Comments on: Atheist Idolatry

By: Chariots of Iron » Blog Archive » Episode 4: Pan-Sperm-ia - An Atheiskeptihumanist™ Podcast

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:05:00 +0000

[...] of Sexually Assaulting Women During “Prayer Sessions” to Remove “Curse” Atheist Idolatry? Praying for protection from Ike in Houston Jewish Settlers Prepare to Defend Their [...]

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:12:22 +0000

While symbols like this often come to be revered and idolized, I’m not certain that the red ‘A’ necessarily fits that category. I think it serves more a purpose of self identification with a group, which humans naturally try to do. Perhaps this isn’t entirely independent of the idoloatry issue, but I would guess it could happen without viewing the symbol as sacred. If any Atheists felt violated by the use of the A on the apologia site, it may have had more to do with their symbol for group identification being co-opted by someone who overtly opposes their views.

By: Hugo

Hugo — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:07:11 +0000

NO
a symbol is a symbol and will remain such.
If you steal my A t-shirt I will be sad and would like my property back but I don’t think I would ever physically hurt someone over property, even if you steal my car or other valuable property I probably would not physically hurt you, I don’t think I can, it is just not the way I am. I would like the police to restrain you and punish you for your act and have you recompense me for lost or damaged property.
If you would treaten me or my family or someone close to me I could become physical or would resort to armed response, I draw that line very clear and very solid but I still do like symbols AS symbols nothing more!

By: Christophe Thill

Christophe Thill — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:10:12 +0000

I’m sorry but the analogy is bad. This is not about idolatry of a symbol. This is about a symbol that means something and has been stolen… well, the word may be a bit strong… appropriated, let’s say, by someone who goves it a new meaning exactly opposite to its original meaning. Why? Because the “scarlet A” is not widely known, so not everybody will see it and think “hey, this is not right”.

In my opinion, it’s akin to John Lennon’s words in Imagine being used in a certain propaganda movie, illustrated by images of military violence.

I don’t know about others, but I wouldn’t mind seeing people spitting on the A, ripping it apart, burning it or whatever. It would simply be a show of hate, nothing exceptional.

But (even if I’m not gonna make a huge fuss over it) you don’t have a moral right to take someone else’s symbol and give it the meaning you want, except as a criticism. That would be the case if the A was used as the first letter of “Arrogant”, for instance. I wouldn’t like it, but at least it would be honest and clear.

By: Craig Sunderland

Craig Sunderland — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:45:17 +0000

Alternately, a nice letter could be sent to the relevant catholic group thanking them for supporting our cause by displaying the atheist symbol on their website.

By: Richard Wade

Richard Wade — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:01:09 +0000

Kyle:

I stopped reading after that. Rarely does a good piece follow. This is no different. Sad, but true.

Of course the third sentence belies the first, since you would need to have read it in order to say that it is no different, but I guess you just wanted to say it that way for effect. And it was effective. Ouch. But don’t be sad, Kyle, it’s okay. You can go on “not reading” what I write and then you can comment on what you didn’t read. Others here do read what I write and comment on what they did read. Some agree, some disagree, some like, some dislike and some don’t get it. None of that matters to me. I take a chance at expressing an idea, and if it helps some kind of positive understanding, great. If I get thoughtless snark, well I’ll just have to keep trying.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:56:50 +0000

Richard Wade here.

I stopped reading after that. Rarely does a good piece follow. This is no different.

Sad, but true.

By: Desert Son

Desert Son — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:03:55 +0000

Mike wrote:

“When you see that, do you feel just a little territorial? Is that our “A” and you want to take it back from them?”
No.

Agreed

No kings,

Robert

By: mike

mike — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:26:22 +0000

At any rate, the “Scarlet A” is awful. It’s a cheesy font, a horrible shade of red, and generally one of the tackiest logos ever.

Amen to that!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:37:06 +0000

we can end up magicalizing them and forming irrational attachments to them

How many atheists would want to punch someone burning a flag? Should we avoid attachment to those symbols too? I certainly do. Are rationalists less nationalistic?