Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?
Comments
-
TB90 Sending warm wishes your way for a good outcome.
0 -
TB...oops, I got that wrong with my tunnel vision.
0 -
My son told me something that just makes me sick. He works for a construction company, the crew is mostly "Christian" men he went to school, Sunday school, church and youth with. He says all day long they spew pro Trump ( wtf we are Canadian), racial and homophobic bullshit all day. He says he is so sick of fighting with them and trying educate them, they come back with bible verses. It is so stupid, sickening and makes my blood boil. You can't tell them anything, they think they are right and very righteous.
0 -
I am admittedly shocked at some of the things I've read on this forum. What awful representatives of their faith to suggest, for example, that a Christian would pray for someone despite their being atheist (in theory, wouldn't those be the ones most needing prayer?) or using scripture to defend hateful rhetoric. That's the antithesis of most New Testament teachings. I embraced a Christian lifestyle for 8-9 years before finally admitting that I would never be able to ignore my analytical thoughts that made it impossible for me to believe in a deity made man magically absorbing the world's sins and being resurrected. As others have mentioned, one of my greatest struggles was the contradiction between being omnipotent, yet not answering earnest prayers. I hated hearing, "God is good all the time." As others have noted, if you get credit for the good stuff, you must accept blame for the bad. While there were sanctimonious, "a little more special Church Lady" types, most were people trying to live compassionate, moral lives. Christian beliefs inspired people from my church to step in and constantly give of themselves. Did they benefit in terms of feeling good about themselves? I'm sure they did, but I don't know how I would have gotten through a challenging health crisis several years ago without them helping me and I'm grateful. I don't like demonizing (you should forgive the expression!) Christians any more than I like to see atheists or agnostics painted as soulless creatures who lack a moral compass.
A major reason I visited this forum was curiosity about how others who don't believe in a traditional God face death and suffering without the assurances offered by a belief that there is some better world ahead without pain or fear. Will we never have an opportunity to reconnect with those we've loved? Will those who commit horrific evil in this world and escape justice never be punished? To me, those are questions religions try to answer. Not unlike the song title from years ago, I now ask myself, "Is that all there is?" Worded differently, is life a b**ch and then you die?
Lyn
0 -
Today it struck me that one of the arguments for no God is the recent priest sexual scandals. If there were a God he would have struck them down on the altar the next time they said mass.
I don't think we meet our loved ones after we die. I do think we rejoin the universe as atoms or whatever and probably will have no consciousness of this life any more than we know about before we were born.
0 -
I don't fear death nor feel sad because I won't "see my loved ones" when I die because of two things. I have studied Theravada Buddhism for years. By that I mean I have read the discourses of the man we call the Buddha and I concur with his opinion that we are a sum of things but not an eternal thing. This concept is called anatta which is translated as "not self". The second thing is my relationship to the universe. I do not consider myself separate from the universe. The universe isn't out there and I'm here. Everything in the universe includes me and my departed loved ones. I have posted this several times on this thread, so I hope I'm not boring anyone. This essay written by physicist explains it better than I can.
0 -
Nan - I’m surprised to hear that - I guess I assumed everyone in Canada would see that Trump is a deceitful narcissistic cretin.
VLH - I used to be very active in the Episcopal church and know many people there and from Quaker meeting and other places who are sincerely trying to live in a Christ-like way, valuing compassionate and tolerance. Like you, the sticking point for me became the theology. But I had a boyfriend before I got married agai who used to say that he didn’t understand how I was an atheist because he felt like I was a better Christian than he was! It was never th values I walked away from, it was the need to attribute those values to a supernatural being. As for the questions about death and justice, I also let go of the idea that there is some eternal reward or punishment. I assume that when I die, I just die. I rejoin the cosmos. And I’m okay with that. In fact, my favorite sacrament was always the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday because I like the reminder of our mortality and how we do go back to our origins. “Remember that thou art dust and unto dust you shall return.” I find that comforting.
0 -
I have several close friends who are very religious and attempt to live their life according to their belief system. If a person chooses to state, "I will pray for you" I will continue to stay thank you or no comment. Yet I will continue to speak out against sanctimonious religious fanatics. I respect your right to practice your faith. In my eyes it's very simple. Respect my right not to believe.
0 -
If only religion made people good, compassionate, and kind. But, it doesn't. Some good, compassionate, kind people are religious and some are not. I think parenting has more influence than religion.
0 -
Yesterday while listening to a comedian he commented that people who attend rallies for causes they believe in but are not part of those groups, maybe like Black lives matter, #metoo, LGBTQ rights, to mention a few, are the courageous ones. Personally, they have nothing to gain, but know we are all connected.
0 -
amanda-Im in total agreement. Religion or lack of does not make us better or worse as humans. Wouldn't it be wonderful if humans would treat each other with respect and dignity regardless of religion ,race or ethnicity?
0 -
I also agree w ananda's comment. Parenting/modeling is what imbues good values.
One of my oldest and dearest friends is actually a Christian Scientist -- about as far from atheism as it is possible to be. She is an incredible, vivacious, non-judgmental, hilarious, irreverent, fun person who is well aware i am an atheist and has no problem w/ it. It actually never comes up. I love her - she is amazing. We've been dear friends for 40 years. I basically go on how fun and how trustworthy people are... and she is A+ in both departments. If all super-religious people acted like her we'd have zero religious strife.
0 -
Thanks for the input, all. I've visited this forum periodically so had seen your physicist quote before, ananda8. I understand it intellectually, but admit that I don't find the idea of energy, neurons, etc. continuing in perpetuity as comforting as the concept of our spirits / or souls living on as conscious beings. I wish I could be more accepting of death and injustice since both are ever present, but part of me wants to stomp my feet and resist them mightily. More accurately, it's not so much death, but a bad dying that I find frightening. Although it may not be meted out in some afterlife, I certainly feel obligated to fight injustice in this life.
I think religion made me more conscious of my words and actions so, in that way, it did make me a better person. Wanderweg, it's interesting that we faced a similar experience regarding Christian ideals and the supernatural aspects of the religion.
Lyn
0 -
Philosophically, I think that Humanism as a "philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence (rationalism and empiricism) over acceptance of dogma or superstition' grounds my ethical being/behavior more than religion ever did.
0 -
magiclight, You use of the word humanism reminded my that there is an organization called the American Humanist Association. I hadn't thought of them in years. I haven't had time to look over their entire website, but I intend to. Here is a link and thanks for bringing up Humanism. https://americanhumanist.org/
0 -
ananada- I've always believed humanistic this the same as atheism. I did hear some speakers on NPR speak on the subject. I'm going to check on the website.
0 -
I like the label "Secular Humanist," and I appreciate that organization and its journal. Morality and ethics are not owned by religion. Many of us try to live "examined" lives without the fear of fire and brimstone as a motivator.
0 -
Ananda, Jo, Hiking...thanks so much for your wonderful input re: humanism that I'm now looking into each of the references. As we all have experienced, one thing leads to another with the wonderful web.
0 -
If you do Facebook, you can follow the AHA there for regular updates. They overlap with the ACLU on many issues.
I also follow World Pantheism, which would be a good fit for many people here.
0 -
I wonder who God wanted to win the Academy Awards..
0 -
The people who pointed a finger at the ceiling.
0 -
I know this thread is not about my thyroid, but I am happy to say it is out and I have to spend the night but it has been quite easy. I was a wreck for some reason. I do have a funny story, especially considering my mental state. My expert surgeon at a state of the art Health Centre got bumped out of his usual trauma OR. So last minute they are running around "borrowing" medical supplies and equipment. I am already freaked out when the disgruntled head nurse states, "well I certainly hope no one expects me to deal with anything unexpected. ". I almost ran out of there screaming.
0 -
Good Grief!
0 -
Good Grief!
0 -
TB90-The unexpected is never fun when you are waiting for surgery. Charming nurse. Glad you are doing well.
0 -
This pretty much explains why am at a loss to understand religion.
0 -
Hahaha, I just flashed on "The Life of Brian"
0 -
ananda8 THANKS for sharing that link! That is perfect. It's interesting that in every other aspect of modern society, we're encouraged to be critical thinkers, careful shoppers, weigh the evidence, be informed, and not be gullible. And yet, THIS.
santabarbarian Do you live in Santa Barbara? I was there three weeks ago.
0 -
Santabarbarian, Guess which song is going through my brain right now?
0 -
pingpong: Hahaha, yes.... my favorite lyric: "Life's a piece of shit, when you look at it."
Hiking Lady, Yes I do! I hope the rain stopped long enough for you to do some hiking there!
0
