Non-Practising Atheists

[aiseiri47]

I had a conversation at work today that I found rather perplexing that I thought you'd all find interesting. We were talking about religion and lack thereof, and I can't remember how precisely it came up, but my employee said something about people who call themselves atheists but aren't really because they don't "practise".

I more or less responded "what are you talking about?"

Apparently, his impression of atheism is that isn't just about not believing in god, but actively informing people that gods don't exist and providing evidence. People who do not believe in god, but don't actively promote atheism, are not really atheists! Basically, he thinks atheists are missionaries.

I told him that this was nonsense, that atheism literally means to not believe in god and that anyone who doesn't believe in god (as opposed to "not being sure" or "undecided") is really an atheist, and that most atheists are not going to go out of their way to promote atheism, but are instead simply fighting against being forced to have their lives dictated by religion.

It's worth mentioning this person is quite irreligious - he might have a bit of lapsed Catholic about him, in the sense he's got some family members who probably expect him to show up at the occasional mass -- but other than that, he seems to have no time for religion, and even found my theory that most people don't really believe in God very amusing.

Anybody else have any experience with people expressing strange perceptions of atheism?

[Tulip1]

I have had a few people who said to me (after I said I am an atheist): O no I don't believe either-way.

[paolovf]

Anybody else have any experience with people expressing strange perceptions of atheism?

That's mad! I've had one or two confuse atheism with satanism. But that was like ten years ago, I don't come across many like that anymore.

[chemicals]

That's mad! I've had one or two confuse atheism with satanism. But that was like ten years ago, I don't come across many like that anymore.

was it the Goth image that confused them

[paolovf]

That's mad! I've had one or two confuse atheism with satanism. But that was like ten years ago, I don't come across many like that anymore.

was it the Goth image that confused them

Hey! That's me in my avatar - didn't think I looked like a goth but hey, maybe goths are renowned for their love of icecream!

[ptferg]

A work colleague once said to me, 'I don't mind if people don't believe in God but I hate Atheists'. Baffling.

[Jayhenn]

I've been accused of worshipping science now and again and that that ios what atheism is, but no, not ever been called a practising/non-practising atheist

[Puck]

Never had to identify myself as an atheist, until I moved to Ireland.

[Tulip1]

Never had to identify myself as an atheist, until I moved to Ireland.

Same here. Religion was never an issue until I moved here. This is where I heard for the first time "I don't believe either way"

[Feardorcha]

Most bizarre comment I ever received was from an otherwise intelligent workmate who asked: "What do atheists do on Sunday mornings when they're not at Mass?"