Happy Atheist Forum

Hello, HAF.

My name's chuff, and I'm an eighteen-year-old American who's rather new to this whole thing. I've been thinking on my own for quite some time, but I've only recently shed the restraints of a strict religious worldview that is supposed to make my choices for me (as if we do not shape our worldview by our choices...)!

This may sound heretical to some of you (no pun intended), but I don't consider myself an atheist at the moment. I don't think the label suits me very well.

But anyway, thanks for having me here, I like what I've seen so far and will be happy to contribute long into the future.

Hi Chuff, welcome to the forum.  As for what to call yourself, there is no need to rush into picking a labels.

Welcome to the forum. To echo our founder's comment, a label is not something I would get too wrapped up in. I use various things to define my beliefs, from Naturalist, to Skeptic, to Atheist, or areligious.

Don't worry about it, and enjoy the forum!  

Quote from: "McQ"Welcome to the forum. To echo our founder's comment, a label is not something I would get too wrapped up in. I use various things to define my beliefs, from Naturalist, to Skeptic, to Atheist, or areligious.

Don't worry about it, and enjoy the forum!  

Agreed! Its the fact that you're not currently wrapping yourself in religion, and are able to think yourself that makes you a skeptic, and free-thinker. Welcome to a secular forum, for secular discussion. I myself am new to this forum, and have thus far enjoyed my time in discourse here. I think you'll soon echo my thoughts that there are many interesting people to talk about whatever is on your mind here. Enjoy your stay.

-BP

Welcome chuff.

Personally I do not think you have a choice in labels, an atheist does not accept current claims to deity so, if you don't believe in deity you are an atheist but no matter ... welcome to the forum anyway

Kyu

I second Kyu, a label isn't something you choose. Although, you can choose to pick a synonym that lacks the connotations of said label. Either way, welcome.

Thank you all! I feel quite welcome.

The reason I don't want to accept the label of "atheist" yet is that I'm still in christian education, a christian home, etc. No need to scare the loving parents that are paying for my education out of their knickers.

Plus that term, to me, has some connotations of anger and bitterness.

However, I for one would MUCH rather spend an hour with the wittily cynical Christopher Hitchens than a week with a bubbly pastor's wife.

Quote from: "chuff"However, I for one would MUCH rather spend an hour with the wittily cynical Christopher Hitchens than a week with a bubbly pastor's wife.

This depends on how cute said pastor's wife is, how much she likes wine coolers, and how hard she likes to...


Well - who am I kidding, it's a pastor's wife, right?  

Quote from: "chuff"Plus that term, to me, has some connotations of anger and bitterness.

Only because those opposed to our non-belief have made it that way. Atheist just describes what you believe (or, more appropriately, don't), not what kind of person you are. Look at all us... we're Happy!  

Coming out of the atheistic closet is difficult, especially when everyone around you would begin to despise you merely because you're not lying to them anymore. It's an odd position.

Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"Coming out of the atheistic closet is difficult, especially when everyone around you would begin to despise you merely because you're not lying to them anymore. It's an odd position.

Definitely. I've been a declared atheist really for only a year now (though I was a skeptic for probably the 3 years prior and an agnostic) -- my friends all know of my atheism- but I haven't really brought it up with my ultra conservative Christian parents. They definitely have an idea though - but I think they avoid certain topics because they just don't want to hear me state anything blasphemous.
It's definitely weird.

Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"

Quote from: "chuff"Plus that term, to me, has some connotations of anger and bitterness.

Only because those opposed to our non-belief have made it that way. Atheist just describes what you believe (or, more appropriately, don't), not what kind of person you are. Look at all us... we're Happy!  

Coming out of the atheistic closet is difficult, especially when everyone around you would begin to despise you merely because you're not lying to them anymore. It's an odd position.

It stems from their intercourse with atheists, which inevitably consists of them thrusting their beliefs on the atheist and the atheist politely refusing, and then the religionist becomes more and more aggressive until the atheist tires of it and heightens his refusal... then the religionist returns to his church/synagogue/monastery/mosque/coven and tells of how bitter and rude the atheist was (leaving out the part where he impolitely insisted on changing the other person's lifestyle, choices, attitudes and personality).

Quote from: "chuff"It stems from their intercourse with atheists, which inevitably consists of them thrusting their beliefs on the atheist and the atheist politely refusing, and then the religionist becomes more and more aggressive until the atheist tires of it and heightens his refusal... then the religionist returns to his church/synagogue/monastery/mosque/coven and tells of how bitter and rude the atheist was (leaving out the part where he impolitely insisted on changing the other person's lifestyle, choices, attitudes and personality).

Basically.  :lol:

Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"

Quote from: "chuff"It stems from their intercourse with atheists, which inevitably consists of them thrusting their beliefs on the atheist and the atheist politely refusing, and then the religionist becomes more and more aggressive until the atheist tires of it and heightens his refusal... then the religionist returns to his church/synagogue/monastery/mosque/coven and tells of how bitter and rude the atheist was (leaving out the part where he impolitely insisted on changing the other person's lifestyle, choices, attitudes and personality).

Basically.  :lol:

My sister says "Maybe sometime you should have a look at the atheists on YouTube other than the well-spoken British ones. Usually they're just people angry at their parents."

Good to have you, Chuff.  Kick off your shoes and get comfy.

Quote from: "chuff"My sister says "Maybe sometime you should have a look at the atheists on YouTube other than the well-spoken British ones. Usually they're just people angry at their parents."

I'm an atheist. I was on YouTube. I love(d) my parents dearly. Atheists are no different from any other group of people who share a similar interest: we come from all walks of life and, by and large, are good, nice, loving, caring people. Personally, I think having the title (I prefer title to label) "atheist" is to be worn like a badge of honor, not hidden away, ashamed of. It's that shame that proves everyone else right when they say, "See? They don't really believe what they say they do. They're just angry at their parents, or something."  

Quote from: "chuff"My sister says "Maybe sometime you should have a look at the atheists on YouTube other than the well-spoken British ones. Usually they're just people angry at their parents."

So your sister knows?  I think siblings are generally easier to tell.  My brother was very easy, and he turned out to be of like mind.
Anyway, your sister is wrong, most of them are rather contained and kind, though I would say the most prominent non-British atheists are the ones who can cuss up a storm.  One, two, three cuss words isn't a person angry at their parents or looking to make a menace of themselves, though.  They likely just don't hold deep convictions against them.

Most atheists on YouTube just post video replies that 50-500 hits that are of mixed quality but sincere nature.  Some do satire, but that's hardly angry, it's a humorous take on the absurdities of religion.  Some will call theists and creationists ignorant, deliberately deceptive and other unsavory things, but this is true, even if they don't like it put bluntly.  And then there are some with come off as incoherent rants that barely resemble good arguments that contain language used soley with the intent of causing religious people grief.

I spend an unreasonable amount of time on YouTube, this I know.

Also, welcome to the forums, may you find solace here.  And you are an atheist, but feel free to call yourself whatever you like because no one else will know if you don't tell them.  Agnostic will do, but saying, "I'm a Universalist Eastern-Orthodox Catholic, with focus on Calvinist Animism, which should tell you, well, everything about my beliefs <confident smile, showing complete faith you were understood>," will loosen the bowels of most casual Christians, as they will think you really know your stuff and then assume you're judging them, rather than vice versa, which will make them try to avoid having to discuss their weak-by-comparison faith.  Of course, you're totally screwed if you try that stunt with someone who really knows their stuff, but I haven't seen many people who know what the words "orthodox, Calvinist, Universalist," or "animism" mean.  Which is another way I know a lot of Christians don't take their faith to seriously, they just really like the idea of a sky daddy.

Anyway, I should stop ranting.  Welcome, have fun, don't mess with thermostat, we need to keep it at about 480 F if we want to keep everything burning.