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 sometimes
but 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)
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 sometimes
but 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)
