Comments on: Hating the gods ain’t the same as being an atheist http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/ The ramblings of a non-apologetic militant atheist mom doing time in the lonestar state on atheism, religion, feminism, politics and current events. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:37:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: (((Billy))) http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2766 (((Billy))) Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:13:31 +0000 http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2766 Sorry, my bad. I should have written Uhura Mazda, the Zoroastrian god. The car company does exist. I used to have a Mazda. That clear it up? Sorry, my bad. I should have written Uhura Mazda, the Zoroastrian god. The car company does exist. I used to have a Mazda. That clear it up?

]]> By: C. L. Hanson http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2765 C. L. Hanson Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:19:00 +0000 http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2765 Okay, now I'm confused. Billy, are you saying Mazda does not exist? Okay, now I’m confused. Billy, are you saying Mazda does not exist?

]]> By: (((Billy))) http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2761 (((Billy))) Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:59:40 +0000 http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2761 Why is it that a remarkable number of theists accuse atheists of 'hating' god? I've only been here a few months and I have gotten that reaction to my comments a couple of times. How can I hate something that does not exist? Should I hate compassionate conservatives? Should I hate millionaire welfare queens? Should I hate Lamarkian evolution? Should I hate the little pills you can add to water to make gasoline? Should I hate Thor? Zeus? Mazda? I agree that such claims as "I used to be an atheist and hate god" comes not from atheism, but rather from an adolescent rage against an unfair authority figure. An upsetheist is not an atheist. Why is it that a remarkable number of theists accuse atheists of ‘hating’ god? I’ve only been here a few months and I have gotten that reaction to my comments a couple of times. How can I hate something that does not exist? Should I hate compassionate conservatives? Should I hate millionaire welfare queens? Should I hate Lamarkian evolution? Should I hate the little pills you can add to water to make gasoline? Should I hate Thor? Zeus? Mazda?

I agree that such claims as “I used to be an atheist and hate god” comes not from atheism, but rather from an adolescent rage against an unfair authority figure. An upsetheist is not an atheist.

]]> By: PhillyChief http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2760 PhillyChief Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:58:33 +0000 http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2760 This is precisely the kind of story theists want because it backs up what they argue, that the choice of atheism is based on irrationality. No doubt you've heard it before - "what <b>happened</b> to make you an atheist?". The implication is clear, that you've reacted emotionally to a particular depressing or tragic situation by rejecting god. It's all part of a grander scheme of theirs to undermine the foundations of nearly every atheist which are the means by which they live their lives and ultimately arrived at atheism, reason and critical thinking. This is one of the angles in that argument. The others include claiming atheism is merely based on faith and that it's a religion. <a href="http://youmademesayit.blogspot.com/2007/10/why-do-theists-want-atheism-called.html" rel="nofollow">I went into some depth on this before</a>. I agree, this person you speak of from the testimony was no atheist to begin with. No doubt it was some adolescent, Jerry Springer guest wannabe rejecting god like he's an overbearing parent. "Screw you! I can do what I want! You're not the boss of me!" Completely ridiculous. If you're an atheist because you hate god, hate your church, hate your parents, are sad your dog died, or any silly reason other than rationally rejecting the claims for the existence of a god or gods for lack of evidence, you're not an atheist. You're a an upset theist. This is precisely the kind of story theists want because it backs up what they argue, that the choice of atheism is based on irrationality. No doubt you’ve heard it before - “what happened to make you an atheist?”. The implication is clear, that you’ve reacted emotionally to a particular depressing or tragic situation by rejecting god. It’s all part of a grander scheme of theirs to undermine the foundations of nearly every atheist which are the means by which they live their lives and ultimately arrived at atheism, reason and critical thinking. This is one of the angles in that argument. The others include claiming atheism is merely based on faith and that it’s a religion. I went into some depth on this before.

I agree, this person you speak of from the testimony was no atheist to begin with. No doubt it was some adolescent, Jerry Springer guest wannabe rejecting god like he’s an overbearing parent. “Screw you! I can do what I want! You’re not the boss of me!” Completely ridiculous. If you’re an atheist because you hate god, hate your church, hate your parents, are sad your dog died, or any silly reason other than rationally rejecting the claims for the existence of a god or gods for lack of evidence, you’re not an atheist. You’re a an upset theist.

]]> By: Jamie G. http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2752 Jamie G. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:30:43 +0000 http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2752 Sounds good. Sounds good.

]]> By: The Exterminator http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2748 The Exterminator Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:02:31 +0000 http://bligbi.com/2008/01/29/hating-the-gods-aint-the-same-as-being-an-atheist/#comment-2748 KC: You're right, of course. Here's how I analyze the situation. A lifelong theist experiences either an acute trauma or a chronic feeling of depression or a dissatisfaction with being repressed by his religion. He or she then says: "God is being shitty to me, so I'll show Him a thing or two. I'm going to become an atheist. I hate God!" Over the next few weeks/months/years the God-hating theist continues to believe that he or she is an atheist. However, eventually one of the following two things occur. 1) the God-hating theist realizes that there was no penalty for hating her god and that hey, maybe there <i>isn't</i> any god to hate. She is then on the way to becoming an atheist as you and I define it. 2) the theist realizes that there was no penalty for hating his god and decides that his god must actually love him. He tries to figure out what he must have done wrong in the first place for God to have acted so pissily toward him. Maybe he finds another sect or cult, but he's back on the god track. Big time. And now he's a former atheist! That's why, whenever I run across such nonsense, I challenge any "atheist" who seems to be angry at God or Jesus. KC: You’re right, of course. Here’s how I analyze the situation.

A lifelong theist experiences either an acute trauma or a chronic feeling of depression or a dissatisfaction with being repressed by his religion. He or she then says: “God is being shitty to me, so I’ll show Him a thing or two. I’m going to become an atheist. I hate God!”

Over the next few weeks/months/years the God-hating theist continues to believe that he or she is an atheist. However, eventually one of the following two things occur.

1) the God-hating theist realizes that there was no penalty for hating her god and that hey, maybe there isn’t any god to hate. She is then on the way to becoming an atheist as you and I define it.

2) the theist realizes that there was no penalty for hating his god and decides that his god must actually love him. He tries to figure out what he must have done wrong in the first place for God to have acted so pissily toward him. Maybe he finds another sect or cult, but he’s back on the god track. Big time. And now he’s a former atheist!

That’s why, whenever I run across such nonsense, I challenge any “atheist” who seems to be angry at God or Jesus.

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