I voted for the idea of an "Atheist-ish" site. I'm a Christian, and a strong one, but I don't think it's fair that there is group for us and not for the Atheists. Really, it isn't that big of a deal to me. I just find it very, very unfair. I also think that the ones who complain about this a lot are giant babies though too. Seriously... But if it were the other way around, and Atheists had an ish site... Christians would probably be complaining a lot too. It's sad, really...
Let's look at it like this:
No one complains about not having a "Jewish-ish" site.
No one complains about not having an "Islam-ish" site.
No one complains about not having a "Buddhist-ish" site.
No one complains about not having a "Mormon-ish" site.
This really shows how pathetic both sides can be.
But what is this complaint
really about? Are there really people who want their writings featured on an "ish" site they can relate to so they can network a little better? Or do they merely want an "ish" site just because the Christians have one... for the sake of fairness? My guess is more of the latter than the former (not that there is a problem with either way). If this is the case, I think those who complain about a lack of an "atheist-ish" sub-community should not only try to get their site up in as many ways as they can, they should try to get other "ish" sites up and running for the sake of fairness too.
There are many ways to go about this too.
First of all, you can create your own page, similar to catpooish. It isn't the same, but it is something... and it might give Xanga the idea.
Secondly, you can submit your stuff to Revelife. Sometimes they feature blogs from atheists... because we can all learn from each other. They just won't feature anything that mocks Christianity... and rightly so... but again, it is worth a try. And who cares if the Christians complain? They will just do it on an "Athieist-ish" site anyway.
Thirdly, if it really is that big of a deal to you, boycott Xanga until they put up an "Atheist-ish" sub-community. I know that nothing is as good as Xanga, but if you want to get serious, you have to do some serious things. If Xanga starts losing it's more outspoken atheists (or the sensitive atheist supporters) left and right, they will know what the problem is.
There are plenty of things you can do to get a site up and running. Just be creative.
My biggest suggestion, however, is just let it go. Even though I think it is fair and I support the idea of "Atheist-ish" I believe that silence, often speaks louder than anything. But I also think that we should be careful about the divisions we place in Xanga. Xanga is a tight community and it is good to preserve it the best we can, while sharing each other's ideas and creeds.
So what do you think? Should Xanga put up Atheist-ish?
Comments (31)
I don't care. It won't bother me either way.
Maybe no one complains about not having the other relgious sites because there aren't very many people that practice them on xanga? I'm not sure. I'm Catholic and I rarely go to Revelife. Just a thought. ♥
Personally, I think it would be cool to have an Atheist-ish, but I don't care more than that. I'm pretty sure that the world has bigger issues than if there is an Atheist-ish or not on xanga.
Any, and all, should have a voice. Great post.
I don't think it do very well, but I could not care less ether way.
@storiesandsinker - Completely agree with your last line.
I think there has to be a limit though. There is an ish site for virtually everything imaginable. I think a more comprehensive site where both viewpoints can be expressed in a respectful manner would be ideal. Separating them out into their own communities just makes it seem like both sides are too childish to play nice with each other.
What the world would they talk about..Us? Probably. LOL
I would love to see an Islamlife and a Jewishlife site. I think that would be cool
I am impartial - I wasn't going to vote against it (on the principal that I don't agree) but I was not going to oppose it eigther - in that they have every right to have their own site if they really want it.
If they do get one, I would prpbably go to it, and read it, just becasue I enjoy reading that sort of thing.
i think a conglomerate religiousish site is best- Christians shouldn't be isolating themselves in the first place- that's how we stagnate spiritually.
Eh, as an Atheist I couldn't care less. I try not to argue with other's who have religion (it's none of my concern, as my lack there of should be no one else's concern) and I think that if a vocal group wants there own site then let them. Personally, instead of Revellife they should have a generic religious site with sub-pages for each group. Make it much easier.
@bosefius - Well said. Religion or lack there of shouldn't be a divisive factor in a place like this. A general site that talks about belief in general can serve both believers and non-believers equally in my opinion, seeing that both are a type of belief system (only atheism does not believe in a higher power).
I'd prefer something for all faiths (or lack there of).
i always wondered why there was a "revelife" ish, but there wasnt one for anyother religion. lol
I think more than anything it's the constant bombardment of Christian material on the front page, with no counter points going on. I know that's what annoys me the most. There are other particulars about revlife itself that I won't go into.
I'm still for a generic theologyish.
I think instead of atheist vs christian sites, separated, there should just be one big general religious topics site. It eliminates the feud.
"Or do they merely want an "ish" site just because the Christians have one... for the sake of fairness?"
Yes. Because we want to be able to discuss religion somewhere more public, and revelife tends to block the more outspoken atheists.
"Secondly, you can submit your stuff to Revelife."
Sure, and have the entire message changed, as many atheists who submitted their posts to revelife and had them featured have said. A small change here, an extra word there, a significant question added at the end - and the point of the post is no longer what the author intended it to be. Sure, in the Xanga guidelines or whatever it says that they're entitled to change words in the post, but that sort of defeats the purpose of featuring atheists if what atheists have to say is changed by Christians.
I don't personally even want an atheist-ish anymore. I just want a place where EVERYONE can talk about any religion (or lack thereof) and not get blocked or have their message changed.
@TakingxOverxMe - That won't include atheists though, considering atheism isn't a religion.
I think it would be best to get rid of "revelife" and create a general spiritual site as well as a place for atheists. That way we won't have a billion ish sites all over the place.
I've been featured on Revelife on occasion, but they always edit my posts to make what I meant come out as slightly different. I've also had completely non-offensive comments deleted, seemingly because they didn't agree with whoever was in charge of that at the moment. Frankly, I don't want an "atheist-ish" site, but more of a "rationalist-ish" site. Atheists shouldn't be banding together like that. You don't hear about groups that don't believe in bigfoot gathering together, or groups that really don't like mayonaisse (although I may be inclined to join the latter of the two).
Who started revelife in the first place? I agree that we should have one giant spirituality site with different pages for different belief systems. Everyone believes something, even the atheist. That would only be fair. We could then all dialogue respectfully if we wanted too.
@Dargon - We should make The TheologiansCafe give us his username, and it can be open to ALL kinds of theology.
@BunnyParfait - That's what I meant.
i don't really care, but, someone is always going to want some other ish site.
I don't mind at all