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kwassa

(23,340 posts)
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:14 PM Apr 2013

The evangelical atheist.

I think this is a much better phrase than the militant atheist.

It really conveys the idea of sales pitch, and of a mission. Militant is more about angry. Evangelical is more about trying to convert.

Discuss.

41 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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The evangelical atheist. (Original Post) kwassa Apr 2013 OP
I am sorry to those I offended by saying I liked the term. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #1
And you don't think... rexcat Apr 2013 #3
I am sorry if i insulted you. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #8
You did not just insult me... rexcat Apr 2013 #27
My apologies! hrmjustin Apr 2013 #33
How about you find out what label atheists prefer... trotsky Apr 2013 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author hrmjustin Apr 2013 #9
I just wanted to say sorry that I spoke before I should have listened. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #36
There's nothing militant about me defacto7 Apr 2013 #2
yay! i love those! Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #18
Then everyone on this site is an evangelical Democrat. trotsky Apr 2013 #4
Well tempered atheist? reteachinwi Apr 2013 #6
Why use any adjective? Especially evangelical!!! longship Apr 2013 #7
We use adjectives to distinguish TM99 Apr 2013 #12
Well, as I posted... longship Apr 2013 #14
And as I replied TM99 Apr 2013 #15
Beautiful! One of the best posts I've seen around here. Starboard Tack Apr 2013 #24
Thank you. TM99 Apr 2013 #41
We need a label. Isn't that obvious? There are atheists and then there are "those" atheists. Nt. Warren Stupidity Apr 2013 #17
That's all the OP has left, insults and no substance. cleanhippie Apr 2013 #21
I have been using this term for a while now. Very appropriate for some. Buzz Clik Apr 2013 #10
I think the labels Type A and Type B would work well. goldent Apr 2013 #11
Evangel means 'good news.' Atheism isn't good news, it's just news. dimbear Apr 2013 #13
It's good news if you're into reality. PassingFair Apr 2013 #28
I miss the old adjective for atheists who don't know to STFU, "Rabid" Fumesucker Apr 2013 #16
this must be the 'keep throwing shit at the wall.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #19
Call us whatever makes you feel better about yourself. No name will change the nonsense you espouse cleanhippie Apr 2013 #20
I'll add it to the growing list of mythical beings. Iggo Apr 2013 #22
I don't like the term, as it has negative connotations, particular within the liberal/progressive cbayer Apr 2013 #23
What would you say about the tactic of labeling people who... trotsky Apr 2013 #25
But you can say the same of the religionist... rexcat Apr 2013 #39
I agree. And they are no better than the anti-theist. cbayer Apr 2013 #40
Can I be an "evangelical arithmetist" to? gcomeau Apr 2013 #26
You know that's going to piss off Dorian Gray Apr 2013 #29
No it's not, because it's a childish attempt to taunt and offend. It's all kwassa has left. cleanhippie Apr 2013 #30
It just reads as Dorian Gray Apr 2013 #31
It is nothing but shit-stirring. cleanhippie Apr 2013 #32
Oh damn... rexcat Apr 2013 #38
I'm going with unapologetic atheist. n/t Ron Obvious Apr 2013 #34
I think the term you're looking for is "outspoken atheist" EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2013 #35
But, but... rexcat Apr 2013 #37
 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
1. I am sorry to those I offended by saying I liked the term.
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:17 PM
Apr 2013

Last edited Tue Apr 16, 2013, 09:02 PM - Edit history (1)

I will leave this post up and you can see the unedited first reply i made if you want. Again I am sorry.

rexcat

(3,622 posts)
3. And you don't think...
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:29 PM
Apr 2013

"evangelical" is not insulting? You seem quite clueless about a lot of things when it comes to atheists.

rexcat

(3,622 posts)
27. You did not just insult me...
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 03:40 PM
Apr 2013

but IMO all atheists.

If you don't know a lot about atheism may I suggest you start figuring out where we are coming from then maybe there can be some constructive dialogue.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
5. How about you find out what label atheists prefer...
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:33 PM
Apr 2013

instead of deciding what you'd "like" them to be called?

Response to trotsky (Reply #5)

defacto7

(13,485 posts)
2. There's nothing militant about me
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:25 PM
Apr 2013

so militant doesn't fit. I don't like evangelical though because that word has already been pinned to a description I dislike about as much as militant. How about exuberant atheist? Enthusiastic atheist? I'll take those any day.

 

Phillip McCleod

(1,837 posts)
18. yay! i love those!
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 09:31 AM
Apr 2013

exultant? ebullient?

giddy? as in, ...

'those giddy atheists are really getting on my nerves. have they been fed any babies this morning?'

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
4. Then everyone on this site is an evangelical Democrat.
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:29 PM
Apr 2013

Pro tip: Stop trying to put atheists into your pre-defined religious boxes. We aren't "fundamentalist," we aren't "evangelical." We speak out against the negative aspects of religion and won't be silenced by labels and names that you decide we need.

longship

(40,416 posts)
7. Why use any adjective? Especially evangelical!!!
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:44 PM
Apr 2013

What's with people wanting to add labels to atheists? Isn't atheist pretty much descriptive enough?

No, apparently not. That's why people are always adding "strident", "militant", and apparently now the even more insulting "evangelical".

Stop with the cockamaimie adjectives. Atheists are just people like everybody else. Mostly we just wish to be left alone. Sadly, that cannot happen in this country where much ink is spilt over the proper insulting adjectives to attach to the word, as much as is spilt comparing us to devil worshippers, Hitler, Stalin, etc.

Atheists get kind of tired of this rhetorical gamesmanship. Plus, it pisses us off.

If you want to call me anything, simply an atheist will do. Or, any of several other non-insulting nouns may work. If you want to get my dander up, by all means add an insulting adjective to the noun. But don't then expect me to have a very respectful conversation with you.

Be nice.

 

TM99

(8,352 posts)
12. We use adjectives to distinguish
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 02:05 AM
Apr 2013

between different types of individuals and different types of subgroups within a larger group.

So, no 'atheist' isn't enough. Are some atheists equanimitous and open-minded with regards to the religious including theists? Yes. Are some atheists close-minded, militant, and even evangelical? Absolutely.

Those who self-identify as a member of any group are still individuals with individual psychological states. Not all Christians are fundamentalists. Not all Muslims believe in Jihad as actual terrorism. Not all Jews are nationalistic Zionists.

Some atheists, even here at DU, are very agitating. These individuals will jump on any thread that might involve religions or theists and just generally be shit disturbers. These individuals will put down anyone who self identifies as a member of a religion. These individuals will condescendingly say that if you believe in God then you are not an intelligent person. If you are a Catholic, then of course, you automatically support homophobia and pedophilia. If you are a Buddhist, you are lumped into some new conspiracy with the Dalai Lama who is now a theocratic Nazi lover.

All of this is of course ridiculous and stops rational conversation between individuals here and elsewhere who may disagree but can certainly do so without vitriol, insults and barbs. I have been atheistic since childhood. I identify as ignostic today. I am also a practicing Buddhist. I have little problem relating and discussing philosophical, scientific, or religious topics with any group -- unless the individuals are 'fundamentalists'. For me that is more a psychological state which describes individuals of insecurity who generally experience a sense of persecution whether it was once real or is now just an illusion. It taints the person's experience where dialogue can become difficult if not impossible.

You and I are not in disagreement, and I can understand your frustration. I feel it as well when a fundie Christian says I will burn in hell for following the Buddhist path. I feel it as well when an atheist suggests I am illogical or unintelligent because of my philosophical system of belief. Please don't be surprised when others outside of the group you belong to do the same. Let's just all remember to focus on the individual more so than the group as a whole. Sure at times it is very appropriate to do so, but in discussion, like on these forums, it generally destroys any positive value that might arise from communication among different people with different experiences and beliefs.

longship

(40,416 posts)
14. Well, as I posted...
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 03:51 AM
Apr 2013

If a person wants to piss off an atheist, call them strident, militant, or some such thing. It's like calling a woman hysterical, or a black uppity, for instance.

I do not proselytize my lack of belief. I do enjoy intelligent discussions and arguments, though, and have no qualms about discussing my atheism but mostly to disavow people of their biases.

I am also horrified by things that are done in the name of religion and see it generally as being a negative influence due mainly to its propagation of myth as truth, and of the tendency to demonize out-groups to the point of hideous violence. However, in practice, those latter people may be a minority.

On the other hand, almost all religious people have this built in superiority that places them, in their minds, above other beliefs. I think that is what can be insidious. And when religion treads into governance, or into science, there is nothing more insidious.

I don't care what others believe as long as they leave me alone and as long as they don't try to impose it on anybody. Unfortunately, many religious people haven't figured out how not to do that. That's a huge problem in our world and I fear it may prove to be the end of us.

 

TM99

(8,352 posts)
15. And as I replied
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 05:15 AM
Apr 2013

if you want to piss off a Christian, immediately assume that she is a fundamentalist that believes in creationism and an invisible sky father. We, therefore, agree then that snap judgments of one person as representative of the worst within a whole group are not appropriate in any type of communication.

Please don't assume that all that follow a religion must immediately be suspect of a superiority complex. I, of course, have witnessed that, and bluntly, I have seen that same superiority in atheists as well.

I completely agree that religion should play no part in governance and have only the most indirect of connections to the sciences. After all, a religious person can still be an unbiased and excellent scientist and proponent of reason & the scientific method. We would hardly want a litmus test required of scientists that they must espouse no affiliation with religion in order to work or teach, would we?

Within reason, I, too, believe in letting others do their own thing. I do not condone any one religious or not that would attempt to force others to believe always as they do. You state that you think that many religious people haven't figured that out yet. I would go a step further and simply say that most humans don't know how to do that. It is done every day whether with religion, politics, personal desires, etc. Human beings easily fall into traps of solipsism and projection.

Nice chatting with you.

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)
24. Beautiful! One of the best posts I've seen around here.
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 01:07 PM
Apr 2013

I think you are way more representative of atheists and agnostics than the loudmouths who proudly wear their adjectives of intolerance.
Close-minded, militant and evangelical are adjectives that apply to extremists, regardless of their beliefs.

goldent

(1,582 posts)
11. I think the labels Type A and Type B would work well.
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 12:46 AM
Apr 2013

Just don't tell anyone what Type A and Type B mean. Problem solved.

dimbear

(6,271 posts)
13. Evangel means 'good news.' Atheism isn't good news, it's just news.
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 02:30 AM
Apr 2013

Value neutral news. And it's old news, too.





PassingFair

(22,434 posts)
28. It's good news if you're into reality.
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 06:03 PM
Apr 2013

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.

Fumesucker

(45,851 posts)
16. I miss the old adjective for atheists who don't know to STFU, "Rabid"
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 06:19 AM
Apr 2013

I haven't heard that one in years now, it had a certain style and panache about it.

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)
20. Call us whatever makes you feel better about yourself. No name will change the nonsense you espouse
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 09:44 AM
Apr 2013

and no name calling will keep anyone quiet so that your delicate sensibilities aren't offended.

Deal with it.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
23. I don't like the term, as it has negative connotations, particular within the liberal/progressive
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 12:55 PM
Apr 2013

community.

While I think it is worth making distinctions within the group, I think it's a mistake to use anything that might be considered pejorative.

The difference I see is between atheist and anti-theist. Atheists are completely neutral, imo. They share one thing - a disbelief in a god or gods. Anti-theists are not neutral, however. They share the belief that theism is bad and should be eliminated.

In other words, atheism is a passive position. Anti-theism is an active one.

As it pertains to this site, I think anti-theism hinders the overall objectives of DU because it pits one group against another within a community that otherwise shares progressive/liberal goals.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
25. What would you say about the tactic of labeling people who...
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 02:21 PM
Apr 2013

want to see religion removed as a justification for making policy as "anti-theists" who think "that theism is bad and should be eliminated"?

Doesn't that pit one group against another within a community that otherwise shares progressive/liberal goals?

rexcat

(3,622 posts)
39. But you can say the same of the religionist...
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 10:53 PM
Apr 2013

there are some who are religious anti-atheist. It is not a one-way street. It works both ways.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
40. I agree. And they are no better than the anti-theist.
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 10:55 PM
Apr 2013

It's divisive to be against a group that sees things differently but shares your fundamental goals and principles. Be that anti-theist or anti-atheist, it is counterproductive, imo.

 

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)
26. Can I be an "evangelical arithmetist" to?
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 03:00 PM
Apr 2013

After all, I generally try and convince anyone who doesn't know already that 2+2 does in fact equal 4 when I come across such a person saying thing like "2+2=5", or "2+2=rhinoceros". So clearly I'm evangelizing them!

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)
30. No it's not, because it's a childish attempt to taunt and offend. It's all kwassa has left.
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 06:26 PM
Apr 2013

So no one is angry, but they are laughing.

rexcat

(3,622 posts)
38. Oh damn...
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 10:49 PM
Apr 2013

I missed that memo. I did find it a little annoying but small minded people do that to me. My bad!



EvolveOrConvolve

(6,452 posts)
35. I think the term you're looking for is "outspoken atheist"
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 08:27 PM
Apr 2013

I know it really torques you that there are atheists who won't sit down and shut up, but there it is. We're here and we're not going away, no matter how much our presence offends you.

BTW, the next time you hear of an atheist meeting where they're discussing "missions" to "convert" believers, let me know. I'd like to be there.

rexcat

(3,622 posts)
37. But, but...
Tue Apr 16, 2013, 10:44 PM
Apr 2013

outspoken atheists are not nice people and are not worth respecting because they don't agree with them when it comes to their woo.

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