Conversation between 3 atheists

A: Now we have something in common with the values [peace and justice] of Evangelical Christians and this is part of a growing Christian left movement. This comment hints to a larger ideological issue: Which is more important for a progressive, harmonious future for humankind; defeating religion/promoting atheism or defeating intolerance/promoting pluralism? On a personal level as an atheist, I find it hard to imagine myself ‘compatible’ with evangelical Christians. However, I most certainly prefer open minded, compassionate people with religious beliefs to intolerant judgmental atheists.

C: Wow, do I hear that one.  I’ve long worried about the growing orthodoxy of some parts of the secular movement.…It is indeed becoming religion-like. Orwellian double-think, I think! Tolerance and open-mindedness…much more important than defending a particular belief-turf.

Matthew: I can’t agree with that. Can you give examples of this? I ask in the spirit of being an organizer/co-organizer for several meetup groups, and would like to be aware of what to watch out for.

A: Watch out for meetup group members being banned without warning and without reason. Funny you should ask, Matthew. It just happened in the Eastside Atheist/Agnostic meetup group which you co-organize.

• • Matthew • •

• How To Become a Pretentious Atheist; or: what I learned from Richard Dawkins. (modtheology.wordpress.com)
• 17 Types of Atheism (talkatheism.wordpress.com)
• What’s a ‘Faitheist’? Chris Stedman explains – Articles (religionnews.com)
• “Ten things Christians and Atheists can and must agree on.” An article that would serve this community well (dailypaul.com)
• Chris Stedman Is A Faithist: Atheists Involved In Interfaith Dialogue (huffingtonpost.com)
• Political Correctness: Shielding Religious Belief From Criticism (atheistrev.com)
• Ricky Gervais: Atheism ‘Is Not High on My Agenda’ (patheos.com)

Are atheists more rational?

Photo: nic0

Many share the disappointment in discovering that they sure as heck are not. There are an awful lot of self-aggrandizing delusional people who mistakenly believe that they are more rational than most. Anyone who throws a fit when reasonably challenged is a likely candidate for that category.

White Coat Underground:

“But atheists often identify as or with humanists, and see themselves as a voice of rational thought and good behavior without the shackles of irrational beliefs. And that’s nice, but not really consistent with reality. Atheists are just as irrational as the religious, just as susceptible to prejudice, hate, fear. They just use different language.”

Whitecoatunderground: The Responsibility of Atheists

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• Reducing My Hypocrisy (atheistrev.com)
• Confronting My Own Hypocrisy (atheistrev.com)
• I Am Not Looking for a Substitute Dogma (atheistrev.com)

Intolerant atheists

“During my three years as a member of the Atheist groups, I have been discouraged by the in-fighting and intolerance among members. Alliances seem to form and some groups are hostile to some members but not to others. I have always felt that these divisions are destructive to our underlying mission.” Well said. What a shame that you, too, became abusive, savagely lashing out your misogynistic fury and intolerance, brutalizing and marginalizing one who had been there to support you. Did you enjoy doing that? Do you feel better about yourself now?