Posted by Ir (Helen) on: 06.05.2006 /
“AtheistMommy” has a blog on which she wrote this last week, about Hemant:
I am very sure that a lot of people (christian and Atheist) would consider me to be pretty friendly. But the whole thought of a “friendly” Atheist makes me kind of sick.
Click the link below to see the rest of her comments about Hemant and the eBay Atheist project, and also Hemant’s response (the first comment):
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Comment by: Peter Walker
1 06/7/06 2:47 PM | Comment Link |I sure appreciated Hemant’s comments to the AtheistMommy…
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Wouldn’t you appreciate it if religious people saw the wonderful morals and rational thinking that people like us possess? It doesn’t happen as often as we’d like because they dismiss our claims as soon as they learn we don’t believe in a god. We need to meet them along the way, without forgetting what we stand for. And just saying you wouldn’t step in a church seems exaggerated…
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I’m thankful for atheists and their perspectives - particularly the challenge of thoughtful atheist critique. And I love the dialogue Hemant and others are helping to proliferate between religious and non-religious people. Finding value in each other is entirely positive and beneficial.
I’m not sure what is threatening about the “Friendly Atheist” title, except that it might suggest atheists in general aren’t friendly - which is not true.
From another angle, the “bridging” of gaps between our ideological subcultures may be intimidating. Just as some from my church are shocked or theatened when I validate, compliment or HUMANIZE my Buddhist, New Age and homosexual friends (I realize homosexuality is not a religion!), it may be frightening for some to consider that… not all Christians are unthinking, reactionary fools.
Comment by: AtheistMommy
2 10/12/06 9:55 PM | Comment Link |That is exactly my point. To say that one is a “friendly Atheist” is to imply that an “Atheist” isn’t a frendly person. Not that Hermant is the first person to ever use this title. In fact I’m pretty sure Dan Barker used it before him.
Only I think his was “friendly neighborhood Atheist,” which I thought was just funny. I did however make a sticker that says “love thy neighbor, even if thy neighbor is an Atheist.”
Don’t get me wrong, I totally get what Hermants trying to accomplish here. I’m with him on that one. But I’d like to see the day when the word Atheist was more accepted. As it is right now, there are a few people who would kill over the word. And I for one think that’s the saddest immoral action ever.
Comment by: Ir
3 10/13/06 2:53 AM | Comment Link |Hi AtheistMommy,
Thanks for dropping by.
I understand what you’re saying. I suppose he’s addressing the perception some have that atheists aren’t friendly. I don’t see that addressing a perception necessarily implies the perception is true. However, I guess you feel otherwise, that by addressing it he does imply it’s true, hence your concern.
Wow - awesome! Where did you put the sticker?
I agree that killing people because they are ‘different’ from you is very immoral. I would love to see more people have a more accurate view of atheists.
Comment by: Siamang
4 10/13/06 9:40 AM | Comment Link |I think Ir is right on here. To call yourself a friendly atheist, well, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Is calling yourself an atheist mommy supposed to mean that atheists aren’t usually mommys?
I think it’s a name tailored to challenge a stereotype, just like your moniker seems to be.
Comment by: Ir (Helen)
5 10/13/06 10:30 AM | Comment Link |Thanks Siamang!