Difference between revisions of "Atheism symbols"
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| − | [[File: | + | [[File:USVA headstone emb-16.svg.png|alt=Atheism symbol|thumbnail|200px|right|The atomic whirl is one of the common atheist symbols. This atheism symbol is used on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grave headstones and markers.]] |
| − | + | '''Atheism symbols''' refer to the particular marks that represent [[atheism]]. Atheism has several different symbols it uses to represent itself. | |
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| − | + | Atheist [[PZ Myers]] has argued that it is inevitable that a "designated symbol of some sort is eventually going to come up from grass roots and become popular..".<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/08/atheism_symbol.php Atheism Symbol]</ref> On the other hand, atheist François Tremblay argues that concerted agreement/action is often very difficult to achieve in the atheist community which would argue against a designated and universal atheism symbol occurring anytime soon.<ref>[http://liberator.net/articles/TremblayFrancois/herdingcats.html Herding Cats: Why Atheism Will Lose]</ref> | |
| − | '''Atheism symbols''' refer to the particular marks that represent [[atheism]]. Atheism has several different symbols it uses to represent itself. | + | |
| − | + | In 2008, a list of 120 atheism symbols was compiled.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/20/a-collection-of-atheist-symbols/ A Collection of Atheist Symbols]</ref> | |
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| + | == Darwin Fish as a symbol for atheism == | ||
| + | [[File:Darwin Fish.svg.png|thumbnail|right|200px|Darwin fish]] | ||
| + | ''See also:'' [[Atheism and evolution]] | ||
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One of the most frequently seen symbols that atheists use is the "Darwin fish". The Darwin fish is a perversion of the [[Ichthys]], a famous symbol associated with [[Christianity]] and [[Jesus]], and is often associated with [[evolution]] and anti-[[creationism]]. It is often seen as a cynical attack on Christianity. | One of the most frequently seen symbols that atheists use is the "Darwin fish". The Darwin fish is a perversion of the [[Ichthys]], a famous symbol associated with [[Christianity]] and [[Jesus]], and is often associated with [[evolution]] and anti-[[creationism]]. It is often seen as a cynical attack on Christianity. | ||
| − | == | + | == Atomic whirl/Atomic Symbol == |
| − | The atomic symbol was developed by the ''[[American Atheists]]'' in 1963 and represents the belief that human progress can best be achieved through the [[scientific method]] and rational, open inquiry. The symbol has not gained wide acceptance due to its association with hazardous nuclear waste, nuclear bombs and hazardous radiation. | + | The atomic whirl/atomic symbol was developed by the ''[[American Atheists]]'' in 1963 and represents the belief that human progress can best be achieved through the [[scientific method]] and rational, open inquiry. The symbol has not gained wide acceptance due to its association with hazardous nuclear waste, nuclear bombs and hazardous radiation. |
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| + | == Scarlet Script "A" == | ||
| + | [[File:ScarletA.png|alt=Scarlet A Atheism symbol|thumbnail|200px|left|Scarlet A symbol for atheism.]] | ||
| + | This atheist symbol which is a red, italicized "A", is the symbol for [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution]]ist [[Richard Dawkins]]'s "OUT campaign" and was picked at the Atheist Alliance International convention in Washington DC as symbol for atheism for a poster.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/08/atheism_symbol.php Atheism Symbol]</ref> Christian apologist [[True Free Thinker|Ken Ammi]] writes: "Obviously, this "A" refers to atheism and yet, has been correlated with "the scarlet letter" in reference to the "A" that was placed on the front of the clothing of adulterers in Puritan communities in places such as Boston. The claim is that just as adultery, and hence the adulterer, were stigmatized atheists have been stigmatized."<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/atheism-symbols-atheist-symbols</ref> The atheist Dr. [[Sam Harris]] has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."<ref>http://newsinitiative.org/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist</ref> The Scarlet Script "A" campaign attempts to eliminate religion in politics and schools. | ||
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| + | [[File:Empty set symbol.png|thumbnail|100px|right|[[Empty set]] symbol]] | ||
| + | == Empty Set symbol as a symbol for atheism == | ||
| − | + | The [[empty set]] symbol, ∅, was originally suggested by Wayne Otero and was derived from a letter in the Norwegian and Danish alphabet. It asserts the idea that there is no God and shows the obvious spiritual emptiness of atheists. A zero is another similar symbol that's been used. | |
| − | The empty set symbol, ∅, was originally suggested by Wayne Otero and was derived from a letter in the Norwegian and Danish alphabet. It asserts the idea that there is no God and shows the obvious spiritual emptiness of atheists. A zero is another similar symbol that's been used. | ||
| − | + | == Invisible Pink Unicorn == | |
| − | + | ''See also:'' [[Atheism and mockery]] | |
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The Invisible Pink Unicorn is not an official symbol of atheism, but many atheists claim that the existence of God can be likened to the existence of invisible pink unicorns. Atheists engage in denialism and often try to suppress the abundant evidence for the existence of [[God]] and for [[Christianity]] (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Atheism and deception]]). | The Invisible Pink Unicorn is not an official symbol of atheism, but many atheists claim that the existence of God can be likened to the existence of invisible pink unicorns. Atheists engage in denialism and often try to suppress the abundant evidence for the existence of [[God]] and for [[Christianity]] (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Atheism and deception]]). | ||
| − | A strain of this, where Atheists bring up [[Santa Claus]] instead, has been noted by popular apologist, [[Shockofgod]], who coined the term [[Santa | + | A strain of this, where Atheists bring up [[Santa Claus]] instead, has been noted by popular apologist, [[Shockofgod]], who coined the term [[Santa syndrome]] to describe this irrational behaviour. |
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| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Atheism, rites and rituals]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
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*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/atheism-symbols-atheist-symbols Atheism symbols] by [[True Free Thinker]] | *[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/atheism-symbols-atheist-symbols Atheism symbols] by [[True Free Thinker]] | ||
*[http://www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmemb.asp Atheism and humanism symbols for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers] - United States Department of Veteran Affairs | *[http://www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmemb.asp Atheism and humanism symbols for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers] - United States Department of Veteran Affairs | ||
| + | *[http://www.ancient-symbols.com/atheist_symbols.html Atheist symbols] | ||
| + | *[http://symboldictionary.net/?p=2087 Symbols of disbelief] | ||
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== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
| − | [[Category: Atheism]] | + | [[Category:Atheism]] |
Latest revision as of 17:39, June 9, 2017
Atheism symbols refer to the particular marks that represent atheism. Atheism has several different symbols it uses to represent itself.
Atheist PZ Myers has argued that it is inevitable that a "designated symbol of some sort is eventually going to come up from grass roots and become popular..".[1] On the other hand, atheist François Tremblay argues that concerted agreement/action is often very difficult to achieve in the atheist community which would argue against a designated and universal atheism symbol occurring anytime soon.[2]
In 2008, a list of 120 atheism symbols was compiled.[3]
Darwin Fish as a symbol for atheism
See also: Atheism and evolution
One of the most frequently seen symbols that atheists use is the "Darwin fish". The Darwin fish is a perversion of the Ichthys, a famous symbol associated with Christianity and Jesus, and is often associated with evolution and anti-creationism. It is often seen as a cynical attack on Christianity.
Atomic whirl/Atomic Symbol
The atomic whirl/atomic symbol was developed by the American Atheists in 1963 and represents the belief that human progress can best be achieved through the scientific method and rational, open inquiry. The symbol has not gained wide acceptance due to its association with hazardous nuclear waste, nuclear bombs and hazardous radiation.
Scarlet Script "A"
This atheist symbol which is a red, italicized "A", is the symbol for atheist and evolutionist Richard Dawkins's "OUT campaign" and was picked at the Atheist Alliance International convention in Washington DC as symbol for atheism for a poster.[4] Christian apologist Ken Ammi writes: "Obviously, this "A" refers to atheism and yet, has been correlated with "the scarlet letter" in reference to the "A" that was placed on the front of the clothing of adulterers in Puritan communities in places such as Boston. The claim is that just as adultery, and hence the adulterer, were stigmatized atheists have been stigmatized."[5] The atheist Dr. Sam Harris has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."[6] The Scarlet Script "A" campaign attempts to eliminate religion in politics and schools.
Empty Set symbol as a symbol for atheism
The empty set symbol, ∅, was originally suggested by Wayne Otero and was derived from a letter in the Norwegian and Danish alphabet. It asserts the idea that there is no God and shows the obvious spiritual emptiness of atheists. A zero is another similar symbol that's been used.
Invisible Pink Unicorn
See also: Atheism and mockery
The Invisible Pink Unicorn is not an official symbol of atheism, but many atheists claim that the existence of God can be likened to the existence of invisible pink unicorns. Atheists engage in denialism and often try to suppress the abundant evidence for the existence of God and for Christianity (see: Arguments for the existence of God and Evidence for Christianity and Atheism and deception).
A strain of this, where Atheists bring up Santa Claus instead, has been noted by popular apologist, Shockofgod, who coined the term Santa syndrome to describe this irrational behaviour.
See also
External links
- Atheism symbols by True Free Thinker
- Atheism and humanism symbols for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers - United States Department of Veteran Affairs
- Atheist symbols
- Symbols of disbelief