(December 4, 2013 at 4:08 pm)atheistmama Wrote: I'm still sort of feeling my way around this forum, and am wondering if there other folks like me who are lurking, because I'd love to talk to you!
I'm mostly a pretty typical North American mom I guess, except that I don't believe in any god or gods or goddesses or the like. I don't hate religious people. I am extremely dismayed at how religion can negatively shape people, and the endless bloodshed it seems to cause, but on a local, personal level (among friends and family) I've also seen how it has been the source of great comfort for people during difficult times. I believe it's misguided comfort, but I can't imagine telling someone that when they are doing their best to work through something difficult.
The example I think of most often is my MIL. She lost her husband when she was in her 40's. Then just a couple of years later her oldest son died of cancer. Then a few years ago her oldest daughter died of cancer as well. Her husband and two of her five children dead. I literally can not imagine the pain of that. Her faith (and probably more importantly) the bonds she had with her church community helped her get through each of these tragedies.
I don't understand this faith. It seems so silly to me. But it's not silly to her. It's not silly to my husband. It's an important part of their lives. I think we can love and respect people even if we disagree about some things. I would never mock them for their faith. Well, perhaps I mock them in my heart sometimesbut mostly I feel sad that they live their whole lives with this delusion.
I know I mentioned in a previous post that I'm not an activist and am not and never have been interested in debating the merits of atheism/theism. I'm not a scholar. I'm not a super-duper writer. I'm really just interested in having respectful, serious discussions about the practical aspects of being an atheist in a sea of theists.
I'd really love to hear from you guys who walk the same line I do. How do you handle things like the pressure to attend Christmas Eve mass or finding mom-friends who don't offer to pray for you? (Telling them to fuck off is not an option for me)
Hello A-mom
I am new here also and have been poking around. I think a lot of people are going to relate to you.
It all depends what you have faith in. I have faith in the big bang happening 13.78b years ago. I don't have faith in Adam and Eve.
Faith did not get your Mil "through" her tragedies. Faith is usually a gauze over reality when used in a religious context. . Reality here is that we are born and we die randomly, your friend wasn't chosen for special attention. Most cancer deaths are the result of genetics, environment and lifestyle. All theoretically preventable. Her friends and her own rational thought process brought her from her perceived victimhood closer to the truth.
