Hey Everyone! It's Jonah!

[HeyItsZeus]

Hello fellow atheist! I, fortunately, do not live in the bible belt.

[Jonah]

Dogs don't go to heaven? :cry:

It's funny, because as a child I still saw how humans were pretty much animals in a lot of ways. I kept hearing how we are the only ones; so I really started asking questions. No one could answer them, and I was only 5 -__- Pretty sad adults, pretty sad.....

@Jonah: I hope that you enjoy your stay. I live in the bible belt as well, but so far every theist who starts a debate with me has lost. Unfortunately for them, they don't know their own religion's history, nor their own book. Some resort to metaphysical arguments, which unfortunately for them, is a favorite of mine (well kind of, I suppose). Anyhow, my point is this: don't be afraid, and speak up. It's not being dogmatic; it's merely being stern (and you never know if theistic skeptics are listening).

While I haven't made my atheism blatantly obvious, I have definitely shown my skepticism. I remember a couple of weeks ago, my youth director asked the group to raise their hands if God played a role in their future career choice. When the leader asked me about why I didn't have my hand raised, I told her that God wasn't the one filling out scholarship applications, visiting colleges, and writing application essays, so he didn't have much say in the matter. Now I'm definitely going to hell!

*edit* My phone was acting up when I posted this; sorry about the misspellings!

[Spectrum]

While I haven't made my atheism blatantly obvious, I have definitely shown my skepticism. I remember a couple of weeks ago, my youth director asked the group to raise their hands if God played a role in their future career choice. When the leader asked me about why I didn't have my hand raised, I told her that God wasn't the one filling out scholarship applications, visiting colleges, and writing application essays, so he didn't have much say in the matter. Now I'm definitely going to hell!

*edit* My phone was acting up when I posted this; sorry about the misspellings!

What did the leader say in response? When the youth director asked if god played a role in their career aspirations, did they mean going into a theologically-inclined field or whether or not god is consulting with them on the matter spiritually?

[Jonah]

What did the leader say in response? When the youth director asked if god played a role in their career aspirations, did they mean going into a theologically-inclined field or whether or not god is consulting with them on the matter spiritually?

My youth director was asking if God played a spiritual role in choosing my career (i.e. praying every night for career guidance). I was actually surprised when another kid in my youth group agreed with the points I was making! In response, the youth director gave a mini sermon about how they "felt exactly the same way when they were my age" but that they "didn't give up on God." I then politely said that scholarship money doesn't fall from heaven like manna for the Israelites. It was at this point in the conversation that the youth director changed the subject.

[Spectrum]

They are suddenly all-wise when they are older aren't they? When you go that long telling yourself that you have a relationship with god, you end up baking your own brain. It's sad, funny, and disappointing at the same time.

[Jonah]

They are suddenly all-wise when they are older aren't they? When you go that long telling yourself that you have a relationship with god, you end up baking your own brain. It's sad, funny, and disappointing at the same time.

I couldn't agree with you more. I think that's the reason why so many of my youth directors have been incredibly dull and boring people.

[Spectrum]

They are suddenly all-wise when they are older aren't they? When you go that long telling yourself that you have a relationship with god, you end up baking your own brain. It's sad, funny, and disappointing at the same time.

I couldn't agree with you more. I think that's the reason why so many of my youth directors have been incredibly dull and boring people.

Yeah, they just have nothing new to offer or say. People like that can't contribute, unless they are doing simplistic, menial tasks (even then, some people like that aren't inspiring or working, a waste really). That's a good trait in certain areas. It's completely wasted in religion though.

[Jonah]

They are suddenly all-wise when they are older aren't they? When you go that long telling yourself that you have a relationship with god, you end up baking your own brain. It's sad, funny, and disappointing at the same time.

I couldn't agree with you more. I think that's the reason why so many of my youth directors have been incredibly dull and boring people.

Yeah, they just have nothing new to offer or say. People like that can't contribute, unless they are doing simplistic, menial tasks (even then, some people like that aren't inspiring or working, a waste really). That's a good trait in certain areas. It's completely wasted in religion though.

That's probably why I find Sunday night youth group meetings at church to be so tedious!

[Spectrum]

If you enjoy social events, then I'd recommend something with a bit more textured culture like local music, for instance. Have you tried getting out of church? As in you were persistent? I finally gave my parents a misanthropic, church-is-depressing-and-full-of-hypocrites rant/attitude. Eventually they stopped forcing me, but I still get pestered about not being religiously active. I just tell them I have better things to do. They don't like that of course, but at least they don't know I'm atheistic.

[Loki_999]

I just tell them I have better things to do.

Like picking your nose or scratching your arse