How people use -- and react to -- the word "atheist" reminds me of the famous
story of Malcolm X. In the version I heard, he was speaking somewhere and a
distinguished, well-dressed black gentleman stood up, introduced himself as
Professor so-and-so from such-and-such university, and took him to task for
using such fiery language to "stir negros up."
Malcolm let him go on for a while, but then interrupted and said, "Sir, do you
know what white people in Alabama call a negro Ph.D.?"
The person said, "No, I don't believe I'm conversant with that fact."
Malcolm said, "Nigger."
In many places, and certainly on this supposedly spiritual forum, "atheist" is
their version of the "N word." They wield it more like a club than a
description.
From: "[email protected] [FairfieldLife]"
<[email protected]>
This is interesting. Plus it is such a loaded term for most people, some of
whom connect it with being immoral and not having ANY values. It is like when
people ask for your "sign." I never answer such an invitation to get put in a
freak'n box.
---In [email protected], <turquoiseb@...> wrote :
I have so few doubts about the non-existence of god that I couldn't make it
through this guy's rap. :-)
On the other hand, like him I would never say, "I am an atheist," simply
because I know that in doing so I would be talking to people who would
interpret my statement by pigeonholing me as ONLY an atheist.
I am SO much more than that.
But once you've had a label affixed to your lapel, it's difficult to have
people ever approach you again with an open mind. Most stop at the label, and
never look any further.
From: "curtisdeltablues@... [FairfieldLife]" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2014 5:59 PM
Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: To my atheist friends on FFL
That was interesting, thanks for posting it.
He may be defining atheism differently than I do. For me, I do know that I am
an atheist because I don't hold any version of god belief. I am not saying that
I know that there is no god, I don't believe I can know this. But I am
certainly clear about my own mind and what beliefs I hold.
So he may be defining atheism as a believe which he puts on a level with a
belief in god so it is ridiculous to show overconfidence because a thoughtful
person should always be aware of the alternatives to his position on anything.
But atheism as I define it is not a positive belief so it s not intellectually
presumptuous to say that: I know my beliefs and there aren't any versions of a
god belief among them.
Or maybe I just didn't understand the guy very well. ( I did listen twice and
gave it a shot.)
Any thoughts?
---In [email protected], <[email protected]> wrote :
Why do you say, - I rightly pass for an atheist - instead of just saying 'I AM
an atheist'? (to Derrida)
I think his answer is great.
Jacques Derrida On Atheism and Belief
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