Atheist question.

[bicker]

It's funny actually: The refusal to grant others the respect one expects for one's self is actually the epitome of self-centeredness and self-absorption.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

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!

Opinions are opinions......amazing that you assume I am a Christian, perhaps your being biased.

Seems you need to be angry to justify your choice.

 

[sha_lyn]

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!

....ITA... It is also the reason my husband, who is Christain refuses to attend church. He will not associate with people who are so judgemental.

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.

Again ITA..... Heck at least atheist don't get called devil worshipers. I was even told by a DISer or 2 that yes Wiccans worshiped the devil (when I corrected them), I was just too naive and stupid to know I was worshiping the devil.

 

[tonilea]

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.

I have to confess, I haven't always felt this way. I have had some pretty judgemental and harsh opinions.... I am working on it. I just feel like God is dealing with me to show compassion rather than judgement.

In fact my MIL and I recently had a coversation where she was critical of a church for giving a baby shower to an unwed mother. My point was what better way to show God's love than show compassion.

 

[Saxsoon]

I ask this with respect and sincerity. Do atheist hold meetings? I assume where atheism is the topic of discussion?

I ask in relation to this article: http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Oct10/0,4670,MilitaryReligion,00.html



There is more to the article than this quote, but this was the part that struck me as odd. I didn't realize that atheists had meetings to discuss what they don't believe.

There is an Athiest and Agnostic Union here at A&M College Station.

Also, I think depending on how you see Christianity, it can be quite humbling. Thinking that a God who is infinite and mighty would suffer a life of pain for all of man, not just the Jews and Christian, yet at the same time just for you shows just how selfish and conceited we are. To want us even though he doesn't need us. That too can be humbling if you can look at it like that. Not prostlyzing (SP?), I needed to say something about a previous comment.

 

[Brianne]

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.

Don't feel sad for us & we won't feel sad for you.

All joking aside, I doubt one would find many who are sad about their decision, no matter what the decision may be. I know I'm not!

I do know the UU organization can be a great group for all beliefs, including atheists; we choose not to attend because we get more than enough community between schooling & scouting. I prefer sleeping in & hiding from the world on Sunday mornings!

I do want to say thanks for being respectful with your questions; it can be a rare thing, even in this day & age.

 

[Brianne]

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. You proved my point in my previous post.

FYI---although why I'm even bothering to mention this, I don't know---I find that instead of teaching our children about one belief set, we're able to teach them about many belief sets. There is more than one religion out there, believe it or not, and if our children choose to follow one of them eventually, we feel we will have given them enough information to make an informed decision.

In reading your first paragraph, one could really say the same considering what you posted, don't you think?

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Opinions are opinions......amazing that you assume I am a Christian, perhaps your being biased.

Seems you need to be angry to justify your choice.

In answer to your first comment...it is true I 'assumed' that you are a Christian. Perhaps it would have been more appropraite to say "People like you are EXACTLY the sort of 'beleivers in a deity' that make being an athiest all the more easy!"

My anger is not to justify my 'choice' - it is that I have to put up with being patronised by people who IN MY OPINION (as you seem to like those!) believe in fairy tales long past childhood!

In answer to the OP - I do not blame the soldier in question for trying to organise a meeting of 'like minds'. I don't know about in the USA but it is often a bone of contention in the UK that smokers get more 'breaks' than non-smokers and there was a 'campaign' a few years ago for people to be entitled to 'fresh-air' breaks every hour or so. In the same way if the military allow personel to have time set aside to meet with others for 'religious' reasons then he and his friends should be afforded the same courtesy as other people.

 

[Jenvenza]

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.

I think this was the reason why another poster believed you were Christian.

How can you say it is irresponsible for those parents not to give their children a belief in God? Which "God" are you speaking of? Or are you just thinking about the God you believe in?

That to me seems self-centered and self-absorbed.

 

[metalis4ever]

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.

Not being rude but the same could be said for "Believers" of all faiths that one would have to or feel the need to believe in a "Greater Power" reather than take ownership in ones own life. I am not knocking believers and faithful just making a counterpoint to your point.

It shouldn't be the role of the parents to force God onto their children or to tell them what to think and believe and quite frankly it is a form of Child Abuse..Especially from my own experience when everything you do wrong is the "work of the Devil" or if "you don't do this or you do this you will go to Hell"...I am speaking from personal experience I knew there was no God in the Second grade and didn't want anything to do with Religion or God from that point forward yet my parents forced it on me until I was 18 and moved out to go to college...I started questioning and debating outloud the existence of God in the 3rd grade, my parents forced me to be an Altar Server because they said it would save me my point is that I knew that personally I did not believe in God and to assume that every child needs a belief system or Religion of any sort is nothing short of ignorant. Parents should teach their children HOW to learn and HOW to think and question not What to think and what believe.

I do not have a foundation of God or a belief system and I am living and breathing just fine..I am nearly 30 years old, a College graduate, have a beautiful and loving wife, and have a succesfull career I don't know how I accomplished all of this without the so-called "Foundation" you spoke of

This isn't anger trust me, it is amazement and dissapointment in our society that there are people who hold the view that YOU do and don't think twice about it. The beauty of America is that it is a Secular Nation that enables all peoples of all Faith and Non-Faith to have equal rights as defined by the Constitution. That is all this soldier wanted was to be able to enjoy the rights that he and many others are fighting and dying to preserve.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

In answer to your first comment...it is true I 'assumed' that you are a Christian. Perhaps it would have been more appropraite to say "People like you are EXACTLY the sort of 'beleivers in a deity' that make being an athiest all the more easy!"

My anger is not to justify my 'choice' - it is that I have to put up with being patronised by people who IN MY OPINION (as you seem to like those!) believe in fairy tales long past childhood!

Please. Your faith or lack of it should be a decision you make on your own and not made easier by outsiders.

Prayer is an amazing way to resolve anger.

Jenvenza~ I do believe it is 100% irresponsible for parents not to instill faith in their children. Buddha, God, Lord, Yahweh, Allah , etc. they all are pillars of faith and are the touchstone that a child will be able to turn to regardless of what & where life brings them.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Not being rude but the same could be said for "Believers" of all faiths that one would have to or feel the need to believe in a "Greater Power" reather than take ownership in ones own life. I am not knocking believers and faithful just making a counterpoint to your point.

It shouldn't be the role of the parents to force God onto their children or to tell them what to think and believe and quite frankly it is a form of Child Abuse..Especially from my own experience when everything you do wrong is the "work of the Devil" or if "you don't do this or you do this you will go to Hell"...I am speaking from personal experience I knew there was no God in the Second grade and didn't want anything to do with Religion or God from that point forward yet my parents forced it on me until I was 18 and moved out to go to college...I started questioning and debating outloud the existence of God in the 3rd grade, my parents forced me to be an Altar Server because they said it would save me my point is that I knew that personally I did not believe in God and to assume that every child needs a belief system or Religion of any sort is nothing short of ignorant. Parents should teach their children HOW to learn and HOW to think and question not What to think and what believe.

I do not have a foundation of God or a belief system and I am living and breathing just fine..I am nearly 30 years old, a College graduate, have a beautiful and loving wife, and have a succesfull career I don't know how I accomplished all of this without the so-called "Foundation" you spoke of

This isn't anger trust me, it is amazement and dissapointment in our society that there are people who hold the view that YOU do and don't think twice about it. The beauty of America is that it is a Secular Nation that enables all peoples of all Faith and Non-Faith to have equal rights as defined by the Constitution. That is all this soldier wanted was to be able to enjoy the rights that he and many others are fighting and dying to preserve.

What child would believe in God if that is the way their parents abused them?.....It's amazing & disappointing to me that you haven't dealt with your abusive parents instead you want to knock others beliefs through insults and anger.
Send them your post because it doesn't buck my belief system at all in fact it strengthens it, Thank you.

Loving, sane parents don't "force" faith on their children it is incorporated with all other values taught in a healthy, loving home.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Please. Your faith or lack of it should be a decision you make on your own and not made easier by outsiders.

Prayer is an amazing way to resolve anger.

Jenvenza~ I do believe it is 100% irresponsible for parents not to instill faith in their children. Buddha, God, Lord, Yahweh, Allah , etc. they all are pillars of faith and are the touchstone that a child will be able to turn to regardless of what & where life brings them.

Are you being deliberatly obtuse? I don't NEED your views to make the decisions I have - I am perfectly happy with them. Do you not see and hear things from time to time that assure you that you have made the RIGHT choice for you? Your comment just strengthen my views not create them.

Can I offer you my sympathies that you have to believe in an invisible being in the sky to make you feel whole? It makes me very sad that in the 21st century this is still the case.

I have no anger in my life thanks but feel free to project your own if it makes you feel better!

I BELIEVE that forcing religion of any sort on a child is a form of child abuse. Once they get past the Santa Claus and Tooth Fairy stage then all other fairy stories should naturally follow. Just MY OPINION of course!!!

 

[metalis4ever]

What child would believe in God if that is the way their parents abused them?.....It's amazing & disappointing to me that you haven't dealt with your abusive parents instead you want to knock others beliefs through insults and anger.
Send them your post because it doesn't buck my belief system at all in fact it strengthens it, Thank you.

Loving, sane parents don't "force" faith on their children it is incorporated with all other values taught in a healthy, loving home.

My point is forcing a belief system of any kind on a child is abuse(even something as simple as Elvis is the greatest Musician ever and playing nothing but Elvis) ... I have nothing but Love and respect for my parents and don't hold it against them. I have no anger in my heart I have nothing but love and joy and the freedom of mind to know such.

How dare you accuse me of attacking others beliefs..I did no such thing if you read my words I said "Personally" time and time again furthermore I made the point that all believers and non believers alike are EQUAL...I am not like you I am not passive agressive.

The overall point is Atheism is just as equal of a belief (or I should say non-belief) as any other Religion in this society as we are not a Theocracy nor a "Christian Nation" we are a Democratic-Republic with a Constitution that dictates Freedom of Religion therefore this Soldier should never have been denied his right as a Citizen of this Great Nation.

 

[Took]

FYI ~ How many atheists do you know?

Quite a number, actually. I work in academics--higher ed--which probably has a disproportionate number of non-believers. Why?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

The overall point is Atheism is just as equal of a belief (or I should say non-belief) as any other Religion in this society as we are not a Theocracy nor a "Christian Nation" we are a Democratic-Republic with a Constitution that dictates Freedom of Religion therefore this Soldier should never have been denied his right as a Citizen of this Great Nation.

That statement I agree with 100%.

 

[freckles and boo]

Loving, sane parents don't "force" faith on their children it is incorporated with all other values taught in a healthy, loving home.

And loving, sane parents who don't believe in God do the same. We believe in the golden rule. We believe in compassion. We expect kindness and decency. We expect respect and dignity. We just don't do it out of deference to a god, but because it is the right thing to do.

 

[KimR]

Jenvenza~ I do believe it is 100% irresponsible for parents not to instill faith in their children. Buddha, God, Lord, Yahweh, Allah , etc. they all are pillars of faith and are the touchstone that a child will be able to turn to regardless of what & where life brings them.

But if the parents don't have faith or a belief in God themselves, how are they supposed to instill it in their children? Woudln't that be hypocritical?

 

[freckles and boo]

But if the parents don't have faith or a belief in God themselves, how are they supposed to instill it in their children? Woudln't that be hypocritical?

This is part of the "should we christen the girls?" conversation my husband and I had. He was raised Catholic and believes in God, but not religion. I am an atheist. We were under pressure from his family to have our daughters christened. My family couldn't have cared less, but his mother was having fits. We decided, out of respect for Catholics who actually take their faiths seriously, that it would be very hypocritical of us to do it just to please his mother. We would be making promises that we had no intention of keeping. It would have been a poor decision for us. If our daughters decide to pursue some form of spirituality as they get older, we will respect their decisions.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

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.

I missed the chapter in the parenting rule book that says I have to give my child a belief in God. My responsibility is to raise her to take care of herself while having respect, compassion and empathy for those around her. I do not need religion to do this.