Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?
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They believe they must 'spread the word'. That would be fine if only, after they spread it, they would leave me the alone. I consider proselytizers who won't give up to be members of a cult and mentally unstable.
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I agree notself - leave us alone!
Those who come to our door don't know what danger they are in - they get a few 'choice' words from my husband and then they usually do leave us alone! lol
Rae
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I have heard it said that the new religion is.....................Climate Change!
Those who believe are as rabid as any Calathumpian................and I am not trying to start another religious debate here either.
Sheila.
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Sheila -- you've just added a new word to my vocabulary! I googled "Calathumpian" and your former PM John Howard was referenced. Now I'll try to throw it into casual conversation and stump my like-minded friends LOL!
Life changes do very often bring about a change in religious views. My husband's aunt -- children all having left the nest and a difficult menopause taking hold -- answered the door one day and invited two people in. The result was that this particular "brand" of religion (I tend to regard it as a cult) soon took over her life. On threat of disowning her adult children, she converted all of them. She sacrificed previously close relationships with her sisters, brother, nephews, neices etc., after having tried her best to convert them too. So sad......
After having been taught to ALWAYS be polite to strangers, it was indeed liberating the first time I shooed proselytizers away from my door -- with some choice words. Woo Hoo!!!
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I was raised sort of Episcopalian but attended a lutheran school for a way [Missouri synod for those in the know]. As a child, I clashed often with my school mates who were in terror that I might get hit by a car crossing the street and go straight to hell because I was unbaptized. While troubled with the idea that some god who didn't know me would be so cruelt to a child, I consented to being baptized as an Episcopalian when I was in 4th grade. My classmates were so happy--never quite got that. Anyrate, it certainly didn't stick....
Rico like you, I have also struggled with the idea of a vindictive god who liked some of his children better than others. In fact that was the #1 thing that pushed me away from christianity: how could a loving god who made everyone like some children better than others? "parents" are supposed to love all of their children the same no matter what. And if god did like some of his children better than others, well to H3LL with him!
As for proselytizers, I have always felt that those who feel the need to push their beliefs down my throat--be they Christian or Atheist--are the people who are least secure in their own beliefs and their own choices. At this point in life, I radiate "don't bother!". Its probably been YEARS since anyone tried to "save" me. . . . .
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I am always polite to those who come to my door. They ask me if I know about the end times. I then proceed to give them a long history lesson on the number of times Christians thought they lived in the end times. I tell them not to worry. They leave with a very confused look on their faces. Perhaps I give them a glimmer of sanity.
The only Christians I have a problem with are my "friends" who want to convert me or those who pop up on this thread to try and convert us. I find I have to be stern but try to be polite as well.
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I have lived with too many bad examples of religiousity to be religious.
I have always felt that if religion is not about, love everybody, everything, unconditionally, then it is not about God. I never got this whole killing in the name of religion thing. And the "Rules", it seems to me that most of the different religions fight about the "Rules".
If religion was about "there is God in everyone of us ..... do your best ..... and if you don't I've got your back" then I would be behind it 100%.
Nice to meet yo'all.
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Welcome to the thread Molly,
and yes, it's funny how the kindest, giving people seem to have no particular religious affiliations, and some of the $#!++!&$+ people are the loudest in their professions of faith.
Sheila.
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Thanks for the welcome Sheila! Reminds me of that age-old saying: Actions speak louder than words.
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Forgot to add:
Congratulations Enjoyful for getting your Disability Approved. Now you can focus on taking care of you.
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Welcome, molly52.
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Just wanted to let you ladies know that I won my appeal and the Independent Medical Review Board ruled in my favor. I am so excited I am telling everyone that I get to have the DIEP breast reconstruction on September 21, 2010 at UCLA.
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Mega congrats, Dutchy! That is fabulous news. It's so good to hear that every now and then the good guy (or gal!) wins.
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Great Post!
As one who attended 12 years of Catholic school, I always say that was the road that led me to atheism.
Along with Sheila, I also have noticed that my non-religious friends have been the most helpful, insightful and sensitive throughout my diagnosis and surgery. They also add to the end of their emails to me "I'm still not praying for you."
Sandy
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I rather not be prayed for since reading this study. Those who were prayed for had more complications than those who were not prayed for.
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notself - classic! Finally some proof of our position!
Rae
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I consider myself a non-believer. Aethiests are too organized for me. If I believed in god I would be really pissed off at her right about now
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I have a few friends praying for me. I thank them since I know they are doing this out of kindness. I'm not expecting any kind of divine intervetion from this.I'm not ant-religion or god its just not for me. I was brough up Jewish. My values come from my upbringing. I try to be a good person not because I fear god's wrath but because I have a conscious.
So I'm looking for science to "save me".
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I am late to this discussion, but I guess I am on this ship. This is a beautiful thread.
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That picture of the bee on the flower made me smile....
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iago - I call myself a 'non-believer' too. I find it is a more acceptable label to those who do have a belief than atheist or agnostic which tend to be inflammatory words in religious circles.
The local church, that has been running adverts in public view taking the name of atheists in vain, has finally changed tack and is trying to encourage believers to come along. The latest is "CH__CH - what's missing? UR". Phew, now I can drive past that church without wanting to tear down their sign or give them an earful about respecting other people's opinions.
MsBliss - glad to have another on board! Yes, there have been some lovely photos posted a while back. Anymore beauties to share ladies? It is winter over here and there are no roses for me to adore. I have daffodils and freesias coming through though and they greet me with such lovely bright faces when I walk out my front door that I just have to smile at them.
Rae
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Mollly - Thanks! (3 weeks later!) Sorry I missed your comment!
I stayed at a B&B in St. Catharine's, Ontario Saturday night and the owner and I had a lovely chat about religion. He himself is religious and appears to also be a kind, loving, and helpful person. Go figure. ;-) It may be that a lot of persons join a religion because they fear differences and crave the fellowship of like-minded individuals. Perhaps anyone or anything outside their sphere of beliefs frightens them, and that's why they react so negatively to things like all-inclusive health care or a President whose father was not American.
Just my opinion, FWIW.
E
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I can understand some people being frightened about things that are new or they don't understand, but it amazes me how many people hide from their fears by becoming angry and aggressive.
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Hmmm. Well, it could be a protective reaction. Perhaps by questioning one could threaten someone's carefully constructed beliefs. After all, if they've based their lives on such beliefs and if they're found to be wrong or even not the "most right," what does that say about their lives? They become angry and aggressive to protect themselves, I suppose.
Just more random thoughts from...
E
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I saw "Atlas Shrugged" at the used bookstore and bought it for 25 cents, going to reread it..
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A recently published survey in the U.S. showed that, when pointing out the facts to those who "believe" (whether in an omnipotent being, or politicians, or political parties etc.), they become more firmly entrenched in their beliefs because they want to. (Sort of explains the birther movement, I suppose).
But that works both ways, doesn't it? For those who want to convert non-believers into believers, good luck
.I suggest that us non-believers (or questioners) have come to this position in either of two ways: we "grew" into it through the process of logical thinking, or else were never influenced by parents, family etc. in any set of beliefs or dogma.
Lisa, I read Rand's books in high school (they were not on the curriculum), and found them so disturbing. I could only read a chapter at a time....and would have to put it down.
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I was always a non-believer. As a kid I loved Aesop's Fables, Greek Mythology, Grimms fairy tales etc. I remember my parents had purchased these old testament bible books. I started reading them. They just seemed like more Greek Mythology an Fables to me.
BTW it's lago with an "L" not iago. Many are getting confused
iago sounds like a type of sushi. 0 -
For those of us who were raised and educated with a religion, I wonder if we lose belief because we have a more independent and analytical thought process combined with a curious mind. I have been proselytized by a woman who said that she went on a spiritual quest before she found her "true church". It turned out that her journey only involved a cursory examination of several Christian denominations. She wasn't a bit curious about any other belief system. She lacked curiosity.
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enjoyful - exactly. No one likes to be made to look like a fool let alone feel like one. Are we as non-believers in a position of strength though as the existence of God is not able to be proved? Believers may feel they carry the burden of proof so feel threatened when we ask for it.
Sorry Lago
notself - put me in the 'independent and analytical thought process combined with a curious mind' category. I was brought up in a strong Anglican home - church twice on Sunday and one morning during the week - and as a youngster I tried to believe but 'it' never happened for me - too much questioning and not enough surrendering I guess.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/10/christopher-hitchens-im-d_n_676681.html
Interesting article and video on Christopher Hitchens.
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He has a 5% chance of survival. Let's hope he is in that 5%.
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