edgarblythe
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 05:54 pm
A local channel has taken to rebroadcasting All in the Family. You get a few good go arounds between Mike the atheist and Archie the fundamentalist. A good episode is the time Archie sneaks around and all by himself baptizes his grandchild.
spendius
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 05:56 pm
@edgarblythe,
Isn't that moonlighting ed?
cicerone imposter
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 07:26 pm
@spendius,
they've been moonlighting CHEERS for many years, and I enjoyed watching it. I miss it now.
0 Replies
 
panzade
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 07:49 pm
@edgarblythe,
Norman Lear had his finger on the pulse of nascent liberalism, no doubt.
edgarblythe
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 07:53 pm
@panzade,
If Lear had one big failing, I would say he stayed too long. His later shows often lacked the same spark.
panzade
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 07:57 pm
@edgarblythe,
I had forgotten that Meathead was an atheist...touchy subject back then.
Night Ripper
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 07:57 pm
@Robert Gentel,
Robert Gentel wrote:
The zealous atheist. Kinda defeats the point about being atheist to me


For me, there is no point to being an atheist. I don't disbelieve in a god because it's a fashion statement or because it suits my personality. It's simply the viewpoint that is most likely to be true.
panzade
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 08:00 pm
@Night Ripper,
you wouldn't say that if you were raised by wolves...would you?
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 08:01 pm
@dyslexia,
Sure, but you are not trying to get a job.
0 Replies
 
failures art
 
  2  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 08:33 pm
Jobs? Wolves? LOL.



Am I doin it rite?
R
T
panzade
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 08:40 pm
@failures art,
Dr Gupta?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Sanjay_Gupta_20100118.jpg/220px-Sanjay_Gupta_20100118.jpg
Here's a shot of him searching for an atheist's soul
cicerone imposter
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 09:03 pm
@panzade,
Is he looking at his brain or heart?
edgarblythe
 
  2  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 09:04 pm
@cicerone imposter,
It's on the bottom of the foot.
cicerone imposter
 
  1  
Wed 5 Jan, 2011 09:06 pm
@edgarblythe,
Ah, I see! Atheist's feet won't allow them to walk into any church... he ain't gonna find any soul.
0 Replies
 
Oylok
 
  1  
Thu 6 Jan, 2011 11:49 pm
@wayne,
wayne wrote:
I am become aware of a certain prejudice toward the very word atheist. By my own insight, I find atheist to be in the category of vampires and werewolves.


Very helpful comments.

I guess things are different in America's Bible Belt from how they are in Australia.

Earlier, Eorl wrote:
Here, it's generally the Christians that feel the pressure to stay closeted.
http://able2know.org/topic/141106-164#post-4431287

I would like to know why exactly atheists are seen that way in some parts of the world--on par with vampires and werewolves. Is it thought, for example, that they lack souls? Do they theists often equate them with sociopaths?
wayne
 
  1  
Fri 7 Jan, 2011 03:16 am
@Oylok,
I hadn't thought about the bible belt part of it, but you are right. It's one of those prejudices put in place by the society one grows up in.
I would venture to say that it's tribal behavior.

Brings to mind how much better off the average person is, in todays society. In terms of opportunity to gather the knowledge neccessary to overcome prejudice. However, not everyone avails themselves of this opportunity.
0 Replies
 
Oylok
 
  1  
Fri 7 Jan, 2011 03:54 am
@Oylok,
Thanks, wayne.

Sorry about the typo, folks. The question should read:

Oylok wrote:
I would like to know why exactly atheists are seen that way in some parts of the world--on par with vampires and werewolves. Is it thought, for example, that they lack souls? Do the theists often equate them with sociopaths?


It wasn't for anyone in particular, although wayne's post a while ago motivated it. The idea behind the question was that a lack of faith could indicate to some a lack of a soul, which would mean atheists were devoid of empathy and compassion, which would make them sociopaths.

Of course, there may be other reasons theists find it logical to distrust us. For instance, they may simply view us as ill-bred. If one hasn't been taught solid Christian values, he may as well have been brought up by wolves--so the argument might go.
wayne
 
  2  
Fri 7 Jan, 2011 04:38 am
@Oylok,
I can't say for other religions, but the christian world is entirely black and white. It's a frightening world of good vs evil, god vs satan. There can be no grey area in such a belief.
The atheist doesn't join with the christian version of good, therefore they must be evil. They don't follow god, so they must follow the devil. They are pitied and scorned, as they have chosen the path of evil.
This arises from the basis of original sin, that there is a knowledge of good and evil running the show.

The truth is the world is not black and white, and the so called knowledge of good and evil is subjective.
Setanta
 
  2  
Fri 7 Jan, 2011 05:19 am
@wayne,
wayne wrote:
The atheist doesn't join with the christian version of good, therefore they must be evil. They don't follow god, so they must follow the devil. They are pitied and scorned, as they have chosen the path of evil.


That's it, right there--especially the second sentence. I cannot count the number of times i've been obliged to explain to people that if you aren't willing to believe that there is a god, then "the devil" is equally as improbable. Mind you, i don't discuss these matters with strangers, so what is worse, this comes up in conversation with my acquaintance, with people who are otherwise intellient and perceptive. Big blind spots when it comes to religion, though. The same is true for people with passionately held political views--sense goes right out the window, and tribalism, "us and them," prevails.
wayne
 
  2  
Fri 7 Jan, 2011 05:30 am
@Setanta,
Yes, that pretty well sums it up. I guess that's why they call them sheep.
I can't understand that blind spot either.
I personally have enough trouble with my own ignorance, I'm not interested in lying to myself.
I think it all comes down to fears and insecurities.
Like the little boy whistling as he passes the woods in the dark.
It is a breath of fresh air to discuss these things with one who sees Smile
0 Replies
 
 

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