| | Fun little survey that can be found here. I put italics in for comments, too. I ended up with 19, though I could easily make it into the next category. I guess I'm not as good as an atheist as I'd like to be.
How serious do you take your atheism? Let’s find out. 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.
- Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone.
- Gotten offended when someone called you an agnostic.
- Been unable to watch Growing Pains reruns because of Kirk Cameron.
- Own more Bibles than most Christians you know. Including one in Russian, and another with the Deterocanonical and Apocryphal texts.
- Have at least one Bible with your personal annotations regarding contradictions, disturbing parts, etc.
- Have come out as an atheist to your family.
- Attended a campus or off-campus atheist gathering.
- Are a member of an organized atheist/Humanist/etc. organization.
- Had a Humanist wedding ceremony.
- 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.
- Tried to argue or have a discussion with someone who stopped you on the street to proselytize. Not on the street, but in person, yes.
- Had to hide your atheist beliefs on a first date because you didn’t want to scare him/her away. I never hide it.
- Own a stockpile of atheist paraphernalia (bumper stickers, buttons, shirts, etc).
- Attended a protest that involved religion.
- Attended an atheist conference.
- Subscribe to Pat Condell’s YouTube channel.
- Started an atheist group in your area or school. Does online count? I started the first specifically atheist groups on at least two social networking sites.
- Successfully “de-converted” someone to atheism.
- Have already made plans to donate your body to science after you die. I intend on doing this.
- Told someone you’re an atheist only because you wanted to see the person’s reaction. Sort of... mostly, I just like to invite potential challenges, so I like to see what people come up with.
- Had to think twice before screaming “Oh God!” during sex. Or you said something else in its place.
- 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).
- Have crossed “In God We Trust” off of — or put a pro-church-state-separation stamp on — dollar bills. I've put stuff like "Ba'al" on top of God, even.
- Refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Not quite; I've said it, omitting the "under God" part of it.
- Said “Gesundheit!” (or nothing at all) after someone sneezed because you didn’t want to say “Bless you!”
- Have ever chosen not to clasp your hands together out of fear someone might think you’re praying. Hm... yeah, I've caught myself doing something like that, only to realize what it looked like!
- Have turned on Christian TV because you needed something entertaining to watch. Not TV, but does radio count?
- Are a 2nd or 3rd (or more) generation atheist.
- 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. I've been tempted to, and I probably will someday.
- Gave a friend or acquaintance a New Atheist book as a gift. I've lent them out before, but never given... I've also recommended such books to people, and they've purchased them.
- Wear pro-atheist clothing in public. If I had spare money to get some, and really went out in public that often, I probably would wear such clothing.
- Have invited Mormons/Jehovah’s Witnesses into your house specifically because you wanted to argue with them. Yep, I had some Mormons come over before... they were so nervous, I almost felt bad.
- 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. Usually, they'll eventually get it out of me, but I like to make them play guessing games first.
- 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.
- Avoid even Unitarian churches because they’re too close to religion for you. That's part of a reason I don't go to one, but mostly it's just laziness/apathy.
And just so you know how you fare, here’s a scale to rank yourself (adapted from Darwin’s Dagger’s suggestions): 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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| | Posted 12/19/2008 8:49 PM - 27 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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