Atheism is not an Institution

[Gelliebeans]

When religion and those that align themselves with a particular religion deal with atrocities committed in the name of said religion first and foremost then they are welcome to throw stones from that glass house.

Atheism is not a religion nor does it follow a doctrine and it isn't a political movement. Non-belief in a deity is what separates atheism from theism period.

I don't have a Dawkins shrine at my house (contrary to belief) lol...and I happen to think Harris is kind of an idiot after reading some of his books. These men don't speak for me, they aren't my appointed leaders. I don't look for their guidance in my everyday life. Do I agree with them on a debate about rational thought and secularism? Sure, but not because of who they are, but because I agree with their non-belief.

The very reason I am an atheist is because I am an individual thinker in my non-belief. I am skeptic. I do right by society because I have to live in this society.

Misogyny is still alive and well and so is homophobia and racism. It is practiced today because of a belief system based on doctrine. It is a long held celebrated belief system in some religions. Atheists don't institutionally condone any of those atrocities because atheism isn't an institution.

I am not condoning anyone's bad behavior nor am I responsible for what idiotic diatribe comes out of the mouth of an atheist. or whether some jackass pissed on the Alamo AND happens to be an atheist. Do I hold him accountable. Absolutely! But not because he is an atheist but because he is breaking civility and the law.

I'm more concerned that there is a percentage of people that want to run the USA like a theocracy and take away my rights because I don't believe in certain things. I am concerned that they have hijacked the constitution in the name of a deity.
I'm concerned that a very vocal group wants to take away the right to choose to have a legal procedure done, that is of no business to anyone except my doctor and I.
I am concerned about equal treatment for all people. Women should be paid equal to their male counterparts.
I believe the LGBT community needs equal rights NOW not when people feel "more comfortable" about the idea.

The false equivalence that somehow there is a concerted effort among atheists to promote misogyny or worse to ignore it, is ridiculous.
Especially when thousands of years worth of death, violence and mutilation has occurred and been encouraged by religions.
Should we address misogyny? YES of course!
But I have to impart, let's get some perspective here first. Religion is an institution. Atheism is NOT.

[mr blur]

1. Perfectly put, and thank you.

(I hope the usual observers are looking in because they're the ones who don't seem to understand this. Or pretend not to.)

[deucemagnet]

2. Perhaps we can cherry-pick the writings of Dawkins like Christains do the Bible.

That way when Dawkins says that it's OK to enslave foreigners (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT), or that it's OK to put those who blaspheme athiesm to death (Leviticus 24:15), or to that it's OK kill all enemies, including the women and children, sparing only the virgin women (who will undoubtedly later be raped) (Judges 21:10-24 NLT), then we can say, "People who interpret the writings of Dawkins that way are not TRUE atheists."

Then, when the pope tweets something that can possibly be parsed as misogynistic we can all lose our shit in a self-rightous tirade on an internet message board.

[Gelliebeans]

18. Perhaps

[LostOne4Ever]

3. Thank You!

This is exactly right!

[Gelliebeans]

16. Thank you

[progressoid]

4. I bought one of Dawkin's books about a decade ago so

that must mean he's my Pastor!

[Gelliebeans]

15. Lol

yes

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Excellent rant, Gelliebeans.

I don't know why this is so hard for some people to understand. You said it well.

Thank you.

[Mariana]

6. Those people understand it.

They pretend not to.

[LostOne4Ever]

8. Ding Ding Ding

We have a winner!

They keep on using the terms "organized atheism", and atheist "leaders" when they have been told over and over and over again by people who actually IDENTIFY as atheists that there is no such thing as "organized" atheism and that we don't have leaders.

And its from the same people who keep on using terms "fundamentalist," "dogma," and "doctrine" because they know that 1) those terms by their very definitions are incompatible with the word atheist and 2) are all highly associated with something we utterly reject: religion.

Put simply, the people who use those terms to describe atheist are being intentionally offensive but know that they will never get a hide. Of course, these same people claim there is no religious privilege on DU...

[bvf]

11. That's why I fail to understand

the categorization of atheism under "religion" around here. That just tends to reinforce a wrong-headed mindset, or the pretense of same.

[trotsky]

26. Bingo. n/t

[Gelliebeans]

14. Thank you

I didn't mean for it to be a rant but it just kinda turned out that way.

[onager]

7. Well put! n/t

n/t

[Gelliebeans]

19. Ty onager

[Duppers]

9. Bravo!

I posted here...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5602100

The very essence of atheism is having the ability of rational, independent thought. As being democratic should be, atheism is not a follow-the-leader(s) point of view. It's based on critical thinking and consideration of facts as we know them. Period.

[Gelliebeans]

13. Agreed with your post =)

[bvf]

10. Excellent from top to bottom, every last word!

It'll be interesting to see the inevitable responses from some quarters, especially any possible attempts to defend their false-equivalency bullshit.

(FWIW, I've never bought into those rumors about your Dawkins shrine )

[Gelliebeans]

12. Lol. n/t

[Rainforestgoddess]

17. Thanks, that's perfect n/t

[Gelliebeans]

20. I just wanted to say

That I didn't really mean this as a rant it just evolved.

Which is why I originally posted it here in A/A so it wouldn't be misconstrued.

[Brainstormy]

21. May be some good things in your post but

you lost me at "Harris is kind of an idiot."

[Gelliebeans]

22. Guess just difference of opinion

[defacto7]

23. That is one fine summary.

..more like the atheist line of demarcation.

[Gelliebeans]

24. Ty

It was just my rant

[trotsky]

25. Ramen to all of that!

Well said, Gellie!

[Gelliebeans]

27. I'm humbled by your praise n/t