Should Humanists Refer To Themselves As Atheist /Agnostic? (General)

by Jeff, Wednesday, April 08, 2009, 15:04
edited by Jeff, Wednesday, April 08, 2009, 16:22

Should a Humanists refer to themselves as Atheists if that is truly what they are? What about those humanists that refer to themselves as agnostic? Or of a particular faith?

The argument that has recently been trotted out is that we should not refer to ourselves as atheistic because it alienates others when we do.

Here is why I struggle with that argument: I accept others for who they are and for what they believe, even though I am an atheist. Why can't they accept me?

Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in their God, but I respectfully accept them and their beliefs. I don't mock them, nor do I purposely offend them. Many Christians call themselves my friend and accept my disbelief quite well as a matter of fact. There are hundreds of them.

Recently a very conservative Christian friend of mine offered me a big hug after we sat chatting about a disappointing situation where another Christian lady rejected my friendship because of my disbelief. He stated, "that's her problem, I guess my God is bigger than hers, I don't dump friends". That man has a beautiful system of belief and faith and truly understands what friendship means.

Finally, I would like you to imagine an analogous situation. Ask yourself what the reaction would be if members of The Rainbow Harmony Choir, a Winnipeg cultural fixture, were told to refrain from referring to themselves as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered "because it would alienate conservative Christians who might want to hear them sing". The LGBT community would refuse to accept such an outrageous edict that basically says "Back in the closet you go, for the good of society!"

Why? Because "Conservative Christians" don't get to define what the the LGBT community thinks and believes. The LGBT community gets to do that for themselves.

If another humanist feels alienated by the mere mention of my atheism it is because they lack the ability to accept the diversity that exists in this world. I must question how another humanist could possibly arrive at such a conclusion and still call themselves a humanist, but then again we are all human.

To me, the whole point of being a humanist is to "be your best based on your rational/reasoned/ethical efforts" and for other humanists to be OK with that.

The rest of the world will have to learn to deal with us too. Perhaps we need a humanist parade. How about we plan it for the weekend after the Gay pride parade? I have some sticks and poster board around here somewhere... where did I put those felt pens?

Tags:
Humanism, Atheism, Acceptance