These just keep coming do they not? More and more atheists are claiming that it is their particular sect that will, finally, provide atheism a much needed facelift in the form of a happy face public image.
Of course, this is also a “happy” face.
Well, as usual this is very simple: consider their claims when they are made to the media, consider how the media does not bother digging into what the group actually does and then consider the information that the group actually provides.
The Claims:Terry McDonald chairman of “Metroplex Atheists” stated,
When you tell someone you’re not a theist, it’s like saying I’m taking the issue that is closest to them and discrediting it.1
I think that this is a bit much but perhaps some people do feel that way. Then again, some atheist consider it a personal affront if they sneeze and you say “God bless you” (I cannot wait for that lawsuit).
This group has also done the le chique le cool atheist move de jour; they are accepting donations for the purchase of billboards. At least theirs are actually not obnoxious or, failed, attempts at being clever but simply reading, “Don’t believe in God? You are not alone” which is still atheism premised upon rejection of theism. Although, they are still wasting money, as they put it “substantial monetary contributions,” on themselves during a time of worldwide recession.
Terry McDonald stated,
We’d like to show Christians we don’t have horns and a tail_We’re just normal people.
He was invited to speak at a church that was having an atheist/Christian dialogue where he,
told the crowd that he rejected Catholicism in his late 30s because ‘when I looked for God, he wasn’t there.’
Unfortunately, that is the only part of his talk reported and it is just generic enough to be meaningless. As an equally generic observation; I have found that people most certainly do not find God when they look for Him because they are actually looking for the “God according to me.”
Mostly, the reportage offers examples of in-family disputation which, since they goes both ways, are a virtually mute point. I and others like me could regale you with tales of atheist family members treating us very, very badly for simply believing differently. Note, I do not here mean disagreeing in the form of discussions, disputations, arguments or debates but simply thinking and acting differently while not saying a word to them-it is the Holy Spirit of God convicting them and they taking it out on us (here I am presupposing that the believer is not being a jerk in which case; sure, blame the jerk).
One interesting point was made by Randy Word who,
noted that he had no problem with his wife taking their children to church when they were young. But now he regrets not exposing them to other beliefs – or lack of beliefs – as well.
Indeed, it is at this point that so many atheists quickly go from the notion that raising children in a “faith” is “child abuse” to I should do the same to my kids. This is why there are atheist Sunday Schools, atheist Summer Camps, etc.
Randy Word’s ultimate advice is, “Always question everything” and I may add to not forget to question being told to question everything. Meanwhile, as an atheist, Randy Word believes in a serendipitous chain of accidents that resulted in the Big Bang and, eventually, the formulation of the bio-chemical thought “Always question everything.”
Moreover,
Randy Word said the family works well because it shares positive morals and values.
‘I believe in the Golden Rule,’ he said. ‘I believe in tolerance and compassion. I don’t need religion to give me that.’
I am not certain that he would make specific reference to the “Golden Rule” if “religion” had not given that to him not to mention tolerance and compassion. The fact is that he did get that from “religion,” actually, he got it from God and certainly not from survival-of-the-fittest-atoms-in-motion.
The Horse Doeth Speak:
Thus, the claim of these reformers is that they are just normal, tolerance and compassion people who would also like to “show Christians we don’t have horns and a tail.” Mazel tov!
In this case it is a bit difficult to discern the inner workings of their sect, the “Metroplex Atheists,” since their website is either very new of very neglected-it is very sparse and basically consists of quite a few pages begging for money.
Upon arriving at their home page one is greeted by the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the “A” symbol of Prof. Richard Dawkins’ “Out Campaign” and on another page one finds the symbol of the Invisible Pink Unicorns.
This does not bode well from the outset since: Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Pink Unicorns are a mockery of all things theistic; not positive-happy-face-public-image-atheism but anti-theism. Moreover, the Prof. Richard Dawkins’ “Out Campaign” symbolizes the very opposite of positive-happy-face-public-image-atheism since it is a movement based not solely on opening the door and coming out of the atheist closet but then kicking in your neighbors door and shoving atheism down their throats.
Under the title “Am I an Atheist?” we find the definition de jour “one who lacks belief in gods” and,
If you’re just not buying into this religion thing, then you’re one of us and you may as well come see us_
Interesting, because, and I am not exaggerating in the least bit, I could see the statement, “If you’re just not buying into this religion thing, then you’re one of us and you may as well come see us_” as a church advertisement.
In my, and many, many Christian, circles being referred to as “religious” is tantamount to a put down since “religion” being the scourge of the earth is something upon which Christianity and atheism can agree although for different reasons-“religion” is just about the very best way to drive a wedge between God and human.
In the “About Us” section they state,
We also seek to protect the constitutional rights of atheists and the First Amendment principle of the separation of church and state.
Ok, well, they do not know the difference between a letter written by Thomas Jefferson that has been co-opted by the ACLU types and the Establishment Clause-a common mistake but a mistake nonetheless.
Their website offers the typical array of anti-theistic propaganda:
I wonder if there is a correlation to be drawn between that upon which one muses and that which one finds amusing.
The Metroplex Atheists are rallying the troops to attend a show by “Sam Singleton Atheist Evangelist.” Surely, an “Atheist Evangelist” is the very model of normalcy, tolerance and compassion.
Well, Sam Singleton’s “comedy” tour is surely a family friendly non-anti-theistic and pro-happy-face-atheism fest particularly the “Patriarchs and Penises Tour.”His tours are advertised with the Bible mocking statement, “Gird your loins!”He urges others to “Alienate Your Friends! Become a Card-Carrying Atheist!”
And then there is this beauty:
Then again, I refer to atheism as the valium of the people so perhaps I should not talk.
Well, look, I get it; it is all one big joke: the joke is on Christians, the joke is on the media that will not do its job and the joke is on anyone who takes these anti-theists to be the friendly atheists next door.
I suppose that I will continue saying it; if you believe that your sect of atheism will finally give atheism the nip and tuck it so obviously needs-mazel tov!