Compelling Atheism?
An excellent post today over at Atheist Revolution prompted a comment from me that I wanted to share here. It was in reaction to a different post by the Friendly Atheist regarding freedom of speech. It was a call to ensure we avoid hypocrisy in our responses and reactions to theistic expression. Original blog post: Free Speech and Atheist Billboards
This is an excellent point. All ideas should be given an equal chance, and the most compelling will win out. Note I said most compelling, not most truthful.
To me, the freedom of expression here is a non-issue. It is important that everyone else be given equal access.
A better question, in my opinion, is what are we doing to ensure our messages and ideas are just as compelling as the theist alternatives out there? As atheists, I believe we tend to fall back on the truth and facts as self-evident and expect our ideas to sell themselves. This belief is just as credulous as we view our theist brothers and sisters to be in their god worship.
The FFRF had every right to put a display up alongside the nativity scene in Washington. IMHO, they completely flubbed this opportunity by focusing on truth and facts instead of voicing a compelling message. If they had taken context into account, I believe they could have pointed out what’s wrong with displaying religious symbols with government support. They could have done it in such a way that believers and non-believers alike had a chance to see the REAL issue. They could have offered an alternative to the reasons people seek and hold to religion. Instead they attacked. They had every right and freedom to do so, I just feel it was bad for our cause.
What if they had put something like this on the placard instead?
Happy Holidays!
Government-sponsored religious symbolism is likely unconstitutional, but while The People allow such displays may all views be given equal access.
-may believers and non-believers find common ground
-may violence and hatred perish from the earth
-may you be happy and flourish
-may truth prevail in the hearts of all men and womenHappy Holidays!
Dec 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I agree, I think that the FFRF really dropped the ball on this one. They had an opportunity to say something compelling, something peaceful, to show we atheists are not the angry and bitter people most theists believe we are.
What they wrote didn’t help us, it hurt us.
I may not always post about my atheism on either of my blogs, but I read and leave comments on other atheist blogs that say what I’m thinking in a much more eloquent, and intelligent way.
Thanks for all the great posts.
Dec 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am
What Josh & Pat said.
Dec 19th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Today I saw a report that the Atheist sign had been stolen. It is interesting to note that the ‘War on Christmas’ is surprisingly lucrative to Christian conservative groups. Michelle Malkin stated on FOX that Atheists should be treated like “Trolls”. FOX the masters of the “no spin zone” obviously cater to the religious right. FFRF may have fulfilled expectations by their “grumpy” negativity but buffoons like O’Rielly and Malkin are out to make any statement made by Atheists an object of contempt. Trying to be polite and respectful toward religion will not garner any sympathy from the religious right. If atheist fall silent to avoid confrontations they will only succeed in marginalizing themselves. Atheists should assert their secular views but don’t expect to de-convert anyone either.
Dec 21st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Theists appear to hate and fear us and unfortunately some of us are hateful and illogical in our treatment of them. I feel that we should
show some respect to their beliefs, but we do need to speak up for the truth and to let them know that there are many who don’t agree with them.
Dec 26th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Zip Zink,
We should not be quiet, and we should not be trying to win over the religious right. They may be the most vocal christians, but they are not the majority and it is also fruitless to try and win them over.
Moderates, liberals, fence-sitters and those who don’t go to church but claim a belief in a judeo-christian god…these are the people who I want to influence. It is they who should look upon atheists as fellow human beings and people who deserve respect. They are the silent majority we allow the religious right to swing to their side instead of ours or a path of moderation and mutual respect.