A new member

[pancreasman]

Alright then ... entertain me.

After moving away from Christianity and passing through a fairly loose and liberal Buddhist phase, I now recognise that for all intents and purposes I'm an atheist.

I find it slightly troubling to define myself by a label that is essentially negative. As an atheist it seems I'm labelled for what I DON'T believe. Is it really important that people know what I DON'T think? I'd rather I was known for what I did think. If only I knew what that was ...

[wolty]

Greets. Live, learn, enjoy, be yourself and all will go well. Welcome. Hope you enjoy yourself here. :)

[Loki]

Hi pancreasman.

I don't find atheism negative. It's the most positive position I've ever taken.

The negative image is peddled by funny men in frocks and they don't have a lot of credibility round here.

Even by definition it's not a negative, just an absence.

Anyway, enjoy the fora.

Atheism: Celebrate Reason

[Annie]

Alright then ... entertain me.

Hold onto your hat Pancreasman, the entertainment here is fantastic!!


I find it slightly troubling to define myself by a label that is essentially negative.
No way, you need to hang here more often. We are a jolly lot who laugh long and loud. You just don't hear the laugh, hence the overuse of the yellow and green smilies.

Great to have you here. Enjoy! :)

[davo]

First welcome ;)
There is theists and atheists.
Atheism is not negative term, it is a descriptive one, the same way theist is.
If we had everyone think the same, it would not matter, but since there are many people that believe in a god, and many people that don't, atheism is simply a descriptive term, only seen as negative if you believe theist hype over jack of morals or such ;)
I'm a geek, that happens to be atheist :)

[Fearless]

Hello Pancreasman.

I hear what you're saying... it does come with a negative twist usually but I certainly like Loki's way of thinking.

I said it a few days ago I actually find friends being very curious about my Atheism given they have known me for some time and not really known that aspect of me. I actually find it quite rewarding now as they seem to want to ask me questions given they are no longer confronted by the word Atheism... I am still the same old me... I just have a 'label' (people usually hate labels)

... well all of my non religious friends that is. Unfortunately they seem to take offense to me so I am slowly and i'll admit sadly drifting away or just cutting ties... it's not easy but I now see what the negative influence has been doing and I don't want that anymore.

Anyway, it's not about me :o

I hope you enjoy your stay :)

[Logic please]

Hi Pancreasman, hope you enjoy the forum :)

I don't find atheism negative. It's the most positive position I've ever taken.

The negative image is peddled by funny men in frocks and they don't have a lot of credibility round here.

+1.... nice one Loki

[Praxis]

Alright then ... entertain me.
Actually, it's the other way round.

And if you're entertaining enough, we'll let you stay ;)

Interesting user name. Welcome.

[Mentally Saturated]

I find it slightly troubling to define myself by a label that is essentially negative. As an atheist it seems I'm labelled for what I DON'T believe. Is it really important that people know what I DON'T think? I'd rather I was known for what I did think. If only I knew what that was ...

'Ello pancreasman, and welcome to the forum.

Don't worry, I think I read your comments in the way they were intended... that is to say, literally... and I can very much relate to that position. It's actually the preconceived baggage that comes with the term "atheist" that I dislike, so personally, I tend to use "non-believer" a lot, but that's still a negative term.

I think the "problem" of not being able to find a positive "label" is fair proof that there is no other common, defining, and necessary element to atheism. Whilst many of us may be observed to have common interests in science and nature, these are not required to be an atheist.

If only religious apologists would take the puny amount of time needed to understand these simple facts.. but, of course, they do not think it is in their best interests to do so.

Gary