Saturday, 20 December 2008

• Are You a Hardcore Atheist?

  
  Intro:
  
  Lot's of xanga atheists have been doing these recently, so I figured, why not? 
  
  

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  How serious do you take your atheism?

  Let’s find out.

  Copy and paste the list below on your own site, boldfacing the things you’ve done. (Feel free to add your own elaboration and commentary to each item!)
  

  1. Participated in the Blasphemy Challenge. (thought about it...didn't care enough.)
     
  2. Met at least one of the “Four Horsemen” (Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris) in person. (Hitchens! Carrier!  Myers!)
     
  3. Created an atheist blog.
  4. Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone. (as often as possible)
     
  5. Gotten offended when someone called you an agnostic.
  6. Been unable to watch Growing Pains reruns because of Kirk Cameron.  (hahahahaha)
     
  7. Own more Bibles than most Christians you know. 
     
  8. Have at least one Bible with your personal annotations regarding contradictions, disturbing parts, etc.
  9. Have come out as an atheist to your family.
  10. Attended a campus or off-campus atheist gathering.
  11. Are a member of an organized atheist/Humanist/etc. organization. (I probably am...in some way.)
      
  12. Had a Humanist wedding ceremony.
  13. Donated money to an atheist organization.
  14. Have a bookshelf dedicated solely to Richard Dawkins.  (I don't even own any of his books, nor particularly want to.)
      
  15. Lost the friendship of someone you know because of your non-theism. (Sub-deacon Joseph called me a demon, so i think that probably counts)
      
  16. Tried to argue or have a discussion with someone who stopped you on the street to proselytize. 
      
  17. Had to hide your atheist beliefs on a first date because you didn’t want to scare him/her away.  (Normally I just let the subject come up on its own)
      
  18. Own a stockpile of atheist paraphernalia (bumper stickers, buttons, shirts, etc).
  19. Attended a protest that involved religion.
  20. Attended an atheist conference.
  21. Subscribe to Pat Condell’s YouTube channel.  (Just did!  Did he create this list?  haha)
      
  22. Started an atheist group in your area or school. 
      
  23. Successfully “de-converted” someone to atheism.  (mainly just help people along and make theists antsy)
      
  24. Have already made plans to donate your body to science after you die.
      
  25. Told someone you’re an atheist only because you wanted to see the person’s reaction.  (kind of, but it was necessary in the conversation, too, so that's not an "only")
      
  26. Had to think twice before screaming “Oh God!” during sex. Or you said something else in its place.
      
  27. Lost a job because of your atheism.
  28. Formed a bond with someone specifically because of your mutual atheism (meeting this person at a local gathering or conference doesn’t count).  (yeah, it was a little camp fire of sanity)
      
  29. Have crossed “In God We Trust” off of — or put a pro-church-state-separation stamp on — dollar bills.  (man, that's lame, am I going to x off all the fricken random symbolism I probably don't agree with?)
      
  30. Refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  (I would skip the god part, or add in the FSM, whichever)
      
  31. Said “Gesundheit!” (or nothing at all) after someone sneezed because you didn’t want to say “Bless you!” (Let their soul fly out...like I care.) 
      
  32. Have ever chosen not to clasp your hands together out of fear someone might think you’re praying.  (that sounds probable)
      
  33. Have turned on Christian TV because you needed something entertaining to watch.  (not that great of an idea, but yeah)
      
  34. Are a 2^nd or 3^rd (or more) generation atheist. (I wish)
      
  35. Have “atheism” listed on your Facebook or dating profile — and not a euphemistic variant.
  36. Attended an atheist’s funeral (i.e. a non-religious service). (what about that time my gf got that abortion...j/k)
      
  37. Subscribe to an freethought magazine (e.g. Free Inquiry, Skeptic)
  38. Have been interviewed by a reporter because of your atheism.
  39. Written a letter-to-the-editor about an issue related to your non-belief in God. 
      
  40. Gave a friend or acquaintance a New Atheist book as a gift.  (not sure "Sense and Goodness Without God" counts, but close enough)
      
  41. Wear pro-atheist clothing in public.  (Hell yeah.)
      
  42. Have invited Mormons/Jehovah’s Witnesses into your house specifically because you wanted to argue with them.  (um, I attended their "catechism" classes because I wanted to learn about them...)
      
  43. Have been physically threatened (or beaten up) because you didn’t believe in God.
  44. Receive Google Alerts on “atheism” (or variants).
      
  45. Received fewer Christmas presents than expected because people assumed you didn’t celebrate it. (no, that's called being an adult)
      
  46. Visited The Creation Museum or saw Ben Stein’s Expelled just so you could keep tabs on the “enemy.” (I would if I lived in the area, and I'll probably see Expelled eventually)
      
  47. Refuse to tell anyone what your “sign” is… because it doesn’t matter at all.  (not always.  depends on my mood)
      
  48. Are on a mailing list for a Christian organization just so you can see what they’re up to… (if email counts)
      
  49. Have kept your eyes open while you watched others around you pray.  (I used to, but I tend to focus on the FSM during group prayer these days)
      
  50. Avoid even Unitarian churches because they’re too close to religion for you.  (just too lazy to go to any churches, but I think those Ethical Societies are a step up...not sure yet)
      

  And just so you know how you fare, here’s a scale to rank yourself (adapted from Darwin’s Dagger’s suggestions):

  0-10: Impressive, but not too far from agnosticism. (that would be 2005)
  

  11-20: You are, literally, a “New Atheist.” But you now have something to strive for! Go for the full 50!
  

  21-30: You are an atheist, but babies aren’t running away from you. Yet.  (24!)

  31-40: You are the 5^th Horseman! Congratulations! (give me a few years...)
  

  41-50: PZ Myers will now be taking lessons from you.  (um, actually I reprimanded him already in person and he conceded the point.  :p)
  

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