Huge Number Of Americans Do Not Want Atheist In-Laws...

a reply to: Klassified

That's fine to me because honestly, if somebody interested in marrying either of my children didn't like the fact that I was an atheist, then they really shouldn't be marrying my children who are both self-decided atheists. Both went to a private Catholic school, both have access to the bible, and I've always told them that religious choice is a personal choice and what they feel in their heart to be their view of things. My kids chose atheism so really, if someone wants to marry one of them, then they better accept and love my KIDS for who they are--not just me.

a reply to: Klassified Some people see it as just another club and want no part of clubs. I think athiest probally feel a certain good feeling when surrounded by other members of their club just like other members of different clubs. We see the club side of non belief in everyday life by athiest joining together for a cause or movement.

originally posted by: deadeyedick
a reply to: Klassified Some people see it as just another club and want no part of clubs. I think athiest probally feel a certain good feeling when surrounded by other members of their club just like other members of different clubs. We see the club side of non belief in everyday life by athiest joining together for a cause or movement.

Are you an atheist?

I'm just curious as to where you get these ideas from because, quite frankly, I've been an atheist for decades and I'm not a part of any club or movement, let alone a specifically atheist one. Most of my friends are Christian, a few atheists, and a few more pagan oriented friends to boot--all learned through natural conversation long after friendships were forged. I don't make friends with people because of their beliefs or lack thereof. I make friends with people who I respect and admire regardless of their beliefs. What a person believes is up to them. I respect their free will and autonomy on such a personal decision.

a reply to: WhiteAlice Look i am not taking jabs here but pointing out that many see it as a group of people that are united against what they feel is oppression of their rights as a citizen and the fact that you choose to let me know you are an athiest shows you are part of something bigger than just a thought of there being no god.

If i was able to show athiest just one thing and they were able to recieve it then it would be that athiest after this life will have an order to follow just like all the other religions and in that order is a god that will have you worship him just like all the other gods. I don't expect you to believe me but by all means keep that thought in mind. choosing a path here that says their is no spiritual chain of command does not necessarily mean you will not have a whole different set of rules to follow if there is something beyond the flesh.

a reply to: minkmouse

Why must perception be reality? Why must reality be so....Contrived?

I can't even count how many times I've just met someone, or just been introduced to someone, and the first question they ask is "What church do you go to?"

originally posted by: deadeyedick
a reply to: WhiteAlice Look i am not taking jabs here but pointing out that many see it as a group of people that are united against what they feel is oppression of their rights as a citizen and the fact that you choose to let me know you are an athiest shows you are part of something bigger than just a thought of there being no god.

Uhhh, what? You were making a claim about what atheists do and their behaviors. Saying, I don't see this as an atheist and sharing my experience and friendships as such is both entirely relevant and an attempt to correct an obvious misconception. Of course I'm part of something bigger than just atheism. It's called being a part of humanity and its wonderful diversity.

originally posted by: deadeyedick
a reply to: WhiteAlice
If i was able to show athiest just one thing and they were able to recieve it then it would be that athiest after this life will have an order to follow just like all the other religions and in that order is a god that will have you worship him just like all the other gods. I don't expect you to believe me but by all means keep that thought in mind. choosing a path here that says their is no spiritual chain of command does not necessarily mean you will not have a whole different set of rules to follow if there is something beyond the flesh.

Since you altered your post while I was responding--to this second portion, would it surprise you to know that I was baptized Catholic and at age 14, was considering entering into the church as a nun? Probably would, I suppose. My views on religion changed with my experiences and considerations.

a reply to: WhiteAlice
The claim that likeminded people feel at peace when together stands beyond anything else i have said. It is part of the humanity you spoke of.

a reply to: WhiteAlice Surely you can admit that if an athiest died and then found that there is life after death and that the whole belief of non belief was just used to collect souls from earth and put them into another system of worship that would be a bit of a nightmare. Givin that most of the human population have believed in gods of some nature all throughout history it becomes a possibility.

a reply to: deadeyedick

If like-minded people standing together feeling peace is an actual thing, then surely I'm an alien. For me, I love the respectful discussions that arise that pose challenging thoughts or differing views. To me, it's thought provoking. I would be bored to tears if I were simply surrounded by friends who shared a similar view. Hence why I chose a diversity of friends from their politics and beliefs on religion.

A few months ago, my youngest asked me what comes after death and I told her that only the dead know. I explained to her the differing beliefs that are held throughout the world and that whatever one chooses to believe is best as it will be that which comforts them in regards to a frightening concept--death. I do not claim to know any answers for I am not dead. If I am wrong in my view, then I'll find out at the moment after my passing. Until that day, I live my life as best as I can along the principles that I find best. Do no intentional harm to others and defend those who are in need of defending. If I am to be condemned for my non-belief for all time simply on the basis of my non-belief, then what a sad gauge of what is good that is.

Well, from what I've seen, I wouldn't want you as an in-law. You wouldn't want me in your family. You'd be divisive and judgmental about my faith if your behavior here is anything to go by. As soon as you found out that my husband and I planned to put our son in a classical curriculum Christian school for reasons of curriculum as much, if not more, than reasons of faith, I predict we'd never hear the end of it from you nevermind that the school in question is one of the top 10 private schools in the city.

Now, I could be wrong. You might be entirely fine face to face and in person.

And I know other atheists that I would be fine with as members of my family being quite good friends with them already, but someone like you or a few others on this forum would be simply intolerable if you carry on in person the same way you do here.

a reply to: WhiteAlice

Now you on the other hand are someone I could probably do just fine with. You seem to more or less be able to respect the beliefs of others.

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: WhiteAlice

Now you on the other hand are someone I could probably do just fine with. You seem to more or less be able to respect the beliefs of others.

Thank you. My ex-husband's father was a Baptist minister. Soon after my son was born, he came to my home one day, unannounced, completely fearful that I would raise my son to have zero sense of any form of spirituality as he knew I was an atheist. We had a fantastic discussion and after it was done, my former father in law gave me a huge hug and said he was no longer worried.

I really do think that what one believes is a matter of personal choice. My only request to any within humanity is to remember that we all share this planet and to love and respect each other not just for our similarities but for our wild diversity.

a reply to: WhiteAlice
Indeed you are a bit alien but not alone. Just look at different groups that have formed in the us. We have all kinds like the nra,naacp,cair,charity organizations, churches... it just goes on and on and my belief is that in the end we will find that the energy put into things will be used to collect souls from this place. I view it as a sort of path that is laid out by our beliefs and not all will collect in the end but the major ones will. I don't know the truth either but taking all things into account the chances are at the least real and that is why some do not believe in god but choose not to be a part of anything that links them with others. Just as the poster i responded to stated on the first page said. I think that energy can bind us to others in unseen manners and only state all this as a warning to not get duped by not knowing or not analizing the possibilities that seem to have some merit overall. If it walks like a duck then it is probaly a quacker too.

originally posted by: deadeyedick
a reply to: WhiteAlice Surely you can admit that if an athiest died and then found that there is life after death and that the whole belief of non belief was just used to collect souls from earth and put them into another system of worship that would be a bit of a nightmare. Givin that most of the human population have believed in gods of some nature all throughout history it becomes a possibility.

Just because someone doesn't believe in god, does not preclude them from believing in an afterlife. This is an assumption often made about atheists.

a reply to: deadeyedick

I really am not a part of any movement or official group. I'm not even a member of a political party. However, not being a part of a group or movement does not equate to "not being a part of anything that links them to others". Quite the opposite if you think about it. I chose to not limit my links to others based on ideologies but based on their behaviors. If somebody is a total jerk, I won't befriend them. If somebody is a nice person, then friends forever. Most people are actually nice and well-meaning people so my links with others are vast and far greater than if I chose to limit myself to those who see the world as I do in any regard.

originally posted by: Klassified
a reply to: Cuervo
I'm not used to seeing you do a drive-by post Cuervo. Please elaborate on why you agree with mister tomato on page one. Thanks.

I was comparing a poll that involved mostly Christians and their opinions on atheists and then seeing the results as significant with a GIF of The Black Satans saying he farted and, low and behold, it smelled like farts.

It's a foregone conclusion. The poll is interesting (as all of theirs are) but just not a surprise.

ps edit - I wasn't agreeing with Mr. Tomato that it was "pure garbage"; just with his explanation of it.

&$*#&$6 @#*##*@&$#$ DOUBLE POST!!! FRIGGIN FRAGGIN ARGH!!!! WHY!!!! #*$&$@

a reply to: Klassified

Those christians that say that have probably heard it and misunderstood the argument themselves. I would blast the just like I blasted her.

a reply to: ketsuko
Lol! I'm a teddy bear, Ketsuko. Ask anyone on the Reality Remix crew. You'd be surprised at the diversity of my friends in real life. My best friend, I have known since grade school is a xtian. It's not easy to explain, but I'll try...

ATS for me, is a place where I can let it all hang out, so to speak. I'm much more forward and opinionated here, because that's what I want in return. Whether I like what is being said or not, I appreciate it greatly when someone is straight with me. Also, I'm a terrible writer, and sometimes come off gruff or mean when I'm not trying to. That makes it even worse, when I am trying to. I am gradually getting better about expressing myself in posts, I hope. That said...

Yes, I CAN be just as straightforward and opinionated in person, but I'm not near as much as here. In the example you gave in your post. You'd not have heard a peep from me. Though honestly, I probably would have agreed with your decision, for a few reasons I won't go into here.

I try to be just as real here, as I am in person, with the exception above. I try not to give false impressions or ideas about myself, here or in person. But admittedly, when you can't see a persons face, and hear the tone of their voice, it's hard to judge that.