Is Sharing Atheism Offensive?
A few years ago when I was still a Christian, I spent a lot of my time sharing Christianity to anyone whenever I find the opportunity to do so. Sometimes, I even go as far as “creating the opportunity” just so I can share what I think was the best news a man could ever receive. I think it’s also worth saying that I became head of the mission department of our church twice and I spent a huge part of my schedule opening bible study sessions in places that our church recommended.
I taught people the word of god and helped them stand up when their faith is at an all-time low. I was so active that my wife started to be a bit jealous at certain points in my ministry and I was so into it that I’d happily share my blessings – financial or otherwise – with the members of my bible study groups.
And yet I didn’t find a single occassion when someone told me that he was offended by the message that I gave. Of course there were times when people will just shun me and my partner away at the first site of our bibles or at whenever they hear the words god, Jesus or heaven. But none of them ever told us that we were being offensive and oftentimes we were welcomed.
At first I thought it was because the message that we were sharing were the “real” words of god but soon I realized that people would happily discuss any topic about god whether it’s the god of Christianity, Islam, Judaism or whatever religion it is. I’ve seen Muslims share the Koran and they too didn’t seem to be offending those they talked to. I’ve also seen Buddhists and Hindus share their beliefs and they too were not found to be offensive.
But now that I’m an Atheist, I find it a bit funny that a few people have already insultingly labelled me with words just for the mere fact that I was zealous in sharing my beliefs. Others will strongly argue with me, some will try to get rid of me and many will just ignore me and try to change the conversation as if this new belief that I’m holding is very very evil and wrong to them.
I don’t understand why they find it offensive for a person like me to share my atheistic thoughts with them and yet they don’t find themselves offensive when they share their theists thoughts to me. It’s as if they think that they’re the only ones who have the right to express their beliefs! In the very short time that I’ve been bold and open about me being an atheist, I’ve heard respected people say words I never imagined they would be able to say. Words so insulting that whatever preconcieved “good image” I had of them would be totally erased in a blink of an eye. I’ve seen people of good profile suddenly turn into beasts with insulting words coming out of their mouth just because I was just as zealous as them in sharing my beliefs.
Perhaps it’s because the majority of the population are theists and that atheism is not a norm. But even that reasoning won’t pass my worst standards in life. So what if atheism is the minority? Does that mean that we don’t have rights equal with the rest? There is a saying which I think is universal to all beliefs and that is “do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you” and yet it seems that those who hold this very words so dear don’t follow it when it comes to sharing of beliefs. I mean, if they don’t want atheists sharing their beliefs then they shouldn’t be sharing their beliefs as well!
So, is sharing atheism offensive? I don’t think so! If you find sharing atheism to be offensive that I think I’ll have all the right in the world to tell you that you too are being offensive each time you share your religious thoughts!
What’s wrong with atheism anyway? Atheists are eternally in pursuit of the truth and the truth alone. We do our best to learn and discover. We don’t just sit down and listen to sermons believing every word that the preacher says. We’re not slackers and we’re vigilant. We’re honest to ourselves and would openly admit our mistakes if proven to be wrong. We rest our beliefs in evidence and not in blind faith. We don’t admire murderous gods who for some reason enjoy killing people who don’t believe in them. We don’t start wars just because the other country doesn’t adhere to our beliefs. We don’t present myths and fairy tales as truth. We’re open minded people and lastly, WE ARE THE REAL TRUTH SEEKERS!
My advise to you dear theists especially you Christians, Muslims and Jews is this. Read your holy books not only once but as many times as you can. Read it from cover to cover and don’t blindly accept the evil atrocities committed by your god as his “holy and righteous will” because they’re not. I challenge you to look at your divided beliefs and viewpoints. I dare you to question your god, your religious leaders and your doctrines. And of course, I encourage you to ask yourself the question of whether you really are holding on the truth.
Lastly, I have one more to thing to say. These experiences I’ve had, having and will have definitely makes my passion for spreading atheism burn even brighter and my resolve has never been stronger!
Posted in Thoughts of a Filipino Atheist
July 30th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Sharing Atheism is as silly as sharing Theism. Knowledge is not the absence of truth. You don’t know that God does not exist any more then a theist knows he does.
July 30th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I think one of the main reasons atheism is considered offensive is because it’s automatically labeled as an anti-ideology: Anti-Christian, Anti-Catholic, Anti-Muslim. Despite the fact that many atheists assert that atheism is merely the lack of a belief and implicates nothing more about the nature or morality of the nonbeliever, the fact that the label exists belies this notion. The atheism that I believe most atheists wish to express is a post-religious atheism.
We all (atheists) reach a point at times when we couldn’t care less about religion or the lack of it. In other words, it eventually becomes natural or normal for those of us who had previously held religious beliefs to not hold them. And so the idea of being an atheist, as Jonathan Miller claims, seems unnecessary and silly. After all, we don’t have a name for people who don’t believe in werewolves. And yet we’re drawn back into affirming our non-belief as atheists because of its social significance.
And so I guess the simple fact is that it’s delusional of us to think that our “ideology” is benign and to expect the religious to not be offended–if we expected otherwise we wouldn’t be Atheists.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:53 am
Mike! You’re so insulted when theists assault your beliefs, yet you insist on assaulting them! I’m not as informed on the Fillipino culture as you, obviously, but when you leave bold faced remarks (literally) of ‘WE ARE THE REAL TRUTH SEEKERS’, you only leave yourself open to attack. As a former believer of the word, you must know the viewpoint of bible thumpers is that they have sought the truth, and as far they’re concerned, they have found it.
You’re better off being less negative, like the saying goes, honey attracts more flies than vinegar.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Hi Dilla,
Haha, yep I was a bit carried away when writing that post. But instead of changing the original post, allow me to explain what I meant when I said “WE ARE THE REAL TRUTH SEEKERS”.
By that I meant that majority of atheists would happily say “Yes, God exists” if evidence proves it to at least be highly probably. While theists in general on the other hand would still try to cling on their beliefs no matter how many evidence is placed in front of them showing that god’s existence is highly improbably.
In my opinion, truth is not a matter of “as far as they’re concerned” but as a matter of “is it really the truth?”
And yet, you’re right in saying that honey attracts more flies than vinegar. I’d try my best to choose my words in my next posts.
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your comments and suggestions. It is people like you whom people like me need. Hehehehe.
Cheers!
August 1st, 2008 at 4:50 am
THis is a typical problem. Atheists have a big bad image and its difficult to get round this. What ever happens don’t get into a slanging match – you might win the argument – that’s easy – but you lose the war because the other side goes away mortally offended and resolved to be even more anti atheist.
So you can’t win – well it’s difficult because most CHristians and muslims and fundamentalist religious people are so thoroughly indoctrinated that it is impossible to alter them. They have this impregnable firewall that their religion has given them called FAITH – no amount of logic or reasoning will alter their point of view. So don’t waste your time
The battle that we atheists need to fight is in the playground – we have to stop this ridiculous “hand me down” of religion then it will eventually die out.
Don’t waste your time arguing with the converted – you just lose friends.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Mike,
I have to agree with Dilla, tone it down. You have some interesting points to make, but when you start writing about your superiority to people who don’t think like you it becomes hard to read. Nobody likes to be called names or feel like they are being looked down upon. I “stumble” into a lot of Atheist sites and I find that kind of writing quite often. I would much rather be involved in a discussion of beliefs and non beliefs then reading about what a blanking blankity blank blank I am for believing in God.
James – What is the ground that your reasoning and logic stand on? I submit that it is faith.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Mike,
I didn’t mean to say the blanking blankity blank blanks don’t come from you. They are usually found in comments. The comments on your site are civil for the most part and I think that is great.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Hi Kenny,
Points taken. Thanks a lot. And as for blankity blank blanks, well I’m sure you can handle that.
Mike
September 17th, 2008 at 10:25 am
pasali naman.
As I understand, sharing is like advertising, You may or may not get others attention, but if you “attack” their belief or faith, I think that’s offensive
At first, Christian share their faith with a friendly tone (not offensive), but when dealing a SIN, (oh My!) it is really offensive
October 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Mike,
i do believe that every individual are “seeker of truth”, including myself. therefore i do not agree with your idea or belief that GOd does not exist!but He indeed exist in the real presence. it is my very experience that God reveals His presence in my life.
October 10th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
What is essential in this world is to live according to the Law of God. And to follow His will;live accordingly with love and compassion. God indeed is present among His people, He never Abondoned His people. “For God so love the world and He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ. You have right to critirize our belief and you no have no right to discourage the people. Lastly, “you cannot live without God”.
October 10th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
You cannot destroy our Church!
December 27th, 2008 at 2:25 am
mike .,
im also an atheist , ,like you, ,i also think that we should have the same rights as the theist , thanks man im not alone , ,lately,i always ask myself if am i weird ? do i need to believe and push myself to any of the gods ? , ,can i ask you one? , ,how many are we atheist in the philippines? , just estimate it?
December 27th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Hi,
I’m not sure as to how many but I’m pretty sure we’re in the thousands.
Mike