and just barely at that.
Why, it would come out that way is probably because of the LACK of interest
From Bore Me To Tears….
Are You a Hardcore Atheist?
Copy and paste the list below on your own site, boldfacing the things you’ve done. (Feel free to add your own elaboration and commentary to each item!)
- Participated in the Blasphemy Challenge.
- Met at least one of the “Four Horsemen” (Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris) in person.
- Created an atheist blog.
Does this blog count as an atheist blog? - Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone. I’ve never really gotten into FSM
- Gotten offended when someone called you an agnostic. Hmm, I can’t think of anyone doing that.
- Been unable to watch Growing Pains reruns because of Kirk Cameron.
I’ve ALWAYS been unable to watch Growing Pains. - Own more Bibles than most Christians you know.
Probably .In fact a LDS friend purposely gave me the Book of Mormon to add to our collection. - Have at least one Bible with your personal annotations regarding contradictions, disturbing parts, etc.
hmm, I still have my Tanakh from my Judaism class – all highlighted from studying it, does that count? - Have come out as an atheist to your family. Not a big deal in MY family.
- Attended a campus or off-campus atheist gathering.
- Are a member of an organized atheist/Humanist/etc. organization. I think I’ve been fairly clear of my impressions of organized atheism.
- Had a Humanist wedding ceremony. Not that I’m aware of.
- Donated money to an atheist organization.
- Have a bookshelf dedicated solely to Richard Dawkins.
- Lost the friendship of someone you know because of your non-theism.
Lost the friendship, no…but I do know that there are people that WON’T be my friend due to it…So, I’m counting it. - Tried to argue or have a discussion with someone who stopped you on the street to proselytize.
- Had to hide your atheist beliefs on a first date because you didn’t want to scare him/her away.
- Own a stockpile of atheist paraphernalia (bumper stickers, buttons, shirts, etc). Hey, I keep a Darwin fish on my car – right next to the homeschooling bumperstickers! Trying to keep people on their toes.
- Attended a protest that involved religion.
- Attended an atheist conference.
- Subscribe to Pat Condell’s YouTube channel.
Who? - Started an atheist group in your area or school.
Well, our homeschooling group has been described as “the atheist group” because of my presence - Successfully “de-converted” someone to atheism.
- Have already made plans to donate your body to science after you die.
Not sure what this has to do with atheism. - Told someone you’re an atheist only because you wanted to see the person’s reaction.
YES – she did a totally double take and could speak for a few seconds. - Had to think twice before screaming “Oh God!” during sex. Or you said something else in its place. LOL – it drives my LDS friend crazy, but I use “My God!” all the time.
- Lost a job because of your atheism.
- Formed a bond with someone specifically because of your mutual atheism (meeting this person at a local gathering or conference doesn’t count).
Well, I’ve made online friends due, in part, to our mutual atheism. - Have crossed “In God We Trust” off of — or put a pro-church-state-separation stamp on — dollar bills.
- Refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
“Refused” is probably too strong a word though I have stopped speaking during the added portion. - Said “Gesundheit!” (or nothing at all) after someone sneezed because you didn’t want to say “Bless you!”
I say “bless you” out of habit. - Have ever chosen not to clasp your hands together out of fear someone might think you’re praying.
- Have turned on Christian TV because you need something entertaining to watch.
Why? - Are a 2nd or 3rd (or more) generation atheist. – Well, I certainly would not say that my mother or father were truly atheists, the simple fact of the matter is that I was raised that way – and they produced 4 kids who fall more into non-religious than religious.
- Have “atheism” listed on your Facebook or dating profile — and not a euphemistic variant.
- Attended an atheist’s funeral (i.e. a non-religious service).
- Subscribe to an freethought magazine (e.g. Free Inquiry, Skeptic)
- Have been interviewed by a reporter because of your atheism.
- Written a letter-to-the-editor about an issue related to your non-belief in God.
- Gave a friend or acquaintance a New Atheist book as a gift.
- Wear pro-atheist clothing in public.
- Have invited Mormons/Jehovah’s Witnesses into your house specifically because you wanted to argue with them.
Hmm, why waste my breath? Actually since I know most of the LDS members in the area, I tend to offer them water and cookies and let them take a break. - Have been physically threatened (or beaten up) because you didn’t believe in God.
- Receive Google Alerts on “atheism” (or variants).
- Received fewer Christmas presents than expected because people assumed you didn’t celebrate it.
- Visited The Creation Museum or saw Ben Stein’s Expelled just so you could keep tabs on the “enemy.”
- Refuse to tell anyone what your “sign” is… because it doesn’t matter at all.
okay, I’m lost of what they mean by this one…is it astrological signs? - Are on a mailing list for a Christian organization just so you can see what they’re up to…
- Have kept your eyes open while you watched others around you pray.
Okay, I admit I have looked around during it, it’s fun to catch people’s eyes. - Avoid even Unitarian churches because they’re too close to religion for you.
0-10: Impressive, but not too far from agnosticism.
11-20: You are, literally, a “New Atheist.” But you now have something to strive for! Go for the full 50!
21-30: You are an atheist, but babies aren’t running away from you. Yet.
31-40: You are the 5th Horseman! Congratulations!
41-50: PZ Myers will now be taking lessons from you
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Hmm, interesting list. As you pointed out in some of them, how does that relate to being atheist?
LOL @ #6…me too…I can’t abide bad tv, no matter who’s on the show.
Guess my counts are: 7, 9, 11, 13, 24, 28 (but you’re right: it was more that I liked them better once I found out their inclination), 31 (been doing that for years; part of my passive-aggressive personality), 34 (dad’s an atheist too), 37 (or did anyway…got kind of expensive), and 50.
Guess I’m pretty pathetic as atheists go? I’m not out to prove anything or to convert anyone though. I just happen to think that religions are illogical, which means it’s not for me, thank you very much.
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I’m a theist, but I am enjoying the list — some of these are funny. Anybody who scores close to 50 is spending WAY too much time obsessing about religion. *LOL*
#42 made me smile. My husband and I have often invited Mormons in for something to drink — some have even hung around to play video games with my hubby. We’ve always felt empathetic toward them, being so far away from home on a mission. My husband always prefaces things by saying, “I’m a Roman Catholic, and you have as much chance of converting me as I have of converting you.”
#5 made me laugh. My dad (who is agnostic) told me some people say “an agnostic is an atheist without b@lls.”
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And speaking of PZ, this one post was pretty funny (in the usual sad sort of way): http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/12/i_get_email_24.php
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