Posted by Jim Henderson on: 04.01.2006 /
Hemant, the founder and creator of the “the friendly atheisim movement” has posted a list of atheistic attributes he finds most appealing. For more on this check his website
What exactly is a “Friendly Atheist”?
A Friendly Atheist is someone who:
Believes everyone should do what makes them happy, provided they are not stopping anyone else from doing the same.
Does not judge others for following a different path than his/her own.
Shows kindness, volunteers, and helps others.
Does not go around denigrating other religions, because he/she knows that to get respect, one must give it.
Can talk to a religious person without invoking an argument.
Questions his/her own beliefs as much as others’ beliefs.
Invites positive dialogue from religious people.
In my own experience, nearly every Atheist I’ve met has been a Friendly Atheist. We’re everywhere. This is, sadly, a well-kept secret. By talking about the definition, as well as showcasing examples of Friendly Atheism as they occur, perhaps the public image of Atheists can be reshaped.
A couple of Questions From Jim
What’s on this list that followers of Jesus wouldn’t also want to practice?
What’s on this list that other atheists woudn’t want to be known for?
Why is this a new idea?
Comment by: Mike
1While I affirm the first one on the list
I think I’d say that the calling on a Christian’s life goes beyond simply making ourselves happy and not harming others. A Christian is called to be self-sacrificial in our efforts to actively show love and compassion for others. This is something that at times is difficult and hard and requires more than just doing what’s good for me.
Or to put it another way, #3 in Hemant’s list is about showing kindness and helping others, which I also affirm. It’s just that sometimes showing kindness and helping others will make it difficult to make oneself happy. It’s the old dilemma between doing what’s right and doing what’s easy.
But don’t get me wrong… it’s a good list. :)
Comment by: Ir
2I like Hemant’s list. It maybe lacks ‘edge’ - which I think is what Mike sensed, based on his comment above. I think perhaps it could benefit from adding something like:
favors civil and peaceful forms of activism over methods intended to shock and offend
- since being friendly does not preclude activism. Being friendly doesn’t mean I have to sit down and shut up when I encounter injustice, etc.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
3Mike
When you say
It makes it sound to non Christians/Atheists like they would not be sacrificial, compassionate or do hard things.
The problem with this list is that non christians have demostrated a willingness to sacrifice and do hard things (Ho Chi Min, Mao Tse Tung, Ghandi)to name a few - so Christians do not stand alone in the ability to “not live for themselves”
Is this what you meant to say or were you trying to make another point?
Comment by: Mike
4No, I didn’t mean to say that atheists don’t do those things, I know that many do. I was just saying that Hemant left it out of his list, probably unintentionally. In fact, I pointed out the discrepancy between #3 and #1 of his list to say that I thought the idea of self-sacrifical service to others was probably intended in there but just not stated explicitly.
But on the other hand I didn’t want to presume anything that Hemant doesn’t in fact intend. I can only speak for myself as a Christian, which is why I worded my comment that way. I have no right to make any assumptions about what atheists do or do not value. For all I know maybe some atheists don’t buy into the idea of self-sacrificial love as part of their worldview. That’s for them to say.
Peace,
Mike