Why Would an Atheist Join a Faith Based Forum?

Thanks, A Cup of Tea, for this. I was trying to come up with something that showed the range. No religious definition is simple, and atheism is no exception. I'd just like to add that there is wide variation on how vocal atheists are. Some just keep quiet, while others let everyone know. There are also quite vitriolic anti-theists, which would fir with gnostic theist in the picture. That range is in theists as well.

Other ideas on it may vary, with some people going so far as claiming their version is the only version, hence all others are atheist, or having a differing conceptualisation of God. In my Hinduism for example, some consider Brahman God, but some don't. The ones that don't call themselves atheist, but I don't consider them atheists.

For the record, I personally believe anyone of any colour, gender, belief system, etc., has a definitive place on any interfaith board with one catch. They should at least attempt to remain civil, and not go about bashing others for having a different belief system. Society needs dialogue that leads to some sort of harmony amongst the diversity. If you can't come here looking to help the world become a better place with all of humanity benefitting, then maybe reconsider.
 
Senthil said:
while others let everyone know.
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Oh crossfit Atheists... :D:D:D:D:D

for real if there are any vocal atheists of the definitive nature who do crossfit and are vegan, I think they would be absolutely the worst person to be stuck in an elevator with, Allah might even forgo a sentence of Hellfire in lew of 20 minutes with someone of this caliber... jk... of course
 
BigJoeNobody said:
Oh crossfit Atheists... :D:D:D:D:D

for real if there are any vocal atheists of the definitive nature who do crossfit and are vegan, I think they would be absolutely the worst person to be stuck in an elevator with, Allah might even forgo a sentence of Hellfire in lew of 20 minutes with someone of this caliber... jk... of course
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It might be interesting to be in an elevator with such a person, when the elevator cable breaks and the elevator starts plummeting to the ground. As you begin praying to G-d, would the atheist protest?
 
Dan0813 said:
It might be interesting to be in an elevator with such a person, when the elevator cable breaks and the elevator starts plummeting to the ground. As you begin praying to G-d, would the atheist protest?
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If he happened to be a Buddhist, he might be praying for you!
 
Nasruddin said:
And do you want to put people into neat boxes, and if so, why?
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I don't know if "want" play into it. To answer your question what a atheist is one could separate the atheist from what it is not. I just wanted to point out that by doing so not everyone falls into the neat definitions. I don't know if I answered your question?
 
A Cup Of Tea said:
I don't know if "want" play into it. To answer your question what a atheist is one could separate the atheist from what it is not. I just wanted to point out that by doing so not everyone falls into the neat definitions. I don't know if I answered your question?
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So, according to your definition, if I understand correctly, there are four different types, but not everyone fits into those types. Do I have it right?
 
Nasruddin said:
So, according to your definition, if I understand correctly, there are four different types, but not everyone fits into those types. Do I have it right?
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No, I'm saying that you CAN sort people into these four categories but I'm SURE some people will fall somewhere outside of them.
 
Nasruddin said:
So, according to your definition, if I understand correctly, there are four different types, but not everyone fits into those types. Do I have it right?
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If you mean 4 kinds of atheists, 2 of the categories in the chart were theists. Not sure what you meant.
 
BigJoeNobody said:
Oh crossfit Atheists... :D:D:D:D:D

for real if there are any vocal atheists of the definitive nature who do crossfit and are vegan, I think they would be absolutely the worst person to be stuck in an elevator with, Allah might even forgo a sentence of Hellfire in lew of 20 minutes with someone of this caliber... jk... of course
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I don't want to be stuck in an elevator with any yapper, regardless of religious or political persuasion.
 
Senthil said:
If you mean 4 kinds of atheists, 2 of the categories in the chart were theists. Not sure what you meant.
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People. Just people. Which is what theists and atheists are, yet we talk about each other as if we were objects. So very strange. Even the way we discuss beliefs or non-beliefs tends to objectify people, yet no one notices. Perhaps that is the point, no one is supposed to notice the ground just the figure.
 
Nasruddin said:
So what exactly is an atheist?
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Well to me, discounting the sowers of disbelief, individuals who seek to ban all Godly reference, atheist fall into two categories. Those yet to experience God and those who have experienced God, but for whatever reason fail to realize it.
 
Namaste Jesus said:
Well to me, discounting the sowers of disbelief, individuals who seek to ban all Godly reference, atheist fall into two categories. Those yet to experience God and those who have experienced God, but for whatever reason fail to realize it.
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I see. And where would the Buddha be in your typology?
 
Nasruddin said:
People. Just people. Which is what theists and atheists are, yet we talk about each other as if we were objects. So very strange. Even the way we discuss beliefs or non-beliefs tends to objectify people, yet no one notices. Perhaps that is the point, no one is supposed to notice the ground just the figure.
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Thanks for the clarification. From my POV, classification (at a more elementary level, its called 'grouping')is just a part of the natural subconscious mind that comes naturally to simplify our thinking. A way to organise thoughts. I think we all know it's more complicated.
 
Namaste Jesus said:
Well to me, discounting the sowers of disbelief, individuals who seek to ban all Godly reference, atheist fall into two categories. Those yet to experience God and those who have experienced God, but for whatever reason fail to realize it.
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By that view, we're nearly all atheists then, as very few individuals have experienced God. Of course, many people think they have, and will tell you as much. This soul, as a Hindu mystic, makes a huge distinction between belief in God, and experiencing God.

But back to the OP, I think the atheist that would join this forum is just like the rest of us, a person hoping to create more harmony in the world, a person who sees the benefits of dialogue, and wants peace on the planet. Frankly, most fundamentalists of any variety generally aren't interested in legitimate dialogue, they just want to preach their way.
 
Senthil said:
Thanks for the clarification. From my POV, classification (at a more elementary level, its called 'grouping')is just a part of the natural subconscious mind that comes naturally to simplify our thinking. A way to organise thoughts. I think we all know it's more complicated.
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Yes, there is an entire study of decision making in psychology, a very interesting area to study. Most people, however often forget that the intuitive thinking often comes complete with cognitive bias. Therefore they tend to treat each other like objects rather than people. Martin Buber talked about this as the "I-Thou" relationship rather than an "I-it" relationship.
 
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