Being an atheist isn't a shtick. It isn't a performance or a mask I put on when I post on Solo or other online communities. It is a part of me wherever I go. And it it a paradigm that acts as a map for my actions and thoughts. It shapes everything I do and think. It is never separated from me. It shapes what movies I watch and enjoy, what books I chose to read, what news items I focus on, and how I vote. Call me a crashing bore, but I am a dyed-in-the-wool atheist, much in the same way that a Jewish person raised by orthodox parents in Brooklyn is a dyed-in-the-wool Jew.
That is because I am not a one trick pony. I have other interests besides religion and philosophy. You and I have talked about music, mostly. That is probably your number one area of interest/expertise. And I have enjoyed our conversations very much. I have other friends here with whom I do speak with about atheism. Because they are atheists as well. I, like most people, vary my conversations depending on whom I am conversing. Just like you talk about certain things with your kids, other things with your male buddies, and still different things with your girlfriend. But there are certain things that stay in the background at all times... your political views, religious beliefs, beliefs about yourself. They may not be the topics of the discussion, but they shape the content you contribute. I talk about atheism in my blog. But I talk about so many more things. And for the most part, my talking about atheism has been limited to the Atheism Thread... except for a random quote, use of the A on my avatar... I am not incorporating my non-belief of a god into every post, anymore than you name drop Moz in every post. We are well-rounded people. This is a Morrissey fan site. But we are not robots who only live and breathe Morrissey. Same with atheism. There's more to life than atheism and Morrissey, ya know.
What dogma? Dogma, by definition, is the official system of belief or doctrine held by a religion, or a particular group or organization. Atheism has no such thing. There is no code, handbook, set of values, doctrine... nothing. It simply means non-belief in a god(s). I post Hitchens and Dawkins videos because I love those guys and what they stand for. But not all atheists love Hitchens. And not all Hitchens fans are atheists. Some atheists love Dawkins but don't like Hitchens, etc.
Last night, Geezer and I were getting down and dirty. But I think there was an air of humor about it. Debates can get heated--even a little nasty. But at the end of the day, I have no hard feelings about CG regarding what we discussed. I don't feel superior to her in any way. We all have strengths and weaknesses. I have stated this before. If I put on some sort of 'superiority cloak' when discussing atheism in this thread, that may indeed be a type of shtick... in that it is a method or style of debate I employ. It may be likened to a peacock spreading his feathers to impress or intimidate the competition, or a puffer fish inflating his cheeks to appear larger than he is. Who doesn't do this when debating? Lawyers do it in the courtroom. Politicians do it at the podium. Preachers do it at the pulpit. Hitch was famous for the Hitch slap, whereby he'd basically leave his opponents lying in the dust... speechless... without any possibility of recovery in the debate. I have no such gifts--not even close. But, almost every single opponent of Hitchens' walked away from the debate with a modicum of respect for Hitch and his intellectual prowess. Even if they disagreed with his beliefs. Thus, I too can separate the person from the debate. I don't hate Geezer. I actually like the fact that she is willing to jump into the ring and discuss atheism. And not only that but so many other topics as well. She's a fighter. I love that about her. so I have no hard feelings for her. And I do hope she has none for me... at least not because we have different metaphysical beliefs.
But, am I not doing what I am supposed to do on this thread... discussing atheism? If I were trolling you... pushing my views on you in music threads, then I could see where this would be a problem. But like I said before, this is my turf... where I am comfortable or at home. Why should I have to apologize for acting as to be expected... and even required?