I have entertained the idea that for some, perhaps all, atheism/theism is not a choice. (Reply #20)

In the discussion thread: Atheist author Peter Boghossian suggests gays shouldn’t be proud. Is he proud to be an atheist? [View all]

Response to NYC_SKP (Reply #8)

Tue Nov 4, 2014, 05:24 PM

cbayer (146,218 posts)

20. I have entertained the idea that for some, perhaps all, atheism/theism is not a choice.

And not just because of indoctrination but because that is just who you are. Most believers could not choose to not believe and most atheists could not choose to believe.

I do think that there is rather significant prejudice against atheists in some communities. In some countries you can be killed or jailed. While that's not true in the US, there are still ramifications in some area.

I think it is a civil rights movement at this point and is moving ahead pretty smoothly.

There are always individuals within groups that cling to persecution. That's their problem and clearly not unique to atheism.

Glad you voted! I forgot to get my absentee ballot.

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Replies to this discussion thread

56 replies	Author	Time	Post
Atheist author Peter Boghossian suggests gays shouldn’t be proud. Is he proud to be an atheist? [View all]	rug	Nov 2014	OP
After centuries and/or millenia of having been shamed for being what one was born,	merrily	Nov 2014	#1
I think that is only true if you make those qualities a part of your identity.	ZombieHorde	Nov 2014	#2
I may not be understanding you what you mean by "identity."	merrily	Nov 2014	#4
I'm 5'7" tall, but my identity is not 5'7" tall person or a short guy.	ZombieHorde	Nov 2014	#12
I don't think height is comparable at all.	merrily	Nov 2014	#13
That is a reasonable position, in my opinion.	ZombieHorde	Nov 2014	#14
Yes, in theory, as you are being stalked by drunk crazies who want to kill you, you can forget	merrily	Nov 2014	#15
Recognizing other people will identity us is different than having identities.	ZombieHorde	Nov 2014	#16
In every post, I've specified that it is not all a person is. But not to have those those things as	merrily	Nov 2014	#17
Atheism is a position on a single issue.	phil89	Nov 2014	#3
That's true. It's silent on homophobia, misogyny and child abuse as well.	rug	Nov 2014	#5
Too bad that some religions aren't silent on those things	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#28
That's a value judgment atheism neither supports nor rejects.	rug	Nov 2014	#29
You said that already	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#31
Sometimes it is.	rug	Nov 2014	#32
On the whole do you think religion has been a positive thing for women, gays and children?	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#34
Without a doubt.	rug	Nov 2014	#35
Doesn't seem to have done much for them lately	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#36
You should open a history book.	rug	Nov 2014	#41
Have you seen Half the Sky?	cbayer	Nov 2014	#44
It is silent on EVERYTHING, except whether or not there is a god.	AtheistCrusader	Nov 2014	#37
There's no need to imply atheism is in the vanguardo of the fight against homophobia and misogyny.	rug	Nov 2014	#42
I agree. Secular Humanism and other atheist-based philosophies on the other hand...	AtheistCrusader	Nov 2014	#53
There are lots of political and valu based organizatuions opposed.	rug	Nov 2014	#54
Neither is physics. Try harder.	AtheistCrusader	Nov 2014	#55
Physics is as relevant to opposing misogyny as atheism.	rug	Nov 2014	#56
Except that he is a spokesperson for a prominent atheist organization.	cbayer	Nov 2014	#19
It gets old fighting the oppressive, harmful religious organizations by ourselves	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#33
There are secular groups that fight against 1st amendment incursions	cbayer	Nov 2014	#43
You try so hard to appear reasonable	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#45
Yes I do try to be reasonable.	cbayer	Nov 2014	#46
It didn't take someone dogmatically saying something you think is nonsense long to irritate you	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#47
Again, I think I was hitting back and I will be more thoughtful in the future	cbayer	Nov 2014	#48
Me being dogmatic in the face of reason was annoying, you struck out in annoyance	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#49
You can't tell me why I struck out.	cbayer	Nov 2014	#50
I haven't told you how heavy your cross is..	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#51
When did I say that I had no dog in this hunt?	cbayer	Nov 2014	#52
I'm an anti-theist AND not a member of that org. What fun!	AtheistCrusader	Nov 2014	#38
What horseshit. That organization does not represent atheism or atheists.	beam me up scottie	Nov 2014	#39
Was there some context to his posting that?	Jim__	Nov 2014	#6
Good question. From his facebook page, it looks to be random.	rug	Nov 2014	#7
Did you follow his ...	Jim__	Nov 2014	#10
Yes, I had. Vlad is an interesting observer, with no axe to grind.	rug	Nov 2014	#11
This inspires me to start a discussion asking if Atheism is a Choice.	NYC_SKP	Nov 2014	#8
Yes.	rug	Nov 2014	#9
I have entertained the idea that for some, perhaps all, atheism/theism is not a choice.	cbayer	Nov 2014	#20
This year, in my district, there wasn't much to vote on.	NYC_SKP	Nov 2014	#21
I am now registered in Georgia, where my vote is going to make a bigger difference	cbayer	Nov 2014	#22
During my time in the USAF	Promethean	Nov 2014	#23
I don't doubt that those kinds of threats occur,	cbayer	Nov 2014	#24
There's always a dominant group. I would be interested in knowing, nationwide...	NYC_SKP	Nov 2014	#25
I have never seen that kind of data, but agree	cbayer	Nov 2014	#26
What in the world was he thinking?	cbayer	Nov 2014	#18
I suspect the definitions of "proud" are at fault-	digonswine	Nov 2014	#27
Why should I be proud of something I have no control over?	Fumesucker	Nov 2014	#30
I'm mostly proud of my achievements in life	Dorian Gray	Nov 2014	#40

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