Just recently (about a week ago) I commented on a george Carlin video saying I didn't see what the hype was about, as I didn't find the man to be all that funny (I had never heard his material before). I was then attacked by 3 atheists, all of them basically 'accusing' me of being religious and went on to lambaste Christianity. I never once mentioned or alluded to religion, and I believe it only occupied a small portion of the video's content (it was about an hour long). A week before that, I was preached to about the idiocy of religion for about 2 pages when I mentioned something about going to church on a forum I frequent. It was an offhanded comment on my part, merely designed to indicate my whereabouts on that day. Similar occurrences have happened copiously in the past. I think it's fair to say atheism has been 'shoved down my throat' to an extent. It doesn't help that I do tend to frequent various tech and nerd affiliated sites.Snack Cake said:
Why do you think atheists are abundant on the Internet?
- Thread starter I Have No Idea
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America was founded by Christians, but on the principle of religious freedom. The amendments outline what is socially acceptable for us to do in regards to worship, speech, advertising, and even combat. However, while the nation has a guide on how and if you can worship a god, goddess, poster of Van Halen or a rock no one has said we have to worship anything.
This lead to doubt about whether there was anything worth worshipping at all. "Modern Science," fickle thing that it is, demands we prove it first. But how do you prove a negative? It doesn't help that everyone thinks of cathedrals and lighting candles when you say worship - a word which just means to give religious devotion to an object. So you could worship Superman, Master Chief, or Harry Potter if you are a big enough fan.
This brings up the word Atheist itself. Atheism literally means to not believe in any god goddess or higher power that guide you, let alone worship it. This means that not only can no atheist really say "Oh my god!", they don't even believe your worship is valid since your religion is bunk. (And people thought only right-wing Christians were closeminded.)
My point? I don't believe in Atheists or Atheism.
This lead to doubt about whether there was anything worth worshipping at all. "Modern Science," fickle thing that it is, demands we prove it first. But how do you prove a negative? It doesn't help that everyone thinks of cathedrals and lighting candles when you say worship - a word which just means to give religious devotion to an object. So you could worship Superman, Master Chief, or Harry Potter if you are a big enough fan.
This brings up the word Atheist itself. Atheism literally means to not believe in any god goddess or higher power that guide you, let alone worship it. This means that not only can no atheist really say "Oh my god!", they don't even believe your worship is valid since your religion is bunk. (And people thought only right-wing Christians were closeminded.)
My point? I don't believe in Atheists or Atheism.
I Have No Idea said:
What he said. Big time. I'd also like to throw in that the internet has a nasty habit of eroding one's faith in humanity and one's... hope.Ickorus said:
When it comes to the extremists of religions, the interwebs are OMG F'KING BLASPHEMY RAFFLERAFFLERAFFLE!
But then again, they are the most humorous to listen too
Ehh, anyway, there are probably more religious people on the internett than we know, but you have to remember that in most cases, people doesn't flaunt their religion in your face. Only idiots and racists do that to "Try and prove a point that ICH IST SUPREME!"... And in the end, they fail horribly
But then again, they are the most humorous to listen too
Ehh, anyway, there are probably more religious people on the internett than we know, but you have to remember that in most cases, people doesn't flaunt their religion in your face. Only idiots and racists do that to "Try and prove a point that ICH IST SUPREME!"... And in the end, they fail horribly
Warning Warning, thread about an oversimplifications of ones online experiences. Warning. Personally I'm just glad the internet is one of the few places where I don't have people constantly trying to push religion in my face. I mean lots of religions have positive aspects and negative aspects. I live my life with several of the "better" messages from some of the more "western" religions. Mostly treating others as you would like to be treated (I realize that's an oversimplification of several parts of Christianity but that's the overall message). But because I don't believe in some "divine" power people think I'm some kind of monster? What the shit? I'm just glad I don't live in the states where I would be treated much harsher for my beliefs, or in this case, lack thereof.
I'm a Darwinian Christian and I've noticed what the OP is talking about. If I had to wage a guess, it's either because it just doesn't come up in conversation or, and this is just in my own case which I'm basing this off, religious people are treated like idiots and prefer not to get treated like one so they just don't bring it up and avoid talking about it.
I remember one time I posted on a thread on this site and one person started getting on my case. Apparently being a Darwinian Christian is "having my cake and eating it too" and the person made it very clear he didn't approve of my religion and it seemed to me like he wanted to convert me to atheism (I dunno how that even works but that's what it felt like). In fact as I recall that entire thread was pretty much one long religion bash session. I must admit, I don't like talking about religion much simply out of fear that someone is going to start nagging me about my beliefs and quite frankly, I'm not ready for that and I don't think I should have to defend my religion from anyone. Said person was the first and I hope only person to go on my ignore list
Another occasion is on facebook where the group "ihatebeingbored" started making jokes at the expense of Christianity (Comparing Jesus to excrement, calling relgious people "drunks who can't go through life sober" and that one cut me deep). I immediately removed myself from the group.
I remember one time I posted on a thread on this site and one person started getting on my case. Apparently being a Darwinian Christian is "having my cake and eating it too" and the person made it very clear he didn't approve of my religion and it seemed to me like he wanted to convert me to atheism (I dunno how that even works but that's what it felt like). In fact as I recall that entire thread was pretty much one long religion bash session. I must admit, I don't like talking about religion much simply out of fear that someone is going to start nagging me about my beliefs and quite frankly, I'm not ready for that and I don't think I should have to defend my religion from anyone. Said person was the first and I hope only person to go on my ignore list
Another occasion is on facebook where the group "ihatebeingbored" started making jokes at the expense of Christianity (Comparing Jesus to excrement, calling relgious people "drunks who can't go through life sober" and that one cut me deep). I immediately removed myself from the group.
I'd say that it's because people with religious beliefs don't want to show it online. Whenever I see anyone "own up" to being theistic, a bunch of angry pseudointellectuals descend upon them like a pack of rabid dogs.
By and large, I find the way that the more "radical" atheists on the 'net do this hypocritical - lots of them use the excuse that religious groups persecute the non-religious, but what does that make them when they spend their time persecuting people who have done nothing to them? The word "confrontational" doesn't even begin to describe it. They seem to adhere to the strict philosophy that, yes, people should express their beliefs on the internet but if they believe anything other than nothing, they're wrong.
Also, for one reason or another, being atheist has become the "intelligent" thing to do - most teenagers these days won't even consider the idea of a deity, because it's become the dumb thing to do. I partially blame hipsters for this attitude. Yes, religion has in the past inspired a lot of hatred and blind belief, but we're not in the past any more. Those who are modern human beings and want to partake in a religion should be free to do so without any fear of having the blame of the past put on them.
Most people who are religious won't say anything about it except to their closest friends any more. This is, in part, due to the fact that I've found in the modern dichotomy of the religious and the atheist, the atheist is more likely to be the one who refuses to keep their belief (or lack thereof) to themselves - if you've ever met a teenage "radical" atheist, you'll probably know that they never, ever shut up about religion, even among friends with whom the topic is tired and stale. When you combine that with the anonymity of the internet, you end up with somebody whose ability to shout at others about faith outmatches even some of the most irritating zealots.
By and large, I find the way that the more "radical" atheists on the 'net do this hypocritical - lots of them use the excuse that religious groups persecute the non-religious, but what does that make them when they spend their time persecuting people who have done nothing to them? The word "confrontational" doesn't even begin to describe it. They seem to adhere to the strict philosophy that, yes, people should express their beliefs on the internet but if they believe anything other than nothing, they're wrong.
Also, for one reason or another, being atheist has become the "intelligent" thing to do - most teenagers these days won't even consider the idea of a deity, because it's become the dumb thing to do. I partially blame hipsters for this attitude. Yes, religion has in the past inspired a lot of hatred and blind belief, but we're not in the past any more. Those who are modern human beings and want to partake in a religion should be free to do so without any fear of having the blame of the past put on them.
Most people who are religious won't say anything about it except to their closest friends any more. This is, in part, due to the fact that I've found in the modern dichotomy of the religious and the atheist, the atheist is more likely to be the one who refuses to keep their belief (or lack thereof) to themselves - if you've ever met a teenage "radical" atheist, you'll probably know that they never, ever shut up about religion, even among friends with whom the topic is tired and stale. When you combine that with the anonymity of the internet, you end up with somebody whose ability to shout at others about faith outmatches even some of the most irritating zealots.
Simple, Christians don't believe in the internet, it's a tool created by Satan so sinners can watch others fornicate.
OT: Atheists tend to be a bit more vocal and pushy about their beliefs, I was like that too when I was younger (I still am quite young but you know what I mean). There isn't more of them, they're just more noticeable.
OT: Atheists tend to be a bit more vocal and pushy about their beliefs, I was like that too when I was younger (I still am quite young but you know what I mean). There isn't more of them, they're just more noticeable.
really? How many times have you been walking down the street and some Atheist went up to you and preached about how they don't believe? I dunno about you but this happens to me all the time *eye roll*ChadSexington said:
The fact of the matter is that it's dangerous to make such broad assumptions about groups. Wars have started over much less.
We're talking about being online, not walking down the street, your argument is invalid. Think before you post dude.The_Tron said:
I have had people tell me I need to find god walking down the street but that's off topic, we're not talking about people on the street.
*facepalm* The internet is not an "intellectual" place. Its a festering cesspool with a few academics drowning here and their.gigastrike said:
But a number of people already hit on it...they shout a lot so you hear the athiests online. Their religious equivalents are shouting in churches and tent revivals rather than online.
It appears this post has come back into existence.
Anyway, I made a better one two posts below, so you should read that.
( not that you can read this one anymore)
Anyway, I made a better one two posts below, so you should read that.
( not that you can read this one anymore)
gigastrike said:
ot: The internet culture is madeup of a younger crowd who are more statistically prone to be atheists. Also of course is the fact that the internet encourages the spread of opinion and debate like the fucking plague.
Edit: Goddamn ninja'd
Okay, the pist' seems to have nom'd my other post, so I guess I'll sum it up.
the whole fight, ( and I do say fight, neither side is using actual reason) is just a flip of a double headed coin.
The people on the anti-theism head, which is just now starting to face up, is using the internet because that's where people post what they think is a new idea, which it isn't.
Except don't go thinking that it's about to land on the anti-theism head, instead it will just keep spinning, and it's never going to stop, in fact, at some point, the same is going to happen for the religious head of the coin, because despite what history books may say, this is a cycle that's been going since before the dawn of civilization.
Okay, in retrospect, this is way better than my fist post, and I hope that one never comes back.
the whole fight, ( and I do say fight, neither side is using actual reason) is just a flip of a double headed coin.
The people on the anti-theism head, which is just now starting to face up, is using the internet because that's where people post what they think is a new idea, which it isn't.
Except don't go thinking that it's about to land on the anti-theism head, instead it will just keep spinning, and it's never going to stop, in fact, at some point, the same is going to happen for the religious head of the coin, because despite what history books may say, this is a cycle that's been going since before the dawn of civilization.
Okay, in retrospect, this is way better than my fist post, and I hope that one never comes back.