"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”
:Stephen Roberts. b 1967
Secularist, Humanist, Atheist, Agnostic....Whatever a person of limited or no faith decides to call themselves there is one thing that we all want. To live a life the way we see fit, that does not interfere with anyone else, and to enjoy that life free from religious interference.
That's it. Simple. But we can't! In everyday life we are dictated to by religion. In schools, government, the media, even in law, with marriage, taxation and how long shops can legally be open on a Sunday. Well, we have had enough and are fighting back. We are all equal and all have the same rights, the right to religious freedom and the right to be free from religion. Organized religion believes it has the right to defy secular law, pope Benedict XVI stated in 2010 on his visit to the UK that "God's law is above the UK's secular law" It isn't. |
Islamic preachers state that Sheria law is above man's law, It isn't. Religion has set itself up under many different unelected bodies that like to dictate to mankind. It demands special privileges whilst doing this and seeks immunity from laws that prevent religion from practicing their beliefs of sexism, homophobia, prejudice, and discrimination. Each of the various religions and sub denominations use their own interpretations of their so-called holy books and all claim that they to know the mind of their god who is always right and never ever wrong. The personal rights, wants, needs and desires of the individual always take second place to the authoritarian, indoctrination and dogma of the religious hierarchy. Organized religion demands respect. Respect is earned it is not automatic!
Religion believes it has a divine right to dictate and a self-belief that it is not to be questioned or offended. No one has the right not to be offended. BUT, religion offends with impunity. Each religion imposes its own set of rules on its followers believing that they have the one true god or gods, they fight and posture both with other religions and non-believers for more and more power and wealth using threats, indoctrination and dogma deluded with their own self-importance. Since the dawn of time religion has in one form or another dominated mankind. Superstition dictates how to live and what to do with that life, right from the earliest man believing that thunder, lightning and earthquakes was an angry god or gods. Some religions have ceased to be, passing into mythology but considered at the time to be very real. But over time mankind has evolved from its infancy and started to question religious dogma, this has brought them into conflict with those in power with dire, all too often violent consequences. In many Muslim countries to demonstrate against or denounce Islam is a sure ticket to prison or death.
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Here in the UK no longer constrained by fear and ignorance with laws to protect freedom of speech people are free to question religion. Religion doesn't like it and wants laws to ban free speech against it. BUT we will question religion, all religions until we get a level playing field.
MYTHS
It goes without saying that not all people of faith have preconceived ideas about us skeptics and non-believers, however the number of myths, or misconceptions that are banded about, and even down right lies that have grown up about Atheists and Agnostics are pretty amazing. it is increasingly common to have certain questions fired at you time and time again whilst the inquisitor sits there with an air of superiority thinking they have all the answers to all the questions because of a certain book, their interpretation of it, or what the religious hierarchy has taught them. THAT IS IT. Nothing more, nothing less. That is the simple premise and definition of an atheist. A rejection of anyone's claim of a god or gods without any proof or evidence to back up that claim.
Atheism is not a religion. Never has been and never will be. Atheists simply reject theists claim of a god. There is no hierarchy, no theory, no adherence, and no ideology to follow. You cannot have an Ideology or theory about something that you consider to be a myth and does not exist. It is the same as not believing in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, Dracula or any other superstition. it is A TOTAL LACK OF FAITH, that simple! No creator, No paranormal entities or supernatural beings. period. nothing, da nada, zip. squat. Calling Atheism, a religion is like calling bald a hair color."
Atheists do not ask for divine intervention (pray) as there is nothing to pray to. God does not exist. We do not worship Satan. Satan does not exist either. Only Christians believe in Satan.
Telling us that we are sinners, and that gods wrath will punish us in eternal damnation is meaningless, that is like threatening us with a visit from a Jedi master, Dracula, or the boogie man. They too do not exist. Just because we do not believe in any God does not mean we are void of morals, values or that our lives do not have any meaning or purpose, far from it. Just because we are atheists does not mean we are sexist, discriminatory, evil child rapists that go out and commit acts of torture or want to kill you because we do not believe in your god. we leave that to religion! who up to now has had a proven track record in these fields and like most records' religion seems hell bent on breaking them more and more as time goes on... |
BASICS
Atheist A person that rejects the claims made by theists of a god or gods based on the fact no proof or evidence can be provided to support their claims. Quite simply we see no logical reason for any god. Nothing more, nothing less. We make no philosophical, ideological, religious, social or moral claim. A disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings. It is derived from the Greek áthe ( os ) meaning simply "godless" Atheism This is a misnomer, as technically there is no such thing as Atheism. "ism" is a suffix, meaning adherence, following an ideology or theory of something. Atheism is a meaningless term as there is no ideology to follow, no theory. You cannot have an Ideology or theory about something that you consider to be a myth and does not exist. Agnostic A person who holds neither of two opposing positions on a topic. Greek ágnōst (os ), variant of ágnōtos not known, incapable of being known Secular Not pertaining to or connected with anything regarded as spiritual, sacred, temporal or religious. A disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings. pertaining only to worldly things. Secularism A set of values that call for the separation of church and state. Religion is a private affair and should not interfere in government, schools or public life. secular humanism A set of beliefs that promotes human values without specific allusion to religious doctrines. Secularism = Separation of church and state
Secularism is a belief in equality in politics, education and the law, regardless of religious belief. What do secularists mean by wanting equality? We have equality, right? There is the human rights act! There is the law which prevent discrimination and gives equality to all its citizens, right! Only it doesn't. NOT when you have Laws that give privilege to a person because they are religious. THAT is not equality. A religious group or individual that claims that their human rights are being violated because they want the right to discriminate, subjugate, or continue a practice that any other ordinary human being is denied because it is against the law is discriminatory, selfish, privileged elitism. What we want. a) There is no established state religion b) There is one law for all and its application is not hindered or replaced by religious codes or processes. c) Individuals are neither disadvantaged nor discriminated against because of their religion or belief, or lack thereof. d) Freedom of expression is not restricted by religious considerations. e) Neither the state, nor any emanation of the state, expresses religious beliefs or preferences. f) Religion plays no role in state-funded education, whether through religious affiliation, organised worship, religious instruction, pupil selection or employment discrimination. g) The state does not engage in, fund or promote religious activities or practices. h) Public and publicly-funded service provision does not discriminate on grounds of religion or belief. i) There is no privileged position in society or advantage in law for any individual or group by virtue of their religion or belief, or lack thereof. j) The state does not intervene in the setting of religious doctrine or the running of religious organisations. |
My book is right... Because my book says so is an illogical and fallacious argument. THAT is Circular reasoning. All religious texts were written by man.
The belief in something is based on certain things. Reason common sense and of course evidence. Anything attributed to a god or gods can be attributed to anything else like the flying spaghetti monster. No one can disprove god that is a scientific fact but then no one can disprove Dracula, Santa Claus, Jedi Masters, Leprechauns, Fairy's, any of the thousands of other gods or the flying Spaghetti monster. An Atheist requires proof, just as 99% of the world requires proof for everything else in their daily lives ......... Except god.
The belief in something is based on certain things. Reason common sense and of course evidence. Anything attributed to a god or gods can be attributed to anything else like the flying spaghetti monster. No one can disprove god that is a scientific fact but then no one can disprove Dracula, Santa Claus, Jedi Masters, Leprechauns, Fairy's, any of the thousands of other gods or the flying Spaghetti monster. An Atheist requires proof, just as 99% of the world requires proof for everything else in their daily lives ......... Except god.
Note - As this author is from the UK, spelling will mostly be British English. Some of the and references will be specific to the UK also.
Contact
Feel free to contact me and let me know you thoughts. Good or bad, just have some decorum without foul language or threats.
Thank you.
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