Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?
Comments
-
HollyAnn your questions are very welcome. Thank-you for being interested!
Spar, all we can hope it that you see the light and become an atheist.
Religion has been around for ages to explain things that the human mind could not understand -- thunder, storms, the seasons, death, etc. To provide comfort against the scary unknown, something that humans had no understanding and/or control over. We understand most of these things now through science. Two biggies we don't understand yet are death (well, I just think you're, well, dead, end of biochemical event) and just how everything got started (big bang, etc.). So, the concept of a god is continued today to explain and provide comfort. It's artificial, IMHO. It's just something that won't work for me, it's not real, I can't believe something on "faith", just because a philosopher or a warrior or whomever said so. I'd rather say I don't know the answers.
As an atheist, I would love, when I die, to just be placed in the earth to biodegrade, become simple carbon, nitrogen, etc. and nourish the earth. A plant with live because of me. A bird, a squirrel...my nutrients will be spread out into so many creatures. And when they die and the cycle repeats. For me that is immortality, and something very beautiful. This is something I have desired since I was a little girl.
Edited to add: These are my views and I know many may disagree. But that's OK. We're all different. Re. prayers and best wishes: Should anyone pray for my health I thank them and truely appreciate it. Best wishes are nice too.
0 -
Count me in the non-believer club. Most of my family is like-minded but I have many friends who are praying for me. I never ask them not to because I know their hearts are in the right place. They care about me. It's one of the great things about this country. You can be religious or not, as you wish. Granted, we atheists are in a minority, but we're strong. And we're also believers. I believe in love, kindness, goodness, humor and, again, alway love.
0 -
Meg,
I am happy you have found comfort & strength in God. I wish all women who face this hell known as BC could find it somehow.
I never meant to imply Holly's question was unwelcome and I certainly think I took the time to explain my view of the world and why I believe what I do. Expression via written word is not my art.
Do I talk to my Dad who I lost to cancer 3 years ago? I do, I look a his photo and I ask him questions regarding how I lead my life. Does he hear me?
We are all surrounded by a great energy, when my Father passed, that energy left his body. Where did it go? I know it remains, I am just not arrogant to assume that my beliefs are 100% correct. I don't think anyone should be.
I wish we could all unite, regardless of belief, and learn to love & support each other.
Hoping everyone had a nice week-end. Dawn
0 -
konacat, never gonna happen, but I got a big smile out of your post. I don't judge people who don't believe but I do wonder sometimes why and you guys are explaining it just fine. But God is my shepard and I will follow him all the days of my life. None of us will ever know the truth until it is our time to pass. No pun intended but God bless you all.
0 -
guitar girl..are you still traveling around or are you home for a spell...
Welcome to all the new interested non-believers...
0 -
without my faith in God I would not have gotten though all this.
0 -
Interesting thread. Wish I found it sooner. I grew up in organized religion, my Dad was a minister. I have not been involved in any since college. Just prior to cancer, I had taken a weekend class at a Shambhala center. I had been reading many of Pema Chodron's books. I was so gad I had meditation to use during all of this. When friends, family, co-workers would say "I am praying for you." I would say "thank you I will take all the positive thoughts and energy I can get." So I am sure during my surgery there were prayers said, kind thoughts sent my way, reiki and tonglen done on behalf. I have found the Buddhists writings and practice to be most helpful....also found a Zen acupunctists who helped with nerve endings and sleep.
Namaste
Hi Dawn hope all is well with you since your move.
0 -
I'm glad I gave you a smile Spar! You're right, we don't really know until the "end". As long as people use their beliefs, be it in Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Mother Earth, science-based beliefs, or whatever, to be a good person, care for others, and get comfort, it is all good.
0 -
Holliann, I feel the same as you, when I see a beating heart (I am a cardiac surgery ICU nurse) I think, how can anyone not believe...
Sheri47, I too know that if I didn't believe in God and feel his presence I wouldn't be able to get through this, he is the reason I am blessed to have all the wonderful family and friends I have...
Paula
0 -
Sometimes I wonder if this thread might be in the "wrong" place in the Newly Diagnosed category. Perhaps it should be its own category under Support and Community Connections. But then we might have even more people notice us for potential conversion. <grin>
I really appreciate the thoughtful responses about how some of you came to your non-belief. Mine is very similar. As I reached the age of reason, I began to reason!
My mom and sister are born-againers, so it has been difficult at times. A few years after I "came out" to them, my sister was upset with some members of her church and said that I lived a more Christian life than most of the Christians she knows. My code of conduct is basically "Try not to hurt people, even yourself," which is a variant of the Golden Rule.
I've had breast cancer twice, in 2005 and 2007, and there were times when I envied women who could find comfort in their religion of choice. But at least I have no one to blame for my situation. I think my journey may have been extra hard for my mom because she had a lot of "Why is this happening to my daughter? Again?" I come from a more "sh*t happens" standpoint on that.
I've been lucky in that I've not gotten any nasty PMs after participating in this thread. I wonder if that's what happened to the lady who started this thread. I don't see her here anymore.
--CindyMN
0 -
Hi Cindy..good to see you..I started this breast cancer journey back in 2000 when I was diagnosed on my birthday..as you say...s**t happens...I have been a non-believer since the early sixties when I graduated from college " and saw the world" ...
My own moral code is like yours and I raised my boys to make their own decisions..I don't ask anyone to join in my beliefs..as I said before..if people need religion to make them feel good that is fine..
0 -
I have not posted here as my feelings regarding religion are so ambivilent. I absolutely know that I do not believe everything or even most of what is written in the Bible, although I envy those that have a strong religious belief to support them during life's journeys. I will say that I am offended by anyone who comes here and promises (threatens?) that I will go to hell because I do not believe as they do. If there is a Heaven, I fear it would be very boring if everyone in the world who does not believe exactly as they do is automatically excluded.
0 -
To each his own, JO-5. The only reason most of us posted explanations about how we arrived at our non-belief is that we were specifically asked to by some people who were honestly curious. I will refrain from commenting on the rest of your message. Non-believers are a minority in this world. This thread is just a place for that minority to share our thoughts. If it disturbs you so thoroughly, I would suggest ignoring us.
--CindyMN
0 -
I also do not intend to convert anyone. That is not my place; but Gods. I also would never, ever, think of PM'g someone with nasty or cruel remarks; that is not the way of a true believer. There are bad apples in all walks of life and we are not exempt.
Chumfry, that is why your sister has run into so-called 'Christians' - some 'Christians' also just don't get it and have a long way to go, if they so choose. For your mom, we all have those times when we wonder, why. But God did not say our lives would be easy. For many it is based on choices they make or that are made for them or just that 'life' happens because of what we have been exposed to, and it will be difficult at times.
Remember the poem (attributed to Maya Angelou which, BTW, is incorrect)
When I say I am a Christian, I'm not shouting I'm clean living, I'm whispering I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven
When I say I am a Christian, I don't speak of this with pride, I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide
When I say I am a Christian, I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say I am a Christian, I'm not bragging of success, I'm admitting I have vailed and need God to clean my mess
When I say I am a Christian, I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but God believes I am worth it
When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the sting of pain, I have my share of heartaches so I call upon His name
When I say I am a Christian, I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who's received God's good grace, somehow.
Hope noone is bothered by my posting of this poem, just wanted to let you all know that we are not perfect and have our bad apples as well. Blame them, not God who only has your best interests at heart. I promise to not take up anymore space as I realize this is your special thread.
0 -
patoo - That is a lovely poem. I think we are all searching for ways to cope with life and pain. For me, many Buddhist teachings touch upon some of these same issues addressed by the poem. Buddhism deals with various practices and methods of helping us experience our pain and our sense of ourselves as flawed beings, and then to find peace with who we are and to move on with grace and strength and a realization that we are much bigger than our "small" selves. I think there are many parallels to Christianity.
I don't mean to sound preachy about Buddhism at all. I don't think there is one "true" system of belief--it is just something that helps me.
And there is one thing about which I feel very strongly: If there is a God who judges us on Judgment Day (which I do not believe--but, of course, I could be wrong)--I do not think I would be punished for having searched diligently for my own truth and having tried to live as good of a life as I can. I absolutely refuse to believe I would be judged for not having had the "right" belief system.
0 -
JO, so many times we are misunderstood, so, yes, it does say lots. Now I think we better get off of their thread - there's little more to say. (I just came off of lunch and it was still on the page).
Everyone, enjoy the rest of your day.
0 -
When I say I am an atheist, I'm not confessing to some evil. I'm just refusing to believe in magic.
When I say I am an atheist, I'm not confessing I haven't read the Bible. I'm pointing out that it wasn't inspired by some mythical deity.
When I say I am an atheist, I'm not saying I have all the answers. I'm admitting I don't know it all and you don't *really* know either.
When I say I am an atheist, I'm not saying I'm a bad person. I'm proud that I don't need to be frightened with visions of Hell to do good.
I'm truly not trying to be snarky here. I'm just trying to let you walk a mile in my shoes.
Living as a minority makes me overly sensitive, perhaps. But that poem feels like proselytizing. I understand we are all human, even Christians.
I just get tired of having Christianity forced down my throat. I know that's not how you meant it. But that's how it feels.--CindyMN
0 -
bump
0 -
Is difficult not to believe in God specially when one works in a cancer center but to each its own, I wish you do well.
0 -
Jo -- the scriptures are proof of nothing! There is no proof of a "Judgement Day". Dreaming -- I think working in a cancer center would put my faith into science, not god -- I don't see how it would make one believe in god! You don't get it -- many of us believe there is no god!!!
Have all Christians read writings of the Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Wiccans, etc? There's an interesting Bible study group -- but the person running it had comments about false gods. That sounds very un-Christian. Who says Christians have it right? Wouldn't it be funny if there was a Judgement Day and you're told, well, Islam was the true religion! My point is, is that we all have different beliefs. No one did wrong to me, my beliefs and thoughts are based on what I believe is the truth, just as yours are.
We are on this thread to share our feelings and thoughts about what we believe. How would you like me to go into the Christian threads and say it's all a myth? That, yes, be Christian, but what bad thing happened to you? That I really hope you get your head out of the sand and become agnostic or athiest? But that would be disrespectful of me, to do that, very un-christian to do that. It's great that you have Christianity, it really is. And it's great that different people have different beliefs. But, to think you're better, or have the only answer and try to push it on others is simply rude. It is simply meanhearted to come here and push your religion, just as it would be mean for us to do it to you.
0 -
Hi Elizabeth...I am Elisabeth....noone can ever spell my name this way
Lisa
0 -
Hi Elisabeth! Ha! Sometimes I get confused looks when I spell my name and say the Canadian "zed" instead of "zee"!
Oooh, I get so heated about Christians being pushy and self-righteous, and prejudiced!!! For me, not believing in God, really stops their arguments at the get-go! I see many of these Christians on other threads and they are so nice outside religion (I love Patoo!!). But to come here, aaaarghhhh!! Some come with a pure heart but others...
But hey, it is entertaining when they drop by!
Edited: I loved your poem Chumfry. (And to fix spelling -- fingers don't type fast enough when I get riled up!)
Edited: Imagine if we went on the power of prayer site and tried to convert or convince. Banned by community! Geesh! I wish I was so rude, or brazen, but I'm not.
0 -
Thanks! I wish I knew you all when I was going through treatment. Would have been nice to have some like minds to talk about this stuff.
--CindyMN
0 -
Great googly moogly!
The atheist thread has turned into a Bible Study!
Again, I ask what would happen if I went into the prayer threads & starting preaching about evolution or quantum physics.
I feel a BIG BANG coming...
No pun intended.
0 -
I dare ya Dawnn! I'm a wimp! Yeah, I know it would be wrong...but Chumfry's poem is nice! Nice enough to share! I'm a bad girl! Guess I'm going straight to hell -- but sounds kinda fun there...
0 -
It's fun to think about, but please, please, PLEASE don't stoop to their level.
--CindyMN
0 -
You know you have to keep the "masses" happy and keep them "in line"....
It is pretty inexpensive..but then again they start so many wars...
I just wanted to add..is anyone else an Ayn Rand, fan?
0 -
It is something of a dissapointment to cometo this thread o9nly to be drowned in glutinous born again shlock.
0 -
No, no, I don't think any of us (including me) will stoop to their level. But as you said, fun imagining...I'm calming down.....just little grrrr's now.
Gee, Virginia -- what do you really think? Heehee!! I know -- I think they're gone, for a while. Now back to us, in peace!
0 -
I'm sorry for all of you who don't know my God. Your journey, no matter what, could and can be so much better. To have that peace..... I'll still pray for your lost souls... I'm not perfect, never claimed to be. But I personally could not have made it day to day without my faith in God.
0
