So why don't atheists proselytize?

[Snotty]

I like to separate the ritual and dogma of religious institutions from the religious practice of reaching out to God. Religious institutions suffer pretty much equally from the same malady that afflicts any other group that is formed around an ideology - lazy thinkers falling in love with an idea that makes them feel good.

its organized religion vs personal belief.

The millennia of persecution and destruction under the name of god can be put down to organized religion.

[Kuciwalker]

1) Some atheists do proselytize.

2) Atheists don't believe you will face horrible consequences in some afterlife if you don't believe the same as they. Therefore, it's not vitally important that you do so.

[Kidlicious]

I mean it's only Christians, Muslims, and their bizarro sects (Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, NoI, Black Israelites, etc.) that will try to bother you on the subway about their beliefs or stand on street corners preaching. Have never seen an atheist say, "Excuse me, I have some Richard Dawkins I'd like you to read."

Where are these insistent atheists I keep hearing about?

It's because they don't have any game.

[Kidlicious]

2) Atheists don't believe you will face horrible consequences in some afterlife if you don't believe the same as they. Therefore, it's not vitally important that you do so.

Why would they care about your consequences?

[Hauldren Collider]

There are occasionally personal consequences from others believing in religion, c.f. the teaching evolution in schools debate.

[Kidlicious]

There are occasionally personal consequences to others believing in religion, c.f. the teaching evolution in schools debate.

What personal consequences?

[Elok]

Is this another "atheism is a religion" troll? If not, BK will make it that way. Let me get the popcorn, or possibly the pepto-bismol.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I don't think think Albert can troll.

[Caligastia]

2) Atheists don't believe you will face horrible consequences in some afterlife if you don't believe the same as they. Therefore, it's not vitally important that you do so.

Lots of religious people reject that idea too.

[Caligastia]

Would be nice to separate them. Don't see how you can without every person basically making up their own religion.

Which is kind of what happens anyway I suppose.

What I'm saying is that the negative actions associated with mainstream organized religion should not also be associated with the religious desire to seek God. Just because organized religions have committed heinous acts in the name of God, does not mean that the act of seeking God should be discarded.

[Hauldren Collider]

What personal consequences?

Er, your kids being taught pseudoscience at school?

Also, I made a typo, I meant FROM others believing in religions.

[Kidlicious]

Er, your kids being taught pseudoscience at school?

You mean like economics and government?

[MikeH]

What I'm saying is that the negative actions associated with mainstream organized religion should not also be associated with the religious desire to seek God. Just because organized religions have committed heinous acts in the name of God, does not mean that the act of seeking God should be discarded.

No, there are plenty of other reasons to discard the concept of god/gods.

Seriously though, if there were gods the ideas where there are multiple gods do seem more likely don't they? Why would there be only one?

[Caligastia]

its organized religion vs personal belief.

The millennia of persecution and destruction under the name of god can be put down to organized religion.

Right, but the problem is not a belief in God or even the congregation of those who believe in God - it's those who become fanatical to the extent that they no longer see people who don't share their beliefs as human.

[Caligastia]

No, there are plenty of other reasons to discard the concept of god/gods.

Seriously though, if there were gods the ideas where there are multiple gods do seem more likely don't they? Why would there be only one?

The trinity concept could be seen as being somewhat pantheistic. Why do multiple gods make more sense to you? And would I be correct in assuming that you wouldn't force on others your belief that God/god concepts should be discarded?