Atheism, an uphill struggle

[Doubting Thomas]

Actually, I find it far easier to be an atheist (though critical thinking is harder than just believing something and not thinking about it) than a Christian, because I always had to invent mental hoops to jump through by constantly coming up with ad hoc hypotheses in order to explain to myself why so much of the bible seemed to contradict reality or explain why we didn't follow parts of the bible. All that constant lying to myself was tiring.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

To quote a friend of mine: "being an atheist is too much like hard work"

Not here in Australia.

It probably helps that I really,truly could not give flying fuck about the personal superstitions of others. Also probably helps that here it's considered very uncool to wear your beliefs (or lack of them) on your sleeve. Most people REALLY don't care and don't want to know.

Aussies tend to have a healthy contempt for politicians,clergy, journalists, car salesmen,advertising people,banks, lawyers,pedophiles and other members of the criminal classes.

A typical Aussie attitude to life is "I'm here for a good time not a long time". New Zealand is called "the land of the long white cloud" Australia is called."the land of the long weekend"

[Chuff]

Dont get me wrong, I'm not out there beating the drum and trying to engage people on the subject, but sometimes I get backed into a corner and have to take a stance. And yes that is why I am here so I can discuss and learn more about things I am interested in

[Mister Agenda]

It occasionally comes up IRL, but without the internet my arguments would be blunt indeed.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

but sometimes I get backed into a corner.

That really happens here,but when it does,I tell people to get out of my face. I have no problem whatsoever being rude if they do not.THAT is called 'adult restraint' because I'd REALLY like to hit them with the nearest blunt object,such as my fist.

[Nebuloso]

I try to simply accept that, unfortunately, this is how the world is and we have to live in it. Wishing it away doesn't help. Religion is everywhere all the time. If I were to go on a rant every time I was faced with it I would be on a lifelong non-stop rant which to me doesn't seem like a great way to live. However, I won't shy away from speaking my opinions when it seems appropriate but I make a conscious effort to try and keep it civil.

[Abracadabra]

In truth, for the most part, I don't have a problem with Christianity on a day-to-day basis. I have no problem being around people are on Christians, unless, the are fanatically stopping to pray about every little thing. Or worse, yet, expecting me to hold their hand while they pray.

I will be silent and respectful is someone want to say a prayer, like just before a meal or something. It's not bringing any harm to me. In fact, sometime I get a chuckle over some of the things they say in their stupid prayers.

Where I find it problematic is when Christian extremists, or over-bearing proselytizers start harping on it evangelically and won't shut up about it. Then it does become a problem.

But I get that same kind of bullshit from "hardcore" atheists. Maybe even more often than from the Christians simply because I'm often around secular atheists more often.

I'm personally open to the possibility that there may indeed be a spiritual essence to reality. I've ruled out the highly personified jealous-God religions of the ancient Hebrews. But I still consider the possibility of a far more mystical view of spirituality of proposed by various Eastern Mysticisms, from Taoism, to the many different forms of Buddhism, etc.

What I find utterly amazing is that atheists can be almost worse than Christians in terms of harassing someone who doesn't agree with their atheistic views.

I've never had a Christian suggest that I should be burned at the stake as a witch. But I've had many atheists suggest that I should be socially crucified as being utterly stupid for even keeping an open-mind toward a possible spiritual essence of reality.

So I'm not sure which crowd is worse.

Naturally I get along with Buddhists, Taoists, and Wiccans the best.

But yeah, it can be hard being around a bunch of hardcore atheists if you're not yourself a hardcore atheist.

Unfortunately they can be just as obnoxious and Christian proselytizers, only in the opposite direction. They'll quickly chastise you for simply having an open mind that a spiritual essence to reality might be possible.

Nope, they're brand you a complete moron for that one.

So I don't know which is worse.

Being branded as a heathen by the Christians.
Or being branded as a moron by the atheists.

From my perspective it's just a bunch of unnecessary judgmental hatred in either case.

[Cosmic Ape]

From my perspective it's just a bunch of unnecessary judgmental hatred in either case.

But yet you label Atheists in your crappy sig as unimaginative/uncreative when not everybody agrees on whats creative and we dont have to find your beliefs to be creative...so hypocritical.

[Abracadabra]

From my perspective it's just a bunch of unnecessary judgmental hatred in either case.

But yet you label Atheists in your crappy sig as unimaginative/uncreative when not everybody agrees on whats creative and we dont have to find your beliefs to be creative...so hypocritical.

I created that signature specially in response to hardcore atheist fundamental proselytizers who are demanding that it is a proven fact that reality cannot have a spiritual essence.

That is itself as big of a lie as the Christians are spreading about Jesus being the son of the God of Abraham.

It's really not much different at all, actually.

Besides, by the time you get to the definition of "Wiccan" in my signature surely you realize that the whole thing is just intended as humor.

I do realize that the definition I gave for "Christian" sure appears to be pretty true though. I will grant you that much. So I can see why you might take the whole signature seriously.

[Nebuloso]

Atheist - An unimaginative uncreative person who erroneously believes that science has ruled out mystery in the universe.

And this is completely wrong. Nobody said science has answered all the questions. Scientists admit that the universe is mysterious and there are many things they don't understand yet. An atheist just doesn't assume that what is mysterious must be a god. Nobody is saying the universe is not mysterious.