Answer161

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Answer161

Question161

Do any atheists reading this believe they that have a 'mission' or that there is a collective atheist duty?

I think an atheist's duty is to stand up for his or her individual rights or else they will be trampled upon. Moreover, theists push their theist agenda above everything else, so by default things such as science and freedom are largely left to be defended by those without the theistic persuasion. (Hendrix Fan #1692)

Not really. I see it as very difficult, if not impossible to create a "mission" or "duty" out of "I don't believe in god(s)". (Erikc #2)

Nope. Not having cancer or not having schizophrenia doesn't give a special mission or collective duty, either. (The Central Scrutinizer)

I do not have a mission given to me by my status as an atheist. To be atheist requires the omission of an attribute that beleives in god. However, my own ideas and feelings causes me to speak out against religion whenever I come into contact with it. And I am not afraid to argue any theist in to submission. This is not my duty from atheism, but my duty I gave to myself. If someone preaches to me I will preach right back. But I respect the right of the individual to worship as they wish, as long as it doesn't interact with me. (Bob #1856)

I don't believe there's a "duty" in the sense that all atheists should be required to perform certain actions.

I do believe that it would be in our best long-term interest to act in unison to achieve certain goals, like weaning the rest of humanity from the poisoned pacifier called "religion." (Nemo #1331)

I don't see how that can be. Atheism is, after all, the default position.

Theists are united by a common belief that has inherant in that belief an agenda. Atheists share no such belief, or agenda.(How else do you explain Buddihst or Wiccan atheists?) While many atheists have much in common in the way of political beliefs, social beliefs and so forth, and their personal agenda may be to share those, it doesn't have anything to do with their atheism, only their personal feelings on unrelated issues.

For example, I might be a member of Greenpeace AND and atheist. As such, I might promote the tenants of Greenpeace. But it's not because I'm an atheist that I would do so, it would be because I'm a member of Greenpeace. (Grace #1752)

Not so much as an atheist, but I have set my own goal of trying to make my little corner of the world a little better, for myself and my neighbors. Sometimes this does involve speaking out against theism, but that is only one item on my agenda. (John Hachmann #1782)

As I have said before, atheists are grouped by not being part of another group. So we aren't after a common goal in the normal sense of the word. However, since we were at one time a minority (and may still be although I'm not sure -- certainly we are a minority where I live), I think that we might have a common interest in protecting ourselves.

But fortunately most of the time, our government protects us in its effort to promote freedom of religion. While that doesn't necessarily provide freedom *from* religion, it does seem to (to a degree) provide freedom from any particular religion. So at this point I haven't felt the need to become active in protecting myself from theists.

So I guess I can't see any particular collective atheist duty.

I certainly think that people in general have responsibilities. But that wasn't the question so I won't go there. :) (Brillig)

My mission is to live in a better world.....and I believe a better world requires less religion. Anything I can say or do that will help that along, I will say or do. I will continue to express my dismay and anger at the evil of religion, because silence changes nothing. I don't think there is any collective atheist duty...it's just that (I would dare say) most atheist feel the same way about wanting a better, religion free world. We are not marching as a group... we just happen to be walking in the same direction. (Clayton Forno #1861)

As my atheism defines what I am *not*, not what I *am*, that would be a big, ol' No. (Rick Gillespie #226)

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