Are Atheists Just as Bad as Religious Organizations? Rockhead

[CC27]

Star Member MineralMan (104,754 posts)


Are Atheists Just as Bad as Religious Organizations?

That seems to be the theme of some threads here in the Religion Forum. If someone points out an institutional issue with religious denominations or organizations, like misogyny or sexual assaults or pedophilia, someone else is sure to come along and point a finger at some individual atheist who did the same thing, more or less.

Naturally, it's always possible to find an individual example of just about anything bad. But, there is a difference between individual wrongdoing and institutional abuses that are either covered up or even endemic. Individual actions are just that - individual. Institutional or organizational actions involve a much broader pattern.

When it comes to atheism, there really aren't any institutions that have any authority. Atheism has no central organization nor any established doctrines. It is simply non-belief in deities and other supernatural entities. The vast majority of atheists are not affiliated with nor represented by any organization at all. So, if some atheist does a bad thing, that's the responsibility of that individual, and has little or nothing to do with other atheists.

When institutions have fundamental issues, like misogyny or covering up of sexual abuses, the impact is much greater. It's not a function of an individual, but is doctrinal, organizational or part of the hierarchical system. In some cases, such negative actions have deep roots, sometimes extending back to the origins of the organization.

Comparing institutional misdeeds or problematic doctrines with individual misdeeds is a false comparison. There is no equivalency.

Finally, if something is bad with regard to an organization, in itself, there is no benefit to an argument that it is less bad or is somehow justified because some individual also did something bad. An action or attitude is either bad or it is not.

Asserting that an organization that has institutionalized something bad is OK or justified, as long as some individual not associated with that organization did the same bad thing. Both are wrong. The difference is the scope of the effect.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218273118

Stop projecting.

[freedumb2003b]

The only religious organization in the USA that have "authority" over its congregants is islam (and this is theoretically voluntary as well).

The rest are groups of people who CHOOSE to worship together and CHOOSE to behave (or not) in ways established within the theological framework of the religion, church, synod, etc.

For example, so few Catholics adhere to the strict guidelines of the Church that they have become mere suggestions (God may weight in later but that is neither here nor there).

Atheist organizations are numerous, some have HUGE participation.  Atheist organizations have congregants just as estabish theistic religions do.

Besides, most atheists do NOT not believe in God.  They just hate Him.

[SVPete]

Should he wander in, for MM's perusal and edification.

In an atheist's ethic laws against murder and theft are, ultimately, a matter of mob rule (aka "democracy").

To a Christian or Jew (I won't speak for other religions) such laws come from our Designer.

[Old n Grumpy]

The problem with atheists is they want their freedom to practice , but can't stand others who believe in a religion to pracitice it openly. For them to see a religious symbol it is like poking them in the eye with a stick. they have no tolerance for others, like liberals & progressives.

[BattleHymn]

An action or attitude is either bad or it is not.

I wonder if Rockhead understands the irony of this phrase within his atheistic context. 

[DUmpsterDiver]

>Are Atheists Just as Bad as Religious Organizations?

Yes, you idiot.  Atheists and Religionists both THINK they have the answer but both have NO evidence. 

Albert Einstein said it best, but I don't recall his estimate, but it went something like this...Truth can not be denied, but truth must be defined.

[FlaGator]

>Are Atheists Just as Bad as Religious Organizations?

Yes, you idiot.  Atheists and Religionists both THINK they have the answer but both have NO evidence. 

Albert Einstein said it best, but I don't recall his estimate, but it went something like this...Truth can not be denied, but truth must be defined.

Actually, there is a lot of evidence that points towards the existence of God/Creator. When faced with the evidence many refuse to accept it as such and discount it as chance or coincidence.

But hey, that is my opinion and what do I know?

[SVPete]

Star Member MineralMan (104,754 posts)

Are Atheists Just as Bad as Religious Organizations?

Now, lets flip the script, mistheist!

Name the atheist-organized equivalent of Samaritan's Purse.

Name the atheist-organized equivalent of Prison Fellowship.

Name the atheist-organized equivalent of World Vision.

Name the atheist-organized equivalent of Mercy Ships.

Name the atheist-organized equivalent of Compassion International.

[DumbAss Tanker]

His shaky strawman construction aside, I have found Atheists to be as prissy, judgmental, and doctrinaire as any religious faction, just not about quite the same things.

[67 Rover]

His shaky strawman construction aside, I have found Atheists to be as prissy, judgmental, and doctrinaire as any religious faction, just not about quite the same things.

So like crossfitters then. 

[DumbAss Tanker]

So like crossfitters then. 

...or vegans/vegetarians, yeah.