This is a perfect example (and maybe partly a reason) why a stigma is attached to atheists. Some atheists attach themselves to the humanist philosophy and obvious attacks of religious people’s intelligence (such as the picture above) creates a hypocrisy that’s most definitely rooted in the ego. The key contradicting words in this image (atheists THINK, (insert religion) KNOW) underly some (not all) atheists generalizations supporting the belief that religious people do not “think”. Part of calling oneself an atheist is the knowledge that one can never know about supreme deities, so instead choose not to believe in things supernatural. I consider myself to be mildly atheist, but this image does not speak for my ethical beliefs. The thing I dislike most about religions is the fact that organized groups with defined rules and beliefs are necessary for the shared ideas to be called a religion. To be a member of groups such as these one must conform their ideas and values to meet the standards of the group. Atheism is not a religion, therefore they don’t share similar group values, only the lack of a belief. It’s unfair to assume the values of atheists, and this picture does just that by implying all atheists share the same judgmental tendencies toward Christians. I understand that this picture is supposed to be humorous, but it also claims to represent the moral values of all atheists (myself included), which it does not. Sorry for the lengthy response, but its things like this that keep people in constant controversy. This narcissistic attitude towards something as intangible as religions and philosophy is the reason behind the chaos and violence we see in this world. The belief that one way of thinking is right while all else is wrong (this image even goes as far as suggesting Christian thinking is silly by using the word wizard) is the cause of some of the most horrific events in history (9/11, Holocaust, medieval slaughtering of countless ‘heretics’, etc). I understand why some people agree with the message of this image, but I don’t understand when those people consider themselves to be peacemakers and open-minded individuals.

This is a perfect example (and maybe partly a reason) why a stigma is attached to atheists. Some atheists attach themselves to the humanist philosophy and obvious attacks of religious people’s intelligence (such as the picture above) creates a hypocrisy that’s most definitely rooted in the ego. The key contradicting words in this image (atheists THINK, (insert religion) KNOW) underly some (not all) atheists generalizations supporting the belief that religious people do not “think”. Part of calling oneself an atheist is the knowledge that one can never know about supreme deities, so instead choose not to believe in things supernatural.

I consider myself to be mildly atheist, but this image does not speak for my ethical beliefs. The thing I dislike most about religions is the fact that organized groups with defined rules and beliefs are necessary for the shared ideas to be called a religion. To be a member of groups such as these one must conform their ideas and values to meet the standards of the group. Atheism is not a religion, therefore they don’t share similar group values, only the lack of a belief. It’s unfair to assume the values of atheists, and this picture does just that by implying all atheists share the same judgmental tendencies toward Christians. I understand that this picture is supposed to be humorous, but it also claims to represent the moral values of all atheists (myself included), which it does not.

Sorry for the lengthy response, but its things like this that keep people in constant controversy. This narcissistic attitude towards something as intangible as religions and philosophy is the reason behind the chaos and violence we see in this world. The belief that one way of thinking is right while all else is wrong (this image even goes as far as suggesting Christian thinking is silly by using the word wizard) is the cause of some of the most horrific events in history (9/11, Holocaust, medieval slaughtering of countless ‘heretics’, etc). I understand why some people agree with the message of this image, but I don’t understand when those people consider themselves to be peacemakers and open-minded individuals.

May 6 2009

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