You know, it's a strange thing. Before I joined Clipmarks I'd never run into anyone who was a radical atheist. Clipmarks has definitely been an education. What I have learned though is that radical atheists appear to be very similar to anorexics, who choose to deprive themselves of food and yet, they are driven to despair over their obsession with, and hunger for it. Food dominates their every waking moment, yet they loath it and deprive themselves of its benefits.

I see the same obsession in radical atheists, only on a spiritual rather than a physical level. I am beginning to think that atheists think more about God and religion than even us religious people do.

The thing is, the oppo...

You know, it's a strange thing. Before I joined Clipmarks I'd never run into anyone who was a radical atheist. Clipmarks has definitely been an education. What I have learned though is that radical atheists appear to be very similar to anorexics, who choose to deprive themselves of food and yet, they are driven to despair over their obsession with, and hunger for it. Food dominates their every waking moment, yet they loath it and deprive themselves of its benefits.

I see the same obsession in radical atheists, only on a spiritual rather than a physical level. I am beginning to think that atheists think more about God and religion than even us religious people do.

The thing is, the opposite of love is not hate, but rather indifference. (And I'm not seeing indifference, which is always an encouraging sign). Please know, this is not an attack or a criticism, simply an observation.

Not all of us are strong, healthy or well. My bible tells me that Jesus came for the rejected, broken, weak, sick, lost and poor outcasts of this world. I meet the criteria - I definitely qualify, and that's why I need God so much. Do you, the strong and invincible of the world, begrudge us that one comfort, knowing that not all of us can be like you?

Michellezm, you make several unfounded assumptions in your comment. As your remarks show, you have been reading what the press (predominately the conservative press) has chosen to characterize as the actions of "radical atheist", a somewhat derogatory term that attempts to conflate any atheist who speaks out against theism in the same class as Religious Right extremists and so not to be taken seriously. Whether or not you meant to use it in those terms I don't know. Let me assure you that this particular topic does not obsess me but I do feel it important enough to devote a certain amount of time to it.

Your comparison of atheism with anorexia, while original, is false. You appear to not co...

Michellezm, you make several unfounded assumptions in your comment. As your remarks show, you have been reading what the press (predominately the conservative press) has chosen to characterize as the actions of "radical atheist", a somewhat derogatory term that attempts to conflate any atheist who speaks out against theism in the same class as Religious Right extremists and so not to be taken seriously. Whether or not you meant to use it in those terms I don't know. Let me assure you that this particular topic does not obsess me but I do feel it important enough to devote a certain amount of time to it.

Your comparison of atheism with anorexia, while original, is false. You appear to not comprehend how someone could live without the faith that you posses. I in fact, being an atheist for most of my life, find that I simply don't need the baggage of theism in my life. And your unfounded accusation that is meant to imply that atheists are obsessed with religion, even "loath it" is equally unfounded. You might gain a better insight by asking simple questions rather than making sweeping generalizations.

I see the same obsession in radical atheists, only on a spiritual
rather than a physical level. I am beginning to think that atheists
think more about God and religion than even us religious people do.

With the turmoil in the world that is caused by religious based reasoning is it any wonder that the issue of religion is on peoples minds. These are events that affect us all, regardless if we're religious or non-religious.

My bible tells me...

Whatever your beliefs are is your business.

The remainder of your post suggests that you might benefit from counseling. If depression or ill health is your problem there are real life solutions that have been shown to be effective. Both are treatable. Go seek help if you are in as much pain as you imply.

In your original comment you said:

Do you, the strong and invincible of the world, begrudge us that one comfort, knowing that not all of us can be like you?

You can believe in whatever you want, as I mentioned in my initial reply. What you don't seem to comprehend is that the intent of my clip was to point out the outlandish position taken by Christians that they are somehow persecuted in this country. And how do you suppose I am able to prevent you from believing in your god? You are buying into the same persecution scenerio that Gingrich is proposing.

I have obviously touched an exposed nerve.

Don't worry about it. It's nothing I haven't heard repeated ove...

In your original comment you said:

Do you, the strong and invincible of the world, begrudge us that one comfort, knowing that not all of us can be like you?

You can believe in whatever you want, as I mentioned in my initial reply. What you don't seem to comprehend is that the intent of my clip was to point out the outlandish position taken by Christians that they are somehow persecuted in this country. And how do you suppose I am able to prevent you from believing in your god? You are buying into the same persecution scenerio that Gingrich is proposing.

I have obviously touched an exposed nerve.

Don't worry about it. It's nothing I haven't heard repeated over and over before. But don't be surprised if people here stand up to your beliefs and express their own thoughts on the subject. Religion is simply another idea and as such is subject to the same scrutiny as any other idea. We don't live in a theocracy with heresy laws that prevent that. For that I'm grateful.

BTW, apology accepted.

@michellezm
I wanted to reply to your comments, so hopefully this clip is not too old and you have stopped following it.
First I want to reply to the "radical" atheist term. In your mind you may not have seen this as a negative, but some people add words like extremists, militant, fundamentalist and mean it as a negative. However another term may be needed, because there are atheists who are happy just minding their own business and don't care who does or doesn't believe in god. I prefer the term vocal atheist.
There was a time where I was happy keeping to my self and not making waves. But one day I woke up and took a look at what was going on in the world. People want to teach my child...

@michellezm
I wanted to reply to your comments, so hopefully this clip is not too old and you have stopped following it.
First I want to reply to the "radical" atheist term. In your mind you may not have seen this as a negative, but some people add words like extremists, militant, fundamentalist and mean it as a negative. However another term may be needed, because there are atheists who are happy just minding their own business and don't care who does or doesn't believe in god. I prefer the term vocal atheist.
There was a time where I was happy keeping to my self and not making waves. But one day I woke up and took a look at what was going on in the world. People want to teach my children creationism in school as science. Stem Cell research is being held back because a clump of a few cells might have a soul. At night when I look to the east, there is a huge cross lighting up the sky. A 10 Commandments monument was displayed in our city park. None of this happened overnight. While I was happy minding my own business, other people were happy forcing their business on me. All I'm doing is standing up and saying the emperor has no clothes.
I try experiments on my friends. I will tell some people that I'm agnostic and that is totally accepted. Nobody I tell that to has a problem with it. The first time I tell people I'm an atheist they look at me like I'm going to eat their children. These are people I've known for years, they should know I prefer kittens!
So that might be why you have never run into a "radical atheist". I'm sure you've met many atheists, but they aren't going to tell you that.
Now on to your comment about strength and health and comfort and blah blah blah. Atheist have the same desires and fears that theists have. There are times when we feel rejected, broken, weak, sick, lost, etc. So we turn to things that give us comfort, like poetry, art, family, friends, nature. We just don't see the need to dilute those things with the superna

they should know I prefer kittens!

Not kittens!!! *cry*

Ok... I just want to re-iterate what I *think* I'm hearing here from my atheist brothers & sisters.

I am perfectly happy to keep my atheism to myself, not push it in anyones face, to live my life keeping such value to myself & my friends. However, as Lacey & others have stated, when I see religion being forced on others, when I see it being used to push laws through that I believe go against my rights and the rights of those I love, when I see members of government (mine or otherwise) proselytizing to the people, then I feel i HAVE to rise to the defense of my fellow citizens. The religious right has risen up to str...

they should know I prefer kittens!

Not kittens!!! *cry*

Ok... I just want to re-iterate what I *think* I'm hearing here from my atheist brothers & sisters.

I am perfectly happy to keep my atheism to myself, not push it in anyones face, to live my life keeping such value to myself & my friends. However, as Lacey & others have stated, when I see religion being forced on others, when I see it being used to push laws through that I believe go against my rights and the rights of those I love, when I see members of government (mine or otherwise) proselytizing to the people, then I feel i HAVE to rise to the defense of my fellow citizens. The religious right has risen up to strike down all those who differ with their opinions, the fight against gays, abortion, science, these are all things that I see as an attack on MY freedoms. SO I raise my voice in defense, I'm not radical, I'm not hysterical, I'm not violent. I merely voice an opposition to that which I hear.

I'm tired of anyone who raises their voice against the religious right being called names and being cast aside as though they were crazy.

Why is it any different when one of us raises our voice against something we feel is wrong, when the religious right does it every day. When they pass laws forbidding the marriage of homosexuals (which has NO effect on them), when they tell a woman her body is not hers, when they legislate the ability to lie to our children?

Ok.. rant done :|

(Sorry, had a couple beer at lunch )