Of all the divisions in our family, it was decided I would belong to the most religious one. My mother is a very "orthodox" christian & I probably will never tell her about my lack of belief in god. It was enough damage telling her about previous jewish conversion. I really don't think she'll be able to take this in. It will seem too insensitive, and so disrespectful considering we already don't get on very well.
I didn't. Rather, it came out while talking to my sister and she put me on blast to my family. I understand not wanting to make waves. If I could rewind it, I certainly would.
My parent's were dead when I finally figured out what I was. Before then, they just labeled me as not very religious. My sister who is a Catholic (converted from Lutheran) knows I'm an atheist, but she has always been proud of me, for reasons I don't really understand.
I told my Mom, but after she went apeshit about it I lied and told her I was just going through a phase. She passed away in December having never brought up the issue again. My father is extremely Baptist and I would never think of telling him. Some things are better left alone.
I had the good fortune of being brought up in a non-religious nuclear family.
I told my whole immediate family. I first started with my dad, he was the reason I really started doubting ( when I was young he was the smartest person I knew and when I had a question who'd always give a logical scientific answer). He was all right with it but I think he thinks it's just a phase.
Then I told my sister, she was very supportive and we actually grew closer because of it, even though she's the most religious in my family.
And lastly I told my mom. She was the easiest one to tell cause I had already told my father and sister. She was pretty disappointed but she eventually got over it.
It was hard to get off my chest but afterwards I was more confident in myself and I was more real with my family
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My dad, and my other dad, that lived with us were both atheists, my older sister was an atheist, and my younger sister was an atheist but married a man who's church excepts atheists and were married in a Universalist church, my mother was a Southern Methodist and the subject was never brought up accept she thought I should go to church when I was around 10-12 because I was getting too wild, when the preacher slammed my head into my desk and left a large goose egg with him saying, "I TOLD YOU TO PRAY BOY!" It took everything my mother could to keep my dad from going there and killing him. It was never brought up again until I married A Catholic girl that is still my wife. Solitary
Quote from: Solitary on May 19, 2015, 04:49:23 PM
"I TOLD YOU TO PRAY BOY!" It took everything my mother could to keep my dad from going there and killing him. It was never brought up again until I married A Catholic girl that is still my wife. Solitary
Terrible - Congratulations on the latter.
Thanks everyone, your responses have certainly been of some help. x
Quote from: mez_ on May 19, 2015, 04:35:50 PM
I told my whole immediate family. I first started with my dad, he was the reason I really started doubting ( when I was young he was the smartest person I knew and when I had a question who'd always give a logical scientific answer). He was all right with it but I think he thinks it's just a phase.
Then I told my sister, she was very supportive and we actually grew closer because of it, even though she's the most religious in my family.
And lastly I told my mom. She was the easiest one to tell cause I had already told my father and sister. She was pretty disappointed but she eventually got over it.
It was hard to get off my chest but afterwards I was more confident in myself and I was more real with my family
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well, Mez, you had a good family. And I am glad it worked out for you. Being upfront is usually the best. But not always. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.
In my case my family just never talked about it. Nobody was religious--we did not go to church. When we were smaller my brothers and I went to church for a little, mainly out of curiosity, but that ended rather quickly.
I know I was very fortunate. It's a lot harder for others, sadly
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Solitary on May 19, 2015, 04:49:23 PM
My dad, and my other dad, that lived with us were both atheists, my older sister was an atheist, and my younger sister was an atheist but married a man who's church excepts atheists and were married in a Universalist church, my mother was a Southern Methodist and the subject was never brought up accept she thought I should go to church when I was around 10-12 because I was getting too wild, when the preacher slammed my head into my desk and left a large goose egg with him saying, "I TOLD YOU TO PRAY BOY!" It took everything my mother could to keep my dad from going there and killing him. It was never brought up again until I married A Catholic girl that is still my wife. Solitary
Hey, my wife is a catholic girl too. But other than having your head banged, I am trying to understand you. So you must be fairly well educated?
Mom was minimally religious when I was at home. The y-donor, I don't know, we almost never spoke. I never mentioned a lack of faith to either of them. No point to it.
Yup, about ten years ago or so. I haven't spoken to my mom in five years; she had gotten to the point of ordering me to go to church with her when I visited and I told her absolutely not and she needed to stop asking and respect my right to make my own decisions about my life... so she started telling the rest of the family that I'm an alcoholic.
And you know, I have better things to do with my life and better people to do them with, than to put up with her bullshit. I mean, I'm fifty years old. I wouldn't let a stranger talk to me like that, I'm certainly not going to let her.
Quote from: trdsf on May 19, 2015, 08:12:50 PM
Yup, about ten years ago or so. I haven't spoken to my mom in five years; she had gotten to the point of ordering me to go to church with her when I visited and I told her absolutely not and she needed to stop asking and respect my right to make my own decisions about my life... so she started telling the rest of the family that I'm an alcoholic.
And you know, I have better things to do with my life and better people to do them with, than to put up with her bullshit. I mean, I'm fifty years old. I wouldn't let a stranger talk to me like that, I'm certainly not going to let her.
It is too bad that your mother is that way. But I agree with your decision 100% You should not have to put up with such unrealistic requests. And the sad fact is--we can't chose our parents and family, but we can chose our friends. And we can unchoose our family or any part of them.
I told my sister and she told EVERYONE. Wasn't really ready for that. But when she got pregnant I was sworn to secrecy for months until she was ready to go around and tell everyone personally. Apparently she gets to control who knows what about herself be the rest of us don't get that right.
I'm a little bitter
It kind of strained my relationship with my mother after my sister told her and rather put me on the defensive being unexpectedly confronted by her, but it mostly worked out; just a little awkward now.
Quote from: Poison Tree on May 20, 2015, 12:15:58 AM
I told my sister and she told EVERYONE. Wasn't really ready for that. But when she got pregnant I was sworn to secrecy for months until she was ready to go around and tell everyone personally. Apparently she gets to control who knows what about herself be the rest of us don't get that right.
I'm a little bitter
It kind of strained my relationship with my mother after my sister told her and rather put me on the defensive being unexpectedly confronted by her, but it mostly worked out; just a little awkward now.
Yeah no, your sisters a douche. Someone has to say it.
I am sorry to hear all that. I am one of the fortunate people. Hang in there.
I'm also curious, are you young? I mean, early 20s?
Quote from: Givemeareason on May 19, 2015, 07:24:01 PM
Hey, my wife is a catholic girl too. But other than having your head banged, I am trying to understand you. So you must be fairly well educated?
Experience is the best teacher, and I have had a lot of experience. I'm handicapped intellectually, but try harder than most to learn about everything. I love knowledge for its own sake. I don't give damned about my bad reputation. It's my life to live to the fullest, not anyone else's. I street raced, and track raced cars when younger: got in gang fights when I was 14 and ran away from home to Washington DC; was a union musician at 15, trained by my one dad that was a technical sergeant in the army to be an expert at combat judo and street fighting to be the perfect soldier from birth, and worked as a labor and union carpenter; a fine, graphic artist, and illustrator when 21; married when 22; Took up sport skydiving at 28, moved to Hawaii at 32, moved to Arizona the same year, worked as a porter, insurance and Equifax private detective; worked as a graphic artist; then worked for the local school district; had an affair and fell in love with a rock star at 42; took up alpine skiing at 52; worked for Four Season Resorts in their engineering department and as a touchup artist traveling around the world, retired at 60, my wife found out about my affair at 42, and moving to Murrietta California in October with MS racking my nervous system. I've had a good and exciting life with only one complaint, what I haven't done, and none for what I have done. You want anymore info you have to get me really drunk. By the way, I am dyslexic and can't relate to people, especially religious nuts that do harm in the name of God. Solitary
Religion is the greatest source of child abuse by parents, both mental abuse and physical abuse.
I thank god :winkle: I was raised by very loving atheists,
Quote from: Feral Atheist on May 20, 2015, 07:20:19 PM
Religion is the greatest source of child abuse by parents, both mental abuse and physical abuse.
I thank god :winkle: I was raised by very loving atheists,
It doesn't have to be the christian god.
If you have to choose one, how about priapus, the greek god of mens wangs and fruit
(http://www.markaurel.de/pantheon/priapus.JPG)
Everyone loves fruit!
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 20, 2015, 11:04:03 AM
I'm also curious, are you young? I mean, early 20s?
Was that addressed to me?
In retrospect, being gay and atheist has the same coming out stories base on circumstance for many people, while while being gay is just what your born as, being atheist is a learned process you can come to at any age.
I came out to my parents, first my mum, who said she always knew I was and just waited for me to open up one day, being cool with it, and my dad, who didn't have much to say about it but when he got drunk would slur things like 'dirty fat queer', but he was a weak little old fart so whatever.
I guess because I went though my coming out with my family, realizing I was an atheist came by more gradual in what I debated and saw for myself, so when years later i finally admitted it, it didn't really have much to it, since mums not a god believer herself, my brothers a non believer, and my friends are smart enough to be the same. Guess I'm lucky in both regards.
I did, and it was because I wanted to let go of all the pretense.
Quote from: Solitary on May 20, 2015, 11:38:23 AM
Experience is the best teacher, and I have had a lot of experience. I'm handicapped intellectually, but try harder than most to learn about everything. I love knowledge for its own sake. I don't give damned about my bad reputation. It's my life to live to the fullest, not anyone else's. I street raced, and track raced cars when younger: got in gang fights when I was 14 and ran away from home to Washington DC; was a union musician at 15, trained by my one dad that was a technical sergeant in the army to be an expert at combat judo and street fighting to be the perfect soldier from birth, and worked as a labor and union carpenter; a fine, graphic artist, and illustrator when 21; married when 22; Took up sport skydiving at 28, moved to Hawaii at 32, moved to Arizona the same year, worked as a porter, insurance and Equifax private detective; worked as a graphic artist; then worked for the local school district; had an affair and fell in love with a rock star at 42; took up alpine skiing at 52; worked for Four Season Resorts in their engineering department and as a touchup artist traveling around the world, retired at 60, my wife found out about my affair at 42, and moving to Murrietta California in October with MS racking my nervous system. I've had a good and exciting life with only one complaint, what I haven't done, and none for what I have done. You want anymore info you have to get me really drunk. By the way, I am dyslexic and can't relate to people, especially religious nuts that do harm in the name of God. Solitary
You certainly have had a very exciting life. Mine has been much calmer. I started my adult life as an engineer and then ended up working the construction and testing of nuclear power plants. That started coming to an end so the money I had made and went into automotive repair. More specifically I went into the automotive transmission business. I sold the businesses about 10 years ago and went into retirement but became bored. So I started looking at working again because that is what I enjoy most. But my experience as an engineer is of no use now and so much work these days doesn't pay enough to even make it worthwhile. So currently I am driving trucks in the Bakken oil fields and that is where you see me in my picture with my hard hat on. I truly enjoy it up here but decided I needed more mental stimulation. I have a lot of time for thinking and so I am trying to put it to good use. My encounters with people though go on throughout the day. So I happily go through each day experiencing life and check in as much as I can here to interract accordingly. There is nothing I would rather be doing right now so I am happy right where I am at.
Quote from: Poison Tree on May 20, 2015, 08:35:14 PM
Was that addressed to me?
No, it was adressed to the OP. But I agree with Munch about your sister.
Quote from: Munch on May 21, 2015, 04:27:23 AM
In retrospect, being gay and atheist has the same coming out stories base on circumstance for many people, while while being gay is just what your born as, being atheist is a learned process you can come to at any age.
I came out to my parents, first my mum, who said she always knew I was and just waited for me to open up one day, being cool with it, and my dad, who didn't have much to say about it but when he got drunk would slur things like 'dirty fat queer', but he was a weak little old fart so whatever.
I guess because I went though my coming out with my family, realizing I was an atheist came by more gradual in what I debated and saw for myself, so when years later i finally admitted it, it didn't really have much to it, since mums not a god believer herself, my brothers a non believer, and my friends are smart enough to be the same. Guess I'm lucky in both regards.
Being gay is how you were born. Almost 40 years ago I knew the little boy next door (age 3 - 4), that played with our daughter would be a gay adult, and he is an openly gay man in a monogamous relationship today.
Being atheist is also how we are born. Many suffer the teaching of religion through the ignorance of their parents religion. I suspect in many case the religious training begins before potty training is started.
To say that becoming an atheist is a learning process is not accurate, it is an unlearning process, unlearning the absurdities of religion.
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 20, 2015, 11:04:03 AM
I am sorry to hear all that. I am one of the fortunate people. Hang in there.
I'm also curious, are you young? I mean, early 20s?
Thanks. Yes, somewhere in that range, why?
it's really great that you were fortunate, glad it wasn't an atypical response. Judgment is indeed a dirty thing that should be buried and never be allowed to breathe
Both my parents know, because on my computer I my background was that atheist "demotivational" poster with the rainbow. The one that says: "There's no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow either."
My dad saw it and only got slightly annoyed. Mom saw it and got a bit more annoyed. None of them were angry though, really. Mom seemed to think that atheism was the same thing as paganism. I hope that she did some research after that. All the same, they are truly wonderful and understanding and I'm grateful to have them. My brother, I think said that he didn't believe in God when I was going into my pre-teens.
As I've said before, I am a black man with a black family. Blacks tend to be more religious than whites in this country. At least percentage-wise.
But I've come across a number of black atheists, and I'm part of the Black Atheist Alliance on Facebook.
Quote from: Feral Atheist on May 21, 2015, 05:08:24 PM
To say that becoming an atheist is a learning process is not accurate, it is an unlearning process, unlearning the absurdities of religion.
Ok yeah, your right, we are all born atheist and religion is indoctrinated into us. I was more thinking of those who have been indoctrinated and eventually able to let it go and grow up from those wacko ideas.
Quote from: Savior2006 on May 21, 2015, 06:25:14 PM
Mom seemed to think that atheism was the same thing as paganism.
Strangely enough, my mom preferred my being a Pagan to my being an atheist. Weird.
I didn't have to. I accepted Christ at the age of 3, and began investigating the claims of Christ and the Bible between the ages of 19 and 26 in order to make it my own and decide whether I was believing the truth or a lie. Given that I was still going to school at the time and living at home with my parents, they got to see, first hand, where my commitments lay.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 24, 2015, 03:15:15 AM
I didn't have to. I accepted Christ at the age of 3, and began investigating searching for ways to reinterpret the claims of Christ and the Bible between the ages of 19 and 26 in order to make it my own and decide whether I was believing the truth or a lie. Given that I was still going to school at the time and living at home with my parents, they got to see, first hand, where my commitments lay.
So you reached a 3 year old's sense of reality and decided to keep it?
Btw. If you did actually
investigate and not reinforce your delusion with confirmation bias, you must have come up with some actual observable evidence, right? You should post that right here if you did - --> http://atheistforums.com/index.php?topic=44.0
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 24, 2015, 03:15:15 AM
I didn't have to. I accepted Christ at the age of 3, and began investigating the claims of Christ and the Bible between the ages of 19 and 26 in order to make it my own and decide whether I was believing the truth or a lie. Given that I was still going to school at the time and living at home with my parents, they got to see, first hand, where my commitments lay.
You are so full of shit. There isn't way a 3 year old has the capacity to choose between religions.
Quote from: leo on May 24, 2015, 08:44:36 PM
You are so full of shit. There isn't way a 3 year old has the capacity to choose between religions.
I can tell you right now how often he craps and farts. Not often at all. Because THAT's how much he is full of shit.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 24, 2015, 03:15:15 AM
I didn't have to. I accepted Christ at the age of 3, and began investigating the claims of Christ and the Bible between the ages of 19 and 26 in order to make it my own and decide whether I was believing the truth or a lie.
Odd, because I think I was about the same age when I started accepting Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny as a reasonable figures in my life. I was about 8 or 9 when the whole shebang fell apart.
Quote from: PickelledEggs on May 24, 2015, 08:26:06 PM
So you reached a 3 year old's sense of reality and decided to keep it?
Btw. If you did actually investigate and not reinforce your delusion with confirmation bias, you must have come up with some actual observable evidence, right? You should post that right here if you did - --> http://atheistforums.com/index.php?topic=44.0
No, I was able to discern that I did bad things that I shouldn't do, and that Jesus was offering me a pardon for my behavior, so that I wouldn't have to pay for my bad behavior myself. Therefore, I accepted Christ. I realize that you're attempting to insult me, and I'm sorry that you feel that's necessary. I hope that clears up your confusion.
Quote from: TomFoolery on May 24, 2015, 09:15:15 PM
Odd, because I think I was about the same age when I started accepting Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny as a reasonable figures in my life. I was about 8 or 9 when the whole shebang fell apart.
Well yeah, at that age it was the simple acceptance of a child based upon an admittedly, limited understanding. However, I was intellectually curious, and I began a search for answers within months of graduating from High School. There were a lot of questions that I needed answers to, and they weren't and hadn't ever been answered by going to church.
I will not tell it to my family either. They are too old and i dont want to put them in a position make them to explain to other people about me.
My family are so religious, my mom and big sister have cover on their heads, mom prays 5 times in a day and when she has free times she reads Qur'an in Arabic language. I dont want to make them shocked because of me, i dont want to make them sick neither. And my dad ofcourse, he prays 5 times in a day and always goes to mosque. But they could see that i am not like them. It bothers them a lot and yes sometimes they ask why. But i guess they are ok with that.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 24, 2015, 03:15:15 AM
I didn't have to. I accepted Christ at the age of 3
No you didn't. You were indoctrinated by your parents at age 3 when they forced you to believe it.
3 year olds accept anything their parents tell them, if you tell a child their next door neighbor is a living shit monster, they will believe that he is a living shit monster.
Your parents also told you about santa when you were 3 right? And yet you learned that he wasn't real years later, but before that you honestly believed he was real, because of what your parents said.
I know it must be difficult for you to see the similarity between father christmas and god, but maybe one day your figure it out.
Quote from: Munch on May 26, 2015, 05:20:48 AM
No you didn't. You were indoctrinated by your parents at age 3 when they forced you to believe it.
3 year olds accept anything their parents tell them, if you tell a child their next door neighbor is a living shit monster, they will believe that he is a living shit monster.
Your parents also told you about santa when you were 3 right? And yet you learned that he wasn't real years later, but before that you honestly believed he was real, because of what your parents said.
I know it must be difficult for you to see the similarity between father christmas and god, but maybe one day your figure it out.
Actually, that's false. I remember the conversation. I was in my parents room, on my own bunk bed, as my room was being remodeled at the time. My parents asked me if I wanted to accept Christ. It was never forced, and I didn't feel forced. I was self-consciously aware that I had done bad things, that I do bad things, and that I'll probably do bad things in the future. I was also aware that doing bad things, if caught, will end in punishment. Since I knew God was catching everything I did bad because He was always watching me, I knew I would either be punished or I could accept a free gift of pardon. I chose the pardon. I remember using a particularly childish phrase when praying for Jesus to come in and vacuum out my heart, meaning essentially make me righteous or good by way of your sacrifice for my sins. So no, I actually remember the events quite clearly.
I don't recall my parents ever really telling me about Santa or going out of their way to build up the big myth. I sort of picked that up from the culture and all of the shows on TV. My parents didn't go out of their way to dispel it either, as they probably figured that I'd eventually figure out that it was just a story, which I did. And personally, I see no analogous relationship between the two. I realize that you see one, but that's likely the result misunderstanding, lack of appropriate knowledge, or refusal/denial. Your disbelief of Santa probably doesn't stem from the same area.
Quote from: trdsf on May 23, 2015, 07:54:40 PM
Strangely enough, my mom preferred my being a Pagan to my being an atheist. Weird.
Isn't Paganism a bit more hopeful and positive than atheism? Atheists aren't monolithic of course, but if they are genuine materalists, then you're pretty much left with a deterministic and nihilistic world. For people that know, perceive or just sense that, it can be pretty depressing.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 26, 2015, 03:43:02 AM
No, I was able to discern that I did bad things that I shouldn't do, and that Jesus was offering me a pardon for my behavior, so that I wouldn't have to pay for my bad behavior myself. Therefore, I accepted Christ. I realize that you're attempting to insult me, and I'm sorry that you feel that's necessary. I hope that clears up your confusion.
It's less of an insult and more of me pointing out that you still live in a 3 year old's fairy-tale reality. The hilarity of that is just a bonus.
Sent from your mom.
By the time that I became an confirmed atheist, I was say about 40, so no hesitation in presenting my views. My father and before that my grandfather, who was a Sanskrit scholar also held scientific views; So, we always used to discuss. But I am not anti-religious, remain a Hindu, sticking to the traditions. Advaita (non-duality) philosophy allows me this freedom.
Quote from: eylul on May 26, 2015, 05:14:19 AM
I will not tell it to my family either. They are too old and i dont want to put them in a position make them to explain to other people about me.
My family are so religious, my mom and big sister have cover on their heads, mom prays 5 times in a day and when she has free times she reads Qur'an in Arabic language. I dont want to make them shocked because of me, i dont want to make them sick neither. And my dad ofcourse, he prays 5 times in a day and always goes to mosque. But they could see that i am not like them. It bothers them a lot and yes sometimes they ask why. But i guess they are ok with that.
I think you are wise--even beyond your years. Your beliefs are your beliefs and no need to use it as a club. It would serve no purpose other than causing pain. I commend you for your stance.
Yes I told my religious parents but not my religious grand father as I feel it would probably both worry and maybe kill him to know it.
But yes their reaction to my atheism was not pleasant.
My warm and fuzzy humanism was much more palitable to my Christian mother than my younger brother's cold, strident atheism. My father is an atheist.
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 26, 2015, 09:22:21 AM
I think you are wise--even beyond your years. Your beliefs are your beliefs and no need to use it as a club. It would serve no purpose other than causing pain. I commend you for your stance.
Sometimes I need to act like how they want me to be but its ok for me. I love them a lot. Like a lot of people they are believers and it doesnt make any sense for me. I will be like they want me to be while I am living with them.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 24, 2015, 03:15:15 AM
I didn't have to. I accepted Christ at the age of 3
Excuse my french, but BULL SHIT!
Your were spoon the bull shit of religion by your parents for your entire life, as I am sure your vast readings and life experiences at that point including not crapping yourself anymore. But to profess you accept christ at age 3 your are not crapping yourself, and trying to crap us.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 26, 2015, 06:06:09 AM
Isn't Paganism a bit more hopeful and positive than atheism? Atheists aren't monolithic of course, but if they are genuine materalists, then you're pretty much left with a deterministic and nihilistic world. For people that know, perceive or just sense that, it can be pretty depressing.
That's an awfully broad brush you're painting your straw man with there. Don't tell me what my philosophy of life, outlook, and general demeanor are.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 26, 2015, 06:06:09 AM
Isn't Paganism a bit more hopeful and positive than atheism? Atheists aren't monolithic of course, but if they are genuine materalists, then you're pretty much left with a deterministic and nihilistic world. For people that know, perceive or just sense that, it can be pretty depressing.
This statement of yours rather surprises me. You make such broad sweeping generalizations that you entire statement is rather meaningless. There is no monolithic 'Pagan' movement. There a bunch of religions that were lumped together by the christians so they could be labeled 'them' or 'the enemy' more easily. Which pagan religions are you referring to? You suggest that atheists are not 'monolithic' in the first half of a sentence, then tell us that they are--'deterministic' and 'nihilistic'. Either all of them are as you suggest--monolistic--or not as you also suggest. I can tell you of this atheist. I am not deterministic totally. I see some sects of christians as being totally deterministic in that they insist that a person's fate is laid out from the beginning of their existence--or before. While I do see a cause-and-effect system working, I don't think it works that cleanly for our emotions. Our chemistry plays a role. So, deterministic to a point I suppose. But this area of discussion is littered with semantic land mines and has to be tread carefully and thoughtfully. Nihilistic? Me? Only in the sense that I reject any religion. But life is not senseless or meaningless. Briefly, I feel great respect for and awe of the system that created me and the universe. And I feel I am, physically, a part of all of that. When I see the stars at night, and I am in the mood, I am astounded that I am that--I am star stuff, I am connected to those stars and the system that created them--and me. (And no, I do not attribute any intelligence whatsoever to that system--it is totally neutral about it all.) None of the atheists I have talked to would be deterministic or nihilistic. I suppose they exist--I've just not met one. And while I have been depressed at various stages of my life, it is not because of where I came from or where I'm going at the end. Day-to-day stuff can get me down. But not for long. So, I am rather surprised that you made such a blanket statement--have you researched what atheism is and what they actually think--I mean, your research skills are most assuredly very well honed. And have you conducted your said research with an effort to neutralize your natural bias against the idea of atheism?
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 26, 2015, 06:06:09 AM
Isn't Paganism a bit more hopeful and positive than atheism? Atheists aren't monolithic of course, but if they are genuine materalists, then you're pretty much left with a deterministic and nihilistic world. For people that know, perceive or just sense that, it can be pretty depressing.
I don't think you understand atheism well. You are making too many assumptions about atheists. Atheism isn't a philosophy or set of ideas. Atheism is simply the lack of beliefs in gods. That's all. Some atheists are deterministic , some atheists aren't. Some atheists are nihilistic , others aren't. And yes you are so full of shit. I will say it again . Children at the age of 3 don't have the mental capacity to choose between religions. Children at that age accept EVERYTHING their parents say as truth. You are another brainwashed dude. You would be a hindu if you were born in India or muslim if you were born in a muslim country. Or maybe a jew if you were born in a jewish family.
Quote from: PickelledEggs on May 24, 2015, 08:58:17 PM
I can tell you right now how often he craps and farts. Not often at all. Because THAT's how much he is full of shit.
Quote from: PickelledEggs on May 24, 2015, 08:58:17 PM
I can tell you right now how often he craps and farts. Not often at all. Because THAT's how much he is full of shit.
Maybe with the most powerful laxative this christard can be cured.
Quote from: leo on May 27, 2015, 11:57:24 AMChildren at the age of 3 don't have the mental capacity to choose between religions.
But Leo, children haven't been corrupted by society yet! Everything they do is pure and just! They would never choose Christianity unless it was the right one!
(http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/339/0/7/the_girl__who_hanging_on_balloons__and_her_seagull_by_thaess-d4i8wcf.jpg)
Quote from: eylul on May 26, 2015, 04:08:13 PM
Sometimes I need to act like how they want me to be but its ok for me. I love them a lot. Like a lot of people they are believers and it doesnt make any sense for me. I will be like they want me to be while I am living with them.
Most people in this forum are not aware that a lot of people in Turkey or in other muslim countries have to act that way. When you say you are talking about a muslim country, most of the Americans tend to think everyone is muslim by the book and all of them are extremists. Mostly, they also tend to think almost all muslims are the same in all muslim countries; share the exact same cultural characteristics, life styles -more than similarities I mean- and that they operate like one huge community. :lol: Just so you know.
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 27, 2015, 12:16:53 PM
Most people in this forum are not aware that a lot of people in Turkey or in other muslim countries have to act that way. When you say you are talking about a muslim country, most of the Americans tend to think everyone is muslim by the book and all of them are extremists. Mostly, they also tend to think almost all muslims are the same in all muslim countries; share the exact same cultural characteristics, life styles -more than similarities I mean- and that they operate like one huge community. :lol: Just so you know.
Yeah, I think you are right about that, Shoe. But then most Americans see christians in much the same light. They think a christian, is a christian, is a christian. When there are over 10,000 different christian sects active in the US right now. And they are not lock step on almost anything.
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 27, 2015, 12:36:08 PM
Yeah, I think you are right about that, Shoe. But then most Americans see christians in much the same light. They think a christian, is a christian, is a christian. When there are over 10,000 different christian sects active in the US right now. And they are not lock step on almost anything.
But it is different with muslims, because their culture is alien to them and that in the last decade there has been a 'war'. This is a bit like people in muslim countries thinking all Americans live without religious rules -none at all- and live like in the movies. :lol:
Quote from: PickelledEggs on May 26, 2015, 09:02:28 AM
It's less of an insult and more of me pointing out that you still live in a 3 year old's fairy-tale reality. The hilarity of that is just a bonus.
Sent from your mom.
As I've already pointed out, I am not still operating on the basis of that simple faith. I moved on to ask the hard questions and genuinely challenge the truthfulness of my faith in order to take ownership and make it my own as a thinking rational adult. Merely because I adopted a belief that proved to be true and still hold to that believe more than 30 years later is no indication of its being part of some kind of fairy-tale reality. I'm sure there are any number of things you came to believe when you a young person that you still believe today. In that sense we are no different. You've simply chosen to reject a portion of reality that I have not. We'll each follow our lives to their natural conclusion, as part of our current venue, and see who has a harder time living with that choice. I hope you'll change your mind.
Quote from: Odoital778412 on May 27, 2015, 05:06:34 PM
As I've already pointed out, I am not still operating on the basis of that simple faith. I moved on to ask the hard questions and genuinely challenge the truthfulness of my faith in order to take ownership and make it my own as a thinking rational adult. Merely because I adopted a belief that proved to be true and still hold to that believe more than 30 years later is no indication of its being part of some kind of fairy-tale reality. I'm sure there are any number of things you came to believe when you a young person that you still believe today. In that sense we are no different. You've simply chosen to reject a portion of reality that I have not. We'll each follow our lives to their natural conclusion, as part of our current venue, and see who has a harder time living with that choice. I hope you'll change your mind.
You're funny. All those assumptions and all that delusion in one fun-filled package! :biggrin:
You are only slightly more rational IF you do not view your religion as much of a truth as when you were 3. And
only slightly. You are still wrapped in a delusion that a non-evidence-based fairy-tale that makes a poor effort to explain the word around us seems like the truth to you.... especially since we have tools that the scientific process allows us to explain the world and universe much more accurately and in depth... not to mention that the things we find through science directly contradicts what you have in your book that was written from a collection of stories conjured up and collected from over 1700 years ago (and further back in time)
What reality are you assuming I do not reject from my childhood, BTW? Let's hear it.
And you hope I change my mind? Is that proselytizing I hear :lol:?