New Atheist v. Old Atheist

I have been hearing the phrase "New Atheist" for a while now, and it got me thinking...

What the hell is a New Atheist?  Likewise, what is an Old Atheist?

Plus, what woulud you consider yourself?

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

someone at Theologyweb named "Seasanctuary" asked the very same question. I'm just going to C&P the responses

Old Atheists are the ones who accept that religion is in our world, and politely try to refute the evidence it is based on. (You would be a good example of this.)

New Atheists usually preach that religion is akin to a mental disease, and must be forcibly removed from the world. (Someone like Richard Dawkins would be a good example of this.)

I think that part of the difference is the different ways of looking at evidence. New Atheists tend to be strong atheists. Old Atheists tend to be weak atheists or agnostics.

New atheists are new and young. Therefore, they are also shiney, and thus, "Bright". The have this designation until the first rutting season. After this, their antlers fall off, their full winter coat grows in, and their musk glands begin producing the odor we all find so offensive.

If you find a new atheist at night in your drive way:

1. Do not get out of your car.
2. Flick your brights on and off until they leave.
3. When exiting your home at night, jingle your keys to warn the new atheist that you are there and are not a threatening predator.

If you are bothered by new atheists, there are a number of steps you can follow to help. First, place all trash into an appropriate lockiong receptacle. Usually, this is just a sliding bold mechanism because the new atheists will not be able to figure out how it works. Also, wash out your recycleables before putting them into the appropriate bin. Lastly, under no circumstances should you ever feed a new atheist, even if young or injured. You should contact the appropriate animal control authorities to have them removed to the forest preserve.

Good luck with your problem,
Guaca.

"New Atheist" is a marketing ploy so that everyone gets sick of them.... then when they bring back Old Atheism they can call it "Atheist ****cTM" and everyone will find it refreshing

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

MetalGear_Ninty

someone at Theologyweb named "Seasanctuary" asked the very same question. I'm just going to C&P the responses

[QUOTE=""]Old Atheists are the ones who accept that religion is in our world, and politely try to refute the evidence it is based on. (You would be a good example of this.)

New Atheists usually preach that religion is akin to a mental disease, and must be forcibly removed from the world. (Someone like Richard Dawkins would be a good example of this.)

I think that part of the difference is the different ways of looking at evidence. New Atheists tend to be strong atheists. Old Atheists tend to be weak atheists or agnostics. danwallacefan

New atheists are new and young. Therefore, they are also shiney, and thus, "Bright". The have this designation until the first rutting season. After this, their antlers fall off, their full winter coat grows in, and their musk glands begin producing the odor we all find so offensive.

If you find a new atheist at night in your drive way:

1. Do not get out of your car.
2. Flick your brights on and off until they leave.
3. When exiting your home at night, jingle your keys to warn the new atheist that you are there and are not a threatening predator.

If you are bothered by new atheists, there are a number of steps you can follow to help. First, place all trash into an appropriate lockiong receptacle. Usually, this is just a sliding bold mechanism because the new atheists will not be able to figure out how it works. Also, wash out your recycleables before putting them into the appropriate bin. Lastly, under no circumstances should you ever feed a new atheist, even if young or injured. You should contact the appropriate animal control authorities to have them removed to the forest preserve.

Good luck with your problem,
Guaca.

"New Atheist" is a marketing ploy so that everyone gets sick of them.... then when they bring back Old Atheism they can call it "Atheist ****cTM" and everyone will find it refreshing

I would fall into the old category.

someone at Theologyweb named "Seasanctuary" asked the very same question. I'm just going to C&P the responses

[QUOTE=""]Old Atheists are the ones who accept that religion is in our world, and politely try to refute the evidence it is based on. (You would be a good example of this.)

New Atheists usually preach that religion is akin to a mental disease, and must be forcibly removed from the world. (Someone like Richard Dawkins would be a good example of this.)

I think that part of the difference is the different ways of looking at evidence. New Atheists tend to be strong atheists. Old Atheists tend to be weak atheists or agnostics. danwallacefan

New atheists are new and young. Therefore, they are also shiney, and thus, "Bright". The have this designation until the first rutting season. After this, their antlers fall off, their full winter coat grows in, and their musk glands begin producing the odor we all find so offensive.

If you find a new atheist at night in your drive way:

1. Do not get out of your car.
2. Flick your brights on and off until they leave.
3. When exiting your home at night, jingle your keys to warn the new atheist that you are there and are not a threatening predator.

If you are bothered by new atheists, there are a number of steps you can follow to help. First, place all trash into an appropriate lockiong receptacle. Usually, this is just a sliding bold mechanism because the new atheists will not be able to figure out how it works. Also, wash out your recycleables before putting them into the appropriate bin. Lastly, under no circumstances should you ever feed a new atheist, even if young or injured. You should contact the appropriate animal control authorities to have them removed to the forest preserve.

Good luck with your problem,
Guaca.

"New Atheist" is a marketing ploy so that everyone gets sick of them.... then when they bring back Old Atheism they can call it "Atheist ****cTM" and everyone will find it refreshing

Scroll right down to the bottom, not really respectful old atheism is it?

''I call Christianity the one great curse, the one great innermost corruption, the one great instinct of revenge, for which no means is poisonous, stealthy, subterranean, small enough-I call it the one immortal blemish of mankind.''

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

danwallacefan

How can you say it is a fad? Don't you think that people are atheists because that is what they believe to be true?

[QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

MetalGear_Ninty

How can you say it is a fad? Don't you think that people are atheists because that is what they beieve to be true?

MGN, thank you for your post above this one.  To say that Atheism is a fad, particularly among college students is an out and out BS.  Sorry, no other way to put it.  If your going to college, to further your education we can assume you have an ounce of sense.  According to polls 90% or so of Americans are Christian, or whatever the % is, so they are going against everything they were taught to come to an Atheism conclusion is very arrogant and assuming that you know the pulse, and more importantly the IQ and hearts of young adults.  

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"][QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

btaylor2404

How can you say it is a fad? Don't you think that people are atheists because that is what they beieve to be true?

MGN, thank you for your post above this one.  To say that Atheism is a fad, particularly among college students is an out and out BS.  Sorry, no other way to put it.  If your going to college, to further your education we can assume you have an ounce of sense.  According to polls 90% or so of Americans are Christian, or whatever the % is, so they are going against everything they were taught to come to an Atheism conclusion is very arrogant and assuming that you know the pulse, and more importantly the IQ and hearts of young adults.  

Seeing atheism in teens as a rebellious thing is one way for a believer to justify his religion.

Danwallacefan, sorry if my post was a tad aggressive, you've made some great posts in the AU, I just disagree with that statement so much it pissed me off a bit.  Should have been more diplomatic.

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"][QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

btaylor2404

How can you say it is a fad? Don't you think that people are atheists because that is what they beieve to be true?

MGN, thank you for your post above this one.  To say that Atheism is a fad, particularly among college students is an out and out BS.  Sorry, no other way to put it.  If your going to college, to further your education we can assume you have an ounce of sense.  According to polls 90% or so of Americans are Christian, or whatever the % is, so they are going against everything they were taught to come to an Atheism conclusion is very arrogant and assuming that you know the pulse, and more importantly the IQ and hearts of young adults.  

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

danwallacefan

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

danwallacefan

I agree, from personal experience, it seems as if it is the "in thing". 

Boy one - "You believe in God?"  

Boy two - "Yeah"

Boy one - ":lol: :lol: I'm an atheist. 8)" 

[QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

Lansdowne5

I agree, from personal experience, it seems as if it is the "in thing". 

Boy one - "You believe in God?"  

Boy two - "Yeah"

Boy one - ":lol: :lol: I'm an atheist. 8)" 

Maybe where you live.  There aren't enough atheists in the US for it to become a fad yet.

[QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

Lansdowne5

I agree, from personal experience, it seems as if it is the "in thing". 

Boy one - "You believe in God?"  

Boy two - "Yeah"

Boy one - ":lol: :lol: I'm an atheist. 8)" 

Lance, do you know more Atheists in real life, or here on the AU?  Would you think of many of us as looking at it as a fad or phase because it's the in thing?  Just wondering.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

btaylor2404

I agree, from personal experience, it seems as if it is the "in thing". 

Boy one - "You believe in God?"  

Boy two - "Yeah"

Boy one - ":lol: :lol: I'm an atheist. 8)" 

Lance, do you know more Atheists in real life, or here on the AU?  Would you think of many of us as looking at it as a fad or phase because it's the in thing?  Just wondering.

In answer to your first question, probably real life.

In answer to the second, no, I can see it's no fad. 

Also, is my name 'Lance' now? :P 

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

Lansdowne5

I agree, from personal experience, it seems as if it is the "in thing". 

Boy one - "You believe in God?"  

Boy two - "Yeah"

Boy one - ":lol: :lol: I'm an atheist. 8)" 

Lance, do you know more Atheists in real life, or here on the AU?  Would you think of many of us as looking at it as a fad or phase because it's the in thing?  Just wondering.

In answer to your first question, probably real life.

In answer to the second, no, I can see it's no fad. 

Also, is my name 'Lance' now? :P 

:) Well I asked the other day, and you didn't say no, you want Lans or Lance? (I like Lans better)  You responded to Lance several times in other posts.  Whatever it is I want to get it correct, like anyone here who follows my blogs, mines Bryan, feel free to use it any time.  Good answer on the 2nd.  Wow, I guess living here in Arkansas makes it hard for me to meet more Atheists.  My boss, 54 years old was stunned one day when it came up, she said I've never met one, like I was some rare species.  That's why I love this union so much, others who think like I do, and those that don't like you who add to the discussion.

 

:) Well I asked the other day, and you didn't say no, you want Lans or Lance? (I like Lans better)  You responded to Lance several times in other posts.  Whatever it is I want to get it correct, like anyone here who follows my blogs, mines Bryan, feel free to use it any time.  Good answer on the 2nd.  Wow, I guess living here in Arkansas makes it hard for me to meet more Atheists.  My boss, 54 years old was stunned one day when it came up, she said I've never met one, like I was some rare species.  That's why I love this union so much, others who think like I do, and those that don't like you who add to the discussion.

btaylor2404

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="btaylor2404"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="danwallacefan"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

btaylor2404

I agree, from personal experience, it seems as if it is the "in thing". 

Boy one - "You believe in God?"  

Boy two - "Yeah"

Boy one - ":lol: :lol: I'm an atheist. 8)" 

Lance, do you know more Atheists in real life, or here on the AU?  Would you think of many of us as looking at it as a fad or phase because it's the in thing?  Just wondering.

In answer to your first question, probably real life.

In answer to the second, no, I can see it's no fad. 

Also, is my name 'Lance' now? :P 

:) Well I asked the other day, and you didn't say no, you want Lans or Lance? (I like Lans better)  You responded to Lance several times in other posts.  Whatever it is I want to get it correct, like anyone here who follows my blogs, mines Bryan, feel free to use it any time.  Good answer on the 2nd.  Wow, I guess living here in Arkansas makes it hard for me to meet more Atheists.  My boss, 54 years old was stunned one day when it came up, she said I've never met one, like I was some rare species.  That's why I love this union so much, others who think like I do, and those that don't like you who add to the discussion.

Lans is preferable, but so long as I know who you're talking to, I don't really mind. :)

Interesting. I live in England, like Funky, which is supposed to be a "Christian" country. But there seems to be an awfully high percentage of Atheists here. 

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]

 

:) Well I asked the other day, and you didn't say no, you want Lans or Lance? (I like Lans better)  You responded to Lance several times in other posts.  Whatever it is I want to get it correct, like anyone here who follows my blogs, mines Bryan, feel free to use it any time.  Good answer on the 2nd.  Wow, I guess living here in Arkansas makes it hard for me to meet more Atheists.  My boss, 54 years old was stunned one day when it came up, she said I've never met one, like I was some rare species.  That's why I love this union so much, others who think like I do, and those that don't like you who add to the discussion.

Funky_Llama

Lans & Funky_Llama, I can't think of a single "true Atheist" friend I have.  My brother is now in the I don't believe in God mode, wasn't before he left for Iraq so it could just be that.

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]

 

:) Well I asked the other day, and you didn't say no, you want Lans or Lance? (I like Lans better)  You responded to Lance several times in other posts.  Whatever it is I want to get it correct, like anyone here who follows my blogs, mines Bryan, feel free to use it any time.  Good answer on the 2nd.  Wow, I guess living here in Arkansas makes it hard for me to meet more Atheists.  My boss, 54 years old was stunned one day when it came up, she said I've never met one, like I was some rare species.  That's why I love this union so much, others who think like I do, and those that don't like you who add to the discussion.

Funky_Llama

Anyway, atheism in the US is probably most common in the North West and North East.

Wow O_o I only have one friend who's a Christian, by comparison.Funky_Llama

Due to the environment in which I was raised, I pretty much only have Catholic friends to be honest. I had a talk with my closest friend about a month ago though, and apparently he's now a "hopeful" agnostic/atheist. 

You're from England Lans?

Well that will teach me for assuming things, I always had you envisioned an an American fundamentalist.

You're from England Lans?

Well that will teach me for assuming things, I always had you envisioned an an American fundamentalist.

domatron23

I would have to, Kansas to be exact, but he blurted it out once he was a Brit.

You're from England Lans?

Well that will teach me for assuming things, I always had you envisioned an an American fundamentalist.

domatron23

Yes, Cornish to be precise. :) 

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

It doesn't mean anything really.

People use the word mainly, I suspect, to make atheism sound like some sort of fad.

 

danwallacefan

[QUOTE="domatron23"]

You're from England Lans?

Well that will teach me for assuming things, I always had you envisioned an an American fundamentalist.

Lansdowne5

Yes, Cornish to be precise. :)

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="domatron23"]

You're from England Lans?

Well that will teach me for assuming things, I always had you envisioned an an American fundamentalist.

danwallacefan

Yes, Cornish to be precise. :)

Oh? 

im pretty sure karl marx called religion the opium of the masses so i dont think the "old atheists" are polite.Thessassin

[QUOTE="Thessassin"]im pretty sure karl marx called religion the opium of the masses so i dont think the "old atheists" are polite.helium_flash

No **** Sherlock, seeing as how there has been a revolution in media between the eras of so called 'old-atheists' and 'new-atheists'.

Furthermore, I don't think the likes of Marx, Nietzsche and Mill are the reserved typewhen expressing their opinions.

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="Thessassin"]im pretty sure karl marx called religion the opium of the masses so i dont think the "old atheists" are polite.MetalGear_Ninty

No **** Sherlock, seeing as how there has been a revolution in media between the eras of so called 'old-atheists' and 'new-atheists'.

Furthermore, I don't think the likes of Marx, Nietzsche and Mill are the reserved typewhen expressing their opinions.

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="Thessassin"]im pretty sure karl marx called religion the opium of the masses so i dont think the "old atheists" are polite.helium_flash

No **** Sherlock, seeing as how there has been a revolution in media between the eras of so called 'old-atheists' and 'new-atheists'.

Furthermore, I don't think the likes of Marx, Nietzsche and Mill are the reserved typewhen expressing their opinions.

Sorry, I wasn't in the best of moods at the time of writing.

[QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="Thessassin"]im pretty sure karl marx called religion the opium of the masses so i dont think the "old atheists" are polite.helium_flash

No **** Sherlock, seeing as how there has been a revolution in media between the eras of so called 'old-atheists' and 'new-atheists'.

Furthermore, I don't think the likes of Marx, Nietzsche and Mill are the reserved typewhen expressing their opinions.

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="Thessassin"]im pretty sure karl marx called religion the opium of the masses so i dont think the "old atheists" are polite.Funky_Llama

No **** Sherlock, seeing as how there has been a revolution in media between the eras of so called 'old-atheists' and 'new-atheists'.

Furthermore, I don't think the likes of Marx, Nietzsche and Mill are the reserved typewhen expressing their opinions.

Irony, much.

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="MetalGear_Ninty"]

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="Thessassin"]im pretty sure karl marx called religion the opium of the masses so i dont think the "old atheists" are polite.MetalGear_Ninty

No **** Sherlock, seeing as how there has been a revolution in media between the eras of so called 'old-atheists' and 'new-atheists'.

Furthermore, I don't think the likes of Marx, Nietzsche and Mill are the reserved typewhen expressing their opinions.

Sorry, I wasn't in the best of moods at the time of writing.

H_F, we all have our bad days.  I'm sure  MGN was having one, and hope you'll take the apology.  You both are too important to our discussions. btaylor2404

But I accept his apology.  It has happened to me many times.

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]H_F, we all have our bad days.  I'm sure  MGN was having one, and hope you'll take the apology.  You both are too important to our discussions. helium_flash

But I accept his apology.  It has happened to me many times.

That's the great thing about MGN he's very passionate about his replies, especially in this union.  Check him out in OT some times, epic battle with Jointed the other day, MGN killed Jointed.

[QUOTE="helium_flash"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]H_F, we all have our bad days.  I'm sure  MGN was having one, and hope you'll take the apology.  You both are too important to our discussions. btaylor2404

But I accept his apology.  It has happened to me many times.

That's the great thing about MGN he's very passionate about his replies, especially in this union.  Check him out in OT some times, epic battle with Jointed the other day, MGN killed Jointed.

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"][QUOTE="helium_flash"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]H_F, we all have our bad days.  I'm sure  MGN was having one, and hope you'll take the apology.  You both are too important to our discussions. helium_flash

But I accept his apology.  It has happened to me many times.

That's the great thing about MGN he's very passionate about his replies, especially in this union.  Check him out in OT some times, epic battle with Jointed the other day, MGN killed Jointed.

That he is, and is usually good.  MGN ran circles around Jointed in that one.

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="btaylor2404"][QUOTE="helium_flash"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]H_F, we all have our bad days.  I'm sure  MGN was having one, and hope you'll take the apology.  You both are too important to our discussions. btaylor2404

But I accept his apology.  It has happened to me many times.

That's the great thing about MGN he's very passionate about his replies, especially in this union.  Check him out in OT some times, epic battle with Jointed the other day, MGN killed Jointed.

That he is, and is usually good.  MGN ran circles around Jointed in that one.

That he is, and is usually good.  MGN ran circles around Jointed in that one.

btaylor2404

Irony, much.

MetalGear_Ninty

I apologise preofusely to you again H_F, I assure you, it was nothing personal at all, I think you're a good member here, and I dissapointed that I let my anger get the best of me. :)

Thanks Bryan, BTW, I am 100% backing you to be the new leader of the union.

And good point Funky, you are only abrasive against posts that deserve it, and H-F certainly didn't deserve that. I think my debate with Jointed was on a thread about politics, I'll try find it for you

Edit: Here it is:

http://uk.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=26748559&page=0

Now, I think Jointed is a funny user, but he kept o trying to argue with me even after I proved my original statement to be correct.