Religion
Related: About this forumSecular and Proud of It - Book Review
http://www.wsj.com/articles/book-review-atheist-awakening-by-richard-cimino-and-christopher-smith-1420408360Atheists in America are anxious about their status, eager for acceptance and struggling to sort out the core assumptions of their unbelief.
By NAOMI SCHAEFER RILEY
Jan. 4, 2015 4:52 p.m. ET
On a recent episode of the CBS show The Good Wife, Alicia Florrick, played by Julianna Margulies, is considering a run for states attorney. She has plenty of skeletons in her closet, not least of which is serving as the lawyer for an organized-crime boss. But her political consultant tells her that there is really only one thing that will end her political career before it starts: her professed atheism. So when she sits down with a local religious leader for an interview and he asks about her faith, she tells him that she is struggling.
That word could probably be used to describe a lot of atheists these days. The decline of religious affiliation (particularly among young people) would seem to offer a recruiting opportunity for nonbelievers. And best-selling works by the so-called New Atheists (Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, among others) suggest a broad receptivity to the secular outlook. But according to the latest Pew Survey, only about 2.4% of Americans identify themselves as atheists. And according to a survey conducted by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith a sociologist at the University of Richmond and an independent researcher, respectivelymore than half of American atheists believe that they are still discriminated against.
In Atheist Awakening, Messrs. Cimino and Smith track the current state of the atheist community, such as it is, using interviews, surveys and field reporting. The portrait they draw reveals a diffuse group that is struggling to sort out the core assumptions of its unbelief. It is also a group anxious about its status in society and keen to coalesce into a movement. Increasingly, the authors write, secularists have identified themselves with other minorities in America, even borrowing from the gay rights movement as they seek to come out of the closet and claim an atheist identity among their families, friends and the public in general. In an interview on CNN, Mr. Dawkins went so far as to say: I think were in the same position the gay movement was in a few decades ago. There was a need for people to come out.
And so, in the grand tradition of identity politics, atheists have attempted to mount public displays of solidarity. The Reason Rally, held in Washington in 2012, attracted about 10,000 people, most likely the largest atheist gathering in American history, the authors write. As the crowd gathered, a band started things off with a song that lampooned the belief in Jesus coming again, mixing it with sexual innuendo. Other songs also made fun of religion, and a costumed figure of Jesus danced in the crowd. Were not here to bash anyones faith, but if it happens, it happens, said the master of ceremonies, comedian Paul Provenza. Messrs. Cimino and Smith, who attended the rally for their research, offer a vivid account of it without commenting on its tone. One cant help thinking that the gay-rights movement did not see the public ridiculing of heterosexuals as a centerpiece of its strategy.
more at link
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Jim__
(14,083 posts)It worked for me: https://www.google.com/#q=%22secular+and+proud+of+it%22
Then select the top entry returned from google. If you can't get to that, try googling "secular and proud of it"
Jim__
(14,083 posts)The article ends with the sentence:
Do you know who they are referring to by opponents?
My best guess is that it refers back to the vast majority of the unaffiliated referenced in the previous paragraph:
I tend to think that good behavior is relative (although not in an absolute way), but don't think that being judgmental is the big problem in life.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)and referring to this conclusion:
But i have read it repeatedly and I am not sure.
In terms of the description of the young "nones", I think she is describing them as lazy. It seems that she is saying that they don't really have to think about what is good or bad behavior and those that do are just deemed too judgmental.
Jim__
(14,083 posts)... worthy opponent.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I think he was saying that the challenge was too simplistic and led to a less than sterling position - God is important because I don't believe in him. My sense is he is arguing for a higher level of debate and conclusion.
But, I am not sure.
Feral Child
(2,086 posts)I looked at my profile recently, it lists my favorite Group as Religion.
Hmmm.
Not at all true. I have strong opinions on the subject, but I have to admit that I really don't care that much about sharing them. I've been "reactionary", reacting to posts that show up on the "Greatest".
That's inappropriate. Since I really don't have anything to contribute, I shouldn't just pop in with a shit-bomb. My excuse: for the last 2 decades I've lived in an extremely hostile Evangelical community. The stalking and harassment has gone so far that I've had the local Sheriff's deputies come by to inform me they've been called with complaints against me for "blasphemy". Actually, the Deputies have all been pretty decent about it, but they have to come by to investigate any reports of "Peace Disturbance", even if ludicrous.
It's unfair that I unload my frustration at DU; hence, you all have my apologies and a promise to be more circumspect in the future. Although my views haven't changed, I'll try very hard to keep them out of this Group.
Again, sorry about the interruption, I should have OPd this, but I have to admit I haven't been able to figure out how to post an OP.
I'd appreciate a tip on that if you don't mind sharing.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)My experience in trying to have a conversation with you has been less than enjoyable, but understanding something about who you are and where you are coming from is very helpful
It's sounds like you have has a horrible experience that goes far beyond what anyone here has previously described. I am sorry that you are in that community and hope that you can get out sometime in the future.
I think you could find a degree of empathy here, as other members have had very negative experiences as well. But I agree that it is unfair to unload your frustration at people who would never do what you describe and would offer your support and understanding, even though they are believers.
Ok, so to start an OP:
Choose the group you want
In the top left corner, you will see a blue tab labeled "Start a Discussion"
Click it
The next screen has a title line and then the area for text. You can cut and paste or just type directly.
When you are done, hit "post my thread" at the bottom
I hope that you will start an OP to tell your story.
Feral Child
(2,086 posts)and for the tip. Seems like I should have looked a bit harder but I swear I thought I'd been thorough.
My opinions haven't really changed and probably won't, but expressing them, especially in the way I have, hasn't been helpful. I'll try later to post this as an OP (later) since I feel an apology to the Group is appropriate and not everyone will see my aside to you.
Probably won't share my experiences with the Group at this time. I have other pressing topics I'm more interested in, for one thing.
Another, I'd probably just rant. The frustration runs pretty deep and...
I'm in the early stages of conducting a private investigation with the aim of litigation against a particularly nasty "Church" that's been causing severe damage to my property (roughly $50K) and it would be ill advised to share that publicly.
Again, thanks for your time and patience with this interruption.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I don't think a public apology is necessary, but you are certainly welcome to go there. I know we got into it a few times, and I feel certain that I have not always been the most friendly or kind, so we probably pushed each others buttons.
Thanks for taking the time to communicate directly with me.
Feral Child
(2,086 posts)You're not the only one I was rough with.
I'm opinionated and not all my perceptions are incorrect, but I've hurt people here unnecessarily. When I've been inappropriate, I feel the need to own up to it. It's a matter of personal honesty and honor.
Have a good day and New Year, cb.