Symbols, Acronyms,
And Slogans
David and Will
Some have asked about symbols or acronyms for the atheistic movement. We would be willing to begin a move to solicit entries for a catchy symbol for atheism that intuitively describes what it symbolizes -- to be immediately placed into the public domain. |
David writes:
I am interested to know are there any atheistic symbols. The Christian cross unites their movment behind one representation. Taoists have their increasingly abused Ying/Yang motif. Atheists are traditionally less unified, more independent thinking and often (well perhaps I'm speaking personally) don't seek much validation of what they believe.
Any ideas on this?
David
Will writes:
I was just wondering, are there any atheistic acronyms out there?
I see people walking around with WWJD (what would jesus do) braclets and
FROG (fully rely on god) T-shirts, and i wanted to know if there was anything
out there for an atheist to wear to express my own views. Thanx for your
time
Will Sorrell
Cliff Responds:
We certainly would be less likely to use a symbol to validate our views or an acronym to summarize our postion. Symbols and acronyms and slogans are an easy way to get a point across (the Christian IXOYE [fish] is an acronym from the second century and the Roman Catholic IHS, a contraction, literally means "Jeez"), but people tend to accept, uncritically, particularly catchy slogans.
Here is the symbol for the organization American Atheists:
It is a trademark owned by that organization and symbolizing it (although some have been known to use it in a pinch).
The American Humanists Association uses the this humanized letter "H":
Again, this is the trademark for their organization. Also, Humanism is a variety of atheism, a subset of atheism, and does not represent the views of all atheists.
The punk-era rock group Bad Religion popularized this symbol, which is more anti-Christian than it is atheistic.
Along those lines, the website for American Atheists Magazine uses similar symbols, all "anti-" in their tone.
A very popular symbol that many atheists use is the DARWIN Amphibian, a spoof on the JESUS fish:
Again, this symbol is specific to evolution and to anti-Christian sentiments, and is not specific to atheism proper.
Annie Laurie Gaylor says that the pansy (the flower) has long been the symbol of Freethought.
The only acronym that I use (and it's probably just me) comes from (among other places) an old Peter Gabriel song, DIY (Do It Yourself).
I know of no other symbols ralated to atheism. If someone submits a catchy symbol that is specific only to atheism and intuitively suggests what it symbolizes, I would be the first to try to popularize it.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
P.O. Box 16811
Portland, OR 97292
http://www.PositiveAtheism.org/
editor@positiveatheism.org
"As soon as you're born
They make you feel small..."
-- John Lennon
(1940-1980)
"Changes take place, not independent of
man's will, but on account of man's wills.
Civilization has progressed by man's
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-- Gora
(1902-1975)
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to such acts only as are injurious to others.
-- Thomas
Jefferson (1743-1826)
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