Why I Respect Atheists by Carl ToersBijns
The word “Atheism” is defined as a lack of belief in gods. Older dictionaries define atheism as "a belief that there is no God." Sure we have to believe in something even if that something is nothing. Today, nobody is ridiculed more than those who announce they are atheists and then bashed for saying such a word or taking such a stand.
Oxymoronic in nature and perhaps one of the biggest paradoxes in our lives as this journey borders between our humanity and religion yet injected and infected with beliefs that are non-scientific but nevertheless in existence. We haven’t even begun to include inferences, perceptions and theories in this most difficult equation of explaining life form and the creation of so many things, including the human race.
We hardly ever ask the question, “what is atheism?” we normally shut
down any conversations that include this word for the fear of going off
into a religious tangent about creationism and Darwinism. The actions
are quite understandable and reasonable if one does not know how to
approach such a discussion. Some basic facts I have learned from
atheists is that many of their ideas evolve from its many theistic
influences or other sources.
This is often referred to as the theistic evolution, theistic evolutionism or evolutionary creationism which are views that regard religious teachings about God as compatible with modern scientific understanding about biological evolution. Theistic evolution is not a scientific theory, but a range of views about how the science of general evolution relates to religious beliefs in contrast to special creation views.
Thus it is assumed by being an atheist, it is a reflection of someone’s religion. This is wrong, atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods but rather a lack of belief in gods. There is a significant difference there many skip over and do not address.
Thus if you are looking it up in a dictionary, you might be interpreting it wrong or inaccurately based on the situation at hand in front of you. Then if you read these man written [influenced by their own religion] books further, you will find judgment, and other words that describe an atheist as someone wicked, a non-believer, anti-religion, a sinner, or many more derogatory comments and adjectives to justify the meaning of the word as being something wrongful.
Once we examined and understand the concept better, we can begin to understand we have a total miscommunication and misunderstanding happening here. The rationale used in dictionaries is based on this statement, found in many places, “The fact that dictionaries define Atheism as "there is no God" betrays the (mono) theistic influence. Without the (mono) theistic influence, the definition would at least read "there are no gods."
Now ask this question- Why should atheists allow theists to define who atheists are? Do other minorities allow the majority to define their character, views, and opinions? To the best of my knowledge they do not. So why does everyone expect atheists to lie down and accept the definition placed upon them by the world’s theists? Atheists will define themselves and should be taken on an individual and personal basis rather than grouping them all, stereotyping them as god haters, and non-believers, and allow their own personalities, characteristics speak for themselves.
‘Atheism’ as a stand-alone word is not a religion any more than the word ‘abstinence’ is a sexual position. They are and can be used and defined in complete other context if chosen to do so without being related the common uses of the word. The common thread on atheism is the common misinformation placed out there for others to use or define their judgment on other people. That it is wrong but if someone chooses to define an atheist, are they not participating in judgment?
When someone describes another person’s belief or non-belief can they do so without injecting or spewing their own religious values, beliefs or expectations? I think so and that’s what is wrong with people today. They think they know what atheism is when in fact, they have no clue.Even modern religions as it stands today have no common thread as they all refer to different deities based on cultural inferences or influences and even name their different gods.
I believe it is reasonable to say that atheists, or people who announce themselves to be atheists are people [variety in ethnicity, races, cultural backgrounds and religious convictions] as are as different and unique as our own fingerprints tells others who we are. I found the photograph attached sarcastic and a total misrepresentation of what Atheism is and wanted to share this with you. Thank you for understanding my words today.
The word “Atheism” is defined as a lack of belief in gods. Older dictionaries define atheism as "a belief that there is no God." Sure we have to believe in something even if that something is nothing. Today, nobody is ridiculed more than those who announce they are atheists and then bashed for saying such a word or taking such a stand.
Oxymoronic in nature and perhaps one of the biggest paradoxes in our lives as this journey borders between our humanity and religion yet injected and infected with beliefs that are non-scientific but nevertheless in existence. We haven’t even begun to include inferences, perceptions and theories in this most difficult equation of explaining life form and the creation of so many things, including the human race.
We hardly ever ask the question, “what is atheism?” we normally shut
down any conversations that include this word for the fear of going off
into a religious tangent about creationism and Darwinism. The actions
are quite understandable and reasonable if one does not know how to
approach such a discussion. Some basic facts I have learned from
atheists is that many of their ideas evolve from its many theistic
influences or other sources.This is often referred to as the theistic evolution, theistic evolutionism or evolutionary creationism which are views that regard religious teachings about God as compatible with modern scientific understanding about biological evolution. Theistic evolution is not a scientific theory, but a range of views about how the science of general evolution relates to religious beliefs in contrast to special creation views.
Thus it is assumed by being an atheist, it is a reflection of someone’s religion. This is wrong, atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods but rather a lack of belief in gods. There is a significant difference there many skip over and do not address.
Thus if you are looking it up in a dictionary, you might be interpreting it wrong or inaccurately based on the situation at hand in front of you. Then if you read these man written [influenced by their own religion] books further, you will find judgment, and other words that describe an atheist as someone wicked, a non-believer, anti-religion, a sinner, or many more derogatory comments and adjectives to justify the meaning of the word as being something wrongful.
Once we examined and understand the concept better, we can begin to understand we have a total miscommunication and misunderstanding happening here. The rationale used in dictionaries is based on this statement, found in many places, “The fact that dictionaries define Atheism as "there is no God" betrays the (mono) theistic influence. Without the (mono) theistic influence, the definition would at least read "there are no gods."
Now ask this question- Why should atheists allow theists to define who atheists are? Do other minorities allow the majority to define their character, views, and opinions? To the best of my knowledge they do not. So why does everyone expect atheists to lie down and accept the definition placed upon them by the world’s theists? Atheists will define themselves and should be taken on an individual and personal basis rather than grouping them all, stereotyping them as god haters, and non-believers, and allow their own personalities, characteristics speak for themselves.
‘Atheism’ as a stand-alone word is not a religion any more than the word ‘abstinence’ is a sexual position. They are and can be used and defined in complete other context if chosen to do so without being related the common uses of the word. The common thread on atheism is the common misinformation placed out there for others to use or define their judgment on other people. That it is wrong but if someone chooses to define an atheist, are they not participating in judgment?
When someone describes another person’s belief or non-belief can they do so without injecting or spewing their own religious values, beliefs or expectations? I think so and that’s what is wrong with people today. They think they know what atheism is when in fact, they have no clue.Even modern religions as it stands today have no common thread as they all refer to different deities based on cultural inferences or influences and even name their different gods.
I believe it is reasonable to say that atheists, or people who announce themselves to be atheists are people [variety in ethnicity, races, cultural backgrounds and religious convictions] as are as different and unique as our own fingerprints tells others who we are. I found the photograph attached sarcastic and a total misrepresentation of what Atheism is and wanted to share this with you. Thank you for understanding my words today.
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