Are all atheist antireligious?

[Cforcerunner]

I am curious to know how many of those who consider themselves atheists feel very strongly towards religious freedom and who sees religion as a very viable component of human society without associating themselves with a particular religious group.

[Tank]

I am curious to know how many of those who consider themselves atheists feel very strongly towards religious freedom and who sees religion as a very viable component of human society without associating themselves with a particular religious group.

Society would be better off without religion. However to enforce that condition on society would make me no better than The Inquesition. So I support the rights of all people to follow whatever world view they like up to the point that they also follow the secular laws that govern us or where their world view impinges on my freedom to believe what I want.

[Whitney]

I think religious freedom is very important.  I'm not anti-religious (as in I don't actively take any steps I'd expect to lead to it going away) but I also don't think religion is necessary for humans and many kinds of religion are much more harmful than any good they do.

[AnimatedDirt]

Even HAF is a sort of 'religion'.

People come here daily to congregate and chat with their friends.  They come to spread their 'gospel', if you will, the good news that god does not exist (among other topics)...that we are alone...and the rest of you (Jesus freaks) are 'lost', not in Hell, but in a hell of stupidity that is simply <non-existent> <existence> <non-existent>  The people that frequent HAF, like it here and feel fed in coming around.  Some say they miss not being here for a few days, even some NEED to be here daily.  There's comraderie...it's all very much religion-like even with 'God' as a major topic.

There's even a baptism of ten (is it still 10?) posts to be a full member...and the baptismal font is called "Getting to Know You".

The 'church' of HAF meets at www.happyatheistforum.com  It's not a physical address like our homes or businesses, but it is an address we travel to nonetheless.   

I'd dare say that those of you that promote that this world is better off without religion are not really reflecting what HAF is and what it is to you personally.  It may not be a religion that looks up to a God, but it is a 'religion' that keeps looking at God.  God or gods is a central theme.

Without the disbelief in God, would HAF exist?  It's not much different, just opposite thinking at the core.

Even though I've not been here with much frequency as of late, it is still a 'religious' spot for me.  I feel the need to be 'fed' here too.

[fester30]

Even HAF is a sort of 'religion'.

People come here daily to congregate and chat with their friends.  They come to spread their 'gospel', if you will, the good news that god does not exist (among other topics)...that we are alone...and the rest of you (Jesus freaks) are 'lost', not in Hell, but in a hell of stupidity that is simply <non-existent> <existence> <non-existent>  The people that frequent HAF, like it here and feel fed in coming around.  Some say they miss not being here for a few days, even some NEED to be here daily.  There's comraderie...it's all very much religion-like even with 'God' as a major topic.

There's even a baptism of ten (is it still 10?) posts to be a full member...and the baptismal font is called "Getting to Know You".

The 'church' of HAF meets at www.happyatheistforum.com  It's not a physical address like our homes or businesses, but it is an address we travel to nonetheless.   

I'd dare say that those of you that promote that this world is better off without religion are not really reflecting what HAF is and what it is to you personally.  It may not be a religion that looks up to a God, but it is a 'religion' that keeps looking at God.  God or gods is a central theme.

Without the disbelief in God, would HAF exist?  It's not much different, just opposite thinking at the core.

Even though I've not been here with much frequency as of late, it is still a 'religious' spot for me.  I feel the need to be 'fed' here too.

That... and I just had potato chips and red mountain dew... body and blood, baby!

[Davin]

Even HAF is a sort of 'religion'. [...the classic "even atheism is a belief/religion" cannard]

Got bored refuting your loose comparison's and decided to do this:

re·li·gion/riˈlijən/
Noun:   

1. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.
2. Details of belief as taught or discussed.

Which of these does HAF do agian?

[AnimatedDirt]

Got bored refuting your loose comparison's and decided to do this:

re·li·gion/riˈlijən/
Noun:   

1. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.
2. Details of belief as taught or discussed.

Which of these does HAF do agian?

It's called a loose comparison for a reason.

[Davin]

Got bored refuting your loose comparison's and decided to do this:

re·li·gion/riˈlijən/
Noun:   

1. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.
2. Details of belief as taught or discussed.

Which of these does HAF do agian?

It's called a loose comparison for a reason.

What is your reason for making the extremely loose comparison?

[AnimatedDirt]

What is your reason for making the extremely loose comparison?

As intelligent as you are, I'm sure you see the reason.

[Stevil]

I am against hate groups.
Certainly against teaching in mass messages of hate.

When I see Christianity and Islam teaching that homosexuality is a sin then I consider these groups to be messengers of hate.

I am also against discrimination.
When I see Christianity and Islam teaching that men are to rule over women then I consider these groups to be discriminatory and sexist.

[Cforcerunner]

I think this is veering off where I intended the conversation to go. I was thinking there maybe a minority of naturalists here whom do not believe in the existence of anything outside the natural world, that are perfectly tolerate and/or perhaps appreciative of religious expression.

Even before I was a theist, I had absolutely no problem with religion being a big part of my culture. I saw most modern religions being a great source of community (what animated dirt is pointing out), and even though you can nit pick particular aspects, having faith in something beyond themselves of a greater good was always something admirable.

[Cforcerunner]

I am against hate groups.
Certainly against teaching in mass messages of hate.

When I see Christianity and Islam teaching that homosexuality is a sin then I consider these groups to be messengers of hate.

I am also against discrimination.
When I see Christianity and Islam teaching that men are to rule over women then I consider these groups to be discriminatory and sexist.

Well, to start, is this presupposing Christianity and Islam to stand for all religions? Secondly, to say Abrahamic religions are institutions for the hate of women and gays is a completely ignorant and and unfounded opinion, mainly being a completely selective and overly dramatized interpretation of them in order to justify your own irreligion.   

[AnimatedDirt]

That... and I just had potato chips and red mountain dew... body and blood, baby!

Unless it was 'blessed' by a moderator or by Whitney herself, all you did was partake of potato chips and red mountain dew.

[Davin]

What is your reason for making the extremely loose comparison?

As intelligent as you are, I'm sure you see the reason.

I personally find it wiser to find out exactly what person means instead of assuming. Why do you not just say why you made very loose comparisons?

I think this is veering off where I intended the conversation to go. I was thinking there maybe a minority of naturalists here whom do not believe in the existence of anything outside the natural world, that are perfectly tolerate and/or perhaps appreciative of religious expression.

I don't have to appreciate particular expressions to appreciate that people be allowed to express themselves.

Even before I was a theist, I had absolutely no problem with religion being a big part of my culture. I saw most modern religions being a great source of community (what animated dirt is pointing out), and even though you can nit pick particular aspects, having faith in something beyond themselves of a greater good was always something admirable.

Not admirable to me, believing in anything without evidence and/or understanding of the concepts is not something I find admirable. I think people have the right to do it, but I don't see anything worth admiring about it.

[AnimatedDirt]

I personally find it wiser to find out exactly what person means instead of assuming. Why do you not just say why you made very loose comparisons?

Being less than a whole page into a topic, it seems rather obvious.

To be against religion is basically to be against HAF...extremely loosly saying of course.