Atheist tattoo
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View Poll Results: Which design?
Option 1 - Evolution fish 52 49.52% Option 2 - Evolution fish (with text) 13 12.38% Option 3 - Atheist symbol 40 38.10%
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Re: Atheist tattooI wouldn't really call the first two ATHEIST symbols. They're symbols of evolution, and evolution certainly does fly in the face of certain aspects of religion, and I suppose the symbol does allude to this by the fact that it's the Christian fish with legs and tools. So they are symbols that indicate that in the "evolution vs creationism" debate, you come down on the side of evolution (and sensibly so).
But then evolution flies in the face of MANY ideas, and atheism is NOT the same as "flying in the face of religion/creationism".
So if you're pro-evolution, then as a pro-evolutionist, I would say that the first two would be appropriate... but they are not "atheist" symbols, and there are plenty of religious people who believe in evolution - many of them prominent biologists and evolutionary theorists who down on evolution side of the evolution/creatinionism argument, and they would be just as happy to have that tattoo or have that as a bumper sticker or something as you are, so I don't really think it says "ATHEIST" like you think it does...
As for the last one. Well yes, it certainly says "ATHEIST", but I'm a bit perplexed as to why you'd want to be identified by that symbol. I'm an atheist too, which means I don't believe in any form of deity. But there's LOTS of things I don't believe in, and I'm hardly going to get tattoos representing my non-belief in fairies, mole people or the effectiveness of homeopathy... or anything else for that matter.
I am an atheist, and I love a good debate with a religious person. But I think to identify yourself by the thing(s) you don't believe in is a bit absurd in my honest opinion. I would identify myself as a rationalist, but I don't necessarily thing that the A symbol represents that - there are plenty of atheists who operate under the A symbol who have arrived at their atheist conclusions in completely irrational manners. Even if they're right, they don't know why they're right, and they're right for all the wrong reasons.
So for me, I'd ditch the last one because it's a bit ludicrous, and I'd opt for one of the first two, but only as a pro evolutionist, and not as an atheist.
But then, say in 30-40 years time the creationism vs evolution has died down and everybody thinks creationism is ludicrous. Well, at that point you'll be wearing a symbol of a controversy that no longer exists - and there'll probably be plenty of new controversies that would be more apt to cover yourself.
Personally, I'd get something that represents rationalism in general. Rationalism will always be valid and will never be dated. It stands for all sorts of things in individual debates, but it's always consistent, and you know that you don't mind being identified with fellow rationalists.
Just my 2 cents.Last edited by ThisIsTheLife; 07-08-2012 at 16:08. -
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Re: Atheist tattoo(Original post by Ollieeeee)
Yes it does. I just don't like to see people that could do much more interesting things with their lives, waste their time on something so pointless.
yet you waste your life worrying about other people... As much as I agree that their belief is ultimately pointless, it's their choice. Just let them be and get on with your life. -
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Re: Atheist tattoo(Original post by ThisIsTheLife)
I wouldn't really call the first two ATHEIST symbols. They're symbols of evolution, and evolution certainly does fly in the face of certain aspects of religion, and I suppose the symbol does allude to this by the fact that it's the Christian fish with legs and tools. So they are symbols that indicate that in the "evolution vs creationism" debate, you come down on the side of evolution (and sensibly so).
But then evolution flies in the face of MANY ideas, and atheism is NOT the same as "flying in the face of religion/creationism".
So if you're pro-evolution, then as a pro-evolutionist, I would say that the first two would be appropriate... but they are not "atheist" symbols, and there are plenty of religious people who believe in evolution - many of them prominent biologists and evolutionary theorists who down on evolution side of the evolution/creatinionism argument, and they would be just as happy to have that tattoo or have that as a bumper sticker or something as you are, so I don't really think it says "ATHEIST" like you think it does...
As for the last one. Well yes, it certainly says "ATHEIST", but I'm a bit perplexed as to why you'd want to be identified by that symbol. I'm an atheist too, which means I don't believe in any form of deity. But there's LOTS of things I don't believe in, and I'm hardly going to get tattoos representing my non-belief in fairies, mole people or the effectiveness of homeopathy... or anything else for that matter.
I am an atheist, and I love a good debate with a religious person. But I think to identify yourself by the thing(s) you don't believe in is a bit absurd in my honest opinion. I would identify myself as a rationalist, but I don't necessarily thing that the A symbol represents that - there are plenty of atheists who operate under the A symbol who have arrived at their atheist conclusions in completely irrational manners. Even if they're right, they don't know why they're right, and they're right for all the wrong reasons.
So for me, I'd ditch the last one because it's a bit ludicrous, and I'd opt for one of the first two, but only as a pro evolutionist, and not as an atheist.
But then, say in 30-40 years time the creationism vs evolution has died down and everybody thinks creationism is ludicrous. Well, at that point you'll be wearing a symbol of a controversy that no longer exists - and there'll probably be plenty of new controversies that would be more apt to cover yourself.
Personally, I'd get something that represents rationalism in general. Rationalism will always be valid and will never be dated. It stands for all sorts of things in individual debates, but it's always consistent, and you know that you don't mind being identified with fellow rationalists.
Just my 2 cents.
Great post, thank you. -
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Re: Atheist tattooThe hell.... We have our own symbols now? When did this happen? Why was I not invited to the meeting?
Personally, I don't really like them...if I did get one, it may be one of those cool tribal designs...
If it HAD to involve atheism then I'd want that image of showing the process of evolution, monkey on the left slowly evolving to a human on the right... Thatd look cool... Not necessarily atheism but then again what is? The flying spaghetti monster?
Last edited by Dmon1Unlimited; 08-08-2012 at 02:28. -
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Re: Atheist tattooThe two (Atheist and Agnostic) are not mutually exclusive.(Original post by HDBrowne)
Atheist isn't simple as not believing in God, if you do get one and it sparks up a conversation you could be left feeling like a moron because you have it and you just found out you're agnostic.
Most Atheists are 'agnostic atheist'.
Theism and deism - Belief in God.
Atheism. (A. prefix, meaning lack of or Without)
Atheism is quite simply a lack of belief in God.Last edited by amime; 08-08-2012 at 02:29. -
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Re: Atheist tattoo[s]facepalm[/(Original post by amime)
The two (Atheist and Agnostic) are not mutually exclusive.
Most Atheists are 'agnostic atheist'.
Theism and deism - Belief in God.
Atheism. (A. prefix, meaning lack of or Without)
Atheism is quite simply a lack of belief in God.
Missed the point
What I'm saying is most people say oh I'm Atheist when it's not that simple. -
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Re: Atheist tattooIt actually is that simple. No facepalm needed.(Original post by HDBrowne)
[s]facepalm[/
Missed the point
What I'm saying is most people say oh I'm Atheist when it's not that simple.
If you don't believe in God/God's, you are an atheist.
1. If you simply lack the belief in God, You are an atheist.
2. If you full on believe that God doesn't exist, you are also an atheist.
The majority of Atheists prescribe to #1 But both 1 and 2 are atheists. -
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Re: Atheist tattooCut off in my prime...
I went on to say that the legged fish arose as a mocking reaction to christians putting fish stickers on their cars... I haven't seen any christians with fish tattoos so you'd be mocking something that doesn't actually happen.
Anyhoo... Black ink tattoos respond better to laser removal than coloured, if you ever decide you want to get rid of it. -
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Re: Atheist tattooAs a somewhat pessimistic agnostic, I am in no way a 'Jesus lover'; however, I can identify the rank immaturity that goes into this kind of action from many a mile off. To be atheist is to refuse to be defined or ruled by any religious belief, so to have a tattoo to express it is the most contradictory statement imaginable.(Original post by Ollieeeee)
Lol 2 negative ratings, looks like we have some Jesus lovers in the house! -
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Re: Atheist tattooNo problem(Original post by Ollieeeee)
Great post, thank you.
. Glad to have had some input on your decision.
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Re: Atheist tattooActually it is. It means "I'm a non-believer in deities".(Original post by HDBrowne)
[s]facepalm[/
Missed the point
What I'm saying is most people say oh I'm Atheist when it's not that simple.
My problem with being branded an atheist is that it doesn't say anything about why I'm an atheist. I am as much of an atheist as some 14 year old kid rebelling against his deeply religious parents. The difference is that my atheism results from a rational approach to the question of whether or not there is a God, and his atheism results from a stroppy teenager approach to pissing off your parents and going against the grain of your society and its expectations of you.
I think what you're getting at is that you wouldn't call the 14 year old an atheist in the true sense of the word because you identify atheism with the rational minds of people like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.
But in actuality, it would make more sense to refer to such people and their ilk as rationalists. That way you speak more generally about their system of thought (not just as pertaining to religion) AND you draw a dividing line between them and your "scene" atheists.
Either way, the definition of atheism is quite short and quite simple. It just doesn't imply very much about the people who use it to describe themselves because it leaves out too many all-important details.
. Glad to have had some input on your decision.
