Atheism in High School

[ABierman1986]

Anyways, on an unrelated so far note, The only person I've met that wasn't a Christian/Mormon or an Atheist was one Hindu person and his family. They all seemed to be perfectly fine with me being an atheist. Is that normal for Hindus generally, like, is it only Abrahamic religions that get so uppity about it?

You know, it's funny you should mention that. In my personal studies (Which is formal and fairly extensive) of the different religions the Abrahamic religions are very unique. They all arose in the same area, for basically the same reason. An intrusive conquering force had created a large serf underclass that had limited rights and few freedoms. With the Hebrews it was the Assyrians and Persians, with the Christians it was the Romans, and again with the Islamic faith it was a Persian, patriarchal society that had risen up.

They arose out of a need to protect the indigenous groups from invaders, to create a very clear distinction between who was "ok" and who was not, and what ideals to follow. In many ways the books were civil rights movements, freeing people from the tyranny they lived under, though typically this freedom extended only to people within this new religion, a type of in-group/out-group moral mentality that permeates throughout history. An interesting note, the original word for Hebrew person and gentile were different, with only one granting the luxury of divine embodiment.

But I noticed the Eastern religions, the Native American religions, grew out of a different purpose, and there are still wars and caste systems, but in terms of the idea they will attack outsiders for non-belief isn't so much of a concern for them, the religion isn't rooted in survival.

Feel free to object to this, but this has been my personal conclusion. So yes, in my experience again, its almost exclusively Monotheistic Abrahamic followers who tend to get defensive, and it's my thought that the reason for this stems from the very origins of the religions themselves.

[Zen Badger]

Anyways, on an unrelated so far note, The only person I've met that wasn't a Christian/Mormon or an Atheist was one Hindu person and his family. They all seemed to be perfectly fine with me being an atheist. Is that normal for Hindus generally, like, is it only Abrahamic religions that get so uppity about it?

The impression I get is that it only appears to be the fundie retards in the U.S that act like this.

Certainly in Australia christians don't act this way( though they are a minority)

[krazedkat]

@OP:
Man, I just came out as an atheist this year, many my friends are theistic but the majority are atheist and rejoiced when I told them XD. Luckily I go to a public school in canada so I don't have the same issue as you. But seriously? Pray for a whole WEEK and you'll be healed? WTF?

[Skipper]

Anyways, on an unrelated so far note, The only person I've met that wasn't a Christian/Mormon or an Atheist was one Hindu person and his family. They all seemed to be perfectly fine with me being an atheist. Is that normal for Hindus generally, like, is it only Abrahamic religions that get so uppity about it?

You know, it's funny you should mention that. In my personal studies (Which is formal and fairly extensive) of the different religions the Abrahamic religions are very unique. They all arose in the same area, for basically the same reason. An intrusive conquering force had created a large serf underclass that had limited rights and few freedoms. With the Hebrews it was the Assyrians and Persians, with the Christians it was the Romans, and again with the Islamic faith it was a Persian, patriarchal society that had risen up.

They arose out of a need to protect the indigenous groups from invaders, to create a very clear distinction between who was "ok" and who was not, and what ideals to follow. In many ways the books were civil rights movements, freeing people from the tyranny they lived under, though typically this freedom extended only to people within this new religion, a type of in-group/out-group moral mentality that permeates throughout history. An interesting note, the original word for Hebrew person and gentile were different, with only one granting the luxury of divine embodiment.

But I noticed the Eastern religions, the Native American religions, grew out of a different purpose, and there are still wars and caste systems, but in terms of the idea they will attack outsiders for non-belief isn't so much of a concern for them, the religion isn't rooted in survival.

Feel free to object to this, but this has been my personal conclusion. So yes, in my experience again, its almost exclusively Monotheistic Abrahamic followers who tend to get defensive, and it's my thought that the reason for this stems from the very origins of the religions themselves.

I agree. While travelling Europe I met two Americans in this one hostel in Germany. One was a Christian one was Hindu. When asked about my beliefs I told them both I was atheist, the Hindu barely seemed to even register it, where as the Christian spent the rest of the time I was at that hostel trying to bring up my beliefs and then telling me no matter how good a life I led, unless I full accepted the lord I was going to go to hell. Which resulted in myself after a couple of days telling him to "go fuck yourself!"

In regards to high school, I think in the U.K at least, experience with people my own age from my high school years was positive when talking about religion and such. Not many over here are overt about hteir beliefs and to be honest I don't think many held any sorts of beliefs. The only people who I knew who were vocal about their religion were a few muslims. I think luckily Atheism is a much more excepted stand point this side of the pond, especially amongst my generation, but that could be due to living in a very liberal city. I dunno.

[Minimalist]

We even have TWO christian clubs on campus, one for lower and one for upper classmen because they have so many members.

Just out of curiosity, what do you suppose they do in a "christian club?"

Wouldn't you like to read the minutes?

I guess they start with some stupid prayer. That makes sense.

Then the Secretary reads the minutes of the last meeting: "Jim said jesus hadn't come back yet."

That takes care of Old Business so they move on to New Business: "Jim said jesus still hasn't come back."


Meeting adjourned.

[krazedkat]

Yes, OP, try and find some of those minutes

[HeyItsZeus]

I am an atheist in high school and i have discovered that teenagers are more open to the atheist idea. Don't be afraid (Unless you live in the south of the US)

[krazedkat]

Look at this map:

Red means don't fucking come out as an atheist or you'll get some shit. Based on past 5 elections.

[Live_free]

I'm lucky at my school most of the friends are atheists or don't care. I see a trend that most people in high school from experience (never lived in fundiville) that most people either laugh at religion and how stupid it is. Albeit I wouldn't say they really put thought into it they just inherently know its dumb from listening in science class. Or say "eh I don't care". I think these I don't care people identify as theists in polls though because they say whatever religion they were raised with, without following or really believing in any doctrine. So there is hope for the future. I see religion is 50-100 years being irrelevant. I find it great to live at a time of big and great change.


TO THE OP:
Ask them for proof of god, then refute and make them look dumb.

or

Tell them you love satan and want to bear his kids.

or (if you care what they think, which you shouldn't)

I respect your ideas, why can't you respect mine? Is that what jesus would do? It doesn't seem like you are being very kind. or something to that extent.


PEACE!

[krazedkat]

Just remember:
WWJDHEEIFP
What would jesus do if he ever existed in the first place?
It'll help you in life.