Question for Theists/Atheists

[pocaracas]

Around here there isn't much talk about religion. Most are non-practicing catholics and even the ones that practice don't really start talking about it from nothing. Given this, I also don't have the need to tell anyone about being an atheist, unless asked directly.

I also don't know anyone that has been ostracized for being an atheist around here. Portugal is quite secular, barring a few nutcases, religious people from all the faiths are very moderate and keep it to themselves or when they are on the church/mosque/temple.

Article 41
(Freedom of conscience, religion and worship)
1. Freedom of conscience, religion and worship shall be inviolable.

2. No one shall be persecuted, deprived of rights or exempted from civic obligations or duties because of his convictions or religious observance.

3. No authority shall question anyone in relation to his convictions or religious observance, save in order to gather statistical data that cannot be individually identified, nor shall anyone be prejudiced in any way for refusing to answer.

4. Churches and other religious communities shall be separate from the state and free to organise themselves and to perform their ceremonies and their worship.

5. Freedom to teach any religion within the denomination in question and to use appropriate media for the pursuit of its activities shall be guaranteed.

6. The right to be a conscientious objector, as laid down by law, shall be guaranteed.

It's great to have a constitution that was written in 1974... as opposed to the US, which was written... when?... 1700's? 1800's?

[Sejanus]

Hmm, I think I would rather the religious person kept their beliefs to themselves, simply because I can't help myself from saying something if they're outspoken with their BS. Which could lead to disagreement with / dislike of the person when their beliefs don't hold up to scrutiny. On a related note, I have a Christian friend whose quite devout, just not very outspoken; and we get along just fine.

[TheBeardedDude]

"Atheists. Would you prefer a believer be upfront that they believe or would you rather not care if they believe in religion or not?"

I'd rather people be upfront and honest with me about any general topic as opposed to keeping it hidden or trying to play some hidden card later on in the conversation. (personal issues and secrets aside clearly).

[Zazzy]

As long as there's no proselytizing, I don't care if you fly theistic flags publicly. I work with a guy who wears a cross, and he says a little prayer silently to himself before meals, and he never comments on anyone else's not praying. The most he's ever said about religion is that he can't work on Sundays because of church duties. And he's a good scientist and a nice guy. If he judges others, he's keeping that to himself. And I don't need to judge him because he's not being a dick.

I wish all Christians were like this.

[Cinjin]

I wish all Christians were like this.

Me too. I only know a handful like that, and I will never go on the offensive with them because they never require me to go on the defensive. That being said, the rest of the christards seem to always be waiting for a chance to interject their horse shit nonsense into a conversation. It's so aggravating.

[Bob Kelso]

I hold the same sentiment Zazzy.

Living in the South, Christians like that are few and far between whereas their bigoted, outspoken, bible thumping brethren are out in force. I have to fend off such refuse on a weekly basis.

[Polaris]

That part had to do with Apologetics. You don't know a fucking thing about Apologetics and that was not getting into actual Apologetics.....that's the kiddie stuff and you failed.

You kinda got this Bipolar thing going on don't you. One minute you're a respectful christian and the next you're deleting part of your posts and dropping the word fuck all over the place.

Anyway to address your ludicrous statement Bipolaris ...

You can't make the claim that I don't know anything about apologetics in the exact same sentence that you claim you weren't even talking about apologetics. Does that make sense to you? You understand the natural logic in that statement? You were even talking about archeology at the end there.

Anyway, get your shit together BiPolaris. You're all over the friggin place.

Except that wasn't actually apologetics....apologists don't waste time on the junior level philosopnhy and I have known of those who love to trash the Greek way of thinking which I mentioned just before my little tangent into Near-East archaeological pleasure.

[Angrboda]

What a dick.

[Polaris]

Well it appears I am, American.

[Owlix]

edited...

Sometimes dickheads aren't so bad.... I wish I had less stupid people to deal with on a day to day basis.