New Atheist Billboards in California:"I Believe in Humanity, Not god"

[Errata]

And spelling God's name in lowercase is extraordinarily disrespectful.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

It isn't necessarily. As an atheist doesn't simply not believe in one god, but doesn't believe in any god, it is correct for them to not capitalize. In other words, they are not using it as a proper noun the way you would when referring to a specific entity. They are using it as a general noun the way you would when describing a profession.

So my dad is a doctor, but when addressed or referred to in specifics, he is called "Doctor".

And blanket capitalization of gods get people into trouble more often than not, which is why I don't do it. That and it's just easier to make it lowercase than do what I am supposed to do to be traditionally respectful. For example I get a lot of flak if I capitalize "god" when referring to Allah, or the Hindu pantheon, or various African religions. Mostly by people who say something along the lines of "Well he's not MY god" (or worse, "he's not a real god") and think I should only capitalize the "Judeo-Christian" god (despite the fact there is no such thing) or I'm being disrespectful. And if I'm going to be damned if I do and damned if I don't, then I'm going to save myself the headache and be damned if I don't.

I can't possibly be expected to keep track of who believes what. So since I'm referring mostly to a profession, I use lower case. If I'm talking about a specific god, I'll use that god's name and capitalize it. Except my own, and that has to do with the personal relationship not the rules.

[Robert]

Hi CD

Yes, he did it partly because he was an atheist, i.e. for ideological reasons. Of course there are good atheists, just as there are bad Christians, Moslems, Jews etc. I'm just making the point that atheism can be a spur to cruelty, just like anything else.

[c.d.]

Hello Robert,

Are you implying that Pol Pot did what he did because he was an atheist? Since there are atheists who are kind, caring people with high morals, I think the better conclusion is that Pol Pot did what he did simply because he was an extremely evil person.

c.d.

[caz]

The idea being you can't believe in both? I know that when I think of all the sponsored charities that have been around for centuries, helping billions of people, I always think of atheists. What an organized aid to humanity they've been. They just keep on givin'. Here in America, thousands of poor and homeless will enjoy a hot, homestyle turkey meal thanks to atheists. What humanitarians they are!

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

I can't speak for American atheists, but how can you possibly know the percentage of believers and non-believers who donate to every charitable organisation, regardless of who runs it, paid or unpaid? The donations come from all and sundry, and nobody (I sincerely hope) is ever asked if they believe in God. They just keep on givin' regardless.

The only difference I can see is that atheists who give their time or money for the benefit of others in this life are not hoping or expecting to receive any heavenly reward for doing so. Maybe that's why you don't believe they would give anything to charity - because they wouldn't get anything back?

Love,

Caz
X

[Tom_Wescott]

On the other hand, they never burned anybody at the stake

Politicians.

or flew planes into the world trade towers.

c.d.

They're about as worthwhile as atheists. And is that girl's pic really on the billboard? I mean...really? Somebody has a book to sell. And spelling God's name in lowercase is extraordinarily disrespectful.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Robert]

Hi CD

I don't see why we hear the word "atheist" so often. Is nobody an agnostic these days?

I think if you look at the Pol Pot regime, you'll have to admit that it was a tad brutal.

[c.d.]

On the other hand, they never burned anybody at the stake or flew planes into the world trade towers.

c.d.

[Tom_Wescott]

The idea being you can't believe in both? I know that when I think of all the sponsored charities that have been around for centuries, helping billions of people, I always think of atheists. What an organized aid to humanity they've been. They just keep on givin'. Here in America, thousands of poor and homeless will enjoy a hot, homestyle turkey meal thanks to atheists. What humanitarians they are!

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[c.d.]

http://now.msn.com/freedom-from-religion-foundation-to-mount-good-without-god-billboards-in-california

c.d.