Why do atheists...

...feel so strong about NOT believing in something? If I were an atheist frankly I wouldn't give a rats ass about what Christians, Muslims, or any other deity based religion did.

The pledge says "God".
"What do I care if I say it? I don't believe ain't gonna hurt nothing not like I'm going to hell."

Some people pray at school.
"What do I care not like I have to pray. They can all they want, but that ain't my thing."

The 10 Commandments are posted.
"What do they matter to me I don't believe in them."

I mean what is the point in all the fuss?? I understand when religions disagree, but for non-religious to cause so much trouble I'm confused in their motivation. This is a serious question I'm not asking for anyone to tell me why they are atheist or not. I'm asking to know why the non-religious are 90% of the time the ones fussing over any type of representation in society pretaining to God or Allah or whatever. American Muslims seldom fuss over Christianity or Judasim and its practices. American Jews seldom fuss over Christian and Islamic practices. American Christians seldom fuss over Muslim and Jewish practices in society. It seems that the majority of Church and State argument stems from a group that doesn't believe in a deity. Why... if there's nothing to fuss about, why fuss?

 

Brain, I understand where you are coming from. I can only speak for myself and on some of these I have a hard time articulating my feelings without using trite and overused arguments, but they do have some validity.

I gladly say the Pledge. I, however, do not say "under God" when I do. For me to do so would be hypocritical and we know how the users of this board feel about that. I do feel it is state sanctioned religion but in a minor form.
I suppose to some this would make me less American than others, but so be it. I believe in my country. I believe in the Constitution. I respect the flag. Don't ask me to say something I don't believe in to prove I'm an American.

As for school prayer, children are still free to pray silently as long as it isn't under the color of law. State sponsored and scripted prayer was what was struck down. This has been extended to commencements and sporting events, etc. School prayer was determined in the 1963 case of Murry vs Curlett to be coercive. I can't see how it can't be viewed as such.

My child would be put in a situation where the state is proselytizing in a situation that is far from voluntary. I know the analogy has been overused, but imagine that your child has to take part in a Wiccian ritual every morning because it is state sanctioned. 95% of the children in the class are devout Wiccians or at least from families that pay lip service to the creed as are the teachers. Now, since your child can simply get up and leave the room, it isn't coerced is it? Think of the impact on your child in that situation.

Now, the 10 Commandments, well I try my best to live by 5-10. For me, 1 - 4 aren't applicable because of my beliefs. Strangely enough, I have no problem with the 10 Commandments being displayed in a secular fashion as a historical context for the rule of law. The case in Alabama shows that it is nearly impossible to do so.

Now, when you talk about other religions not making such a stink, check into the amicus briefs filed in many of these cases. Religious liberals including some Christian denominations, Jews, Muslims and other minority religious groups have filed in support of current case law and against public sponsorship of religion.

 

maybe I don't get it, but when I say under God, I have always interpreted it as the God I pray to. If atheists don't beleive in God, then they can simply chose not to say the words.

I agree...fuss for the sake of fussing is fuggin dumb.

 

That looks good on paper, but I know all too well that even though participation in open displays of faith is theoretically "optional," the one who dares to actually abstain when everyone else is doing it is in for a rough time. Maybe it's because I'm from a small town and know that the majority will bully and brutalize the minority if there's any way they can get away with it.

Atheists and unbelievers like myself have the common ground of experiencing discrimination, threats, and general hatred spewed in our direction for this very reason. So I can relate to the fire under their asses to fight back and do something about it. But I for one know that that kind of war has no possible victory for anyone. I hate to use a hippie word like "tolerance," but the truth is that if our society is going to survive, we're going to have to make peace with the presence of others who don't believe in exactly the same things that we do.

And you're right. Fussing for fussing's sake is for the birds.

 

why do atheists even read a religion and spirituality message board?

hell, i hardly read this board and i am far from atheist.

 

Brain, I would say that the reason that they care about those things is because of the First Ammendment. And don't underestimate the impact of it. We are the most religiously diverse country in the world by far. And a very big reason for that is the First. Every other country in the world is probably at least 75% of one religion and many are identified with that religion.

But our Founders did not intend for us to be without religion, they wanted to make sure that the State did not have an official - or even official, non-official (if that makes sense) - religion. The reason is that that type of situation leads to persecution - which many of them had experienced. Hugenots were persecuted by the French, Presbyterians and Puritans by the English, etc. So when they left and came here and made it a country, they wanted to make sure that it didn;t happen again.

So for the reasons you listed someone could not give two wits about God - or even devouly believe in God - and still care passionately about making sure that the US does not have an official religion.

 

I agree with Brain.

 

I played on this a little yesterday. The ideal of atheism should be apathy, and yet more often than not it's anger against religion, not abscence of religion. Since it seems that a good part of the people who are atheist have issues with religion/God/practitioners, it seems atheism is a easy way to typify their own feelings, and tap into a base of opinion, rather than truly expressing what they feel. Just my take.

 

Religion is one of the dominant factors in human history. Religion has been the cause of wars and the cause of peace. Outside of economic issues, I really can't think of a single topic that has had more impact on our world.

Simply put, William, I enjoy talking about religion and learning about religion and how it effects people on a personal level.

 

Don't you just hate it when newbies dredge stuff up from the beginning of time?

What you read on the internet is that "Vocal Minority" of atheists. Atheists are like christians in this matter. The vast majority of christians profess a belief in God but they don't let it interfere in their daily lives. We are the same way.