A while back, I asked “Who speaks for the Christians”. \u00a0At the time (the height of the Republican Primaries), the nutters were out in force. \u00a0But, I know, just from personal experience that the vast majority of Christians aren’t batshit crazy.<\/p>\n
The problem is that they are not the ones talking. \u00a0Sensationalism sells. \u00a0Which story is going to get more news coverage? \u00a0Westboro Baptist tussles with Hell’s Angels at a military funeral or \u00a0nice Christian man let’s an old woman go first in the grocery store line?<\/p>\n
That’s one reason I like this particular blog network. \u00a0There are some other skeptical\/atheism\/freethought blogs that I feel have gotten too mixed up in the ratings game. \u00a0Sure, it’s nice for their pocket book and they get invited to all the conferences and such. \u00a0But what are they really doing? \u00a0Are they really presenting atheism, skepticism, rationality in the best light? \u00a0I don’t believe so.<\/p>\n
I think SIN does a good job of this. \u00a0I have yet to read a post here that’s an ‘attack post’. \u00a0Sure, there are lots of posts that make a\u00a0claim\u00a0about someone, but it’s always backed up with significant evidence.<\/p>\n
The point here is provide another voice, a rational voice, even against those who claim to be rational.<\/p>\n
And yes, there is a lot of drama in atheist circles right now. \u00a0For some, it’s good for business, for most, it detracts from the message.<\/p>\n
Atheists, as a group, are not immoral, psychopaths with no restraint because they don’t believe in god. \u00a0Atheists, as a group, are just like any other group of people. \u00a0There are different ideas, different focuses, different desires. \u00a0Some people are jerks, some are nice. \u00a0Some are loud, some are quiet. etc.<\/p>\n
The point is that atheism is about one thing. \u00a0Disbelief in deities. \u00a0That’s all. \u00a0Anything else, feminism, humanism, or any other beliefs (personal or social) are not a part of atheism (or skepticism for that matter).<\/p>\n
The question I have in my mind, is does the general public even see the drama that exists in these circles? \u00a0Do they even care if it exists?<\/p>\n
For me, the evidence suggests “no” and “no”. \u00a0Atheism, to the general public (at least in the US) is still the evil empire. \u00a0Doesn’t matter what we do internally, the general perception is still one of evil.<\/p>\n
Externally, we should all be trying to be as reasonable as possible and I think that’s largely the case. \u00a0In spite of the hit numbers and conferences, the majority of atheist activists are still preaching to the choir (as it where). \u00a0Who goes to atheist conferences? \u00a0Atheists. \u00a0I dare say very few, if any, Christians would go to one.<\/p>\n
In my mind, the drama is still detrimental to the overall cause.<\/p>\n
There’s all this talk of civility pledges and the like. \u00a0There are two groups who will not sign that pledge. \u00a0The first is people who are making their living off the drama. \u00a0The conferences, the blog hits, the book sales are all based on that drama and signing a civility pledge would cut into that. \u00a0The second group is those that are already civil. \u00a0Why should the civil pledge to be what they already are.<\/p>\n
To me, this civility pledge is little more than an attempt to take the high moral ground. \u00a0If you don’t sign, then you’re automatically an enemy of atheism. \u00a0If you do sign, but dare say anything against the in-group, then you are a hypocrite. \u00a0It’s a no-win situation.<\/p>\n
I look to the people to recognize this. \u00a0It doesn’t matter if anyone signs a pledge to be civil or not. \u00a0Look at their actions. \u00a0Look at their writing. \u00a0Are they civil or not?<\/p>\n
Actions speak louder than words… which goes for the Christian communities as well as for everyone else on this little ball of dirt. \u00a0We can say whatever we want. \u00a0It’s what we do that shows who we really are.<\/p>\n
If you do good, remain civil, and are nice, then there’s no reason to proclaim the fact to the world. \u00a0People will notice. \u00a0Let those who revel in the drama find a group that they are happy with. \u00a0Let those who wish reasoned, civil discussion find a group that they are happy with.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
End rambling…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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