atheism

[eclectician]

Atheists I know, and friends who know atheists - in what ways do you find atheism interacting with or influencing your general view of the world?

I realize this is a much less concrete question than some people reading have asked recently.

Comments

[eclectician]

Yes, sort of.

Like you, I think the root causes (character flaws? traits?) behind my being an atheist are driving forces in my life. But I've recently had occasion to think about how they influence my reactions to events in my life, and I wonder if the same things that make me an atheist do things like drive me to drink.

[novalis]

So, the munchkin has discovered that I'm an atheist, and she wants to show me what a good child she is, so she proclaims her atheism. So I ask her, what is, tomorrow, God appeared to you and everyone else and proclaimed his existence with signs and wonders? She says that she still won't believe. Facepalm.

I'm the cantankerous sort of atheist, and frequently, when I talk to the noncantankerous sort, they're shocked and appalled that I am willing to say what I believe in such strong and uncompromising terms. Isn't it impolite? But I don't think it is. There's a number of cases where the perception of a person's anger depends on their status in society. It should be no more surprising that I am certain (meaning, have a very high probability that) there is no God than that a Christian has their faith. That's not to equate the two (my position has all the evidence) -- but when someone says they're an atheist, that's perceived as being an attack on believers. And my position is opposed to religion -- we can't all be right. But it

[sandmantv]

Honest to (not) God it mostly impacts my life in "oh dear god now I'm going to have to have a stupid conversation about the definition of atheist/agnostic/whatever else" that's not much better than arbitrarily debating nerd vs geek vs dork.

Which is to say... hardly at all.

(PS: I call myself "apistic" these days but while satisfying, that doesn't actually solve the problem).

[inahandbasket]

Yeah, this.

To me it's the default state, I don't think it impacts my outlook on the world. I think RELIGION affects people's outlook, not the lack thereof.

(Yes, it's somewhat of a chicken/egg argument, and I could expand upon what my worldview is, but there ya go.)

[ikeeverett]

you're in NYC at the Apthorp tonight, right? I'm really curious if there was a specific conversation that led to this post.

[eclectician]

Nope, just thinking about my own reaction to recent events.

[vacagaze]

Great writing! I want you to follow up to this topic!?!