The Fellowship of Freethought Dallas was at Skepticon this weekend, where they asked a number of atheists, from speakers to attendees, what they were thankful for. I pop up with sleep deprived giggles at 10:50:
I think this video says a lot. For one, look at how normal a lot of our answers are. We’re thankful for our friends and family. We’re thankful for being healthy. We’re thankful for having jobs in this tough economy. One of the main ways to remove the stigma surrounding atheism is to show that we’re just normal folks with similar everyday concerns as the religious, not amoral psychopaths. I think this video does a great job of illustrating that.
But I’m also glad that they included a clip from one of the evangelical Christian protestors, because it highlights the differences between atheist and theists. The Christian spends his whole time praising Jesus and nothing else. The atheists talk about their thankfulness for being alive, for being able to experience all the wonderful things in the universe, for having the internet so we can communicate with each other, for freedom of expression without fear of persecution, for science, and for other humanist ideals. A jarring distinction.
Hm. That’s the first time I’ve heard your voice. It’s a lot higher than I expected (I tend to read your writing in the last voice I heard. Which is usually either Matt Dillahunty or my dad).
I’m thankful to my parents for fucking in December of 87 instead of any other time so I could be born. Also, to all the people who write the things I read, because I would barely communicate with anybody if it wasn’t for you guys.
great thought, I agree, it’s good to be alive now as a woman!
I’m in there too (I’m the biker) I cringe when I see myself on video… was hoping they’d make me look a little more like Brad Pitt or something. oh well
I am thankful for lots of things. I think the question is “Who are you thanking?”
Thanks, Jen. That’s exactly what I was going for.
And thank YOU for participating!
I am thankful to have finally come to the realization that ALL religion is man-made, and to be free of the God delusion at long last. It’s difficult holding these beliefs in the small Indiana town where I live – where there’s either a church, a gun store or a tanning salon on every corner. I need to get more active with others who are of like mind – I think this will be my New Year’s resolution!
Thanks for posting this video!