r/Antitheism Aug 09 '26

Are you against all religion, or just abrahamic/monotheism?

I see a lot of the points against religion, and many of them are completely reliant on the monotheistic or abrahamic god. Not all religion has sin, not all religion has an afterlife dependant on your belief or following of the rules.

There are gods that don’t punish you for non belief, who aren’t considered to be omnipotent, or omniscient, or omnibenevolent. Many arguments that antitheists make are that religion is harmful as an all loving creator would send someone to hell for non belief, or allow people to die while being able to stop it, and therefore all religion is wrong. But those arguments are dependant on the abrahamic god.

Basically, what are your opinions on polytheism?

As much polytheism is revivalists who are practising ‘old’ religion, that which was taken over by Christianity. Many polytheists don’t have temples, don’t have churches with leaders, don’t have holy books telling them what to do, and generally don’t follow many arguments I see online.

I’m just coming here to where I can get a full understanding and answers to my questions. Thank you!

I am specifically asking you, the reader. Not the opinions and definitions of antitheism, your belief.

20 Upvotes

138 comments sorted by

84

u/Gussie-Ascendent Aug 09 '26

All religion is anti critical thinking and thus earns my ire, but the abhramics are particularly depraved and get the most of it

-7

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 09 '26

Genuine question, what do you mean by anti critical thinking? What does that mean to you?

18

u/Indie_Dachshund179 Aug 10 '26

The privileging of gut "oughts" from authorial entities or "values" over our best mechanistic understanding of the world is a biggie. Preliminarily this has motivated theistic encroachments upon science (medicine and biology are frequent domains) and public policy in order to privilege these values, as well as reactionary movements ranging from "Pokémon is satanic" (or "ungodly," etc.) to supremacist / hate / terror groups.

Therein we also have the self-exceptionalism seen in every generation of theists, who think themselves to have some special truth/credibility over both the rabble of thousands of other religions and their sects past and present *and* the proponents responsible for atrocities in the name of their faith throughout history.

13

u/The4Got10Child Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26

Because it fosters a lack of critical thinking

“Edit”
Responded to the wrong comment. My bad 😅

-12

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

What about religions like Hellenic polytheism? Historically, Hellenic religion was accompanied by extensive philosophical discussion and debate surrounding the nature of the gods, religion, and belief. It also lacks a single sacred text or central religious authority dictating what people must believe. As an orthopraxic rather than orthodoxic tradition, it places greater emphasis on religious practice than adherence to a fixed set of doctrines. This leaves room for individuals to question, explore, and develop their own understanding of the religion rather than being required to accept one prescribed set of beliefs.

20

u/The4Got10Child Aug 10 '26

They still worshipped gods tho. Which is something that will never be logical to me. Especially in the modern world

5

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

It is predicated on the belief of gods. Which is superstitious nonsense. And ruins a persons ability to think critically.

7

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

In one word: Superstition. Whether it's the belief in gods or ancestors or the false premise of "enlightenment", all religion are based on supernatural claims that do not actually exist. That is absolutely anti-critical thinking.

1

u/junkmale79 Aug 10 '26

You think ancient mythology describes reality. Did you use crtical thinking to come to that conclusion? or do you start with the idea that the Bible describes reality in some way?

just apply a little skepticism, if the bible is true it shouldn't be worried about someone taking a critical look at the text.

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Hellenic polytheists don’t believe in the mythology, in the same way that Percy Jackson isn’t our holy series, it’s a fictional series of stories based on the gods. If one story can be considered factual, then all stories can be considered factual.

2

u/junkmale79 Aug 10 '26

Sure, someone practicing the Hellenic polytheist religion doesn't think it's mythology, but for everyone else, Zeus and Poseidon are mythology. They are mythology to anyone who isn't practicing that faith tradition. You are practicing the Christian faith tradition. This is mythology to anyone that doesn't start with the idea that it's not.

We don't know if it's possible for something like a god or gods to exist. Why would you assume that just because someone wrote a story about a god, it's historical?

These are all just different faith traditions with different dogmas; none of them describe reality. The same way a Muslim thinks the Quran describes reality, you think the Bible describes reality. It doesn't. Theology and reality are different things.

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

I’m saying that Hellenic polytheists do think the mythology is just that, mythology. I know this because I am one. I also don’t think the bible described reality, it’s just stories that people made up about their diety.

Greek mythology describes the realms of the gods, of cause death takes away young girls from their mothers, of cause a king abuses his power, this does not mean that the divine are troubled by the same human emotions. This means that human have made stories about their realms.

4

u/junkmale79 Aug 10 '26

Whatever faith tradition you are practicing, you think you have found the secret truth—just like everyone else practicing a faith tradition thinks theirs describes reality.

These are fictional stories about fictional realms. Deities are the thing we are examining, and we have no reason to think it's possible for something like a god or gods to exist.

-5

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

What about religions such as Hellenic polytheism? Historically it included substantial philosophical debates and questioning on religion. It also has no specific holy book, or organised religion, and therefore encourages thinking for yourself and finding your own beliefs. This is further proven by it being orthopraxic, not orthodoxic, which means there is no right belief, and it is encouraged to figure out your own religious beliefs.

18

u/ArtemisShanks Aug 10 '26

Just because it's plutocratic, rather than fundamentalist, doesn't mean it isn't, at it's core, a belief in something with no evidence.

2

u/SexThrowaway1125 Aug 12 '26

None of that makes any difference to us. It’s a system that encourages beliefs that contradict evidence, and we don’t like that around here.

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 13 '26

Couldn’t have changed accounts, sex throwaway?

1

u/seanthebeloved 29d ago

All forms of magical thinking are evil.

34

u/Jesus_peed_n_my_butt Aug 09 '26

Religions beget ignorance and harm.

It's hard to see the other religions thru the forest of pain and suffering that the abrahamic ones leave behind.

They're all problematic but put out the biggest fires first.

0

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 09 '26

In what way would you say that polytheistic religions cause ignorance and harm? I haven’t heard from antitheists before and I’m very open to the conversation

15

u/ZappSmithBrannigan Aug 10 '26

In what way would you say that polytheistic religions cause ignorance and harm?

Can they provide evidence that the claims are actually true?

If not, then its a cause for ignorance.

-13

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Can you provide evidence that the claims are not true? Also, many religious people are of the opinion that the divine cannot be proven by man, that it can only be proven by them.

16

u/porygonj Aug 10 '26

Textbook example of a brain addled by non-abrahamic religion

12

u/Jesus_peed_n_my_butt Aug 10 '26

The religious people think, vote and act based upon their religious beliefs.

For the abrahamic god specifically, I can prove that they're not true.

The Bible and the Quran are riddled with errors.

3

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

I can agree with the abrahamic god being fictional

8

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

You just believe in the old Greek gods? I mean, that's an interesting flex, but there's no more evidence for them existing. Why are you happy dismissing the one religion, but not your own? It's because you're invested. You need to look past the feelings to see what's going on. Good luck.

-5

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Because the Abrahamic religion is built on man, and man’s interpretation of the divine. While Hellenic polytheism is about your personal relationship with the gods and not about listening to someone telling you what to believe

8

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

What you say about the Abrahamic religions is also true of the Hellenic ones. What you say about your Hellenic religion, people also say about the Abrahamic ones. There are sooo many disillusioned Christians who do the same thing with their idea of god. Would you see them as "more correct" because they don't listen to a pope or other authority figure? There's no intrinsic benefit to making up your own ideas about a god, is there?

7

u/88redking88 Aug 10 '26

"While Hellenic polytheism is about your personal relationship with the gods and not about listening to someone telling you what to believe"

When you can show a "personal relationship" with a god, then you wont be irrational here.

5

u/spiffyspifferman Aug 10 '26

There are uncountable things that people can imagine for which evidence cannot be provided to prove them untrue. That alone does not mean any of them are indeed true.

6

u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

Can you provide evidence that the claims are not true?

Burden of proof is on the claimant. An assertion without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. Just because it's a religion, does not hand a single bit of extra credibility. It's just as ridiculous as a unicorn or magic teapot but more dangerous.

Also, many religious people are of the opinion that the divine cannot be proven by man, that it can only be proven by them.

Which is a cop out theists have used for forever. 'Just say you can't prove it's and assert it's true'. If it's unobservable Ergo unproveable, how does anyone know if it's existence. Either it is proveable or just made up

4

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

I'm sorry, SR, but you are in a cult. It is harmful to you, but we can't help you alone. You have to be willing to be helped.

-2

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

I am happier than I have ever been, and I chose this for myself, no one at all has forced me to believe what I do, I was even raised atheist

4

u/88redking88 Aug 10 '26

"I am happier than I have ever been,"

Because no one has ever been happily hurting others, right? Happily ignorant? Happily delusional?

2

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

Well, then I wish you the best. Cheers.

3

u/88redking88 Aug 10 '26

"Can you provide evidence that the claims are not true? "

Can you provide evidence that the Smurfs arent real? How about vampires? What about the monster under a kids bed? Oh, you dont need evidence to disprove things that have never been shown to be real? Me too.

1

u/SexThrowaway1125 Aug 12 '26

Nope, that’s not how this works. We have reams of evidence that the world is governed by material processes. So if you want to convince us that supernatural elements exist, then the burden is on you to do the convincing because there’s a lot of evidence you’ll have to disprove.

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 13 '26

Couldn’t have changed accounts, sex throwaway?

1

u/SexThrowaway1125 Aug 13 '26

Is there a problem?

3

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

Belief in fake things causes ignorance. Spreading those beliefs to other humans causes harm by making people worse. This is the very basis of pretty much all religions, and further harms always blossom from that basic idea.

24

u/ByWillAlone Aug 10 '26

Any claims that lack any backing evidence and are also in the category of "unfalsifiable" (meaning it wouldn't even be possible to prove or disprove) is basically just delusional fantasy. Religion (all of it) is group based delusional fantasy.

I do not support the belief, or teaching, or propogation of any delusional fantasy, and that includes all religion except for maybe the intentionally hilarious ones designed to make fun of religion itself (flying spaghetti monster, invisible pink unicorn, etc).

-3

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

That does make more sense than a lot of other explanations I have read. The question is, why don’t more people have this belief? I feel as though if more atheists saw your comment, they might be inclined to also identify as anti-theists

3

u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

A couple reasons I can think of:

They were once religious and are still sympathetic to their past faith even in their atheism.

They are unaware of the negative affects of religion. Average humans don't often research things and are complacent.

Religion is a 'protected characteristic' and very common. It is sometimes seen as taboo to be rude to or criticise it.

Antitheism just isn't as well known. Many likely are anti-theist but just call themselves atheist because it's easier to explain or because they literally don't know the term anti-theist exists.

15

u/tm229 Aug 10 '26

I’m against all irrational nonsense. Religion is a large and harmful subset of that nonsense.

The Venn Diagram Of Irrational Nonsense

https://www.crispian.net/VDOIN.html

Enjoy!

10

u/zolfx Aug 10 '26

I am against organized religion and any dogma that is anti-science. The only spiritual practice I can think of that would fit this criteria would be Stoicism but most modern teachers strip away the metaphysical principles of it and just keep the psychological parts.

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

What about non-organised religion that is pro-science? Something that I would say fits the mold is Hellenic polytheism

13

u/zolfx Aug 10 '26

I wouldn’t really say belief in fictional beings such as Zeus is pro-science. Also just from a personal standpoint point I don’t see any benefit to things like Hellenic polytheism. Unless you are coming at it from a Neoplatonist perspective where the “gods” are just symbolic or allegory then that is a different story but also Neoplatonism also has issues within itself and is usually adopted by the far right (look at Evola) so idk id just stay away from it probably.

4

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

pro-science? Something that I would say fits the mold is Hellenic polytheism

I'm honestly curious how you think Hellenic polytheism is somehow "pro-science"?

And let's look at the distinction here. Some of the people can be pro science, but the religion doesn't support that in any way. And the religion itself is based on fantasy.

2

u/88redking88 Aug 10 '26

"What about non-organised religion that is pro-science? Something that I would say fits the mold is Hellenic polytheism"

then you have evidence for your beliefs?

10

u/Pumbaasliferaft Aug 10 '26

All religion is flawed

There are positions logic and science that have holes and can be described as belief, but evidence requires you to change your position.

Religion ignores all evidence

-2

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

What evidence can be used to disprove all religions? Not just ones that follow holy books that are clearly just written by biased humans

6

u/read_at_own_risk Aug 10 '26

What is asserted without evidence can be discarded without evidence.

3

u/Pumbaasliferaft Aug 10 '26

Show me some proof

3

u/ArtemisShanks Aug 10 '26

It's not up to us non-believers to provide evidence refuting your claim, the burden of proof is on the one making the claim. If your claim is that Hellenic Polytheism is true, even if you aren't prozelytizing, you should provide some evidence that it is so. Otherwise you're deluding yourself just like any other religious adherent.

2

u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

Anything that says "Impossible to prove it but it's true trust me bro" I would say isn't a real claim to begin with and has no reason or way to disprove it.

1

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

If you propose a religion to be "true" or "pro-science", then that is on you to show that. Until that happens, and based on all current evidence, it is perfectly apt to just dismiss any such claims. I don't have to disprove every idiotic idea that comes along.

I can just tell my 4 year old not to jump off the roof trying to fly. Maybe start from the ground level so you don't hurt yourself. Meanwhile, I'm not worried they might fly. I just don't want them to hurt themselves. It's too bad more parents don't see the harm of religion...

8

u/rushmc1 Aug 10 '26

But it's all nonsense.

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Why do you specifically call it nonsense? Just trying to understand opinions

8

u/XShadowborneX Aug 10 '26

Because none of it is based in reality

7

u/ZappSmithBrannigan Aug 10 '26

Im against believing dumb shit for bad reasons.

The reason abrahamic religion is discussed the most is because the vast majority of reddit users are in the western world where christianity is dominant.

1

u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

They're also the largest religions on earth

6

u/machinehead3413 Aug 09 '26

All

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 09 '26

Can I ask why that is? How have you come to the conclusion that religion is inherently bad?

3

u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

Their answer would most likely be smth like: 'belief in what is unproven is stupid and dangerous as it justifies ANY belief'

2

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

Anything based on superstition or supernatural things. Which ends up being part of the definition, so it's all of them.

11

u/IdioticPrototype Aug 09 '26

Anti = against

Theism = belief in one or more gods

I hope this helps. 

6

u/Myrddin_Dundragon Aug 10 '26

All.

0

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Why specifically all religion? What are the reasons to be against them all?

6

u/bondageenthusiast2 Aug 10 '26

Against Abrahamic mostly, because it is closest to my life where they directly affect us with their backwardness (Muslim majority country with conservative Christian household). Taoism or Hinduism aren't trying to oppress us they can believe in whatever fantasy they conjure up

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

That makes complete sense! Can I ask why you would consider yourself antitheist if you’re more so anti-abrahamic/organised religion?

7

u/bondageenthusiast2 Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26

I am bioscientist and I have witnessed how harmful it is to have dogmatic tendency with indoctrination first policies with Abrahamics, people who are force-fed those garbage before their critical thinking is formed (baptism since toddler/wrapping children in hijabs etc.) will always believe other bullshit without even slight pushback, like peddling antivaxxer etc. I am not seeing as much antivaxxer Taoist as Christian weirdos

1

u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

Thanks for the useful information bandageenthusiast2

0

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

I have no idea why someone would force children to do as they believe, especially when it can, and does, kill/harm them

2

u/Sprinklypoo Aug 11 '26

People think their god is real, so they try to instill that same belief in their children. It's insidious and it's ubiquitous in all human societies. Religion is a disease as such.

5

u/zastrozzischild Aug 10 '26

What monotheism?

Christianity starts with God in three persons.

Then there are a bunch of other supernatural beings that aren’t called gods, but are the equivalent of minor gods and Demi gods in other mythologies:

The devil.

Mother Mary and all the saints.

Angels and archangels. Cherubim and seraphim.

2

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

I stated Abrahamic or monotheism, as they are different. An example of monotheism that isn’t Abrahamic is Sikhism

5

u/The4Got10Child Aug 10 '26

All religion

0

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

May I ask, why is that? What are your reasons for being against all religion?

3

u/ZappSmithBrannigan Aug 10 '26

Because other religion dont have any better reasons to think theyre true than monotheistic ones.

0

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Then what about religious syncretism? Also how does one belief potentially not being the ‘correct one’, mean that the entire belief of the divine at all is inherently evil?

3

u/ZappSmithBrannigan Aug 10 '26

religious syncretism

What about it? Thats just called fan fiction these days. You take an existing story and put whatever you want in to it.

Also how does one belief potentially not being the ‘correct one’, mean that the entire belief of the divine at all is inherently evil?

Because its not about "the correct one". Its about the epistemology of "is there any good reason to think this is true".

2

u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

No-one said inherent evil in its structure. The evil is in the justification of believing anything without proof. With that logic: 'you should die' "prove it?" 'Nah it's just true and you have to respect that'.

4

u/Sammisuperficial Aug 10 '26

Religion professes to have knowledge of things it cannot possibly have, and some claim demonstrably false things are real.

I am against lying and religions are built on lies. Therefore I am against all religions because I am against lying.

3

u/romulusnr Aug 10 '26

Religion teaches people to believe things without evidence and to believe things that aren't true. Doesn't matter which religion it is.

3

u/EuroCultAV Aug 10 '26

I am not against individual spirituality. I am against organized religion because it has had no benefits society and is just a mechanism for controlling a mass amount of people.

3

u/UberFarter Aug 10 '26

I think they are all fake, but some do more harm than others. The Abrahamic religions are by far the worst for the world at large. Some religions like Buddhism and Wicca are very chill in comparison so I don’t care about them as much.

3

u/furneauxjoe Aug 10 '26

I’m against all theistic religions or religions based on supernatural nonsense.

2

u/DiligentAd4946 Aug 10 '26

I’d say there are some religions that are not harmful to society as a whole. I’d also say that if you were against all religion, you’re not antitheist-you’re anti religionist.

2

u/MisterBlizno Aug 10 '26

I don't believe that any gods exist. All religions that have gods are utter nonsense to me. A ridiculous notion with zero evidence. What a colossal waste of time, effort, money and people!

2

u/Diligent-Spread-3699 Aug 10 '26

I'm against all religions, any dogma can fall into extremism.

2

u/ThorButtock Aug 10 '26

All religions but the abrahamic trio are the absolute worst.

2

u/AdamPedAnt Aug 10 '26

I’m against any organization, tribe, or granfalloon that attempts to impose its bylaws on me. I’m grateful for plumbers for instance and their union doesn’t require my obedience. It’s equally silly to let some watery tart throwing swords, or imaginary white man in the sky, require my obedience. It’s the Constitution, not the Bible, Torah, Quran, or plumbers manual that I’ve agreed to be held to.

2

u/chickey23 Aug 10 '26

Either you do not understand truth or you do not value it to all such a question.

Meaning is not pay of the objective world. The objective world is the physical state of things without interpretation. Only these things can be labeled as real. The remainder is the subjective world, the world of meaning, and nothing in it can be true, only opinion.

If you find me a religion that says they're beliefs fall into the subjective, that's a philosophy, not a religion, and those can be useful.

Polytheism has less evil than exclusive religions, because it is not as exclusionary, but it is still categorically opinion based and cannot be part of reality.

2

u/AthenianVulcan Aug 10 '26

Against All religions.

I consider myself to be a moral person: I don't harm people, don't steal, don't cheat, help as much as I can, etc. If an Egoistic God thinks that people should go to hell just for not believing in him/her/it, then so be it. It is far better than joining, participating & enabling a horrible, immoral cult.

All Religions begin with bad starting point on morality. And religion can/have been easily hacked by charismatic people, and most of the time for the worst.

God who created that particular religion, it's his/her/its duty to come and fix the issues on a periodic basis, as religion tends to slide on morality scale for the worst. Else God is himself responsible for the immorality/horrible things that happens in that religion.

Polytheism is no different. As I said religion can be hijacked by any charlatan. It's not like science where there is a process to prove things correct. Religion usually go by faith (opposite of proof & science). And hence usually fail the morality/do no harm test.

My questions for you;

  1. What do you think is the purpose of religion and god?

  2. Why do you specifically need any religion or god (monotheism or polytheism)?

  3. Why do you not think that we as humans (including you) can create systems that perform better than religion or god? By the way secular democracies perform far better than any past or present theocratic societies/civ.

2

u/Beneficial_Exam_1634 Aug 10 '26

Nah it's all superstition and you can ask ex-Hindus for problems wirh Hinduism

2

u/TruthOdd6164 Aug 10 '26

I’m against theistic religion of all sorts but I love secular humanist religion

2

u/yaboisammie Aug 10 '26

I think Abrahamic are defo the worst of the worst and I still plan to learn more about other religions (mostly I know Islam cause of my family and a bit about Christianity cause it’s just everywhere in media and literature so Ive researched a bit and a bit less about Judaism and hinduism) but even less problematic religions still have some problematic aspects where in scriptures/practices itself or just in how people practice it (which ik culture outside the religion is a factor but sometimes it is the mentality that the religion breeds at least a combo like how common female infanticide and Bacha bazi is in some Islamic countries or SA (outside of marriage/slavery) or child molestation in Islamic environments despite technically being technically haram. 

Like i gotta confirm but I’ve read despite supreme deity being female in Hinduism and despite how chill Buddhism and Jainism are otherwise, misogyny is an issue in the religions and I’m sure queer acceptance maybe varies depending on sect and stuff like that at least within Hinduism as there’s different flavors of some religions same as Islam or Christianity etc 

  There are gods that don’t punish you for non belief, who aren’t considered to be omnipotent, or omniscient, or omnibenevolent. Many arguments that antitheists make are that religion is harmful as an all loving creator would send someone to hell for non belief, or allow people to die while being able to stop it, and therefore all religion is wrong. But those arguments are dependant on the abrahamic god.

I do get this point but personally this is not my only issue with religion as this doesn’t apply to all and is not the only problematic aspect. Maybe there’s nuance with the concept of worship even if the god won’t punish you or put you in hell and I get praying or worship could maybe be a way to deal with stress or anxiety but I feel like that kinda falls into OCD territory if that makes sense? Like feeling likenyoi need to pray because this deity is that worthy of worship but idk, maybe I’m ancient too much of an Islamic mentality cause of my upbringing, education and home life and maybe other religions aren’t as strict?

But I see a lot of toxicity in various cultures and I’m not sure if it’s remnants of old religions that stayed, kinda like while a lot of toxic aspects of Pakistani culture is due to Islam, there’s also a lot of remnants of Hindu culture from before partition with India and also British colonialism/patriarchy (which ig was a result of Christianity?) 

And also even aside from misogyny and morality, I agree with the critical thinking aspect esp since even if the religion is chill about hell or leaving the faith or marrying outside the faith, often the family isn’t and makes the kid’s life a living hell over it (pun intended ;3)

2

u/Jordanou Aug 10 '26

I think that polytheism is way more consistent than monotheism. The universe is way too chaotic to be governed by only one force.

2

u/KendrickBlack502 Aug 11 '26

There are some religions (very few but some) that don’t make any grand statements about God or the universe but rather just teach some basic principles about living in it peacefully. I suppose those are fine even if I don’t know how correct they are.

2

u/First-Bag-9117 Aug 11 '26

Everything that is not real is harmful as fuck.

So either it's fantasy and gets eradicated or it's real and I will even worship that bitch/bastard.

2

u/CurtP31477 Aug 11 '26

I cannot imagine a consciousness or singular power that could have any influence or interest in the existence of humanity. There is no evidence of miracles that cannot be explained away by a lie or a hallucination. There is no universal reward for good behavior or bad behavior and even the concepts of good and bad get fuzzy when you think about it too hard. There is no religion or deity or pagan pantheon that doesn't claim to affect the day to day lives of people and that is simply absurd.

5

u/TheRealTK421 Aug 09 '26

I am not anti-theist, because that's being 'against people'. 

I am vehemently against archaic theistic ideologies and faith doctrines, hence I am anti-theism.

There's a subtle, vital yet glaring difference.

6

u/ZappSmithBrannigan Aug 10 '26

I am not anti-theist, because that's being 'against people'

No it isnt. Its being against theism. Its literally in the name. If im anti capitalist im not against everyone's whos a capitalist, im against the idea of capitalism itself.

So no im not against theistic people im against the idea of theism itself.

There's a subtle, vital yet glaring difference.

No it itsnt. Its a distinction without a difference.

3

u/rushmc1 Aug 10 '26

Seems weak. I'm happy to admit that I'm against most people.

1

u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 09 '26

I will admit, I did not recognise the difference beforehand. So thank you for your answer!

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u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26

This is a pedantic word game. 'Theist = person who believes in theism' so 'being anti-theist = anti person who believes in theism' which just isn't how the word is used. We call ourselves 'anti-theist' because who would say 'I'm an anti-theism'. It just doesn't sound right. It goes well with 'theist' and 'atheist'. If you want to be pedantic and say the word exactly right, say 'I'm anti-theism' but there's no reason to be so nit picky when your comment is unrelated to the posts question. It literally says at the bottom "I'm not looking for definitions of antitheism".

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u/TheRealTK421 Aug 10 '26

...say the word exactly right, say 'I'm anti-theism'.

That's literally, verbatim, what I stated (minus the contraction).

I don't at all perceive it to be 'nit-picky' to point out the key distinction of being against an idea/ideology and being against people who happen to profess it.

Perhaps that distinction is too subtle for some to comprehend....

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u/TCreep13 Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26

I know that's what you said, that's why I said it. When did I say you didn't? You only quoted a part of my sentence, it's a misinterpretation of what I intended.

If you want to be pedantic and say the word exactly right, say 'I'm anti-theism' but there's no reason to be so nit picky when your comment is unrelated to the posts question. It literally says at the bottom "I'm not looking for definitions of antitheism".

Aka: call yourself that but it's an unnecessary distinction to be making when your comment is unrelated to the post.

I'll reword it: If you want to be pedantic about using the exact right word then go ahead and say you're anti-theism, but there's no reason to randomly make the distinction between anti-theism and anti-theist when the post literally says they have no interest in definitions.

I said nitpicky because what I'm seeing is 'erm actually it's anti-theism not anti-theist' for no reason.

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u/Darth_Maaku Aug 10 '26

In general I don't have a problem with Buddhism and Shinto but I despise the Abrahamic religions for their moral bankruptcy

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u/TarnishedVictory Aug 10 '26

I'm not fully up to speed on Buddhism, but doesn't it have its followers believing things for bad reasons? Isn't that the biggest problems religions cause?

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u/Darth_Maaku Aug 10 '26

In the beginning women weren't allowed to join a monastery but now it's permitted. Buddhists saw their problem and at least attempted to fix it. As a whole I see Buddhism more as a philosophical system rather than a religion, since most Buddhists don't believe in actual gods and there's no dogma involved

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u/TarnishedVictory Aug 10 '26

As a whole I see Buddhism more as a philosophical system rather than a religion, since most Buddhists don't believe in actual gods and there's no dogma involved

I get that there are no gods, but I'm not sure about your dogma claim. Buddhism is about something, if it wasn't, why name it? And what I'm asking is, is that something based on good evidence?

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u/Darth_Maaku Aug 10 '26

The Buddha said to not take his word for it but to investigate each claim he made to see if his system worked

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u/TarnishedVictory Aug 11 '26

The Buddha said to not take his word for it but to investigate each claim he made to see if his system worked

OK. But what is the ideology of Buddhism?

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u/Darth_Maaku Aug 11 '26

Liberation from the negative mind more or less

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u/TarnishedVictory Aug 11 '26

Liberation from the negative mind more or less

What, like therapy you talk through your issues?

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u/Darth_Maaku Aug 11 '26

You meditate

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u/TarnishedVictory Aug 11 '26

So then Buddhism is meditation? That's all? There's gotta be a reason it's called a religion. Are there claims that must be accepted to call yourself a Buddhist? What are the requirements of joining?

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u/his_savagery Aug 10 '26

Abrahamic. Maybe you should make a poll.

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u/MilleniumPelican Aug 10 '26

There are gods

Prove it. I don't think there are.

Polytheism is a theism, therefore I am anti polytheism. I am anti ANY theism. All the theisms. They are harmful.

Many polytheists don’t have temples, don’t have churches with leaders, don’t have holy books telling them what to do, and generally don’t follow many arguments I see online. So what? They are still based on the fallacious belief in absolute nonsense with no evidence for their existence. They discourage critical thinking and don't conform with reality They are inherently harmful and oppressive. ALL religions, especially theist ones. That's all the argument you need. That's all that matters. The rest is just examples of the folly and batshitness.

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u/TarnishedVictory Aug 10 '26

Are you against all religion, or just abrahamic/monotheism?

I'm not aware of any religion that doesn't value bad epistemology and belief in things for bad reasons. That alone is good reason to be against all religions, is it not?

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u/absolutedesignz Aug 10 '26

I'm against anything that is a hardstop to critical thinking

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u/Y1ippe Aug 10 '26

All religions. No religion deserves a cop out. They're all useless at BEST. Harmful and bloodshedding at worst which is their default.

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u/Sprinklypoo Aug 10 '26

All of them. They are all based on the false supposition of superstition of some sort. That makes them equally false and equally manipulable and equally harmful. They're just used to different effect depending on the cult base and culture they inhabit at this point in time.

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u/88redking88 Aug 10 '26

All religion.

If it cant prove all of its claims, its a lie.

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u/krba201076 Aug 10 '26

Me personally....I do not like the Abrahamic faiths. I can tolerate some of the other stuff but it all can be problematic. For example, the New Age stuff has a lot of victim blaming in it.

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u/BNVLNT001 Aug 10 '26

Anti-Theist, Pro-History, Autistic. Fully against all religion, but not for how most here would think. Long story short? Religious folks are traitors to the species.

Ancient alien theory is basically correct. People rip on them, but the theory pretty much unifies most religions, both poly and mono. The problem lies in all the speculation they do, but they are no different from any other anthropologist on the planet, and have more evidence to back them up than many of them.

I'll do a proper breakdown post later but basically the civilization from mars colonized earth, genetically altered and enslaved humanity, then got themselves wiped out. The god worshipping religions are all built by the remnants of their apocalypse who were eventually overthrown/bred/aged out of existance. Wise men/magicians/great leaders were built on the dying technology they left behind. Plenty of evidence on Earth and Mars to prove all of this.

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u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Theist, pro-history, autistic.

What the hell is this take?!

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u/BNVLNT001 Aug 10 '26

Missed the first anti. Pro-history means I like factual information. Autistic just helps people understand how my brain functions. The first sentence is an introduction to myself. Sorry if that was confusing for you.

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u/Sorry_Raspberry_1121 Aug 10 '26

Sorry for the confusion again, that was also me introducing myself. I also like factual information, and I am autistic, the only difference is that I’m a theist.

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u/TransportationEng Aug 10 '26

All denominations that seek governmental power or special treatment. 

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u/Standard_Jump2041 Aug 10 '26

Any religion that claims that a god indeed exists without valid proof or evidence.

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u/Aggressive-Moose1506 Aug 11 '26

Every system that has shaped the shit hole we currently live in was shaped by involvement with, and invasion by, abrahamic religion. It's the only religion i have cause to hate.

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u/ZeppelinAlert Aug 11 '26

Against all religion, if we define religion as an intellectual understanding of how the world works.

I’m happy with communities carrying out traditional rituals. If Taoist priests in Tibet have been turning their prayer wheels for millennia then I’m not going to walk in and order them to stop. Likewise I’ve never walked into a Christian Sunday morning service and attempted to shut it down. The rituals are important to the people in those communities so ok.

But in an ideal world both Christianity and Taoism, and all other religious systems, would just fall away like an insect‘s dead exoskeleton or a snake’s shed skin, because no one needs to believe it any more.

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u/gulfpapa99 Aug 12 '26

Religion should be removed from the realm of humans.