Godless Atheists & Godless Politics: What Can Godless Atheists Offer?
Critics, primarily the Christian Right though some progressives have succumbed to the temptation to join, have been using 'godless liberals' and the 'secular left' as scapegoats for everything they don't like in contemporary American politics. Godless liberals and the secular left, insofar as they exist, have little to no influence and no real power. This is not a situation that has to continue, though. Godless liberals do exist and they could create a secular left, if they wanted.
Don't Vote for Bigots! Why Atheists Shouldn't Vote for Anti-A…
You can't simply assume that someone who is politically and religiously liberal doesn't share the anti-atheist bigotry which is so common in America. Granted, such bigotry is perhaps less common among liberals than among conservatives, but it's easy to find liberal Christians who are so full of self-righteous feelings of superiority that they dismiss atheists as having anything worth saying or co…
You can't simply assume that someone who is politically and religiously liberal doesn't share the anti-atheist bigotry which is so common in America. Granted, such bigotry is perhaps less common among liberals than among conservatives, but it's easy to find liberal Christians who are so full of self-righteous feelings of superiority that they dismiss atheists as having anything worth saying or co…
Afflicting the Comfortable: Importance of Undermining the Status Quo
Which is better for the political and social health of a community: to tell people what they want to hear and reinforce their prejudices about themselves, or to dissent from common prejudices and reveal uncomfortable truths? Many seem to prefer the former, saying that dissenters and critics are traitors; ultimately, however, dissent is critical and necessary. One of the reasons why atheists are so unpopular is, perhaps, because they are not afraid to tell uncomfortable truths about religion.
Which is better for the political and social health of a community: to tell people what they want to hear and reinforce their prejudices about themselves, or to dissent from common prejudices and reveal uncomfortable truths? Many seem to prefer the former, saying that dissenters and critics are traitors; ultimately, however, dissent is critical and necessary. One of the reasons why atheists are so unpopular is, perhaps, because they are not afraid to tell uncomfortable truths about religion.
Can Godless Atheists Be Patriotic? Can Godless Atheists Be Good Citizens?
It's impossible to address whether godless atheists can be patriotic Americans without first addressing what might constitute American patriotism in the first place. Too many act like being patriotic requires blind, unswerving allegiance to whatever America's leaders tell them to do or believe. Under such a definition, few thinking Americans could be patriotic. A better conception of patriotism would encompass more of what America should and should not stand for.
It's impossible to address whether godless atheists can be patriotic Americans without first addressing what might constitute American patriotism in the first place. Too many act like being patriotic requires blind, unswerving allegiance to whatever America's leaders tell them to do or believe. Under such a definition, few thinking Americans could be patriotic. A better conception of patriotism would encompass more of what America should and should not stand for.
Atheism, Atheists & Politics: Do Atheists Hold the same Political Views?
Atheists can be as political as theists — but also like theists, atheists political beliefs and ideas are diverse. It's sadly common for anti-atheists to assume atheists necessarily hold particular positions, such as that they are all liberal or all communists. The truth, however, is that you can find atheists in all political philosophies - as the absence of belief in gods, atheism doesn't entail or exclude any political philosophies except those that require theism.
Atheists can be as political as theists — but also like theists, atheists political beliefs and ideas are diverse. It's sadly common for anti-atheists to assume atheists necessarily hold particular positions, such as that they are all liberal or all communists. The truth, however, is that you can find atheists in all political philosophies - as the absence of belief in gods, atheism doesn't entail or exclude any political philosophies except those that require theism.
Atheists & Politics: What Do Atheists Believe About Political Issues?
It's popular to imagine that atheists all share common views on various political issues. Since this assumption is frequent with those who think the same thing about all 'true' Christians, this is not a surprise - but it's wrong. The only thing atheists share in common is an absence of belief in gods. Beyond that, atheists may hold any position on any political issue...
It's popular to imagine that atheists all share common views on various political issues. Since this assumption is frequent with those who think the same thing about all 'true' Christians, this is not a surprise - but it's wrong. The only thing atheists share in common is an absence of belief in gods. Beyond that, atheists may hold any position on any political issue...
Should Atheists Be Politically Active?
There isn't much in the way of explicit political activism on the part of open, godless atheists in America. There are no godless, atheistic political parties, for example. Why is this and is it a good thing? I think that it is inevitable that godless political parties won't form in America, but I also think that it's unfortunate that atheists aren't more openly active in politics as atheists.
There isn't much in the way of explicit political activism on the part of open, godless atheists in America. There are no godless, atheistic political parties, for example. Why is this and is it a good thing? I think that it is inevitable that godless political parties won't form in America, but I also think that it's unfortunate that atheists aren't more openly active in politics as atheists.
Impact of Godless Atheism on Philosophy, Ideology, and Behavior
Atheism, which is the mere disbelief in the existence of gods, has no inherent philosophical or political implications. There are too many different and opposing atheistic philosophies and political positions for this to be possible. Godlessness, which covers more than just atheism, arguably can have implications because refusing to recognize or worship any gods may influence how we approach important issues. I will argue for some implications which people should draw from their godlessness.
Atheism, which is the mere disbelief in the existence of gods, has no inherent philosophical or political implications. There are too many different and opposing atheistic philosophies and political positions for this to be possible. Godlessness, which covers more than just atheism, arguably can have implications because refusing to recognize or worship any gods may influence how we approach important issues. I will argue for some implications which people should draw from their godlessness.
Godless Politics: A Political Manifesto for Godless Atheists
America's Christian Right complains often about godless liberals and godless liberalism, presuming that neither politics nor law can be pursued without a basis in a monotheistic religion - preferably Christianity or Judaism. This is incorrect. Not only is there nothing contradictory about pursuing politics and law from a godless perspective, but the results are not obviously worse, less moral, or less humane than the alternatives. Indeed, it's possible to argue that godlessness has advantages.
America's Christian Right complains often about godless liberals and godless liberalism, presuming that neither politics nor law can be pursued without a basis in a monotheistic religion - preferably Christianity or Judaism. This is incorrect. Not only is there nothing contradictory about pursuing politics and law from a godless perspective, but the results are not obviously worse, less moral, or less humane than the alternatives. Indeed, it's possible to argue that godlessness has advantages.