Atheism is a faith

[Ostroeuropa]

The united kingdom has an official state church.
Plenty of countries will not elect someone purely based on their atheism.
We have to put up with people insisting we cannot celebrate christmas, easter, that we have no morality etc. on a daily basis.
This would constitute hate speech if directed against other religious groups.

[Maledixit]

I answer the questions as I see them. If I missed it accidentally, then of course my apologies. Free free to highlight it again.

I just answered your question, hence I do not fit your definition of atheist, now what does that tell you?

So I guess you're not actually going to tell me what the question is again then?

So how can I answer it?

[Condunum]

The united kingdom has an official state church.
Plenty of countries will not elect someone purely based on their atheism.
We have to put up with people insisting we cannot celebrate christmas, easter, that we have no morality etc. on a daily basis.
This would constitute hate speech if directed against other religious groups.

Many American states, too. Maryland, for one.

[Maledixit]

The united kingdom has an official state church.
Plenty of countries will not elect someone purely based on their atheism.
We have to put up with people insisting we cannot celebrate christmas, easter, that we have no morality etc. on a daily basis.
This would constitute hate speech if directed against other religious groups.

Religion plays no part in the overall politics of the United Kingdom anymore. Even the conservative party is divided from within over whether religion and politics should mix.

I'm not saying other countries don't have their problems with theism/atheism, of course. But not the U.K.

Atheists are really not as persecuted as people think in every single nation. Which means people within those nations have a victim complex, and I guess goes hand in hand with what I mentioned about how the label of 'atheist' alters one's self perception.

Believing in something irrational, without any actual empirical evidence or proof that the claim is even correct.

[Duvniask]

I love how you're trying to imply that atheists are an oppressed group world wide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimina ... t_atheists

Atheist lies, all of it! Bloody hell, everyone knows that the religious people are the minority!

(sarcasm)

[Ostroeuropa]

Then there is the subjection of atheists to religious laws and the constant theocratic nature of the religious attempting to shove their doctrine into law books, while liberal christians do surely complain, they still fork over their money to these fascists and continue to insist that faith is a viable basis for making decisions.
Frankly, you don't have a leg to stand on claiming atheists aren't oppressed.

[Pradja]

I just answered your question, hence I do not fit your definition of atheist, now what does that tell you?

So I guess you're not actually going to tell me what the question is again then?

So how can I answer it?

I just told you, you asked what atheism is, I simply answered. Because of that I do not fit your definition, so what does that tell you?

[Ostroeuropa]

The united kingdom has an official state church.
Plenty of countries will not elect someone purely based on their atheism.
We have to put up with people insisting we cannot celebrate christmas, easter, that we have no morality etc. on a daily basis.
This would constitute hate speech if directed against other religious groups.

Religion plays no part in the overall politics of the United Kingdom anymore. Even the conservative party is divided from within over whether religion and politics should mix.

I'm not saying other countries don't have their problems with theism/atheism, of course. But not the U.K.

Atheists are really not as persecuted as people think. It's just a victim complex, and I guess goes hand in hand with what I mentioned about how the label of 'atheist' alters one's self perception.

Believing in something irrational, without any actual empirical evidence or proof that the claim is even correct.

You realize we have state enforced prayer in public schools don't you?
The reason religion plays no part is because the religious refuse to give up an inch of their powers that they have no right to, and the politicians know there is no point in trying and failing.
Let's not forget that bishops have automatic seats in government to vote on all policies, and the idiotic attempts to make this "Fair" by then appointing imams and rabbis to the house of lords purely for religious balance.
Noone even suggested "How about we just sack the bishops."

[Maledixit]

So I guess you're not actually going to tell me what the question is again then?

So how can I answer it?

I just told you, you asked what atheism is, I simply answered. Because of that I do not fit your definition, so what does that tell you?

Look mate, no offense, but given the amount of pages, I really can't be arsed to shift through them.

If there is a question you want me to answer, repeat it. If not, it's lost in the archives. If I asked you a question, and you answered it, then happy days.

[Pradja]

I just told you, you asked what atheism is, I simply answered. Because of that I do not fit your definition, so what does that tell you?

Look mate, no offense, but given the amount of pages, I really can't be arsed to shift through them.

If there is a question you want me to answer, repeat it. If not, it's lost in the archives.

sorry thats my question really: Because I simply answered your question and did not try to defend it, it means I do not fit your description, so am I not an atheist?

[Ovisterra]

I just told you, you asked what atheism is, I simply answered. Because of that I do not fit your definition, so what does that tell you?

Look mate, no offense, but given the amount of pages, I really can't be arsed to shift through them.

If there is a question you want me to answer, repeat it. If not, it's lost in the archives.

Jeezus christ, he just asked you the question. You literally responded to the question with "look, just ask the question". Are you trying to be this obtuse?

[Maledixit]

I agree, so let's not talk about what we think is cute eh.

I'm having a hard time telling if you actually missed the point that spectacularly, or if you're just engaging in some world-class goalpost shifting. Trust me, kid, if it were an Olympic sport, my money would be on you.

Lol the moment someone uses the word 'kid' in a battle of wits, then they've already lost.

It's a little 'internet tough guy' clique to be honest mate. Just saying. I think you can do better.

[Condunum]

Look mate, no offense, but given the amount of pages, I really can't be arsed to shift through them.

If there is a question you want me to answer, repeat it. If not, it's lost in the archives.

Jeezus christ, he just asked you the question. You literally responded to the question with "look, just ask the question". Are you trying to be this obtuse?

All arrows point to yes.

[Hallistar]

But I love how you're trying to imply that atheists are an oppressed group world wide.

Wrong.

I was implying that theists don't have a reason to think they're persecuted or are looked down upon by atheists, who you seem to think are generally self-centered and know-it-alls.

[Condunum]

I'm having a hard time telling if you actually missed the point that spectacularly, or if you're just engaging in some world-class goalpost shifting. Trust me, kid, if it were an Olympic sport, my money would be on you.

Lol the moment someone uses the word 'kid' in a battle of wits, then they've already lost.

Hooooly shit, you need to go back to school.

[Samuraikoku]

Lol the moment someone uses the word 'kid' in a battle of wits, then they've already lost.

According to what rule?

[Duvniask]

I'm having a hard time telling if you actually missed the point that spectacularly, or if you're just engaging in some world-class goalpost shifting. Trust me, kid, if it were an Olympic sport, my money would be on you.

Lol the moment someone uses the word 'kid' in a battle of wits, then they've already lost.

It's a little 'internet tough guy' clique to be honest mate. Just saying. I think you can do better.

Doesn't change the fact, that you missed the point completely.

[Hallistar]

Lol the moment someone uses the word 'kid' in a battle of wits, then they've already lost.

Hooooly shit, you need to go back to school.

I'm honestly wondering after all this time, if he's simply trying to troll us or something of that nature.

[Condunum]

It's a little 'internet tough guy' clique to be honest mate. Just saying. I think you can do better.

How is that ITG? He just said kid. It's the same as if I were to say buddy, friend, pal, chum, only it's ever so slightly derogatory.

[Condunum]

Hooooly shit, you need to go back to school.

I'm honestly wondering after all this time, if he's simply trying to troll us or something of that nature.

I just got here, so I don't really know what's going on past you guys trying to explain something and him being obtuse.

[Pradja]

It's a little 'internet tough guy' clique to be honest mate. Just saying. I think you can do better.

How is that ITG? He just said kid. It's the same as if I were to say buddy, friend, pal, chum, only it's ever so slightly derogatory.

IAM NOT YOUR BUDDY, PAL!

[Ovisterra]

I'm having a hard time telling if you actually missed the point that spectacularly, or if you're just engaging in some world-class goalpost shifting. Trust me, kid, if it were an Olympic sport, my money would be on you.

Lol the moment someone uses the word 'kid' in a battle of wits, then they've already lost.

Declaring your own victory is so much better, of course. It's called "being friendly yet mildly condescending". My friends blame it on my Napoleon Complex.

It's a little 'internet tough guy' clique to be honest mate. Just saying. I think you can do better.

You think I'm an ITG? You must not meet them very often.

[Enadail]

No proof DOES NOT MEAN FAITH. No one has said that. All you're doing now is making assertions and expecting we believe you.

ORLY?

Did you notice the use of the word "ABSOLUTE"? It changes the meaning, significantly. Faith is defined as the complete trust or confidence in something without proof. It is VERY different from slight acceptance or trust without proof.

[Maledixit]

Look mate, no offense, but given the amount of pages, I really can't be arsed to shift through them.

If there is a question you want me to answer, repeat it. If not, it's lost in the archives.

sorry thats my question really: Because I simply answered your question and did not try to defend it, it means I do not fit your description, so am I not an atheist?

Ok finally, you cooperate.

But the answer is, I never made an implication that militant fundamentalism was inherent in all atheists. In fact, I already made it clear that others had misconceived the message. And that, rather, I was implying that being an atheist or theists does not make either exempt from that trap, and both can also escape it.

I do not care if you think of yourself as an 'atheist' or 'theist' or not to whatever description I have though. Because surely the notion of freethought is about not needing anyone else's approval. Not really sure what you're trying to attempt here, frankly. I'm just trying to humour you.

[Pradja]

ORLY?

Did you notice the use of the word "ABSOLUTE"? It changes the meaning, significantly. Faith is defined as the complete trust or confidence in something without proof. It is VERY different from slight acceptance or trust without proof.

Or plain old rejection of faith, for no particular reason.