Atheist question.

[metalis4ever]

As an atheist myself, I'm not aware of any meetings and would not be interested in attending one.

There seems to be a perception that atheists are an organized cult or something like that. In reality, we are simply individuals who do not believe what others have been taught to believe about there being a god or any other diety. As with anything, there are probably exceptiions who must make their point, but most of us just want to be left to believe (or not) what we believe. Any tensions that arise are usually from in-your-face Christians who can't let that be. I have a lot of Christian and Jewish friends and am even helping some out playing in their church band for a few weeks. They believe what they do and respect my decision not to believe. It's that simple.

I couldn't agree with you more..there is an unwarranted negative perception..There is no one singular Atheist Organization where we all gather and plot to destroy Religion lol There may be various groups that gather to discuss science and maybe even Religion but not in some negative or plotting way but simply to question and discuss with open minds. Generally speaking from my experience most Athesits are open minded and non confrontational to others and their beliefs and just want to be left alone and not harped on by "believers".

The gentleman who wanted to hold a gathering and was not allowed one probably just wanted to have a gathering to discuss anything and everything without Religion and or God being brought into the conversation.

Where have you found these laid back Christians? All of the ones I have met have been the "in-you-face" type once they found out I was an Athiest and that is including friends and family LOL

If only I was a Pastafarian *Arrrgghh*
maybe I would be more accepted
WWJD?The answer is simple HWCTFSM

 

[tonilea]

As an atheist myself, I'm not aware of any meetings and would not be interested in attending one.

There seems to be a perception that atheists are an organized cult or something like that. In reality, we are simply individuals who do not believe what others have been taught to believe about there being a god or any other diety. As with anything, there are probably exceptiions who must make their point, but most of us just want to be left to believe (or not) what we believe. Any tensions that arise are usually from in-your-face Christians who can't let that be. I have a lot of Christian and Jewish friends and am even helping some out playing in their church band for a few weeks. They believe what they do and respect my decision not to believe. It's that simple.

That is interesting, I always thought of atheists as individuals who chose not to believe. I never thought of them as groups or organizations. That is why I brought up this topic because I thought the soldier's request was odd.

It does make me sad that you and others don't believe in God, but I assume as an atheist, you made a deliberate decision to not believe. Since it was a decision, I (again) assume it involved a lot of thought. I have to respect that decision.

It does make me sick to see SOME atheists mock Christians and our beliefs. I do my best to respect other's beliefs or unbelief - the same respect would be nice.

 

[GeorgeG]

That is interesting, I always thought of atheists as individuals who chose not to believe. I never thought of them as groups or organizations. That is why I brought up this topic because I thought the soldier's request was odd.

It does make me sad that you and others don't believe in God, but I assume as an atheist, you made a deliberate decision to not believe. Since it was a decision, I (again) assume it involved a lot of thought. I have to respect that decision.

It does make me sick to see SOME atheists mock Christians and our beliefs. I do my best to respect other's beliefs or unbelief - the same respect would be nice.

Yes, it was after much thought and consideration that I made my decision. In my early teens I had even considered being a minister (I was brought up Methodist) and that was when I began to struggle with how many religions there where in the world and that led to the question of which was right, or where they all right, or could they all be wrong. The more thought I gave it, the more I came to believe they were all missing something, but the common denominator was they agreed on being a good person and I didn't need a religion to telll me that.

I've been around religion enough in recent years to see that many who believe find comfort in those beliefs and that is not a bad thing. It works for them just as my beliefs work for me. The only problem I have is when someone decides I am a lesser person for not believing. I've seen a lot of "Christians" behave badly, but most are good people. We heathens are people, too!

 

[tonilea]

Yes, it was after much thought and consideration that I made my decision. In my early teens I had even considered being a minister (I was brought up Methodist) and that was when I began to struggle with how many religions there where in the world and that led to the question of which was right, or where they all right, or could they all be wrong. The more thought I gave it, the more I came to believe they were all missing something, but the common denominator was they agreed on being a good person and I didn't need a religion to telll me that.

I've been around religion enough in recent years to see that many who believe find comfort in those beliefs and that is not a bad thing. It works for them just as my beliefs work for me. The only problem I have is when someone decides I am a lesser person for not believing. I've seen a lot of "Christians" behave badly, but most are good people. We heathens are people, too!

Christians certainly are not immune to bad behavior. Back when I was in law enforcement, DH (still a police officer) and I were in a pursuit with a drunk. Turns out the guy went to our church! He beat us to church the next morning. I guess we had a lot more paperwork to fill out.

In fact, I think that Christians turn many people away from God. We forget it isn't our job to tell people how to live, but rather show them God's love and compassion and let Him move them to make changes in their lives.

 

[LukenDC]

I have heard of atheist discussion groups where people gather to discuss philosophy and social/political activism. I have also heard of conventions of atheists. While I do not believe in God, I have never had an interest in gathering with fellow athiests.

 

[Kies99]

It does make me sad that you and others don't believe in God, but I assume as an atheist, you made a deliberate decision to not believe. Since it was a decision, I (again) assume it involved a lot of thought. I have to respect that decision.

As an aside, you shouldn't assume Atheists made a concious decision to not believe in God. A lot of us just don't believe and it's as simple as that. There is/was no defining moment or clarity of thought. It just happened.

It does make me sick to see SOME atheists mock Christians and our beliefs. I do my best to respect other's beliefs or unbelief - the same respect would be nice.

SOME Christians mock Islam. SOME Muslims mock Judaism. SOME Jews mock Buddhism. So on and so forth. It's a fact of life and always will be unfortunately.

 

[Jenvenza]

It could also have been a meeting where a group of people got together to discuss anything under the sun without wondering if someone is going to thank a diety for something, or bless someone for sneezing, or say "Oh insert diety's name here", and so on and so forth.

Like a meeting of vegetarians, where no one has to worry about someone bringing Jello or something with chicken stock in it.

That would be so nice not to have to worry about someone bringing jello to my house for a party thinking it is vegetarian!!

 

[tonilea]

As an aside, you shouldn't assume Atheists made a concious decision to not believe in God. A lot of us just don't believe and it's as simple as that. There is/was no defining moment or clarity of thought. It just happened.

I stand corrected.

SOME Christians mock Islam. SOME Muslims mock Judaism. SOME Jews mock Buddhism. So on and so forth. It's a fact of life and always will be unfortunately.

I used the word SOME as not to be accused of generalizations. It appears I have annoyed you and that is not my intent.

 

[Kies99]

I used the word SOME as not to be accused of generalizations. It appears I have annoyed you and that is not my intent.

NO, please, you did not and I hope I did not offend you. I was more agreeing with you. It's an unfortunate fact of life that you have these, shall we say "fringe" groups who feel it is necessary to mock those who don't believe the exact same way. They can't seem to respect other's points of view.


Oh and also when i said "don't assume", I only wanted to point out that being an Atheist is similar to being a Christian in that it is a belief system and is a "leap of faith" as well. You have faith in God, I have faith there isn't. I completely respect your view and from what you've posted you respect mine.

Now if only all groups could just get along and agree to disagree, we'd be in a much better place.

 

[tonilea]

NO, please, you did not and I hope I did not offend you. I was more agreeing with you. It's an unfortunate fact of life that you have these, shall we say "fringe" groups who feel it is necessary to mock those who don't believe the exact same way. They can't seem to respect other's points of view.


Oh and also when i said "don't assume", I only wanted to point out that being an Atheist is similar to being a Christian in that it is a belief system and is a "leap of faith" as well. You have faith in God, I have faith there isn't. I completely respect your view and from what you've posted you respect mine.

Now if only all groups could just get along and agree to disagree, we'd be in a much better place.

Thank you for your explantion.

Bolding mine. I don't really understand that statement in relation to your previous statement:

As an aside, you shouldn't assume Atheists made a concious decision to not believe in God. A lot of us just don't believe and it's as simple as that. There is/was no defining moment or clarity of thought. It just happened.

If anyone's belief system is a "leap of faith" then it must be a concious choice.

I am not trying to challenge you, just to understand.

 

[Kies99]

Thank you for your explantion.

Bolding mine. I don't really understand that statement in relation to your previous statement:



If anyone's belief system is a "leap of faith" then it must be a concious choice.

I am not trying to challenge you, just to understand.

I was using "leap of faith" as a generic turn of phrase, not literally.

I'm curious though, did you have one definitive event that made you believe or is it something you just gradually came to?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Yes, Unitarian-Universalists do have atheist members who are welcome. But, most atheists I know don't go to any meetings or churches as they, too, are not joiners.

took

FYI ~ How many atheists do you know?

 

[Kath2003]

I've been to a few meetings of secular groups, some of whom were interested in promoting secularism (despite being full of people from a variety of religions!). Personally almost everyone I know is an atheist and we meet at the bar

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

That is interesting, I always thought of atheists as individuals who chose not to believe. I never thought of them as groups or organizations. That is why I brought up this topic because I thought the soldier's request was odd.

It does make me sad that you and others don't believe in God, but I assume as an atheist, you made a deliberate decision to not believe. Since it was a decision, I (again) assume it involved a lot of thought. I have to respect that decision.

It does make me sick to see SOME atheists mock Christians and our beliefs. I do my best to respect other's beliefs or unbelief - the same respect would be nice.

I appreciate the sentiment but there is no need to feel sad for me---I never "got" religion but played along until I was an adult. It wasn't until a few years ago that my mother admitted she never believed in it either but joined a church and went because "that is what you are supposed to do"----my mother was very active in the church growing up----this was a major bombshell.
All that being said, I do not seek out atheist groups to join nor do I slam other faiths. Live and let live is my motto and is how I raise my child.

 

[tonilea]

I was using "leap of faith" as a generic turn of phrase, not literally.

I'm curious though, did you have one definitive event that made you believe or is it something you just gradually came to?

Christianity is certainly a choice, though I am sure for some people it is a cultural identity. There comes a time when you have to choose to believe that God loves you so much that He sent Christ to die for you. You have to choose to follow Him.

For me personally, there was a time I didn't know what I believed. Maybe my heart always knew, but my brain needed some time to sort out my beliefs. It wasn't until I read the Bible cover to cover that things really started making sense to me. Even now, it is a discovery of the depths of Gods love for us.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

My personal feeling is sadness for people that are atheists.....To think there is nothing greater than yourself is so self centered & self absorbed IMHO.

I hope people don't think if you don't go to church or another house of worship that you are atheist, that isn't the case in this house or many other homes that I know about.

I do have a very dear friend who is an atheist and I think it's unfair & irresponsible for her & her husband not give their children belief in God and the foundation it will provide for the rest of their lives.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

My personal feeling is sadness for people that are atheists.....To think there is nothing greater than yourself is so self centered & self absorbed IMHO.

I hope people don't think if you don't go to church or another house of worship that you are atheist, that isn't the case in this house or many other homes that I know about.

I do have a very dear friend who is an atheist and I think it's unfair & irresponsible for her & her husband not give their children belief in God and the foundation it will provide for the rest of their lives.

Wow - where to start on this one! Seriously you REALLY need to get over yourself! I have rarely read anything so biased and offensve as this. People like you are EXACTLY the sort of Christians that make being an athiest all the more easy!

 

[Mean Queen]

It does make me sick to see SOME atheists mock Christians and our beliefs. I do my best to respect other's beliefs or unbelief - the same respect would be nice.

The majority of vocal Christians aren't as respectful as you, which is why so many Atheists seem angry with Christianity. We're not. We're just tired of being called evil, immoral, sad, angry, and many other things that aren't fit to print on the Dis. That could be one reason the soldiers wanted to meet, to find a place to fit in and talk with likeminded people. There are also many Atheists who grew up in the church and still want a community like that, without the religion.

 

[tonilea]

My personal feeling is sadness for people that are atheists.....To think there is nothing greater than yourself is so self centered & self absorbed IMHO.

I hope people don't think if you don't go to church or another house of worship that you are atheist, that isn't the case in this house or many other homes that I know about.

I do have a very dear friend who is an atheist and I think it's unfair & irresponsible for her & her husband not give their children belief in God and the foundation it will provide for the rest of their lives.

Please, I didn't start this thread to be critical of atheism.

 

[Kath2003]

My personal feeling is sadness for people that are atheists.....To think there is nothing greater than yourself is so self centered & self absorbed IMHO.

Why? I think it's very humbling. Personally I think the idea that humans are 'chosen', 'made in the image of God' and will be rewarded with eternal life is far more self-centered. Seeing yourself as just another organism on just another planet orbiting just another star in the universe is pretty humbling.

I do have a very dear friend who is an atheist and I think it's unfair & irresponsible for her & her husband not give their children belief in God and the foundation it will provide for the rest of their lives.

There are billions of children not raised in your religion. Is it unfair and irresponsible of those parents? Is it worse to worship a 'false idol' (i.e. practise another religion) than to simply say nothing?