its nonreligious corollary"

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

Jade Margery said:
I don't think I've ever seen a christian say 'I like Atheists'. 'Course, I've never said, 'I like Christians'. It's a blanket statement about a group of people that can't possibly be universally true.

Edit: *Looks at lower topics on discussion board* Oh. XD

Well you wouldn't need to imply that you know and are fond of every atheist in order to actually make the statement "I like atheists" the statement doesn't have to be drawn to perfectly and completely logical ends. Most people don't conduct themselves in that manner most of the time.

Mling · Apr 2, 2012

briareos said:
Why would the phrase "I like atheists" be condescending based on those words alone?

What would the person mean, who said that? Certainly, they don't know every atheist in the world, and in reality, they're a very diverse bunch. A person who was thinking of atheists as real live people would recognize that if they met a whole bunch of atheists, they would like some and dislike others, for reasons that have nothing to do with their atheism. A person who recognized that folks are folks and atheists are just folks like any other wouldn't make such a statement.

Only a person who's thinking of atheists as nothing more than atheists--like cardboard cutouts labeled "atheist" with no other traits than the ones they assume all atheists must share-- would say that they like (or dislike) atheists.

If you're treating people as monolithic and as nothing more than their label, it's a fairly minor detail whether you've decided they're your enemy or your pet.

I'm guessing you don't have many minority traits--this is a common problem for nearly all minorities.

I would only cite cultural Anthropologist Jack David Eller who said it better than I can
"virtually every form of religious violence has its nonreligious corollary"

He's wrong.

Mling · Apr 2, 2012

briareos said:
Well you wouldn't need to imply that you know and are fond of every atheist in order to actually make the statement "I like atheists" the statement doesn't have to be drawn to perfectly and completely logical ends. Most people don't conduct themselves in that manner most of the time.

No, but in this case, it's pretty consistent. People who recognize the humanity of the people they're talking about simply don't say things like this. They say more nuanced things, like "the x's I've met have been pretty nice," or "I really like this belief system, but I've seen it used in some messed up ways."

In general, people don't make broad, blanket statements about things they are familiar with and respect.

briareos · Apr 2, 2012

Mling said:
What would the person mean, who said that? Certainly, they don't know every atheist in the world, and in reality, they're a very diverse bunch. A person who was thinking of atheists as real live people would recognize that if they met a whole bunch of atheists, they would like some and dislike others, for reasons that have nothing to do with their atheism. A person who recognized that folks are folks and atheists are just folks like any other wouldn't make such a statement.

Only a person who's thinking of atheists as nothing more than atheists--like cardboard cutouts labeled "atheist" with no other traits than the ones they assume all atheists must share-- would say that they like (or dislike) atheists.

If you're treating people as monolithic and as nothing more than their label, it's a fairly minor detail whether you've decided they're your enemy or your pet.

I'm guessing you don't have many minority traits--this is a common problem for nearly all minorities.

He's wrong.

He's wrong

While I can appreciate the depth and content of your response, don't you think you're being a bit pedantic? Why couldn't you rather accept the phrase to mean what that person meant it to mean? Wouldn't that be a much more fair, considerate approach to evaluating that person?

Such as they don't dislike atheists in general? Or that they can appreciate a general atheist trend or theme?

I like atheists!

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