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Current time: December 13, 2024, 1:32 pm

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Hi, new to the forums.
#1
Hi, new to the forums.
Hello strangers, my name is David. I am 21 years of age and I have recently changed my religious view from agnostic to atheist.

I am of Chinese descent but have spent the majority of my life in Canada, and thus I am familiar with how atheism is viewed in western (American specifically) culture. My parents are religious people, not associated with any particular religion but they believe in general that god(s) or higher power does exist. If I had to say, their lifestyle and traditions can be attributed to that of Buddhist influence. They believe in karma and the soul and resurrection.
I should add my grandfather was a Taoist priest who would perform rituals and ceremonies at funerals for a living. He passed away about two years ago at which time our family participated in his own funeral rituals. Out of respect I too took part in this event, I expected it to have some effect on me and my beliefs but to be quite frank, it made no difference in how I viewed the world.

I do have a concern regarding my stance on religion. I want to voice my opinion about it but I don't want to hurt anyone in the process. I realize that this, while a nice gesture, is extremely naive.
I want to be able to talk to my parents, or just people in general about religion without taking from them a pillar of their existence. I can be quite adamant about my beliefs at times , although I can't hope to change everyone's view I can at least encourage those that are dearest to me to gain new perspectives. I'm not sure how to go about this, if anyone has had similar experience please feel free to share!

Currently I am reading "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins, a fascinating book in which many compelling arguments against religion can be found (though I assure you this is not the reason I'm reading it for). I recommend it to anyone else that consider themselves agnostic or atheist, I quite enjoyed the literature even though it is a non-fiction book.

That is all for my first post! Thank you for reading Smile .
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#2
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
Welcome.
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#3
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
Welcome

I'm constantly pissing my mom off whenever I make sly remarks about religion, but she still likes me (I think). I say, if you have a point to make, then make it. Doesn't have to try and convert anyone, just point out they are wrong Big Grin
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#4
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
Good to have you aboard.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist.  This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair.  Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second.  That means there's a situation vacant.'
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#5
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
(March 29, 2012 at 3:05 pm)Aboojoo Wrote: I quite enjoyed the literature even though it is a fiction book.

I meant to say non-fiction here, I wasn't allowed to edit it but didn't want to leave the obvious mistake unattended.
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#6
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
Welcome to the forums!!! Smile
42

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#7
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
Peace, Aboo.
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#8
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
Welcome Aboo
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
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#9
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
(March 29, 2012 at 9:32 pm)Aboojoo Wrote:
(March 29, 2012 at 3:05 pm)Aboojoo Wrote: I quite enjoyed the literature even though it is a fiction book.

I meant to say non-fiction here, I wasn't allowed to edit it but didn't want to leave the obvious mistake unattended.

I will fix that for you now. Welcome aboard!
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#10
RE: Hi, new to the forums.
When I was an atheist I would just say, that I did not see the need for god. Things just are what they are. I'm fine with the idea of dying nothing I can do about anyway. I find life meaningful enough within the narrow circle of my own life. And how do you expect me to know everything, I hardly know how the toaster works?
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