Question for atheists that grew up in Christian households

[PrinceofWands]

I did, when I was in kindergarten or first grade. Parents couldn't have cared less, as they aren't lunatic fundies (dad Catholic, mom non-denom prot, both largely non-practicing). They respected my rational process, and just asked that I try and be polite and respectful of others beliefs. They backed me whenever I had a fight over it though (like with the Boy Scouts, the pledge at school, etc).

 

[YoungGun21]

I hate talking about it because as soon as I mention that I don't believe in god, people start questioning me about heaven, hell, angels, miracles, praying, etc and when I tell them how I feel, they get upset.
Like this:
Them-Hey do you believe in god?
Me-no.
Them-So do you believe in heaven?
Me-no.
Them-So do I have a soul?
Me-no.
Them-So what do you think happens when we die?
Me-Box in the ground or ashes, your choice.
Them-OMGWTFBBQ

I'm not into hurting others' feelings or stomping on their toes (perhaps one of the reasons I find religion annoying?), so I try to just avoid the subject.

 

[JS80]

My parents are nominally Catholic, meaning that they don't go to church. When I was a teenager, they made me and my brother do the whole first communion and confirmation things, and those experiences cemented in my mind the realization that the whole idea of Catholicism was just so utterly arbitrary and pointless that it couldn't possibly be real. I've never had any problem telling my parents that.

Shitting on the Catholic church is another 20 page troll thread, but one who truly attempts to under Jesus's teachings would see Catholicism as a giant paradox. But then again the same applies to evangelist megachurches and most other man-made institutions designed for misguided things.

 

[YoungGun21]

I also think the quote in my signature is very relevant for this discussion.

Thanks jimmyjam, that post had to be at least from 2009 or before.

Sorry for the double post.

 

[nageov3t]

See, that's why I'd have a problem with it. You're not just dunking the kid's head in water. You're promising to raise it in the church.

if you don't believe in God, there's no compelling reason why lying to said God should matter.

 

[JS80]

I hate talking about it because as soon as I mention that I don't believe in god, people start questioning me about heaven, hell, angels, miracles, praying, etc and when I tell them how I feel, they get upset.
Like this:
Them-Hey do you believe in god?
Me-no.
Them-So do you believe in heaven?
Me-no.
Them-So do I have a soul?
Me-no.
Them-So what do you think happens when we die?
Me-Box in the ground or ashes, your choice.
Them-OMGWTFBBQ

I'm not into hurting others' feelings or stomping on their toes (perhaps one of the reasons I find religion annoying?), so I try to just avoid the subject.

Immature person1: are you a poo poo face?
Immature person2: no, you're a pee pee face
Immature person1: no you
Immature person2: no you

 

[YoungGun21]

Immature person1: are you a poo poo face?
Immature person2: no, you're a pee pee face
Immature person1: no you
Immature person2: no you

Really? You're calling me immature? What about my answers in that discussion is immature? I don't attack people based on their religion (unless they worship Steve Jobs - half of the GG&P section).

Try again.

 

[JS80]

Really? You're calling me immature? What about my answers in that discussion is immature? I don't attack people based on their religion (unless they worship Steve Jobs - half of the GG&P section).

Try again.

ok i take it back

 

[soulcougher73]

I would tell them if it was me. But not in a confronting way where its a debate or argument. Just calmly tell them you dont believe in it. Dont degrade their beliefs or anything. I dont want to live a lie either. I told my wife while dating id never get married in a church. She was fine with that, and so we didnt.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My wife and I got married in a church.

 

[JS80]

I got married in a restaurant by a rabbi.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I told my mom over the phone while I was wasted. It was NOT good.

 

[JS80]

I told my mom over the phone while I was wasted. It was NOT good.

man if you recorded it on posted on youtube that would go viral. *lightbulb*

 

[Malak]

What does that have to do with Jesus? That's a moral that has no religious requirement.

What does Jesus have to do with religious requirement?

The "golden rule" is simplifying a host of verses in the bible into a single saying. The point is that God wants us to love one another, and part of that love is forgiveness and mercy. If someone does you wrong, you do them right. The question is whether you will let wrongful doing influence you to do wrongful things, or let your righteous doing influence others to do righteous things. The act of turning your cheek is choosing which side you will be on.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I think the only way I would get married in a church is if my fiance wanted to. I would let her know that I didn't want to, but I think it's supposed to be her choice in the end...

If you are not religious then you shouldn't be having a religious ceremony, aka Marraige.

 

[YoungGun21]

Marriage has become more than a religious ceremony.

 

[PrinceofWands]

If you are not religious then you shouldn't be having a religious ceremony, aka Marraige.

Unfortunately we don't have national civil unions, so we have little choice. If we offered a purely civil alternative THEN people who aren't religious shouldn't get married.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If you are not religious then you shouldn't be having a religious ceremony, aka Marraige.

If you don't have a clue what you're saying you shouldn't post it. Marriage is a legal ceremony and in the vast majority of cultures around the world the origins of marriage have nothing to do with religion. The wannabelievers stole it from the pagans just like they stole pagan holidays and turned them into religious holidays.

 

[slayer202]

Unfortunately we don't have national civil unions, so we have little choice. If we offered a purely civil alternative THEN people who aren't religious shouldn't get married.

umm, can't you can just go to the courthouse or town hall or wherever and get "married" by signing a few papers(I assume that's all you need to do). nothing religious about that

 

[TridenT]

I didn't grow up in a religious household, but it was probably Christian. The thing is, my fathers side is mostly apathetic towards religion. Politics and religion on my fathers side was almost never talked about. (Which was really nice) My immediate family identified with my fathers side the most. My mothers side was far more religious and kinda rubbed me wrong as a kid. Mothers side would sometimes say grace during dinner and attend church. My fathers side was never like that at all.

When things would get tough like people dying or whatever, then sometimes they would sort of clasp to their god believing roots, but generally it was never like that. So, I grew up in a household where I didn't have to be constantly brainwashed. (Not like it would work anyway. I got teased by so many people, especially family, that my critical thinking skills shot through the roof. You learn quick to NOT believe anything ANYONE says.)

I remember going to church a few times with my immediate family. Sometimes with the mothers side of the family that lived near us. I hated church because it was boring as fuck and my mind was just like, "why are we here for this?" At the time I didn't think people really believed the things that were being preached. I thought they just went there to listen to batshit insanity, and so it made no sense to me why anyone would listen to this.

So, one day when my mom was out on the couch watching TV I just came out there and was like, "Hey mom. I have something to tell yah." "Yes honey?" "So, I'm like... an atheist..." "Oh. I figured that might happen. You know, with you and science and all." *Huge wave of relief.*

My mom and dad were fine with it. They really don't care. They are so apathetic towards politics and religion. 😛 They're more concerned over things that matter, like family.

 

[PrinceofWands]

umm, can't you can just go to the courthouse or town hall or wherever and get "married" by signing a few papers(I assume that's all you need to do). nothing religious about that

In most places that's still a 'marriage'. You get a 'marriage license', and are considered 'married'. He didn't say people shouldn't go to a church, he said they shouldn't get married. Well, he says don't have a religious ceremony, but then he defines that as 'marriage', so it creates the problem.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Easy:

1. tell them you're a Satanist

2. when they're super crushed by the news, tell them you'll meet them halfway at Atheist because you love them too much

 

[TridenT]

Easy:

1. tell them you're a Satanist

2. when they're super crushed by the news, tell them you'll meet them halfway at Atheist because you love them too much

:awe::awe: :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[ShawnD1]

Just don't make it a topic of discussion. When someone brings it up, tactfully change the subject, exit the conversation, or provide no input.

I do the opposite. Claim I'm religious then say optimistic religious things that are retarded. I say it with a totally straight face so some people can't tell if I'm joking or not. I like that kind of ambiguity.

The "golden rule" is simplifying a host of verses in the bible into a single saying. The point is that God wants us to love one another, and part of that love is forgiveness and mercy. If someone does you wrong, you do them right.

lolwut. Did you miss all those parts about the great flood killing most of humanity or the complete destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? There's a lot of forgiveness in the bible, but there's also a lot of parts about revenge. You can't just pick one of them and say that's the right one. Much of the bible is about maintaining strict order and everything is punishable by death.

 

[Kadarin]

What does Jesus have to do with religious requirement?

The "golden rule" is simplifying a host of verses in the bible into a single saying. The point is that God wants us to love one another, and part of that love is forgiveness and mercy. If someone does you wrong, you do them right. The question is whether you will let wrongful doing influence you to do wrongful things, or let your righteous doing influence others to do righteous things. The act of turning your cheek is choosing which side you will be on.

My point is that regardless of whether Jesus taught it, the concept itself does not require any belief in Jesus/God/Christianity/Foo in order to take to heart and follow. It's a very basic concept of fairness, and most non-sociopathic people have it to some degree (some people deliberately go against it in pursuit of various forms of gratification, however).