I have a feeling this article might insult a few. We all have our opinions about what atheism is and what it means to us. Some, like Nica Lalli, feel that it means just simply "nothing" ...a complete and utter lack of faith. God(s) do not exist and therefor do not enter our minds or thoughts, we simply exist and go on.

Others, like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, feel that it is just not that simple. It is not enough to simply be faithless, atheists must "come out" (of the closet) and rebel against the oppressive forces of religion. We must fight the good fight against the barbarism of religion and all of its hate mongering, cruelty, violations of human rights, subjugation of women, and its power over governments and repression of people. Religion wields a fiery sword of brutality and lets nothing come in its way!

Although I agree wholeheartedly with both views, I tend to be a peaceful person and not much for conflict...sure, you can call me a coward and I am fine with that. I don't have the personality for confrontation and conflict. I'm not a "closet atheist", but I don't go tossing my disbelief up in everyone's face. (It's a "do unto others" thing... just as I don't appreciate religionists who bandy about THEIR faith.) Besides, most of my family and a few of my friends are religious. (So far I haven't heard them mention anything about attempting a conversion or burning me at the stake!)

Some atheists, however, take this a step further and pick on the "fringe religionists". That small minority, the evil terrorists of religion. That's your abortion clinic bombers, suicide bombers, polygamists, etc. They use the quote, "for good people to do bad things, it takes religion", but perhaps the truth is...for good people to do bad things, they just have to be really truly bad people or very much mentally ill. (And we all know that mental illness mixed with a bit of religious zeal can be a cocktail for disaster!)

This brings me to what I understand atheism to be. A definition taken from the Wikipedia which in partial states, (atheism) "is the absence of belief in the existence of deities." "Deity" as defined (again by the Wikipedia) "is a postulated preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers". Most people who label themselves "atheist" usually consider themselves, like me, to be a RATIONAL HUMAN BEING! Which, to me, means that I vow to do my best not to jump to any conclusions about anything. It means that I shall approach things with consideration invoke the scientific method and remain as rational as I possibly can about life, the universe and everything. Being an atheist means that you are grounded in reality. It does NOT include engaging in fantastic delusions of the imagination haphazardly.

In defense of imaginaation: (Being creative in a blatantly fictional sense, honestly, and without any misrepresentation of reality, such as in writing or visual artistry, which is not willy-nilly or intentionally misleading...Such as in...here is a drawing I did of a purple, flying elephant. While the color purple (a mixture of red and blue) and elephants (large land mammals, order Proboscidea, family Elephantidae) DO indeed exist, they are NOT purple nor do they possess the ability to travel through the air!) - I've been reading too much Neil Gaiman lately!

I have only truly been involved in the atheist community for the past few years. Prior to that, I was just a "nothing" as Nicca Lalli so eloquently puts it. It wasn't until I read "End of Faith" by Sam Harris in 2005, that I started actually looking for like-minded people. I ended up joining the American Humanist Association, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and finally a local "chapter" of the Center for Inquiry. I've attended quite a few events and social gatherings in my area since then and can't help but notice a select few whom I've dubbed "fringe atheists".

Fringe atheists are not fence sitters. Quite the contrary they truly proclaim themselves as atheists and associate with rationalists but they just can't quit some of their irrational beleifs. These irrationalities range from conspiracy theories to alternate religious beliefs (non-Judeo-Christian/Muslim).

Fringe atheists tend to have some sort of belief in one or more of the following:

• UFOs and alien cover-ups
• Paganism, spiritualism or other alternative beliefs
  
• Ghosts and paranormal activities
  
• ESP and/or other psychic abilities
• Political, governmental, medical, religious or other types of conspiracy theories
• Homeopathic remedies
  

All of these are not what I would include in my real-world, rationalistic view. I would not expect these types of beliefs from someone proclaiming to be a true atheist. Sure, fringe atheists don't beleive in god(s), but they still hold on to some pretty strange concepts that run directly opposite to rationality and science.

It's odd to find an anti-science atheist, but they're truly out there.

Some of the thing's I've heard people believingly discus without a hint of skepticism are: homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, chiropractors, pharmaceutical conspiracies, ghosts, paranormal experiences, crystals, political plots, and earth worship.

I consider these so-called atheists "fringe" and not typical. They are the same types found in all sorts of communities and groups. Many of these people outwardly appear (mannerisms/behavior) to be suffering from paranoia, or other forms of mental illness. Others appear to be suffering the ill effects of substance abuse.

Who will have the last laugh when the religious zealots start pointing out the irrationalities of the fringe atheists and how they are representative of the bunch? I'm sure that some already do.

I'm not mocking the "fringe atheists". What I'm really trying to say is that every walk of life, every community and every group of people (religious or not) has their wonderfully colorful, slightly awkward and often contrary, subgroup of people. We frequently label them "fringe" and exploit them by exaggerating their numbers. Then we say, "Look at them! They're crazy! They're evil! and (most of all)...they're dangerous!"

Let's stop labeling and lumping everyone into one group, shall we? I know some pretty good people who call themselves Christian, who have dedicated their lives to helping other people, who volunteer at the shelter, at the food bank, at the hospital and make a difference to humanity. I even know a Catholic who saves people's lives! Start thinking about yourself and what you can do for humanity...hmmm?

"You've gotta accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between"
- AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE by Johnny Mercer / Harold Arlen

Pope Benedict XVI fractured his right wrist in a fall early Friday morning while on vacation in northern Italy, the Vatican said. - from The New York Times

Anyone else wonder why the Pope...I mean THE POPE, of all people, would come to harm? Does this mean that he isn't God's right-hand man after all? (Laugh! That's a homograph!)

Of course, I'm not the only one making fun. Check out...

God Breaks Pope's Wrist for Impure Act

Vatican City, Vatican - The Pope, infallible head of the Catholic Church, has been punished by God for committing an "Impure Act" by having his wrist miraculously broken. Although the impure act has not been described, it seems that the wrist in question was involved.

In this same week the Vatican claimed Harry Potter was now okay and notoriously gay author Oscar Wilde as "one of its own"...

You will, Benedict, you will:Vatican claims Oscar Wilde as one of its own

The world MUST be coming to an end!

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Dan the man

"He's Jewish, via his mum. "I'm an atheist, but I'm very proud of being Jewish. It means I have a good work ethic, and you get Jewish humour and you're allowed to tell Jewish jokes."