The Stalin Connection
by Zephyr on Jan.21, 2009, under Atheism
This is why I don’t really like the term ‘Humanist’ to describe Atheism (specifically). In my (albeit brief) experience with the Atheist movement, I’ve found that those who want to use the phrase ‘Humanist’ over ‘Atheist’ tend to be a bit dismissive of Atheists. Case in point:
Pat O’Brien, president of the Humanist Association, said his group considered working with atheist bus.ca but decided a pure atheist campaign would be too negative. "Joseph Stalin was an atheist," said Mr. O’Brien, who considers atheism an element of humanism. "He was not a humanist. We want to send a positive message. Atheism is what you’re not; humanism is a positive world view."
I don’t know, maybe this is a New Atheist / Old Atheist or whatever you want to call it discussion, but it rankles me. To have someone who identifies along the same lines that I do, but who feels the need to bring in Stalin, often used by theists to prove that Atheists are all bad people is just … icky. It’s like … sleeping with the enemy.
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January 22nd, 2009 on 1:08 am
I think that renaissance man like Da Vinci was a humanist though, of course one need not be a hippy to be a humanist or anything….Da Vinci drew up plans for the midievil battle tank, etc.
January 24th, 2009 on 6:27 am
this is an interesting observation to me, because i am trying to rebrand myself as a humanist. i think that the two terms (atheist and humanist) are not exclusive, and merely adjacent rather than necessarily related. my atheism only means that i don’t believe in a god, and it stops there. humanism extends far further and means that i believe in the goodness of people and the power of knowledge. at least, that what humanism means to me…
so i agree with you - there is no need to be dismissive of atheists, but atheism only describes one aspect of my life.
January 25th, 2009 on 1:06 am
I agree whole-heartedly, Nathaniel. That’s why it’s so frustrating for me to see Humanists sniff at people who call themselves Atheists. It’s just one aspect of who they are. You said it pretty succinctly.
July 15th, 2010 on 9:25 pm
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