(June 18, 2015 at 2:13 am)whateverist Wrote: Certainly atheism is nothing like a religion, but many atheists start off as religionists.  So it isn't really surprising that they sometimes carry over some habits of mind, at least while they work their way through and out of religion.

I'm curious what your impression is of those you've met here.  Some here were never religious, most left one.  Some had a difficult transition - abandonment by parents, family and sometimes friends.  Others endured less difficult indoctrination and thus have had an easier time leaving.  I had a pretty easy time.  I wish for all atheists to arrive at a point where it is the nothing we all say it is.  But for some the betrayal and stress was just greater.  Some religions must be harder to exit too, like Jehovah's Witnesses which pointedly shun those who leave.

Part of the function of a site like this is to support those working their way out.  So if some still carry their atheism with missionary zeal, they deserve our understanding and support, not derision.  We don't exist to present a unified face to theists.

Thanks for the reply! Everything you said makes perfect sense and I understand completely.

I have been impressed and humbled by a lot of the people here. They have been very kind to me. I am grateful for every person here who took the time to respond to my thread and for being willing to converse with me. Y'all could have just ignored me, but you didn't.

It breaks my heart to know that so many of you have been shunned and treated so cruelly by theists. It especially upsets me when it's done by Christians, because they are my people. What a shame that some of us wandered so far from the example and words of Jesus, whom we should be trying to emulate.

Catholic Lady: "What a shame that some of us wandered so far from the example and words of Jesus, whom we should be trying to emulate."


Stay the hell away from my fig tree, lady!

Theists here need to follow your example! You wouldn't believe some of the things that have been said on this forum. Luckily we don't generally take it to heart. You are right, plenty of people couldn't be much further from Jesus' best examples. Such people need to reconsider themselves.

It's rare a theist actually takes the time to get to know us, and to see our perspective. Very, very rare.

I'm glad you have felt welcomed, I hope I have been considerate and not too blunt with my questioning. It's only curiosity, it's not meant to be judgement

Well, at least if CL prayed for us to get HIV or cancer (for our good), she'd likely be nice about it.

(June 18, 2015 at 2:21 am)Stimbo Wrote: Ok, I'll cut to the chase. Take away the bible and where would you find your god?

Haha.

For a long time, in earlier Christianity, the bible did not exist. Everything was passed down from word of mouth. But at this point, 2000 years later, I think the bible is very important. There are waaayyy too many people and Christianity is wayyy too wide spread now for all that info to be properly organized and spread without it being written down somewhere.

So yes, I would say the bible is crucial at this point. I'm not sure whether or not Christianity would survive without it because word of mouth can only go so far.

Deleted post because I'm getting too tired to catch Stimbo's point, much less call someone else out on it.  Carry on.

So basically your god can't be found outside the stories, written or oral. Thank you.

Does the sky being blue count Stimbo?    nah, prolly not...  you bastards are so fussy with this evidence bullshit thing...

We were so blissfully ignorant happy before science came and ruined everything!

I'm sorry for what I said about you being better than catholicism, I didn't think that through. It was meant to be a compliment but it didn't come off as I intended it. I was being pompous and presumptuous, my apologies.

(June 18, 2015 at 2:19 am)robvalue Wrote: I think point 3 proves my point 1 You are above it, and it's only by chance that you're not in the same boat as all the other catholic gays feeling self loathing and despair with whom you can fully sympathise.

I don't know how you can think that particular part of the doctrine is in any way moral, merciful or fair. If you're interested, it is mainly based upon one tiny verse lodged in the middle of the old testament, which you have discarded! But I'll leave the issue now

Point 1 wasn't a half compliment, but a whole one. I don't believe Catholicism is responsible for who you are at all, religion has a knack of taking credit away from where it is due. I think you would have been just as good without it.

Edited to remove some pompous presumptuous ramblings which should have stayed in my head. Apologies.

Robvalue, you are probably one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life lol. Honestly, I was not offended by what you wrote. I understand where you are coming from. Either way, thank you so much for your humility to apologize. I am very impressed!

I know it's hard to understand, and I wish I could do a better job of explaining it to you.

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(June 18, 2015 at 2:31 am)robvalue Wrote: Theists here need to follow your example! You wouldn't believe some of the things that have been said on this forum. Luckily we don't generally take it to heart. You are right, plenty of people couldn't be much further from Jesus' best examples. Such people need to reconsider themselves.

It's rare a theist actually takes the time to get to know us, and to see our perspective. Very, very rare.

I'm glad you have felt welcomed, I hope I have been considerate and not too blunt with my questioning. It's only curiosity, it's not meant to be judgement

Your kind words are overwhelming... you're killin me smalls!

I am saddened to hear if has been such a rare occurance for you to meet theists who are not more friendly and open with you.   That's very disappointing to me.

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(June 18, 2015 at 2:37 am)Stimbo Wrote: So basically your god can't be found outside the stories, written or oral. Thank you.

There is no solid, physical, scientific proof that God exists. I will admit to that 100%.

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(June 18, 2015 at 2:48 am)ignoramus Wrote: Does the sky being blue count Stimbo?    nah, prolly not...  you bastards are so fussy with this evidence bullshit thing...

We were so blissfully ignorant happy before science came and ruined everything!

I love science! Lol.

Speaking of which, did you know that it was a Catholic priest who first introduced the big bang theory? And that the pope of the time was super excited about it?   There is no animosity on the Church's part towards science, and there hasn't been for a very long time.

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(June 18, 2015 at 2:49 am)robvalue Wrote: I'm sorry for what I said about you being better than catholicism, I didn't think that through. It was meant to be a compliment but it didn't come off as I intended it. I was being pompous and presumptuous, my apologies.

You da best! And of course, no apologies necessary.