It's a trap!

[SeekerOfKnowledge]

Tell me:

Why do you dislike religion? (or state if you're indifferant with an example of your indifferance)

In some cases it makes people go against their better judgement. My example of this is my mother. She was Catholic and in an abusive relationship with my father. She stayed even though she says she wanted to leave, but her priest counseled her against it, telling her that divorce was an affront to god.
All the battles fought in the name of religion. The current upset in the Middle East for example.
The suspension of reality needed in order to accept religion as true. All those miracles don't sit well with me. My experience with biblical literalists is not good.
The level of hypocrisy many Christians show.

I understand. It must have been very hard on you. :[

How did you come to believe (or not) in your current deity?

Here's a link to my explanation of my loss of faith:
http://atheistforums.org/thread-14048.html

That's a very sad story and it makes sense that you have the views you do. You're lucky to have figured it out so early, though.

What has been your worst experience with Christians?

Hmmm... Turn or burn fliers showing up in my locker multiple times each week throughout high school... My "best friend" in 6th grade telling me she couldn't be my friend anymore, because, she couldn't be friends with someone who was going to spend eternity "burning in hell." Being told a million times, "I'm going to pray for you," talk about judgement... Getting kicked out of Sunday School at age 6 or 7 for asking too many questions... Take your pick...

I'm appalled by such behavior! I still get those "I'll pray for you" or "You're in my prayers" from family members and family friends. I shrug it off with an "Okay..." and a sarcastic view from friends but I still appreciate the thought behind it from my family members (who do not know I'm without a faith). I also lost one of my friends from my beliefs. She was happy and excited to get back in contact with me. But she ignored me after I told her I was atheist. And wouldn't even give me church directions when I had a free night and felt like giggling through a sermon (stifling boasts of hysterics).

What has been your most pleasant experience with Christians?

Outside of a religious context, some can be downright nice and helpful. I tend not to go on anti-religious rants around those I don't know well or those I know are religious. But I don't hide my lack of belief. If they bring it up and ask why I don't have faith, I'll tell them my views and experience.

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I've also had some very good experiences with christians. I was going in for surgery (I had an inflamed gangreous galbladder[thanks mom]) and she offered to pray for me before surgory. It might have been the morphine, but for some reason it really touched me. :/


Overall, thank you for sharing your information with me. I've logged it for future reference.

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Thank you for your response!

I am afraid I have to disagree with your attitude. It's your life and I respect that. But it's this sort of approach and attitude that gives atheism an unfair name. Not attacking you. But a lot of atheists share your attitude and like to proclaim it at every chance they can.

I have a point.

Who cares? Yes, religion is the cause of many bad things that have happened throughout history. No I don't approve of any actions taken by the extremists that don't benefit me or others I care about. But if we want equal acceptance, if we want to actually do something useful then one of us has to make the first (mature) move and be the 'better person'.


I'm not saying the crimes of the past should be forgiven and forgotten. But let's learn from them instead of using it as an excuse to harbor anger and hate. :/

1. If you want to change the world you need to act like an complete dick to anyone that does not agree with you.
2. Those extremists represents your religion,they have killed for your "god",your faith is cowered in blood,of innocent man and woman.

I have no gods. :|

I'm atheist, dude.

I'm just trying to rationalize all this hate and get it sent in a better direction. Stuff like opposing the ground zero cross because it's offensive is retarded. Don't give Christians the power to stir such a reaction from you. I realize it must be hard but try and view it as hitting their level and fighting fire with fire. It just sets fire to everything else and causes destruction.

We need salt. People who are willing to put their hate aside and speak for both sides. A neutral.

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Thank you for your response!

I am afraid I have to disagree with your attitude. It's your life and I respect that. But it's this sort of approach and attitude that gives atheism an unfair name. Not attacking you. But a lot of atheists share your attitude and like to proclaim it at every chance they can.

I have a point.

Who cares? Yes, religion is the cause of many bad things that have happened throughout history. No I don't approve of any actions taken by the extremists that don't benefit me or others I care about. But if we want equal acceptance, if we want to actually do something useful then one of us has to make the first (mature) move and be the 'better person'.


I'm not saying the crimes of the past should be forgiven and forgotten. But let's learn from them instead of using it as an excuse to harbor anger and hate. :/

1. If you want to change the world you need to act like an complete dick to anyone that does not agree with you.
2. Those extremists represents your religion,they have killed for your "god",your faith is cowered in blood,of innocent man and woman.

Also, A militant Atheist would be better described as being in front of the computer posting on forums (haha) or out picketing signs for equal rights.

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Actually militant atheists vandalize, but that seems about it for the moment. In the past, more militant secularist leaders resorted to some of the worst atrocities ever seen. They've quickly fallen out of favor with their populations.

One good thing about religion is that it has been a useful tool throughout human history to control a population without the need for nearly as much violent force.

I agree 100%

Christianity is a good tool to a degree. Most Christians aren't by Bible definition Christians and are what fundies call Sunday Christians.
Only going to church out of fear of punishment (haha the irony) or on holidays where there's banquets or game raffles.

Luckily, we have the Sunday Christians to help even out the more extreme ones. They tend to be the ones okay with equal rights etc,.