Atheist "identity"
But you've coopted a term and given it new meaning. I can't just say "I'm an atheist" anymore because people will think I spend my free time ragging on religion because of people like you and douchebags like Richard Dawkins.
Make up a new word, please. I'm tired of saying "I don't have a religion," and having to say "I don't believe in God"- because that last one I inevitably have to append with "or any deities or supernatural forces" because it doesn't express the fact that I'm an atheist.
How about you make up your own word.
"Asshole."
It may not mean what "atheist," but it does mean "Brxbrx."
Who's the asshole, me, or the guy who's following me around and flaming me?
It's less me following you around and more me shamelessly spamming myself across every possible conversation :-) And what's the most common entry point in every conversation? You are.
Are you saying that I spam myself across every conversation? Because I don't. There is quite a large number of ongoing conversations on this wiki that I have not made myself a part of, for a number of reasons:
- No clue what they're talking about
- Don't care about what they're talking about
- The conversation involves people I loathe
- The conversation is obviously personal (though they probably shouldn't be doing it in public)
- I have nothing to add- no jokes, no nods
- I'm not there to notice it
Go look at the Saloon Bar, the number one hub for conversation on this wiki. Tell me how often I interject there.
A poor choice of words on my part. To rephrase: you're a relatively common entry point for conversations I wouldn't otherwise have legitimate reasons for joining.
I was here first, as were many others. Atheism in and of itself means lack of religion, or of gods if you want to be finicky with the roots. Giving it more meaning than that is crapping on people.
Point to the part where I say "atheism = ...."
If you actually read and understood, my entire point is to move beyond unproductive labeling, which includes "atheist". Sorry, did I not spell this out in words short enough for you?
Okay, I'll admit it: I skimmed through your post. But reading through walls of text is pathologically difficult for me. I figured that you making an identity for yourself as an atheist would mean positing atheism as whatever it is you are.
The opposite, actually.
Alrighty then.
Again, what the fuck are you on about Brx? "atheism means lack of religion" (well, actually, not at all. most buddhists are atheists), or gods... and anything beyond is BS"
since when do words mean "what I say they mean, so there?" Does aweful really mean "filled with awe" any more? does voir dire really mean "truth saying"? Is a chef really the chief?