Anyone afraid to be atheist? (debate, disciple, bible, evolution)

[brightdoglover]

Oh, yes, that. "Except for that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"
I never heard that Voltaire quote. That's really meaningful. (Did he get burned at a stake or what?)
Why would believers think atheists might steal their souls? Even if we are the Debbil, they are such believers that it can't matter, right? I always thought they were just that concerned about my own disposition, not my effect on them.

[PoppySead]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Oh, yes, that. "Except for that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"
I never heard that Voltaire quote. That's really meaningful. (Did he get burned at a stake or what?)
Why would believers think atheists might steal their souls? Even if we are the Debbil, they are such believers that it can't matter, right? I always thought they were just that concerned about my own disposition, not my effect on them.

It probably depends greatly on which religion they are. Some don't blame a devil, it's just for effect. But, some really do believe the devil is out there working to promote evil lifestyles. I can see how they might tie my non belief to the opposite. But to me if I don't believe in God so, why would I believe in the devil?
I'd love to say that but I'm afraid it would be a lengthy explanation as to why that makes sense to them seeing I don't understand how any of it makes sense to them I'm sure they have a reason for the devils work I wouldn't understand as well. Not to mention I'm at work and don't want to go there.

You've given me an idea though. Maybe I'll start a thread about it and get some answers, an education on the devil from some of the religious people who include the devil in their beliefs. I'd like to know myself.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by Ilene Wright

Yes I'm afraid to admit that I'm agnostic to anyone, it would be a very hostile environment around here if I did. I don't know of any other atheists/agnostics in real life, just me, and so C-D is the only place I have that is safe and anonymous to talk about it.

I know for a fact that in the South where I live that people equate atheism with satanism, they think we're straight from the devil. I used to believe the same thing as a Christian. Being a fundamentalist is a way of life around here and they have some pretty crazy ideas so I hear ya when you say you're going to go into hiding......it's scary out there.

OK...just when I think I've heard everything. But I've NEVER heard that one before. Then again, I've never lived in the south amongst fundamentalists.

It just doesn't make sense. If you don't believe in God, how do you then believe in Satan? The only way I think that can be twisted is a belief that anything that is not Christian must therefore be something of evil/Satan and so whether atheists themselves believe they are Satanists or not, they are, by default, because they are not Christian. How's that?

[LargeKingCat]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

OK...just when I think I've heard everything. But I've NEVER heard that one before. Then again, I've never lived in the south amongst fundamentalists.

It just doesn't make sense. If you don't believe in God, how do you then believe in Satan? The only way I think that can be twisted is a belief that anything that is not Christian must therefore be something of evil/Satan and so whether atheists themselves believe they are Satanists or not, they are, by default, because they are not Christian. How's that?

There is a cultic "Us against the world" Thinking prevelant amongst evangelicals/fundies. As it was explained to me by several of them, "You are either with us and with GOd or against us. the devil controls everyone and everything except us"
That would include everythong from aetheists to satanists, communists to democrats, Islam to Hindu. The only exception being the Jews, "God's Chosen people"

This type of thinking is common in more destructive extremists Cults like the Unification Church and the Jim Jones cult, for example. It has been absorbed and beome commonly practiced by evangelicals today as well.

[dub dub II]

I was an atheist for a time: so no.

But it isn't a particularly enlightened belief system, imo.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by dub dub II

I was an atheist for a time: so no.

But it isn't a particularly enlightened belief system, imo.

What to you is the atheist belief system?

[LuminousTruth]

and clear isnt a particularly flashy color.
but many religionists dont make it easy for people to say they dont particularly believe in an important aspect of their religion.

[sturmgeist]

Honestly I would be afraid to be athiest in a Muslim country but not in the US, religious people are super tolerant/peaceful in my experience it's athiests who you have to worrry about, they hate religion and come off as very angry and violent like they want to commit terrorist acts against churches by suicide bon bing or something that's how crazy they sound. BTW I'm agnostic

Rep me if you agree & I will rep u back if u leave me ur screenname even if you don't agree u can rep me

[sanspeur]

Originally Posted by dub dub II

I was an atheist for a time: so no.

But it isn't a particularly enlightened belief system, imo.

Belief system? LMAO!

[PoppySead]

Originally Posted by sturmgeist

Honestly I would be afraid to be athiest in a Muslim country but not in the US, religious people are super tolerant/peaceful in my experience it's athiests who you have to worrry about, they hate religion and come off as very angry and violent like they want to commit terrorist acts against churches by suicide bon bing or something that's how crazy they sound. BTW I'm agnostic

Rep me if you agree & I will rep u back if u leave me ur screenname even if you don't agree u can rep me

?????