Comment by Mallory on January 13, 2011 at 4:11pm

This is a topic that seems to be coming up in my life a lot recently, and up until recently I hadn't given it much thought.

 

I have plans to get a tattoo, which I outline in my own discussion (you can read it here). It involves Dawkins' scarlet A, which some have adopted at their own atheist symbol. I, personally, enjoy having symbols. I totally understand what you're saying that the base setting for a human is atheism, and as such it doesn't require a symbol. Kind of like there isn't a symbol for people born with blue eyes. You don't need something to represent what is just inherent.

 

I think one day, that will be the case. There will be no need for a symbol. But for today? I like the use of a symbol. Until atheism really is the default human position (or is at least left the default position instead of being replaced with religion), I think it's good for people to have something they can wear, draw, use, and get behind to feel like they really aren't alone. I have yet to see any sort of atheist symbolism anywhere where I live, but I know if I did I'd feel just a little bit less cynical about the human race. It would make me feel less alone, even though I may never meet the person who has the bumper sticker, it would make me feel a little more safe knowing that there's at least one more person out there who thinks like me. It's all fine and dandy to have a bunch of friends online who think like you, but to physically meet someone? That's a rarity for me.

 

I think, for now, atheism should have a symbol. I don't think we'll always need one, but for now I think it's good.

 

Good enough to get inked into my skin anyways, lol.

Comment by Paul Reed on March 17, 2011 at 7:10pm

If I understand the original post, then atheism doesn't need a symbol as it isn't an organisation, movement or official body, but rather the "default position". By that logic, it doesn't need forums, podcasts or websites. Yet here we are.

Atheists may not need a logo or symbol, but there's no good reason not to have one.

For one thing, logos (like websites) provide a form of community for like-minded individuals, a group to belong to when otherwise alone. They send a message to those who recognise them; that we exist, we have an opinion, and we matter. They also provoke interest, query and discussion.

I agree: In an ideal world atheism would be in the majority, rationality would reign and the whole religion thing would be a thing of the past. But right now, in this world, religion is all too present, affecting everyone, making a nuisance and manifesting itself in places it shouldn't be. And although atheism should be the default position, it really isn't. (It's the default logical position, but the average person on the street is statistically theist, and sadly that's considered the default. Which explains why some people are shocked we even exist). This is part of the reason we make ourselves known and take a stand. This is why we have this website and forum; to discuss this stuff. This is why we have podcasts, TV/radio shows, meetups, 'social network' groups, etc. This is quite possibly the reason atheism even exists as a label; to counter the overwhelming tide of irrational religious beliefs that affect our lives on a daily basis.

We have a shared identity, and although we may differ more than we agree, we come together in this one aspect. We needn't be atheist and nothing else.

So yes, we may not be a formal organisation, but we are a community. Logos and symbols are merely a manifestation of this. A way to connect.

 

 

There are already a number of logos/symbols around. This is my effort:

The purple symbol is the Greek letter theta ( Θ ), which phonetically represents the 'th' sound in 'theist'. I see it as a handy shorthand, as the word has a Greek root. It's purple to symbolise religion (I always imagine vestments and priestly garb being purple, for some reason). And obviously the universal 'No' is slashing across it. For Think Atheist you could just have that in a thought cloud!  :)

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