Should atheism be an organized movement?

Discussion in 'Agnosticism and Atheism' started by Fueled by Coffee, Aug 19, 2012.

  1. 6-eyed shaman

    6-eyed shaman Sock-eye salmon

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    Why or why not? Please explain.

    Personally I am against atheism being an organized movement like any other religion, mostly because it is hypocritical and contradictory to the cause. I understand that the most successful and widespread religions of the world were caused by religious organizers who have provided for the poor in the name of their religion, as well as started war and genocide to spread their religion across the globe. But atheism has never been like that, nor should it ever. If atheists started a church, we will inevitably become a religion of our own. Atheism also should not have a symbol or logo which signifies our philosophy. Logos and symbols are significations of gang mentality and tribalism, and tribalism and gang mentality is evil factor of organised religion. This is why we should not be linked together under a logo or symbol identity.

    I can understand that not being an organized movement will put us at a disadvantage towards enlightening more people that no supernatural being runs the universe. The best way is to simply call out the flaws of existing religions and faiths and explain why they are so misguided.
     
  2. r0llinstoned

    r0llinstoned Gute Nacht, süßer Prinz

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    They are a non prophet organization.




















    pun or no pun? ;)
     
  3. the Nexus

    the Nexus Member

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    Personally, I'd say no. While I am an atheist, I have no desire to convert others, or meet with other atheists just because they are atheists. To me, personal beliefs are just that, personal.

    I can understand the desire to organize atheists into a group. People want to be around others like them. However, since atheism is a lack of belief, I think something like that would rapidly devolve into something else.
     
  4. BlueLightRain

    BlueLightRain Member

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    I should say not because then we (the Atheists) would probably acquire through no fault of our own, a person who tries to be our mouthpiece. One of the main reasons I have no faith is because of dogma. As soon as we organize, I feel that there would be some agenda and that would make us no better than the pious.
     
  5. Okiefreak

    Okiefreak Senior Member

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    How organized are you thinking? In Oklahoma, there are atheist organizations of several hundred members in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and smaller related groups like Freethinkers and Humanists in other towns. They get together for dinners, cookouts, lunches, discussion forums, etc., and celebrations of the solstices (although that seems kind pagan). They participate (sometimes with churches) in charitable drives, and have outreach to churches. They have a summer camp for kids. And they have officers. I think this is fairly typical of other states, although the ones in this state tend to be larger and more active--reflecting the more active Bible Belt churches they're reacting against.
     
  6. NoxiousGas

    NoxiousGas Old Fart

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    Where have you guys been??
    Atheist have been organized into groups promoting their world view and agenda just as long and as much as any other group, religious or otherwise.

    Here ya go;

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Atheists

    http://www.atheists.org/

    http://www.atheistnexus.org/

    http://www.atheistalliance.org/

    http://www.americanhumanist.org/

    http://militaryatheists.org/

    http://www.compleatheretic.com/links/godless.html (lots of links to atheist groups)

    http://www.amiableassociation.org/

    Those are the first of many, many pages of results from Google for "atheist associations".

    The internet is a wonderful thing with information but a few keystrokes away.
    You guys should try it sometime. :)
     
  7. NoxiousGas

    NoxiousGas Old Fart

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    Sounds like your confusing anarchist with atheist.
     
  8. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    No.

    Why would we want to make it as bad as religion?
     
  9. 6-eyed shaman

    6-eyed shaman Sock-eye salmon

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    Well duh, I knew these groups and organizations existed. There are also atheist symbols out there too, just use google search. I am gathering an opinion as to how many atheists and agnostics feel that these groups should exist. And I believe atheists organizing in assembly makes us as bad as any organized religion.

    I understand people who share common interests like to come together. But as soon as we get atheist missionaries and start fights over the disbelief in a higher power, our ways become contradictory.
     
  10. FlyingFly

    FlyingFly Dickens

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    pastafarianism
    just saying
     
  11. Rudenoodle

    Rudenoodle Minister of propaganda Lifetime Supporter

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    So the movement would supposedly be a group of twenty somethings insulting church members on the basis that they don't like their religion and find it illogical?

    They should ban Monty Python as well.

    And I thought Islam was intolerant.


    Why care?

    Would these be some kind of atheist missionaries handing out copies of Demon haunted world knocking on random doors?
     
  12. thedope

    thedope glad attention Lifetime Supporter

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    I think a lack of something is not a rallying cry for group activity. Some other good must be called upon.
     
  13. Okiefreak

    Okiefreak Senior Member

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    Atheism is an organized movement already and has been for decades. The organizations serve a number of functions for the members: (1) networks where atheists can meet other atheists, for social and romantic purposes; (2) support groups where atheists can share experiences and provide emotional support in a hostile religious environment; (3) forums where atheists can receive information and exchange ideas about topics relevant to atheism; (4) organizations for channeling outreach and community service activities. My experience with atheists in my state is that they tend to be more concerned with these functions than with openly confronting the dominant religious communities. Some are twenty-somethings. Others are fifty or sixty-somethings, with plenty in between--including lots of young families with children.
     
  14. Dejavu

    Dejavu Until the great unbanning

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    thedope:
    Why not?

    Theists imagine they have god already. They get together on that basis, and yet have never produced a god in the flesh.
     
  15. happypills

    happypills Member

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    If some atheists want to organize well I don't care but don't ask me to attend any meetings. I had Christianity shoved down my throat as a kid and it shoved me right out of religion. I just believe this is my one and only life and it's my duty to make it the best life for me and those around me. I'm not going to sign up for any group events. Hey I'm new to this forum and just putting in my 2 seconds.
     
  16. Dejavu

    Dejavu Until the great unbanning

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    Life is a group event. It wants to be celebratory, and it can't be exclusive to anything but itself.

    No-one can ultimately hold by an ism. :-D
     
  17. thedope

    thedope glad attention Lifetime Supporter

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    How can you say such a thing having no belief in god? What is your metric for godhead?

    Atheism of itself produces no common vision. Atheist organizations are social groups engaging in their life's interest and it is the activity, not the principle that binds them, although the heading may initially be a talking point.

    Unless you are out to usurp a contrary impulse, there is no need for an atheist, movement. Albeit there is a need for both the atheist and the religious to be educated in the care of the one mind.
     
  18. thedope

    thedope glad attention Lifetime Supporter

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    Drop the s, replace it with an a.
     
  19. scratcho

    scratcho Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    Religionists talk it to death,year after year after year. Well--for centuries. People need it and continue to use it in their lives,for good or ill. But they at least have a body of work,myth or otherwise,on which to base their beliefs. So does the entire belief system of atheism consist of --"there ain't no god" and you people are fools for believing there is? Seems a weak or shallow and restricted maxim to belabor. Not much of a basis for an organization,IMO. Like someone said---------who cares? So if an atheist convinces a believer to become an atheist --who gains what? Conversly if a believer convinces an atheist to become a believer--who gains what?
     
  20. Dejavu

    Dejavu Until the great unbanning

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    Gods, plural. But I don't believe in them either. Yet. :-D

    No kidding.

    Agreed.

    I don't see the need. I mean, which "one" mind?

    No-one can hold by an "I am"? I don't see why not. It's not like there's no resounding "We are"
     

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