what is the most important aspect of the interaction between belivers and non believers

[TM99]

295. You do make me laugh sometimes

though in a good way. You really can be a pitbull about this.

I would ask you to read some on Ignosticism. Please read A.J. Ayer as well.

I have wrangled with atheists, agnostics, theists, polytheists, etc. for decades. Why? Because I am looking at the psychological ramifications of 'belief'. What we choose to think, belief (or disbelief', feel, etc. does create our subjective realities. It impacts how we relate, our morality, and our politics.

When I challenge your supposition that 'atheism' does not imply a 'belief system' that is why. That is the perspective I come from.

Further, on this level, your idea that you presented as a retort that "It's the 'not collecting stamps is a form of stamp collecting' logical fallacy" is simply inaccurate. Oh, sure, it seems like common sense. But when it comes to the mind and psychology, yes, 'not believing' is a form of 'belief'.

The simplest psychological way that I can demonstrate this is as follows: I want you to not think of an red elephant. It is impossible. The moment you think about 'not thinking' about a red elephant, you have to think about a red elephant. This 'reality' is provable daily in cognitive studies, AI, and psychology.

What is happening today with 'atheism' is part of that reality. Groups are forming. Beliefs beyond the rejection of deity are being asked to be defined and codified. Theists are going to ask what are the psychological, political, emotional, and moral ramifications of atheism as a movement. To pretend as so many do here (in a group safe-haven I might ironically add) that atheism is not a movement is just not reality any longer. The New Atheism is already being discussed, analyzed, dissected, promoted, etc. To say that religious people have 'privilege' and 'atheists' do not is just one more example of atheism as an actual 'thing' beyond fucking dictionary definitions of 'non-belief'.

So yes, StarboardTack is an identified atheist, and he stated some of his beliefs influenced by that core identity statement. LostOne4Ever is an identified atheist. What are her belief's influenced by that core identity statement. And what are yours? Finally to bring it full circle to the actual topic at hand, as an atheist with epistemilogical and psychological beliefs influenced not only by your rejection of the proposition of a god or gods existence but numerous other cultural influences, can you ally with those who accept that proposition as true but who also agree with you on political viewpoints and policies despite a fundamental 'belief' difference?