to all members who classify themselves as "godless"

[quizlixx]

i don't like this term, "godless", because it almost implies that here is a god to be without. has anyone else thought this too?

[rlrose328]

The debate on what to call ourselves is never-ending.

Many don't like "atheist" because it's so negative.

Others don't like anything ending in "-less" because it implies there is something that exists and others have it but we don't, like we are lacking something important, less than perfect.  Same with the prefix "non-".

The terms "humanist" and "freethinker" tend to be acceptable to most.  For me, humanist seems to be a movement, not just an adjective or descriptive noun.  I do like freethinker.

Personally, I stick with atheist.  I think the believers of this would should be forced to see it in a positive light, not a negative one.  It's not my problem they see it as negative.

[Will]

I really like "Rationalist", but to be quite frank it can become confusing for those who are familiar with what that label used to be. Humanism is a set of ethical philosophies that can but do not always find themselves in the ethical system of atheists, so it can be correct but only for secular atheists. Secularists believe that god isn't the answer but do not necessarily not believe in god or gods. I like free thinker, but it also does not automatically translate to one that does not believe in god or gods.

Atheist is the best label we currently have because it's the most widely understood. "Godless" is a derogatory term for atheist which is used by a bigoted theist. I would be surprised in any atheist that wasn't using the term ironically (like a homosexual might use the word "fag").

[shedaytrips]

Atheist suits me just fine. I'm proud of my beliefs and not the beliefs of others.

[Asmodean]

I'm good with atheist, godless or any other label that describes my lack of belief in god(s).

What I'm not ok with is devil worshipper, doubter, heathen and the like as they imply that I do believe in/worship some sort of a deity, which I most certainly do not.

 

[curiosityandthecat]

What I'm not ok with is devil worshipper, doubter, heathen and the like as they imply that I do believe in/worship some sort of a deity, which I most certainly do not.

I often feel that way too, but only because a bit of their insult and pity seeps into me unwelcome.

Most religious people I know say "atheist" in hushed tones, like some Harry Potter fanfreak whispering about "He Who Must Not Be Named." It's quite amusing, really. "Oh, so you're.. you're an... atheist? Wondering in amazement at how they could be so silly as to think "atheist" is a bad word is, in turn, rather silly, as they're also the people who believe a woman was fashioned out of a rib.

I prefer "non-believer." I think it has the greatest potential to become a positive term (if not such a negative one, at least). We've got non-smoker, non-drinker, both of which are considered "positive." Boring, but positive.  

I'm an atheist. A non-believer. A heathen, doubter, devil-worshiper in the eyes of the God-fearing. A rational, grounded, down-to-earth thinking guy to my friends. What bothers me is the need for labels. Why must I be anything? Why can't I just be... me?

[Asmodean]

Why must I be anything? Why can't I just be... me?

Humans tend to label and cathegorise things in order to create points for easy reference. The sad thing about it is that the uniqueness of the individual tends to dissolve into stereotypes, which in turn are rarely based on the average of the given group, but often do include one or more side of the extreme.

[afreethinker30]

I don't see what it matters what you call yourself.But when it comes to the word atheist most people think militant or the "new atheist" .Freethinker seems to be a more friendly name.Same with humanist,naturalist and rationalist. I do like Godless because for me it means I need no God to be happy. Being a satanist is totally different,I know some of us have been called that.But one who believes in Satan is also a theist in my mind.Maybe a freethinking/godless/atheist/humanist/naturalist/rationalist title for one to call oneself is better but it's to damned long.If you want just an example of how atheist vs. freethought person is treated get on YouTube.Check under both I think you might be surprised.

[rlrose328]

I'm good with atheist, godless or any other label that describes my lack of belief in god(s).

What I'm not ok with is devil worshipper, doubter, heathen and the like as they imply that I do believe in/worship some sort of a deity, which I most certainly do not.

 :banna:

[Loffler]

No preference.

[EvolutionCalling]

I vote heathen as well.  It just sounds so cool.

[Whitney]

I would be surprised in any atheist that wasn't using the term ironically (like a homosexual might use the word "fag").

Ya, quite a few atheists do that with Heathen too.

[Kylyssa]

"Godless" does imply something missing - like "sugarless" does.  I don't want people to think I'm missing something or that I need synthetic God substitute to taste good.  One does not proclaim spinach to be "sugarless" though it might be appropriate to call it "sugar free" instead.  It never had sugar, doesn't need sugar, and tastes exactly as it is supposed to.  Nor does one say a person who doesn't have STD's is dieaseless, they are disease free.  Yeah, so I guess God Free would be better for me.

The labels don't matter much to me.  Fundies see them all as "Satanist" anyway so it matters little to me what you call my belief that things that aren't real aren't real.  Realism, maybe?

[LARA]

What bothers me is the need for labels. Why must I be anything? Why can't I just be... me?

My sentiments exactly.  Labels tend to get confusing and even 'atheist' gets into a few sticky wickets with me.  There are religions that don't necessarily believe in a supernatural overlord, like the animistic and shamanistic type, but they do believe in the supernatural.  There is confusion as to what exactly the nature of god is anyway, depending on whose god you are talking about, so it's confusing to say I don't believe in something that can't be defined.  I picked binocular as my worldview, because that is something I don't think can be argued with as I literally have two eyes and that is how I see the world.  Incidentally, I'm also slightly nearsighted, not that that has any symbolic or metaphorical significance.

[quizlixx]

i know everyone hates labels, but i like em. they help other people get a grip on who you are and what you are all about. if i go up to you and say have "you met bill?" you would say no or which one. but if i go and say "do you know bill the atheist?" you know exactly who i'm talking about. labels are good for a sense of self. i am for labeling yourself, just don't let others label you. i am deadhead, the guitarist, atheist, student.