Your average internet atheist Admitting that there are no objective moral values and duties Constantly making moral judgments about religion and religious people
This image features a cat standing on its hind legs, with one forepaw resting on a cat scratching post and the other on what appears to be the edge of a bed or a low shelf. The cat's posture is quite anthropomorphic, resembling a human casually leaning against a wall. Its eyes are wide, and it has an attentive yet somewhat surprised or exasperated facial expression. The scene appears to be inside a home, and the domestic environment suggests a comfortable, everyday scenario one would typically find a pet cat in.
Overlaying the image are blocks of text arranged in a way that forms a humorous and satirical meme. The text at the top reads “Your average internet atheist,” suggesting that the cat represents this demographic. Below, two conflicting statements flank the cat, with "Admitting that there are no objective moral values and duties" on one side corresponding to the cat's paw on the scratching post, and "Constantly making moral judgments about religion and religious people" on the other corresponding to the paw on the bed or shelf.
The humor in the image arises from the juxtaposition of two contrasting statements that play off a stereotype about atheists who engage in debates on the internet. This stereotype suggests that while they may dismiss the idea of objective morality, as indicated on the one side of the meme, they are nonetheless often involved in critiquing the morals and choices of religious individuals and groups, as indicated on the opposite side. The cat being "torn" between these two stances visually represents this contradiction.
The usage of a cat to illustrate the point adds a layer of absurdity to the meme. Cats are known for their indifferent and inscrutable demeanors, and featuring one in a discussion of philosophical or religious debate underscores the nonsensical or unexpected nature of the situation. This kind of anthropomorphism—attributing human characteristics to a non-human entity—is a common and effective comic device.
Additionally, the cat's positioning, with one paw on each opposing idea, visually represents being caught in the middle of two conflicting viewpoints. The stance seems to suggest a casual unawareness of the inconsistency, which serves to heighten the joke. The cat's physical split between the two sides echoes the perceived intellectual contradiction of the text.
The meme might be funny to those who recognize the irony in the situation it describes. Those familiar with online culture—especially the sometimes contentious debates regarding religion and morality that can take place on internet forums—will likely appreciate the humor. It plays on the observation that individuals might sometimes hold or appear to express conflicting ideas without fully realizing the potential contradiction, portrayed here by an oblivious cat nonchalantly straddling two sides of an argument. Your average internet atheist Admitting that there are no objective moral values and duties Constantly making moral judgments about religion and religious people
