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I actually live in two bible belts, one up in Central Alberta, where there is a small "Creation Science Museum" 4 blocks from my place, and the other half of the year in Florida, with two mega churches less than 1/2 mile away.
I get this asked frequently, more often in the South, then the north. My usual answer is, "I don't go to church", which sometime is enough. But what about when I'm pressed?
It depends on who I'm talking to. I've used a the following or a combination of them at different times:
"I'm just not religious."
"I don't care much for organized religion."
"I'm exploring Buddhism."
"I have my own religion."
"I'm just not that superstitious." (with a smile)
Most of the time, pretty much the way you do. And, most of the time, everything's OK. Most people are polite, and I don't mind mild curiosity, it's how we get to know each other.
But if someone gets nosy, pushy, or pissy about it - well, I match them, rude for rude.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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Quote:
Originally Posted by charlygal
Seriously, why is this even a problem. Say you're not religious or you don't go to church. Done. Walk away if needed. This isn't worth all the boohooing and lamenting.
You are way more kinder than I would be. I'm blunt and honest. I don't bring it up unless someone else does. When they do I'll use words like "silly" and "nonsense."
So?
I wouldn't get myself in a situation like this. I'd rather be alone than risk something like that.
Have to love that Christian love when it's on display like that.
Lying really bothers me. But then again I have a conscience...
Yeah I get what you're saying, but I left out the part where it was a Christmas party thrown by family friends of my husband's sister, while we were staying at her house as guests. Full on kids and presents and everything. Not really something I could get out of, and not something I expected. Oh well.
And about the lying, yes, I agree, except when my telling the truth negatively affects those that I love for no good reason. For example, I don't dare let anyone at my children's school think I'm not Christian, especially their teachers. It shouldn't matter, but it does. My kids are only a quarter chinese - they look white, and here in Alabama if you're white you better believe in god.
Seriously, why is this even a problem. Say you're not religious or you don't go to church. Done. Walk away if needed. This isn't worth all the boohooing and lamenting.
I don't remember the last time anyone asked me about this issue, but since my deconversion I have always lived (1) in large cities and (2) not in the Bible Belt and, for the past four years, (3) in a very liberal college town. Given my fundamentalist experience I can well imagine the sort of inbred, overweening impertinence that can be unavoidable and certainly not ignorable. Even I am careful to keep religion and politics out of my public social media accounts, for fear that my primary client (the owner is a staunch Republican and my direct report, the CEO, is a conservative Catholic) would not be able to handle my true views on such matters and it could jeopardize our business relationship. Fortunately they do not ask me about my beliefs but I know for a fact that people do not leave you alone about such things in the South. We've had whole threads about it here before.
I don't know what it is about telling them one is Buddhist, as they all seem to accept that, although one sometimes gets weird looks. Guess they don't know it can be a philosophy without being a religion, and some aspects are things we all can buy into.
I've played a bit of an ass (easy for me to do at times) with JWs at the door. When they want to tell me about jaysus, I ask them if they knew that Buddha taught jaysus all he knew, and it is written!
"But, but, it's not in the byable!"
"Yes, but it's in the Kama Sutra! You hear people proclaiming joy to god all the time because of its teaching. Do you want me to read some to you?"
They don't have a clue what I'm talking about. (The Kama Sutra is a Hindu text, BTW).
Yeah I get what you're saying, but I left out the part where it was a Christmas party thrown by family friends of my husband's sister, while we were staying at her house as guests. Full on kids and presents and everything. Not really something I could get out of, and not something I expected. Oh well.
And about the lying, yes, I agree, except when my telling the truth negatively affects those that I love for no good reason. For example, I don't dare let anyone at my children's school think I'm not Christian, especially their teachers. It shouldn't matter, but it does. My kids are only a quarter chinese - they look white, and here in Alabama if you're white you better believe in god.
I'm quite sure there are citizens of Alabama who do not believe a man up in the sky fairy tale.
So what happens to the people in your community who are pro-science and anti-superstitious, sentenced to death? Vandalism? Protests?
Maybe run out of town but I could handle that. No different than moving out of a bad neighborhood. I would be sad to learn if the entire state is like that because I do not think it is.
Funny that I am well read and I haven't heard of that epidemic, except in some cases vandalism by Christian extremists. Surely if you are near a group of people like that you can find some other place to live a honest and at least somewhat peaceful life. I wouldn't be around others like that, family or not. They deserve to get cut off and all ties severed.
For the sake of your children I'd get out of there ASAP. What you describe sounds like a type of war zone.
I would be stunned to learn all public schools in your state shove religion down all students throats.
Last edited by John13; 03-20-2016 at 06:22 AM..
Reason: re-wording.
every post here shows it's a people problem not a belief problem.
I can't walk in certain parts of my area at night because I am white. I can't lie about that. Does that mean I go to war with a group of people even though they are racist? no, I do what I do and hope the best them too.
I'm quite sure there are citizens of Alabama who do not believe a man up in the sky fairy tale.
So what happens to the people in your community who are pro-science and anti-superstitious, sentenced to death? Vandalism? Protests?
Maybe run out of town but I could handle that. No different than moving out of a bad neighborhood. I would be sad to learn if the entire state is like that because I do not think it is.
Funny that I am well read and I haven't heard of that epidemic, except in some cases vandalism by Christian extremists. Surely if you are near a group of people like that you can find some other place to live a honest and at least somewhat peaceful life. I wouldn't be around others like that, family or not. They deserve to get cut off and all ties severed.
For the sake of your children I'd get out of there ASAP. What you describe sounds like a type of war zone.
I would be stunned to learn all public schools in your state shove religion down all students throats.
“A religious organization shall be immune from any civil claim or cause of action, or any criminal prosecution, based on a refusal to solemnize or recognize any marriage under this section or any other provision of Alabama law.”
“No religious organization is required to provide accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, services, or goods related to the recognition, solemnization, or celebration of a marriage.”
Norris and others take issue with the bill's language, which they say could allow a judge to deny an interracial marriage, a public hospital to deny service or numerous state agencies to deny public services to Alabama citizens based solely on religious reasons.
And to think in an insane weakness, I considered moving to NC from CA....went for a visit to Raleigh, and ran back to So. Cal. I would die back there ... humidity bad enough but the bible thumpers....gooood grief...
I'm quite sure there are citizens of Alabama who do not believe a man up in the sky fairy tale.
So what happens to the people in your community who are pro-science and anti-superstitious, sentenced to death? Vandalism? Protests?
Maybe run out of town but I could handle that. No different than moving out of a bad neighborhood. I would be sad to learn if the entire state is like that because I do not think it is.
Funny that I am well read and I haven't heard of that epidemic, except in some cases vandalism by Christian extremists. Surely if you are near a group of people like that you can find some other place to live a honest and at least somewhat peaceful life. I wouldn't be around others like that, family or not. They deserve to get cut off and all ties severed.
For the sake of your children I'd get out of there ASAP. What you describe sounds like a type of war zone.
I would be stunned to learn all public schools in your state shove religion down all students throats.
I don't mind it that each actually. I guess I'm just a tolerant person. I like the people here, I like the culture, I just don't believe in god. *shrug* Maybe they take it personally, and maybe you do, but I don't.
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I like the people here, I like the culture, I just don't believe in god. *shrug* Maybe they take it personally, and maybe you do, but I don't.
