Atheist Propaganda Effectiveness

Because I've had experience with both groups (hell, by Chip's definition, I actually AM an Atheist), and I've never witnessed religious intollerance toward atheists, while I have witnessed intolerance towards gays.

Perhaps some of the gay members of the forum can weigh in, and say which aspect of their lives they tend to feel more persecution for.

That's a good idea.

Also, I know that nobody knocked on my door this weekend and asked me if I wanted to talk about becoming gay.

Really? I get asked that all the time...

Adherents.com shows its utter lack of credibility when it lists Juche as a religion - which would be on par with, say, "Saddam Husseinism" - a political ideology not a religious one at all.

This is a propaganda website if there ever was one, blatantly failing the credibility test right within its main message.



Religioustolerance.org is foolish enough to cite adherents.com as a source.

Then, it goes on to list as references as the BBC (someone likely found a child's atlas and published the big, bright countries), and such totally unbiased sources as the International Bulletin of Missionary Research.

Finally it cites the Wikipedia, thus smashing whatever was left of its credibility.





Also, many of the so-called 'religions' of Asia overlap; there are millions of Christian Buddhists, for instance.

Buddhists don't agree amongst themselves with regard to 'religion' status. In Tibet, sure. In a triad-controlled Kowloon nightclub, it varies by individual.


Look out a tall officebuilding window in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Shanghai, or Beijing and tell me that the world is predominantly Christian.

If you still have any doubts that Christianity wasn't dominant, wander out into the Chinese countryside and erase whatever doubt you might have had.

Not even counting the billion or two Hindus and Muslims to the south.

I know someone who worked in a thrift store that was subjected to this. I know people who work in office buildings who are subjected to this. I know people in social work who are subjected to this. There are many companies and corporations in this country owned by christian fundamentalists, and even moderate Christians, where being Christian is pretty much mandatory for advancement (the chick-fil-a restaurant chain is a prominent example, but there are thousands of them). Considering that the majority of people in this country claim to be Christian they do not put themselves at a disadvantage by being discriminatory, and they are, routinely, despite the law. Most atheists are still in the closet. Why do you suppose that is, Roland?

I manage a lot of projects and I have been on more than one project where they have started the beginning of the project with a prayer. When that happens, I stand aside respectfully and quietly, nothing more, nothing less. I AM uncomfortable, but I don't make an issue of it.

Apparently, that was not enough one customer - who called my supervisor and asked the company that I used to work for to have me immediately removed from the project.

My supervisor told them I was the best trained person on the product but they said that I just did not fit into their environment.


I had to laugh though... their project ultimately took six weeks longer than it should have.

One more good reason to keep a healthy distance. I avoid groups like that, not because I have any ill will toward the people, but because I detest the discrimination.

It is not such a silly notion. There are distinct differences between many eastern religions and many western religions that have caused some to dislike the use of the same term for both. I have met Buddhist who themselves will state that Buddhism is not a religion. Alot of it depends on what your definition of religion is. If your definition is so broad that you consider all philosophies that gather a following of people, then yes the notion will seem silly. The problem is that all words have different meanings to different people. It makes things difficult in communication, but not all people put the same meanings in the same words. Hence the debate between the exact meaning of atheism and agnosticism as well.

There is an SL member who wanted glowovers and got glowovers. He wanted footshadows improved, he got foot shadows improved. This person knows how to get what he wants done better than many. So, if you want to make the world a better place for atheists, just stop and ask yourself, "What would Torley do?"

Protestant is not a religion.

Not a troll - a movie quote.

According to dictionary.com ...

Prot·es·tant·ism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (prt-stn-tzm)
n.
1. Adherence to the religion and beliefs of a Protestant church.


2. The religion and religious beliefs fostered by the Protestant movement.

I would just like to say that standing aside while others pray shows real courage. I, myself, refuse to stand for the national anthem at public events and am thus quite familiar with the feeling that accompanies conspicuous nonconformity. I wish there were more folks like you.

~Ulrika~

In my travels I have come across all kinds of religions. In every case I followed their lead, regardless of the religion.

In a Catholic church I would kneel and say the ritual statements. In a Jehovah's Witnesses group I avoided talking about birthdays and Christmas. In a Jewish gathering I would try to fit in, and show respect for their faith doing what they did. Also in Muslim gatherings, I wouldn't dream of insisting on speaking my mind about my faith. I eat what they eat, dance like they dance, etc etc.

To me it's a matter of respect.

I, for one, don't follow any organized religion. I do however recognize a power higher than me. Whether you call that power God, Allah, Buddha, or anything else, is your business.

All in all, I'm happier with my life now than I ever was sitting through the church services that my parents dragged me too. My relationship with said higher power is just that, my relationship. I don't need anyone else tell me how to interact with Him/Her/Whatever.

Or mindless conformity.

~Ulrika~

As a Buddhist, and a zen Buddhist even, I still think Buddhism qualifies as a religion. Certainly in a world there the dark empire of scientology considers itself a religion, then buddhism qualifies. That being said, buddhism does not have a deity. Well thats not strictly true, Buddhism does not have a transcendent deity. There is not some god who was buddha and we all worship him. Buddha was a man who became a buddha. We each have the power within us to attain satori. Thus to me every person has the spark of zen within them, but every person is also part of the zen whole.

A theravedic buddhist comes closer to worshipping buddha by following closely ever singel sentenced that buddha uttered as though ti were a rule. But even they would say that they are not following in buddha's footsteps, but seeking to attain the same enlightenment siddartha did.

But really buddhism, depsite not haveing a god, is a religious practice. It is just not necessarily inconsistent with other religious pracitices.

Thank you for clearing that up, Jake. I've been thinking of learning more about Buddhism, seeing as how religion does interest me, though I don't follow any of it.

Standing up for one's beliefs is admirable. Being rude to those with whom one disagrees isn't. Having respect for other's beliefs is admirable, and a sign of wisdom, imho.

I personally don't know of any atheists who try to convert others to their way of thinking. Since atheism isn't a religion they could care less.

In fact there is only one religion in the world, that I am aware of, that actively trys to convert others and here is a hint. It's not Islam and not Judaism.

I am under the impression that Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Islam proselytize to some significant degree.

There is good reason Christians seek converts. Christians have the Gospel (the good news) to share with others. The Gospel is the information of salvation. When people have access to the info they may choose to follow the teaching, no one makes anyone follow Christ.

Christianity is very inclusive. All races are fully represented. Every person has a standing invitation to know Christ and be born again (spiritually). The problem with individual denominations shouldn't be an issue with a personal connection with Christ's power.

Judaism doesn't seek converts because it's not an outreach religion. It's more a race/religion, altho some followers of Judaism are not born into it.

Islam does seek out converts. There are cases of people being killed for refusing to convert. But it's no worse than some past Christian denominations. I don't blame Islam for the actions of some who claim to be Muslim.

Edit:
Atheist organizations do seek to spread their message.

Are you saying that Rose is rude for not joining in prayer with her other teammates?

~Ulrika~

Good news! Over 60% of the 6 billion people alive today are going to hell.

Tell that to homosexuals and women who would like to be priests.

God does not exist.

~Ulrika~

Perhaps you were unaware of this, but there are sects of Christianity that allow women to participate in their church. Although, honestly, they may not call them "priests".. That's pretty much restricted to the catholic church. The episcopalians may have woman priests though.

But, the big question is that if you don't like the rules of the church, why would you want to be a priest? That seems a bit illogical.

Am I the only person alive that doesn't mind other people having opinions?