Comments on: New Atheist Symbol http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/ Atheism with Positivity Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:24:57 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Frank http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-398236 Frank Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:11 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-398236 Why should atheist have the burden of wearing a symbol? Since atheism has no history, no prophet and no god and is not a religion, why carachterize ourselves with a symbol. I'm proud to believe in nothing if not science and do not think we need to lower ourselves to the rank of those who still have a primitive system of belief, thus needing symbols to feel like they belong to a group. Why should atheist have the burden of wearing a symbol? Since atheism has no history, no prophet and no god and is not a religion, why carachterize ourselves with a symbol. I’m proud to believe in nothing if not science and do not think we need to lower ourselves to the rank of those who still have a primitive system of belief, thus needing symbols to feel like they belong to a group.

]]> By: Matt http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-388159 Matt Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:06:44 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-388159 If I'm questioned about my religious persuasion, my answer is of course “atheist”. However I think I have a fundamental problem with the idea of atheist societies, symbols, conventions etc. and my reason is this: Well first of all let me say that I can see their function and I do think it is a good cause to fight, so I'm not against atheist organisations etc. I'm just not totally comfortable with the idea. Let me explain. I find the idea of atheist "organisations" as being too similar in style to the operation of organised religions. It seems ridiculous that there is a discussion/debate over the existence of imaginary god-friends in the first place and we shouldn't have to waste our breathe trying to smack sense into these religious clowns. However, it's when WE try to talk sense into these idiots, that WE appear to be trying to “convince” them of our belief, when it's not a belief at all... It's simply called reality. Choosing symbols for atheism, having organisations and such, just further fuels the misconception that it's a belief system. On the other hand it's dangerous to leave religion unchecked, so it's a tricky balance to strike. Having said all that, I do feel strongly about promoting myself as a free-thinker. Free-thinking is a general mindset for rational, evidence based thought about EVERYTHING, not just religion. The point I'm trying to make is; why pick atheism specifically. Why not state a rational, logical frame of mind about ALL things where atheism is an implied, but inevitable by-product. Free-thought stands alone as an independent philosophy. Atheism only exists because its enemy exists. So getting back to the forum thread; there is already an established symbol for free thinking which is the pansy. There isn't a stylised, agreed upon flag etc., but the best suggestion I have heard is the 5 pointed asterisk as a vague representation of the 5 petalled pansy. That is what I use. If I’m questioned about my religious persuasion, my answer is of course “atheist”. However I think I have a fundamental problem with the idea of atheist societies, symbols, conventions etc. and my reason is this:

Well first of all let me say that I can see their function and I do think it is a good cause to fight, so I’m not against atheist organisations etc. I’m just not totally comfortable with the idea. Let me explain. I find the idea of atheist “organisations” as being too similar in style to the operation of organised religions. It seems ridiculous that there is a discussion/debate over the existence of imaginary god-friends in the first place and we shouldn’t have to waste our breathe trying to smack sense into these religious clowns. However, it’s when WE try to talk sense into these idiots, that WE appear to be trying to “convince” them of our belief, when it’s not a belief at all… It’s simply called reality. Choosing symbols for atheism, having organisations and such, just further fuels the misconception that it’s a belief system. On the other hand it’s dangerous to leave religion unchecked, so it’s a tricky balance to strike.

Having said all that, I do feel strongly about promoting myself as a free-thinker. Free-thinking is a general mindset for rational, evidence based thought about EVERYTHING, not just religion. The point I’m trying to make is; why pick atheism specifically. Why not state a rational, logical frame of mind about ALL things where atheism is an implied, but inevitable by-product.

Free-thought stands alone as an independent philosophy. Atheism only exists because its enemy exists.

So getting back to the forum thread; there is already an established symbol for free thinking which is the pansy. There isn’t a stylised, agreed upon flag etc., but the best suggestion I have heard is the 5 pointed asterisk as a vague representation of the 5 petalled pansy. That is what I use.

]]> By: Linda http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-365510 Linda Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:16:13 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-365510 I think that there needs to be a more unique archetype, or symbol 4 all of us Atheist, i've been an Atheist throughout all of my life, & not frightened,nor scarred as a child about silly things such as gods,ghost,magic,supernatural,etc. everything is linked with science and the universe, so we need something indicating just that. A strong ATHEISTIC beleif symbolic 4 what we are and where we stand. WE ARE ATHEIST. I'M AN ATHEIST. WE ARE OUR OWN GODS. THERE IS NO GOD BUT MAN. JUST SCIENCE. I think that there needs to be a more unique archetype, or symbol 4 all of us Atheist, i’ve been an Atheist throughout all of my life, & not frightened,nor scarred as a child about silly things such as gods,ghost,magic,supernatural,etc. everything is linked with science and the universe, so we need something indicating just that. A strong ATHEISTIC beleif symbolic 4 what we are and where we stand. WE ARE ATHEIST. I’M AN ATHEIST.
WE ARE OUR OWN GODS. THERE IS NO GOD BUT MAN. JUST SCIENCE.

]]> By: BeZerKoManDr http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-364491 BeZerKoManDr Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:49:16 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-364491 The USS Enterprise A, I believe. Snazzy. The USS Enterprise A, I believe. Snazzy.

]]> By: jgmitro http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-364465 jgmitro Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:37:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-364465 Are you damn kidding me? It's the hood ornament of the USS Enterprise... Try again. Are you damn kidding me? It’s the hood ornament of the USS Enterprise…
Try again.

]]> By: Katie http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-359385 Katie Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:20:17 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-359385 It looks just like Criss Angel's sign.... It looks just like Criss Angel’s sign….

]]> By: F. Bacon http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-300071 F. Bacon Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:55:11 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-300071 Can't write russian or chinese on this board, but I find it doesn't appear that to translate Atheist would start with an "A" in either case. Guess the A is pretty anglophone. Can’t write russian or chinese on this board, but I find it doesn’t appear that to translate Atheist would start with an “A” in either case. Guess the A is pretty anglophone.

]]> By: Nem http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-298753 Nem Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:57:07 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-298753 Nice Zildjian Avedis logo... Nice Zildjian Avedis logo…

]]> By: RabidSpecies http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-293729 RabidSpecies Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:20:43 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-293729 Come on! If your going to start a revolution you shouldn't get all factional. Come on! If your going to start a revolution you shouldn’t get all factional.

]]> By: Jorge García http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/comment-page-3/#comment-263270 Jorge García Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:21:59 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/23/new-atheist-symbol/#comment-263270 In the latin atheist movement it is well accepted this symbol almost unanimously and it it is based onthe alfabete. Why not consider introducing it as an universal atheist symbol?: <a href="http://images.google.es/images?sourceid=navclient&hl=es&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBR_esES310&q=simboloateo" rel="nofollow"> http://images.google.es/images?sourceid=navclient&hl=es&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBR_esES310&q=simboloateo In the latin atheist movement it is well accepted this symbol almost unanimously and it it is based onthe alfabete. Why not consider introducing it as an universal atheist symbol?:

http://images.google.es/images?sourceid=navclient&hl=es&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBR_esES310&q=simboloateo

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