(April 19, 2015 at 2:06 am)robvalue Wrote: That's an interesting point actually. I wonder what proportion of ex-theists "really believed" when they were under? Clearly many did. What percentage would that be?
But then I suppose, if they never really believed, they were atheist even when nominally a theist.
Exactly. I feel the only reason I cling onto Christianity is not so much for the 'god' aspect but for the belonging to a social group.
It's difficult to abondon your family and friends just because of some ideology difference I have. If the difference is for me to keep my mouth shut and I can be amongst my friends and families for Christmas and Easter and all the festivals. Then so be it. I personally enjoy all the myths and legends that religion brings. It doesn't mean that I have to believe it, but I can acknowledge its brought great wonders and comfort to humanity and will continue to do so for eons to come.
I guess I've become a passive Atheist. To me, it gets tiresome to whine and complain to theists and try to convince them that their god is a hoax. As I get older, I just don't care anymore and prefer to be amongst family and friends (even if they invite me to their religious festivals, I'll play along cause I don't want to be a party-pooper anymore).
One of my atheist friends said "you will be shunned and oucasted from the atheist community if you speak this way" and my response was "just like I was shunned by the religious community"?
