Why are atheists so eager to advertise their beliefs?

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July 4, 2009 on 12:53 pm | By advertising | In advertising |

Is it self-reassurance? Ego-enhancing? Do you believe you need to establish a purpose in your life by fulfilling a self-righteous mission to rid the world of religion because you don’t believe existence has any meaning?
So many responses…yet none of them answer the question. If atheists could organize and raise money, there would be public advertisements. I think a lot of you misunderstood what I meant by "advertise." I’m talking about these obnoxious posts. The hours you spend harassing religious people online.
Oh, and I’m very sorry about the evangelical Christians. I completely disapprove of them marketing religion. I would also appreciate it if you all could stop stereotyping Christians. Unorthodoxy exists within every organized religion for a reason.
And a follow up question…what I really want to know is if you believe your existence has no meaning, then why are you trying to edit your reality? To me, it seems to act as a way to give your supposedly meaningless life meaning.
I will also concede to the point, thanks to the open-minded atheist point, that I also generalized atheists. Some define atheism as strictly the disbelief in a deity, rather than a complete disbelief of meaning.
I’m really disappointed. So few of you have actually reflected on the question and gave suitable feedback. Posing me with pointless counter-questions isn’t the way to convince me, and posting evidence for your cause is only strengthening my conviction.
Last point. If you’re going to accuse someone of using the "straw man argument", it would be best if you explained how. Otherwise, you’re simply dismissing the question without any further thought being applied (which leads me to believe you’re avoiding it out of insecurity, but that’s a whole other issue).
To those of you who question my humility: if you have read any of the above paragraphs, you would know that I have conceded to several valid points. Furthermore, my bluntness should not be interpreted as arrogant or disrespectful; I’m merely expressing my observations in the most direct way possible.

27 Comments

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Irony, Alex F be thy name….

Comment by ZILLA ~ BUYING MORE PEPSI — July 4, 2009 #
Strawman argument…next

Comment by ~The Wind Blows to the Future~ — July 4, 2009 #
Which beliefs?

Or do you mean my disbelief in god?

Comment by Stevie G: no pants! — July 4, 2009 #
I don’t see as many atheist billboards as I do Christian ones.

As a matter of fact I don’t see ANY atheist billboards.

Comment by Trumpet Lover ♥s Baby Isaac — July 4, 2009 #
The more people understand how irrational and harmful religion is, the safer and happier the world will be.

Comment by Dreamstuff Entity — July 4, 2009 #
I’m not sure that I agree that they advertise their beliefs, but regardless, it’s not like they show up at your home trying to convert you… unlike some religious people.

Edit: I’d answer in response to your original question or follow-up information, but I’m not an atheist. I think atheists have various reasons for coming here - they don’t all think alike, of course. I think your question makes a lot of assumptions; for instance, I somewhat doubt that all or even most atheists believe that their existence has no meaning, but yet some might say that they would indeed like to see a world without religion.

I think the reason that you’ve gotten many of the responses that you have on the theme of "Christians do a lot more ‘advertising’ of their views in real life than atheists do" is because 1) you did indeed generalize about atheists, so people are going to make generalizations right back, and 2) because it’s true. You may not proselytize or "witness", but many, many Christians do, and I’d bet that every non-Christian on this forum has had multiple experiences with that. On the other hand, no one has had an atheist show up at their door proclaiming their "truth." Atheists don’t have ads on the radio and on tv that exist specifically to promote their beliefs. Atheists don’t try to talk me into exploring their (lack of religious) faith when I hire one of them to paint my fence. Can you really blame atheists (and other non-Christian theists like me) for feeling like it’s a bit hypocritical for a theist to ask why atheists do so much ‘advertising’ of their beliefs here, when non-Christians have been subject to unwanted Christian ‘advertising’ all their lives?

Comment by marileigh — July 4, 2009 #
We’re not the ones passing leaflets out in subway stations and pounding on people’s doors "spreading the good news" during my freaking dinner.

Comment by Margaux — July 4, 2009 #
because it’s the first age in 1000s of years that they have the freedom to be atheist

Comment by omnigamous — July 4, 2009 #
Because people with religious beliefs are likely to argue, and i don’t know about you, but i like arguments.

Comment by paulybeef94 — July 4, 2009 #
Massive Strawman champion.

But to be honest; I want to eradicate religion because it has been the single largest inhibiting factor to the advancement of humanity.

Well, that and I find ignorance and dull intellect offensive

Comment by Relativistic — July 4, 2009 #
they don’t have beliefs

Comment by Enthusiast — July 4, 2009 #
Why not others advertise their beliefs even more. Atheists want to promote their beliefs. Did any one know there is actually prejudice against atheists.

Comment by Mfh H — July 4, 2009 #
Really. Religious people never do this <sarc>

Hypocrite. What are you doing if not harassing?

Comment by Shawn B — July 4, 2009 #
Why are Christians so eager to argue against everything other people believe ?

Comment by jdk2509 — July 4, 2009 #
because they feel they are doing the best for society like any other religion feels . It is the same as an anarchist who believes in chaos whether you believe in chaos or not there will always be order .

Comment by Amanda P — July 4, 2009 #
Probably the same reason that religious fundementals try to convert as many non-believers as possible.

Theyre both under the misconception that their way is the only right way.

Comment by Reverend Boony — July 4, 2009 #
You need to use a mirror some time.

We can ask the same questions toward theists with magnitude of thousands of times and have facts for them. And we have not even mentioned justified hatred and murders done in the name of gods throughout the history of mankind.

Comment by Teapotistic Pastafarian — July 4, 2009 #
There is only ONE thing that all atheists have in common, that we all disbelieve in deities. That’s it! Otherwise our beliefs are as varied as life on earth.

Comment by dudeman612 — July 4, 2009 #
"Why are atheists so eager to advertise their beliefs?"
Umm, ’cause other folks have asked, oddly enough. Seems like it’s the purpose of this website or something!

"I’m talking about these obnoxious posts. The hours you spend harassing religious people online."
It’s all for the lulz, good sir. If I wasn’t having a good time and getting a chuckle out of it, I wouldn’t do it.

Comment by Rick in the Santa hat — July 4, 2009 #
Why are christians so eager to advertise their beliefs?

Is it self-reassurance? Ego-enhancing? Do you believe you need to establish a purpose in your life by fulfilling a self-righteous mission to rid the world of irreligion because you don’t believe existence has any meaning (after all, this is all just a meaningless test)?

Comment by ungh — July 4, 2009 #
Why are Christians so eager to advertise their beliefs?
Is it self-reassurance? Ego-enhancing? Do they believe they need to establish a purpose in your life by fulfilling a self-righteous mission to rid the world of people who don’t share their beliefs because they think only they know the meaning of existence?

Edit;
I will attempt to explain in response to what you added as a follow up question. I refer to; “What I really want to know is if you believe your existence has no meaning, then why are you trying to edit your reality? To me, it seems to act as a way to give your supposedly meaningless life meaning.”

The premise that existence has no meaning to an Atheist is inaccurate. A beautiful sunset, the wonders of nature, the joy of learning and accomplishment, and the love of other people are just as meaningful to an Atheist as they are to anyone else. Drawing different conclusions than others have about life is not an attempt to edit reality.
It is honest and sometime courageous to confront widely accepted teachings when they don’t seem right and to think independently, especially when you know others will be hostile to the very idea of it. Wouldn’t it be easier to pretend to accept what the majority of others do and avoid the inevitable price of going against the status quo? But if everyone did that it would still be accepted that the Sun revolved around the Earth and the Earth was flat. For that matter all Christians would still be Catholics if no one dared to question things and demand the right of free thought.
To attempt to deny Atheists their own thoughts is a sign of insecurity and a demand for control over other people’s thinking. It shows a fear of free thinkers and a resentment of people who simply don’t agree with a particular interpretation of life and what it means.

Comment by Reverend Master of Curses — July 4, 2009 #
Pot. Kettle. Black!

I don’t advertise my beliefs. But if ask my oppinion I’ll answer.
Life and our existance has PLENTY of meaning to me… I just don’t need God or religion to live my life.

And I’ve NEVER harrassed ANYONE!

LOLOL… YOU ask US to stop stereotyping? Have you READ your rant?

Comment by cozyuk — July 4, 2009 #
I think it’s more of a retaliation

Comment by Brian T — July 4, 2009 #
Atheists know the truth.

We don’t ned to rid the world of religion, it is self-destructive. Within a reasonable amount of time the human racce will realize that religion sucks.

There are many advertisement for atheism throughout the world. Look out, there will be one quite near you soon!

We get totally sick of the amount of religious nonsense that is posted online and feel the need to reply and reject.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzAFozYjiz0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHbSx7NE2U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q7CUz9sWlQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vRHzBZiksY&feature=related

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist_Bus_Campaign

How much more do you need?

Comment by Del Clicker — July 4, 2009 #
Why does the state advertise against smoking?

Why do the police advertise anti-gang activities?

Why do you advertise stupidity?

Comment by OO — July 4, 2009 #
Why are atheists so eager to advertise their beliefs?
–I don’t advertise my beliefs. Atheism is a lack of belief.

Do you believe you need to establish a purpose in your life by fulfilling a self-righteous mission to rid the world of religion because you don’t believe existence has any meaning?
–Nope. I believe existence has lots of meaning, with or without religion.

I’m talking about these obnoxious posts. The hours
you spend harassing religious people online.
–I don’t have any obnoxious posts,
neither do I harass religious people.

What I really want to know is if you believe your existence has no meaning, then why are you trying to edit your reality? To me, it seems to act as a way to give your supposedly meaningless life meaning.
–I never stated that I believe my existence has
no meaning. I’m not trying to ‘edit’ anyone’s reality.

Some define atheism as strictly the disbelief in a
deity, rather than a complete disbelief of meaning.
–It’s atheism, not a ameaningism.

Posing me with pointless counter-questions isn’t the way to convince me,
and posting evidence for your cause is only strengthening my conviction.
–This is also Q&A, not convince-me-or-be-insulted.

If you’re going to accuse someone of using the ’straw man argument’, it would be best if you explained how. Otherwise, you’re simply dismissing the question without any further thought being applied (which leads me to believe you’re avoiding it out of insecurity, but that’s a whole other issue).
–Get an education on fallacies, your making yourself look dumb with the
assumption that it has anything to do with someone else being ‘insecure.’

Comment by Quietsilentfree (JPA) — July 4, 2009 #
Whatever someone believes they have the right to say so what it is, if they are eager so be it (bet you are just as eager to be heard).
You and I and the rest of the world have that right and that means there is communication between peoples.
If you want to encourage communication between peoples and God, then you first have to patiently encourage the communication between you and others and what they believe.
It is all in hand. Trust. Oh and start to listen to others too, you can not call a one way street a motorway.
Try not to call other’s posts obnoxious, it wins no hearts. If you feel harassed by things written here, do something else. If evangelical Christians want to marketing religion let ‘em get on with it, how does it hurt you? You seem to want to change the way folk think and you seem to be trying to do this with disrespect, it ain’t gonna ‘appen mate.
Has God died and passed on the mantle to judge others?
Who gives YOU the right to say someone has a meaningless life and that what they say is to justify it?
You actually sound more "Self~righteous" than those you accuse.
Lastly: "Does this rag smell like chloroform to you? "

Comment by Toad you so — July 4, 2009 #

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