Building Goodwill with Believers
Due in large part to the negativism, hatred, and even anger towards atheists, the atheist community is making themselves known through many avenues to dispel these misconceptions. Even with these strides, I wonder whether they are making things worse instead of better.
As some of you may already know, many atheist and other non-theist foundations have posted billboards and have been actively seen on television and other media. The goal is to show the theist community that the only difference between them and non-believers is that we disagree on the existence of a deity. Non-believers want believers to know that we are here and we are your family, friends, and neighbors. Most non-believers, like believers, are caring individuals who want to make the world a better place and are tired that the vast majority of the theist community seems bent on demonizing them.
Despite the growing number of nonbelievers (agnostic, atheists, no religious preference, etc) , believers are having a hard time accepting them. Posted billboards stating a non-believers stance sometimes seem to have the opposite effect of presenting a positive image. Many believers seem to think that their beliefs are being ‘made fun of’ while others just feel sorry for non-believers and others feel genuinely afraid that non-believers will corrupt them and the United States in which they live.
Billboards, such as the one spotted in New Jersey in November 2010, make a blanket statement: “You know it’s a myth. This season, celebrate reason.” Another one states: “I write fiction. I don’t believe in it”. These billboards upset many Christians because they feel that their beliefs are being ridiculed.
Unfortunately, it appears that the non-believers’ messages and outreach to other non-believers, is leaving a bad taste in believers’ mouths. So are non-believers making things better or worse since the religious community considers the large majority of them to be offensive? To weigh in on this, please visit me in the forum.
For more information, visit the links below:
Christians Offended by Atheist Billboards
Dangerous Talk
iReport
As some of you may already know, many atheist and other non-theist foundations have posted billboards and have been actively seen on television and other media. The goal is to show the theist community that the only difference between them and non-believers is that we disagree on the existence of a deity. Non-believers want believers to know that we are here and we are your family, friends, and neighbors. Most non-believers, like believers, are caring individuals who want to make the world a better place and are tired that the vast majority of the theist community seems bent on demonizing them.
Despite the growing number of nonbelievers (agnostic, atheists, no religious preference, etc) , believers are having a hard time accepting them. Posted billboards stating a non-believers stance sometimes seem to have the opposite effect of presenting a positive image. Many believers seem to think that their beliefs are being ‘made fun of’ while others just feel sorry for non-believers and others feel genuinely afraid that non-believers will corrupt them and the United States in which they live.
Billboards, such as the one spotted in New Jersey in November 2010, make a blanket statement: “You know it’s a myth. This season, celebrate reason.” Another one states: “I write fiction. I don’t believe in it”. These billboards upset many Christians because they feel that their beliefs are being ridiculed.
Unfortunately, it appears that the non-believers’ messages and outreach to other non-believers, is leaving a bad taste in believers’ mouths. So are non-believers making things better or worse since the religious community considers the large majority of them to be offensive? To weigh in on this, please visit me in the forum.
For more information, visit the links below:
Christians Offended by Atheist Billboards
Dangerous Talk
iReport
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