A lot of the posts here are just pointing out how illogical religion is, which I don’t mind. I’m religious myself, but I’m well aware how ridiculous it is. What does bother me is the arguments against Christianity that are used as arguments against all religions. Most of you were likely raised christian, so I understand why you focus on it, but most religions don’t have all of the problems Christianity does. I think a lot of the posts here would fit better in an ex-christian community.
I’m not a part of this community but I think it’s understandable that Christianity would be the main focus since it is the hegemony of western culture
I’m sure this community is open for each kind of religion criticism. Maybe post other stuff that comes to your mind. Or just block the community if you can’t stand it
Think about it this way, the only reason for an atheist community to even exist is to stand in direct opposition to theism. Without theism, there is no atheism. Therefore, atheists will tend to speak against whatever the dominant religion is in their culture or their former religion, only occasionally deviating to speak against other religions when they cause problems. As an example, Islam is not a problem in my day to day life, so I generally only address it when speaking about news events or issues as they arise and come to my attention or affect me directly. As a westerner of European descent, if I were to fixate on Islam even though I honestly find it to be more problematic dogmatically than Christianity, I would probably be labeled a racist or a bigot. There’s also the consideration of how much energy and personal bandwidth I really want to devote to arguing about concepts that I think are dumb.
I don’t think you should fixate on any religion. I think you should fixate on religion itself. I understand that you deal with Christianity more, but this isn’t a-christianity, its atheism. I understand why you might want to focus on Christianity, my problem is that its framed as a critique of religion in general. I don’t like being wrongfully grouped in with Christians. I just want it to be specified when something you talk about is only a problem in Christianity.
If you believe in a supernatural deity, then you’re not being wrongfully grouped.
If you keep having problems remembering not to take posts that are not directed at you personally, maybe this isn’t the right group for you?
I don’t know which posts you’re taking issue with exactly, but I personally try to be pretty precise when I criticize religions because I think that’s the best way to criticize them. Speaking broadly about all supernatural phenomena being bullshit only gets you so far in a conversation. Vague statements like “the world would be more peaceful without religion” are only so meaningful.
The other thing to consider is that religions aren’t monolithic entities either. If I’m criticizing American Christian theocrats, I’m generally not addressing moderate Christians who believe in separation of church and state. If I’m criticizing jihadists and burkas, I’m obviously not addressing moderate Muslims. Context has to be taken into consideration. If people feel personally attacked by what I say because of a general association with religion broadly or a specific religion, it’s kind of a them problem, not a me problem. And, btw, I’m saying all this as a nontheistic satanist who has plenty of experience having my own religion misunderstood.
I don’t know which posts you’re taking issue with exactly, but I personally try to be pretty precise when I criticize religions because I think that’s the best way to criticize them.
Good, that’s all I want. As long as you specify that you are talking about an individual religion, it won’t bother me. You aren’t my problem.
And, btw, I’m saying all this as a nontheistic satanist who has plenty of experience having my own religion misunderstood.
I’m not trying to be rude but wouldn’t that just come with the territory? If you call yourself a satanist then I imagine a lot of people would reasonably assume you believe in and worship Satan.
Most religions share the same problems. Sure, they each have their own hangups, but much of what people bitch about with Xtianity is common in other world religions.
The majority of posts here are about the concept of hell, and proselytizing. Neither are aspects of all religions. There are plenty of arguments against religion you could make, you don’t have to go after aspects of specific religions. If those are the only problems someone has with religion, then why should they be an atheist? They could just as easily find a different religion that doesn’t have those problems.
So, pray to stop it, I guess
