Active Users:1720 Time:19/10/2025 12:27:23 AM
I second that DomA Send a noteboard - 29/02/2012 03:46:15 AM
It is of course true to say that a positive belief in the non-existence of God requires a leap of faith. But few atheists actually hold that as their position. Most of us simply lack belief in God in the same way that we lack belief in other things for which there is no credible evidence, such as Zeus or the Loch Ness Monster.

Of course, there is a possibility that such things might exist, but if you based your life choices on everything that might conceivably be true (even though there is no evidence for it) you would live a very confused life.

In my view the best way to anger an atheist is to interrupt him at the point where he says "Of course it's possible that God might exist", and say "Aha! You're not an atheist! You're an agnostic!"


Some forget that religion implies a set of beliefs, a system, related to the cause, nature and purpose of the universe, and usually comes with one form or another of religious practices and observances. Militant atheism can become a religion or hold a place essentially the same as religion in some people's life, but most atheists I know don't believe in a cause or purpose, and let science be their guide as to nature. They don't make it a religion, no more than, as you say, people make lack of belief in Zeus or Santa Claus a religion. This isn't a religion, this is not leaving a place to religious beliefs and practices in your worldview.

Actually, your alternative way wouldn't anger me. I wouldn't mind being labelled agnostic. Lack of belief in a superior being or believing that even if there was such a thing religions from A to Z remain the pure invention of men, it's in the end pretty much the same to me - at least in the ways that matter.

As for my own alternative for how to anger an atheist, I'll pass as my proposals could serious piss off some religious people and it's not fights I ever cared much to get into.



Reply to message
Do you know the best way to anger an atheist? - 28/02/2012 07:10:57 PM 2037 Views
Or, you could baptize one of them, posthumously. - 28/02/2012 07:32:48 PM 1364 Views
Ooo that is hilarious *NM* - 28/02/2012 08:22:19 PM 494 Views
I can't think of any reason for an atheist to be annoyed by that. - 28/02/2012 11:08:44 PM 1104 Views
Well, for starters, it's really effing rude. - 28/02/2012 11:31:36 PM 1166 Views
It is an act of love. - 29/02/2012 12:34:03 AM 1160 Views
Everyone does it for that reason? (edits for clarity) - 29/02/2012 10:27:02 AM 1052 Views
I have some disturbing news for you... - 29/02/2012 06:42:41 PM 1092 Views
For anyone reading this: the guy above is wrong, and I am admitting that to you on his behalf, so - 29/02/2012 07:15:38 PM 1128 Views
Maybe without realizing it, you have articulated.... - 29/02/2012 07:24:13 PM 956 Views
I actually find that conversation quite interesting. - 29/02/2012 08:18:35 PM 1070 Views
Re: I actually find that conversation quite interesting. - 29/02/2012 09:07:06 PM 1132 Views
I cannot possibly agree more with these two paragraphs of yours... - 29/02/2012 09:28:09 PM 1105 Views
I'm surprised to see some of this. - 01/03/2012 12:11:31 PM 971 Views
You said it was really effing rude. - 29/02/2012 08:18:40 PM 1142 Views
I meant that the act of choosing for someone else - 29/02/2012 08:54:02 PM 1034 Views
Question - 29/02/2012 07:58:32 PM 1107 Views
No, I don't blame them or think they are fools. - 29/02/2012 08:41:13 PM 1116 Views
It is not an act of love to defy the beliefs of a loved one. - 29/02/2012 02:32:45 PM 1199 Views
Rape? That is ridiculous. - 29/02/2012 05:26:13 PM 1118 Views
It's a bit of hyperbole, but not too far from it, imo - 29/02/2012 05:45:39 PM 1134 Views
You are trying your best to not understand. - 29/02/2012 07:12:57 PM 1141 Views
I suspect that that is where a lot of the issue with it lies. - 02/03/2012 01:33:43 AM 1193 Views
one thing - 29/02/2012 06:25:45 PM 1137 Views
Precisely *NM* - 29/02/2012 06:59:15 PM 533 Views
Bad example - 05/03/2012 05:06:21 AM 1216 Views
Why would they be angry about that? - 02/03/2012 01:23:56 AM 1333 Views
Denying people rights since it was written 3000 years ago? - 28/02/2012 07:44:02 PM 1058 Views
Isn't religion different than faith, though? - 28/02/2012 07:44:07 PM 1152 Views
Yeah that's pretty much what I said - 28/02/2012 08:21:56 PM 953 Views
Only if I get to be Pope. - 28/02/2012 08:25:45 PM 1070 Views
I love me my vices! Thanks Pope - 28/02/2012 10:14:27 PM 980 Views
Generally the same way you piss off anyone else - 28/02/2012 08:43:04 PM 1087 Views
Great post. - 28/02/2012 09:18:38 PM 1084 Views
I find that the best way is to smile. - 29/02/2012 06:23:50 AM 1080 Views
Some answers - 28/02/2012 09:05:35 PM 1019 Views
that won't work on Buddists - 28/02/2012 09:21:48 PM 1096 Views
On the other hand ... - 28/02/2012 09:28:27 PM 943 Views
For some reason I always imagine Buddhists as the monk class on RPG games... *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:13:27 PM 537 Views
LOL same *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:31:38 PM 508 Views
Best way to anger an atheist, by declaring all atheists are the same. *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:38:51 PM 682 Views
Telling anyone what they actually believe will work. *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:51:56 PM 505 Views
This kind of works for many, doesn't it? - 29/02/2012 06:22:33 PM 964 Views
I'm an atheist, and I consider it to be my religion. *NM* - 28/02/2012 10:51:00 PM 484 Views
Common error number 1: "Atheism isn't a lack of belief, but rather a belief that God doesn't exist." - 28/02/2012 11:18:23 PM 1264 Views
I second that - 29/02/2012 03:46:15 AM 1074 Views
Curiously, anger at statements of simple obvious facts is a hallmark of religious fundamentalism. - 29/02/2012 10:27:29 AM 1202 Views
What you're doing there is defining "atheist" and "agnostic" in a way that suits you, but... - 29/02/2012 11:50:27 AM 995 Views
What I am doing is using the terms as they were universally used until about the time I was born. - 05/03/2012 01:11:21 AM 1117 Views
So what do you call this position?: - 05/03/2012 08:43:20 AM 1071 Views
I call them both agnostic, but the former leans toward atheism while the latter has no lean. - 05/03/2012 10:53:02 AM 1165 Views
See, there you go again, defining atheism in such a way as to make it sound ridiculous. - 05/03/2012 11:21:17 AM 961 Views
Well, is unswerving belief a good thing, or not? - 05/03/2012 11:57:05 AM 1180 Views
What's happening - 05/03/2012 02:24:41 PM 1192 Views
Conversationally, DKs use of "atheism" at the start of this convo is the only practical definition. - 07/03/2012 03:10:18 AM 1494 Views
Oh really? The guy who was doing it to annoy people? - 07/03/2012 09:53:38 PM 1068 Views
The guy who was doing it to annoy atheists based on the terms technical and popular meaning, yes. - 11/03/2012 04:04:36 AM 967 Views
Whatever. - 12/03/2012 12:39:24 AM 1448 Views
*NM* - 12/03/2012 01:14:39 AM 539 Views
I understand that as "I completely agree." - 13/03/2012 12:11:18 AM 1256 Views
I saw it as.... - 13/03/2012 10:44:37 PM 985 Views
My browser does not like your gif. - 13/03/2012 11:32:06 PM 1230 Views
I have a few good quotes for this one. - 29/02/2012 03:29:22 PM 1107 Views
I snerfled. *NM* - 29/02/2012 05:12:32 PM 521 Views
Re: That's it? *NM* - 01/03/2012 06:33:48 AM 580 Views
Re: Do you know the best way to anger an atheist? - 02/03/2012 01:47:03 AM 1010 Views

Reply to Message