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I feel these men played such a great role in so many people's lives (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by somewhatcleverEel

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[–]BoreasBlack 20 points21 points ago

Bob Ross was a surprise... o.o

[–]a-Centauri 0 points1 point ago

isn't he a mormon...? anyone have a link to prove his atheism?

[–]WhyteMagez 6 points7 points ago*

It doesn't matter if he is an atheist or not. The point is that these people are teachers who want to 'watch the world learn' and celebrate the expansion of knowledge. If Bob Ross isn't an atheist, it matters little.

EDIT: I did, however, try to find an answer to your question just for the sake of knowing, and I found nothing reliable. It appears he wasn't open enough about it to have this information widely known.

[–]Bitshift71 10 points11 points ago

These guys are cool and all, but it's kind of a "cult of personality" group... A lot of men(women) like to watch(help?) the world learn too.

[–]ScottFree37 6 points7 points ago

Spot on. So why is it here on r/atheism? One theory is that many "converts" come from highly religious backgrounds and can't quite grasp the concept of no religion so they replace their god worship for some kind of knowledge worship. Not a bad thing to worship, but one can't help but wonder if this behaviour lingers, what others might also be carried over?

[–]Bitshift71 0 points1 point ago

Wow, I have never thought (or even heard of) that concept. But I am sure that is very true for many for a good while... I reject my man-god and substitute my own REAL...man-god.

[–]Wissam24 38 points39 points ago

Isn't Mr Rogers incredibly Christian? Not that he can't be seen as a role model, mind.

[–]Changeling52 50 points51 points ago

If what I've read in the past was true, he was an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, but got into trouble with them a few times because he wasn't a fan of shaming non-believers and homosexuals. He apparently preferred to tell them, "God loves you, just the way that you are."

[–]advocat3 37 points38 points ago

Tolerance, fuck yeah

[–]The_A_Drain 15 points16 points ago

I was under the impression Bob Ross was also very Christian, Mormon I thought but I could be wrong about that.

[–]vitani88 12 points13 points ago

Bob Ross is Christian. He talks about god in his shows.

[–]sco360 8 points9 points ago

Yeah he was actually a minister if you can believe it. Still love the man though

[–]dicks1jo 40 points41 points ago

If more Christians were like Fred Rogers the world would be a much happier place.

[–]Waspkeeper 1 point2 points ago

If everyone was more like Fred the world would be a better place.

[–]sco360 1 point2 points ago

Take my upvote!

[–]Tarcos -2 points-1 points ago

Fuck yeah, this quote is a Facebook status.

[–]iAlsoAmNotkevinBacon 0 points1 point ago

Look Fred, I have lived next door to you for 15 years. Of coarse I am your neighbor. Also, it's a little weird that you always change your shoes when you are talking to me in your living room.

[–]hammertime1070 44 points45 points ago

Where is Day9?

[–]InternetRevocator 6 points7 points ago

Here's a pylon to power you up.

[–]ToegrinderSC 0 points1 point ago

I love seeing things like this pop up in other subreddits.

[–]Katie1230 20 points21 points ago

I love Bob Ross, watching him is so relaxing. I like to get baked and watch him paint happy trees, and say "now lets get crazy" then just makes something bad ass in seconds.

[–]Minimalphilia 11 points12 points ago

Or when you come home in the middle of the night, totally wasted and turn on the tv. Bob Ross. I think, he goes well with any drug, really.

[–]Katie1230 7 points8 points ago

Indeed. My friend was freaking out over finals the other day, and what calms her down? Bob Ross is the answer.

[–]The_guy_behind_you 7 points8 points ago

He was also catholic.

[–]HappinessByHyperbole 4 points5 points ago

Why does that even matter?

[–]The_guy_behind_you 13 points14 points ago

Because people seem to mix "Atheism" with learning and intelligence.That is one high horse that we should probably get off of.

[–]doesnotexist1000 4 points5 points ago

Don't you mean people seem to mix "Catholic" with stupidity and ignorance?

[–]The_guy_behind_you 3 points4 points ago

Exactly. Just like that old post said, there are good catholics and bad catholics, good atheists and bad atheists

[–]Shainsworth 0 points1 point ago

BY DAWKINS, SAY IT ISN'T SO, WHYYYYYYYYY??!!!!! WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME BOB ROSS WAS BURNING WITCHES AND SLAUGHTERING HOMOSEXUALS IN BETWEEN PAINTING THOSE MAGNIFICENT LANDSCAPES!

[–]The_guy_behind_you 0 points1 point ago

Nah he seemed pretty chill. He also talked about accepting and stuff. Remember just because he is a catholic doesn't mean he is a bigot. Also how did you not notice? He said "and god bless you all" at the end of every show.

[–]Katie1230 0 points1 point ago

Who gives a shit, its not like he was pushing it on anyone. He believed that anyone could learn to paint if they tried. Was he ever painting shit like crosses and crucifixes or throwing little happy angels in with those happy trees? no.

[–]The_guy_behind_you 0 points1 point ago

Yes but like I said people in this subreddit treat intelligence like it is a atheist exclusive thing. As an atheist I have to say this is simply not true

[–]22_hoghoghog_22 3 points4 points ago

I love Bob Ross as much as the next guy, but is he on the same level as these other guys?

[–]The_A_Drain 4 points5 points ago

I really like Bob Ross, it's a shame he's no longer with us. But wasn't he Christian? Unless the post wasn't trying to imply that he was atheist.

[–]thomyorke64 8 points9 points ago

There are plenty of Christians in the world who don't find their faith an impediment to scientific progress and learning. Mr. Rogers was also strongly religious (a minister, I believe), but he was more concerned with making children feel loved and valued than imposing doctrine. I miss the man...

This is a highly worthwhile video of Mr. Rogers explaining his philosophy and defending the need for PBS funding in front of the U.S. Senate. Needless to say, even in Washington he melts their hearts.

[–]The_A_Drain 0 points1 point ago

I'm not questioning that a lot of Christians are good people, and I do not know who Mr Rogers is (sorry), and given the location of the post I just thought it was being implied they were all atheist.

[–]thomyorke64 0 points1 point ago

That wasn't meant as a criticism at all, just an observation. But I'm surprised you don't know Mr. Rogers! He had a show called "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" that was on PBS for decades. You should still watch the video to get a sense of the man.

[–]The_A_Drain 1 point2 points ago

I'm from the UK so, tbh I had no idea who Carl Sagan, Neil DeGrasse Tyson , Bill Nye etc even were before discovering r/atheism. In fact I thought Bill Nye was Bill Nighy spelled incorrectly. Bill Nighy

[–]YakMan2 1 point2 points ago

Bill Nighy with a science should would be pretty badass.

[–]The_A_Drain 0 points1 point ago

I agree that would be awesome.

[–]SMCinPDX 0 points1 point ago

Bill Nighy is chiefly known, on this side of the pond, for his villainous supporting turns in the Underworld and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises. He was rather comically scenery-chewing in both roles, but it seemed to me that there was some "there" there; care to recommend anything he was actually good in?

[–]ScottFree37 0 points1 point ago

He was the absolute shining light in love actually making that movie vaguely bearable.

[–]SMCinPDX 0 points1 point ago

Thanks, I'll look that up.

[–]ScottFree37 0 points1 point ago

To be clear it is a chick flick. Probably one of the better ones though. Still, he's great in it.

[–]One_nice_atheist -2 points-1 points ago

I'm sorry The A Drain, I believe his name is spelled "Davy Jones"

[–]meeerod 10 points11 points ago

Where's Levar Burton from Reading Rainbow? If this is about learning, then an advocate for reading should be in there too. Regardless this is still an awesome picture. :Uptokes:

[–]kylenienhaus 1 point2 points ago

Somewhere is this picture with him added. It is a better picture because of it.

[–]advocat3 0 points1 point ago

Advocate, great word choice.

[–]neededathrowaway42 -2 points-1 points ago

"but don't take my word for it"

edit: also, remove Bob Ross and replace with Levar Burton, imo.

[–]Gogzilla 4 points5 points ago

Is Bob Ross painting Carl Sagan into existence?!

[–]dedtigers 1 point2 points ago

That made me smile as well

[–]Punkrocker333 7 points8 points ago

I'm sorry, but this is a repost.

[–]bwheat 2 points3 points ago

I think this photo has as many reposts as it does points

[–]_the13thchamber_ 5 points6 points ago

Where is Mr. Wizard?

[–]jonbotwesley 2 points3 points ago

Holy FUCK I feel like I've seen this same post 5 times over the last year... And yet the upvotes keep rolling in

[–]Sandinister[!] 7 points8 points ago

Posts like these are why I'm starting to hate r/atheism. Pointless pandering reposts that generate no discussion or have any actual value to them. And they get upvoted like crazy, every time. Ridiculous.

[–]david13z 2 points3 points ago

How come Beakman's World is never mentioned with other science shows? Teach kids science and be funny as hell at the same time. I'm 52 and i I miss that show.

[–]wawin 1 point2 points ago

I agree with you 100%. Here is a treat, I checked in my netflix two nights ago and saw that all 91 episodes of beakman's world are now available to watch instantly, woohoo!

BEAKMAN'S CHALLENGE.

[–]BillyPup 2 points3 points ago

What about that Dr. Suzuki dude?

[–]hrgilbert 0 points1 point ago

David Suzuki? The (apparently) most trust-worthy Canadian in the world?

[–]RickRussellTX 0 points1 point ago*

I watched dozens and dozens of episodes of The Nature of Things as a kid.

[–]Etive 2 points3 points ago

What about Sir David Attenborough?

[–]TotallyKidding 5 points6 points ago

OMG BOB ROSS IS CHRISTIAN, I CANT RESPECT HIM NOW

[–]HateMachineX 1 point2 points ago

Anyone by chance have a larger version of this I would love to be able to use it as a wallpaper

[–]doobist 1 point2 points ago

Brought to you by

[–]lurk2derp 1 point2 points ago

Wasn't this just on the front page a couple of weeks ago?

[–]armenianlover 1 point2 points ago

The amount of times this has been reposted is too damn high!

[–]epitome89 1 point2 points ago

How many times has this been reposted?

[–]Teyar 0 points1 point ago

I've been on reddit a year, reading daily.

Aint nevah seen this particular pic. I'll allow it.

[–]someguy73 1 point2 points ago

Bob Ross isn't an Atheist (he ended every show by saying "God bless") which proves that not every religious person is bad.

[–]Kind_Of_A_Dick 1 point2 points ago

What does this have to do with atheism?

[–]Lemmiwinks0141 0 points1 point ago

It's been reposted a thousand times. That means it belongs here....

[–]stealth-fap 1 point2 points ago

I love Bob Ross, but he didn't really teach me any life lessons. He was just a really, really, pleasant man.

[–]whyAtheistsLikeThis 1 point2 points ago

  • Credits the accomplishment of these 5 men to atheism

[–]OrthodoxCaveman 2 points3 points ago

Most of these people aren't atheists....they're agnostics.

Why can't /r/Atheism actually be about atheism?

[–]Spankersore 0 points1 point ago

Most of these people are corpses.

[–]dicks1jo 0 points1 point ago

Not that superstition actually counts for anything, but has anyone else noticed how some of the men in this image have died in chronological order corresponding to proximity to the right edge?

[–]allworkandlowpay 0 points1 point ago

I feel like Bob Ross doesn't really belong in this group. I'd probably put Bill Moyer into this group before Bob Ross.

[–]hrgilbert 0 points1 point ago

Why?

[–]allworkandlowpay 0 points1 point ago

Because. The rest of them focused on the broad teaching of fundamental scientific insight and the pursuit of knowledge. Bob Ross painted pretty pictures and talked to you nicely.

[–]hrgilbert 0 points1 point ago

Bob Ross focused on the broad teaching of artistic insight and the pursuit of that kind of knowledge — why is it that knowledge taught through/derived from aesthetics is less valuable than knowledge taught through/derived from science? Perhaps Bob Ross didn't have quite as large an impact (perhaps!) but he certainly was a teacher all the same!

[–]allworkandlowpay 0 points1 point ago

He taught people aesthetics. Sagan taught about the Stars. One weighs more importantly to me than the others. Sorry, he just doesn't belong with the others. Plain and simple

[–]hrgilbert 0 points1 point ago

I think the important thing to remember is that one weighs more importantly for you! And that, I'm inclined to think, is not reason enough to make the claim that Bob Ross "...doesn't belong with the others." For surely, there are those folks who have learnt much, much more from Bob Ross than any others on the poster, and vice versa. His presence is good — it diversifies the group as Bob Ross is (I believe) the only non-scientist up there! Don't be so close-minded to the importance of aesthetics and its presence in the human intellect!

[–]stonesia 0 points1 point ago

Turning the jibberish lingo of art and science into common man's language is a goddamn feat.

[–]segasean 0 points1 point ago

Why Bob Ross? He's cool, but I feel like he sticks out from this picture. Like meeerod said, Levar Burton could be up there.

[–]Elementium 0 points1 point ago

I feel like this would go great.. with a menacing picture of Mr.Rogers.. if at all possible.

[–]RickRussellTX 0 points1 point ago

Seriously, we need a national hall of fame for teachers. The awards ceremony should get prime-time coverage.

[–]Jonny_Stranger 0 points1 point ago

Feeling feelings feels good!

Still not getting my upvote, reposter.

[–]signspam 0 points1 point ago

The only think I learned from Bob Ross was that I would never become a great artist....thanks Bob...RIP

[–]spilk 0 points1 point ago

Sad to see that Mr. Wizard is not there.

[–]beforeiimplode 0 points1 point ago

Bob Ross was my idol when I was around the age of five. I would watch him in absolute silence and awe, much to the delight of my parents-however-I'm unsure if this was due to the fact I was showing interest in the arts at an early age, or simply because I was out of their fucking faces for an hour, for lack of better words.

Fond memories.

[–]cptjmshook 0 points1 point ago

I love to watch Bob Ross as much as the next guy, and he was a wonderful man with a wonderful, gentle, soothing personality, but he didn't really teach his audience anything, not even how to paint. All he did was provide step-by-step instructions equivalent to paint-by-numbers. A good art teacher, the kind you'd want teaching in a high school, for instance, would teach you things like technique, a bit of art history, the different movements i.e. styles, and encourage creativity and personal expression.

He really doesn't belong on this list.

[–]jesusfvck 0 points1 point ago

Finally! Something I can use for a cover photo. Thanks~

[–]myladydominate 0 points1 point ago

I learned a lot from Bob Ross watching my elderly babysitter's videos of him day in and day out until I was 7-8 years old.. Painting is probably the only positive outlet keeping me sane today. Not to say that Nye and Sagan weren't influential to me later on, but for different reasons. Agreed that he isn't any contribution to anyone's atheism, though.

[–]NoNotHimAgain 0 points1 point ago

Two Live Crew? R.I.P. to the others.

[–]smithcohan 0 points1 point ago

If you want to evaluate people by sheer number of people influenced. Oprah > all those dudes.

edit: grammar

[–]jmaccadillac 0 points1 point ago

Similar

[–]bradadams986 0 points1 point ago

better version http://imgur.com/pmFII

[–]mickey_t 0 points1 point ago

It makes me so happy that Bob Ross was included.

[–]Tol3ntino 0 points1 point ago

Bob Ross taught me to chill the fuck out.

Thanks bob

[–]Kanex 0 points1 point ago

Wasn't Mr. Rogers a devout Catholic? Considering this is r/atheism...

[–]TufiS 0 points1 point ago

Where is Brian Cox???

[–]truthie 0 points1 point ago

Bob Ross? Okayyy

[–]coldize 0 points1 point ago

I thought Mr. Rogers was Bob Kelso for a split second. Too bad, I learned a lot about life through watching scrubs.

[–]darkalex8991 0 points1 point ago

Bill Nye the Science Guy!!

[–]Pwnk 0 points1 point ago

Notice: NO WOMEN

[–]Ronthedon 0 points1 point ago

where the fuck is Levar Burton.

[–]Haiku_It 0 points1 point ago

I seriously love this fucking picture, thank you.

[–]Fdotification 0 points1 point ago

Some men just want to post Christian facebook updates.

[–]TexasEnFuego 0 points1 point ago

I was literally two feet away from Bill Nye today. He spoke at my school.

[–]carlosmal 0 points1 point ago

This is my dream team. Fuck the Expendables.

[–]Ziggie1o1 0 points1 point ago

Some women too... just sayin...

[–]dreamingaswell 0 points1 point ago

There are people who think they know everything and that anyone who doesn't think similarly is stupid and worthy of disdain...

And there are people who recognize the ignorance in themselves and others, and simply try to understand as best they can and encourage others to do the same.

Atheism/theism has nothing to do with either.

[–]djpk19 0 points1 point ago

Fuck Bob Ross. It's like saying a coloring book brought art to the masses.

[–]Fenixx117 0 points1 point ago

Replace Mr. Rogers with Mr. Dressup and you have yourself a deal

[–]tsingi 0 points1 point ago

Who is the guy on the right, with the paintbrush?

The rest I recognise as Bill Nye, NDT, M.r Rogers, and Carl Sagan.

[–]aidan878 1 point2 points ago

Bob ross.

[–]iansolidgoldie 1 point2 points ago

I saw him doing this painting on TV before, took him about 10 minutes, made it look like child's play. He's awesome.

[–]Marzipan_Brain 0 points1 point ago

I only know who these men are 'cause of Reddit.

[–]goofygoobarock 0 points1 point ago

What? For Bill Nye and Mr. Rogers-- did you just skip your childhood?

And haven't you ever seen Nova ScienceNOW ?

[–]Marzipan_Brain 0 points1 point ago

I'm a Brit and to my knowledge these guys didn't really have a profile over here. I'm sure someone will now prove me wrong. Every time someone mentions Bill Nye I read Nye as Nighy and think they mean this guy.

[–]goofygoobarock 0 points1 point ago

Ohhh that would explain it, haha. Sorry, I keep forgetting that not everyone is American.

[–]Entasis1 0 points1 point ago

I want to make this my new tattoo.

[–]FUCKWIZARD -4 points-3 points ago

most of these people aren't even atheist

0/10

[–]Spankersore 0 points1 point ago

Most of these people are dead.

[–]stancoffyn 0 points1 point ago

Ugh, now I have sadness.

[–]darkcustom -1 points0 points ago

Bob Ross always creeped me out when my 2nd grade teacher would have us watch his show.

[–]Hevendor -1 points0 points ago

Bob Ross was a big time Christian, brah. He ended every show by saying "God bless".

[–]JackRawlinson -2 points-1 points ago

Who is that fucker with the stupid perm? I have no idea.

[–]RatbikeJim -3 points-2 points ago

+1 for both Dark Knight quote and for the Micheal Caine-ness of it.

[–]ROELtja -3 points-2 points ago

no dawkins?

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