What Is The Point Of Atheist Activism?

[Johnny Blade]

And why do we only seem to have it in the US?

I know that Europe is thought of as having a more secular based society than America but this does not always seem to be the case. For example, Spain is a popular vacation spot for Europeans (mostly atheist, no?)everywhere, yet their military routinely engages in rather obvious public displays of affection towards Catholicism. I'm sure the Atheists in the US would be having a cow if we did the same thing. But I guess in Europe no one really has a problem with it. Spain rakes in billions a year from tourism.

I understand that maybe most of what Atheist Activists do is meant to be taken tounge-in-cheek. But what is the goal? Are there actual problems in American society that Atheists feel only they themselves can solve? Or is the point more of just a counter-culture movement of sorts. Or something else?

[Fenrir]

Fuck me but that hole is deep and wide.

[The_Metatron]

Fuck me but that hole is deep and wide.

It is that.

To answer the title only, it’s simple: To be the voice of reason to end the suppurating carbunkle on humanity that is religion.

You want an example, Johnny? I give you two. Look at JJ’s behavior here. Nine years of demonstrated willful ignorance, driven by creationist priors. For the second example, find ye a mirror.

[Johnny Blade]

Fuck me but that hole is deep and wide.

It is that.

To answer the title only, it’s simple: To be the voice of reason to end the suppurating carbunkle on humanity that is religion.

You want an example, Johnny? I give you two. Look at JJ’s behavior here. Nine years of demonstrated willful ignorance, driven by creationist priors. For the second example, find ye a mirror.

Oh your just being a Big Ol Atheist Grumble Bear! One day I'm gonna give a big hug and squeeze all of that mean grumbly-ness right out of you!

[Spearthrower]

Just to answer this question, despite chap not being here and despite the question being posed and answered dozens of times here over the years...

It's because in the US religious groups continually fight to restrict the freedoms and rights of people outside their religious group. For example, why was Roe v Wade overturned? It was purely to soothe the sensibilities of mostly Evangelical (although Catholic groups were involved too) citizens of the US - citizens who already were free to not have abortions, but they couldn't bear to allow other people to have the freedom to make their own decisions about their own bodies and their own lives, and when stuck up, self-centred cunts like that continue to force others to comply to their doctrine through legal and political means, there's a need for activism to push them back under the slimy rock they squelched out from.

In the modern EU to date, religious groups don't typically have that power or don't attempt to force others to comply with their beliefs.

It's usually not tongue-in-cheek - it's far too often a last ditch attempt to stop theocratic repression.

[Cito di Pense]

In the modern EU to date, religious groups don't typically have that power or don't attempt to force others to comply with their beliefs.

Vocal atheists are basically a non-entity. Their unaligned numbers are dwindling compared to the actions of believers (where geopolitics is concerned). I see that you chose to restrict your scope in the above comment. I think your view of things is hopelessly myopic and reflexive in relation to your politics.

What you mean is, there is no state machinery for forcing compliance. What we have, instead, is what we could call pro-Muslim activism, not always advocated by Muslims, themselves. If we inspect the aims of jihadist Muslims residing in EU, we may discover what their aims are, and it may only be wishful thinking to imagine that (at least) non-jihadist Muslims are not afraid enough of them in their communities that they will keep silent about those members of their communities who want everyone in the world to believe as they do.

We've been over this, time and again, in contrasting moderate xians with fundie xians. The same dynamic is enacted in any group that does not find the means to control its own fanatics. The multi-culti wing of the progressive European left is presently owned by the financiers of the fanatics, with university administrations and leftist politicians, prominently, often showing exactly how "owned" they are. The conflict that intensified on Oct 7, 2023 brings the positions of non-muslims viewing both sides of the conflict. I compare them to the western folks who express such pity for the poor Russians who are subject to the whims of Putin. It's hell in a handbasket time.