My dad told me today, that since I will move to Vienna where there are a lot of catholics, I can convert to Catholicism if I want to. Romania used to be communist, in that period we had some relatives that were catholic. The regime didn't tolerate religion much, especially the Greek Catholic Church. Because of that said relatives had to convert to Orthodoxism. Dad said that the communists were dumb because they forced people to leave their faith, yet if I would tell him that I'm atheist he would explode. He doesn't believe in Hell and doesn't claim that Christianity is better than any other religion, so he has no reason to force me.

(September 29, 2017 at 9:28 am)Die Atheistin Wrote: My dad told me today, that since I will move to Vienna where there are a lot of catholics, I can convert to Catholicism if I want to. Romania used to be communist, in that period we had some relatives that were catholic. The regime didn't tolerate religion much, especially the Greek Catholic Church. Because of that said relatives had to convert to Orthodoxism. Dad said that the communists were dumb because they forced people to leave their faith, yet if I would tell him that I'm atheist he would explode. He doesn't believe in Hell and doesn't claim that Christianity is better than any other religion, so he has no reason to force me.

Religion has always existed under communism. What one party states object to isn't religion, but ANY AND ALL dissent. Cuba tolerates it's Catholic majority and they have very old Catholic churches built long before the Castro family took power.

China also tolerates religion, again, as long as it tows the party line and doesn't make waves. Christian Churches even exist in China.

Even North Korea is religious. It is it's own brand of Asian ancestor worship. The Kim family are virtually worshiped as gods even if not in name, but in spirit. 

This is yet another story that when our right wing Christians falsely claim persecution makes me want to jack slap them. I am sorry you have to go through this. I hope wherever you end up, you always have a place, even if only on the net, to be able to express yourself.

Come to the next family gathering dressed as a Hare Krishna.

That should fuck him up.

There used to be a lot of Jews in Vienna.

Wonder if the Catholics care to take responsibility for the dearth of Jews there now?

(September 29, 2017 at 9:28 am)Die Atheistin Wrote: My dad told me today, that since I will move to Vienna where there are a lot of catholics, I can convert to Catholicism if I want to. Romania used to be communist, in that period we had some relatives that were catholic. The regime didn't tolerate religion much, especially the Greek Catholic Church. Because of that said relatives had to convert to Orthodoxism. Dad said that the communists were dumb because they forced people to leave their faith, yet if I would tell him that I'm atheist he would explode. He doesn't believe in Hell and doesn't claim that Christianity is better than any other religion, so he has no reason to force me.

Tell him as soon as the pope starts punishing priests for fucking children you'll convert.  That should cover you for 2-3 lifetimes.

(September 29, 2017 at 1:14 pm)Minimalist Wrote:

(September 29, 2017 at 9:28 am)Die Atheistin Wrote: My dad told me today, that since I will move to Vienna where there are a lot of catholics, I can convert to Catholicism if I want to. Romania used to be communist, in that period we had some relatives that were catholic. The regime didn't tolerate religion much, especially the Greek Catholic Church. Because of that said relatives had to convert to Orthodoxism. Dad said that the communists were dumb because they forced people to leave their faith, yet if I would tell him that I'm atheist he would explode. He doesn't believe in Hell and doesn't claim that Christianity is better than any other religion, so he has no reason to force me.

Tell him as soon as the pope starts punishing priests for fucking children you'll convert.  That should cover you for 2-3 lifetimes.

2-3 lifetimes?

I never pegged you as such an optimist, Min.

Eh, I don't think your dad saying "Hey, feel free to convert to Catholicism when you move to a country that's primarily Catholic" is anything to get worked up over. It's not like he's saying that you must convert.

I get that you're frustrated, but don't let your frustration override your rationality.

(September 29, 2017 at 2:53 pm)KevinM1 Wrote: Eh, I don't think your dad saying "Hey, feel free to convert to Catholicism when you move to a country that's primarily Catholic" is anything to get worked up over.  It's not like he's saying that you must convert.

I get that you're frustrated, but don't let your frustration override your rationality.

I know he's not forcing me to convert to Catholicism, I'm not frustrated about that. What I am frustrated about is that he wouldn't accept me as an atheist.

To borrow a George Carlin phrase regarding himself and the Pope having the same amount of authority and just not enough people who realize it, indoctrination that leads to someone growing up to be as unbalanced as your dad sounds is a crime, just not enough people realize it. I'm relieved it sounds like he's the last of that generation in your bloodline (unless you have siblings who took the bait) and that you won't be perpetuating that horrible mindset.

(September 30, 2017 at 3:32 am)Die Atheistin Wrote: I know he's not forcing me to convert to Catholicism,

No probs ...but if you do convert, be careful they don't try to shove something else down your throat!