Atheism. Only for the strong of character?

[thesummerqueen]

I have been accused by various "Believers" of being primitive and heathanistic, and subject to being a slave to physical instincts, because I do not live in the fear of their God and refuse to abide by His strict rules and rituals.

This morning I was screwing around on the 'net and in searching for something stumbled upon a forum for Chassidic Jews in which a thread astounded me: a group of women were discussing whether or not it was acceptable to wear a regular, one piece, modest bathing suit to an indoor pool in front of each other under the supposition that no man would be present, nor could one look through the windows at them, with all female lifeguards. And would they still have to cover their hair?

Is this living by God's rules? That if my family had been stricter, I would have to worry about covering my hair at all times lest I drive some poor man to lust with my luxuriant Jew 'fro? That I should be ashamed of my body even in front of my best friends and sisters, and that these clothing laws are in place because men want US to sacrifice everything because they can't keep it in their pants? Then someone jumped in to say that these laws only apply to dealings with Jewish men...apparently it doesn't matter when someone of a different religion sees you uncovered? wtf?

This is just a minor piece of insanity when it comes to "rules".

If following God's rules means I can't walk outside in the North Carolina summer heat in a sundress and hair loose, then fuck God even more that he already should be.

You're damn right I'm a slave to physical instincts: 1) there isn't enough deodorant to save the person who'd be dressed "properly" in that heat, and I value my nose. Nor is it safe to swim in clothing that might be designed to hide your body shape, and I sort of value the physical sensation of living.

So fuck 'em.