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Best movie we went to this year. It balanced the disturbing topic very well, giving you the picture without subjecting the audience to very disturbijg scenes.
Back on topic I've been atheist all my adult life, my wife I would catagorize as agnostic. We too plan on moving to the deep south, a bit of a concern there.
It is difficult living in the south and not going to church, let alone being an atheist. I am not sure I would have made the move if I had known how conservative the south was regarding religion.
We lived in Arkansas for a couple of years in the 70's. We certainly did not fit in. The first week in our new neighborhood we noticed some sort of evacuation. Everyone in the neighborhood got into their cars and left at the same time. Turned out it was just family night at the Baptist church. I am sure it had little or nothing to do with religion but that was the most intellectually and culturally deficient area we ever lived in. And the people moved slooooowly, like almost dead. I also could not understand how so many people could eat grease and become grossly overweight and still live in a hot and humid environment.
We lived in Arkansas for a couple of years in the 70's. We certainly did not fit in. The first week in our new neighborhood we noticed some sort of evacuation. Everyone in the neighborhood got into their cars and left at the same time. Turned out it was just family night at the Baptist church. I am sure it had little or nothing to do with religion but that was the most intellectually and culturally deficient area we ever lived in. And the people moved slooooowly, like almost dead. I also could not understand how so many people could eat grease and become grossly overweight and still live in a hot and humid environment.
Where in Arkansas did you live? I assume it was not Little Rock.
Is your belief in God and religion stronger now that you are older? Any Atheists or agnostics here?
I am an agnostic. Don't have a Religion. Not closed minded to say there is not some Power Greater than Man out there, but would have to see it myself. Take NOTHING on Blind Faith.
I have my own set of rules to live by, and adjust them as needed. All others can do as they want, and believe in what they want, as long as they leave me alone.
I have kept up with this thread from the beginning and I think I am the only Christian who responded. Obviously you guys are very sensitive about this as you should be. Christians don't have to worry.
No, V8Vega. I think you misinterpret what you read. Non believers are not sensitive to the discussion. If anything we welcome the opportunity to discuss it, as unfortunately such conversation in this country is repressed.
In the US (unlike Scandinavia) we are still in the minority, and typically don't have the opportunity of expressing our feelings without criticism and warnings of impending punishment from God for not being one of the flock. (as you so well pointed out)
Atheist don't begrudge your faith in God. Many of us have many friends who believe in the existence of God, and that is all good. If a friend knows of my feelings on the subject and respects it and I reciprocate in kind, we still value one another.
Also, goodness, kindness, charity, tolerance and love is something that is within us from birth. Everyone is capable of all of those fine qualities without religion. (good parents also help)
So no, we are not sensitive to it. We are appreciative of the opportunity to openly discuss it. See, we don't have a church on every corner to assemble in and celibate our non belief status.
It is difficult living in the south and not going to church, let alone being an atheist. I am not sure I would have made the move if I had known how conservative the south was regarding religion.
I agree with that with exception. I miss friends and family but I had to get away from the cold winters
It's not a problem if you move to the south for retirement. You already left your lifelong friends back home and you can pretty much forget about making new friends outside the church. I guess it's possible but the few people we have met here certainly live their life around the church. If having a lot of close friends that you see on a regular basis is important then it is better to not relocate to the south.
So no, we are not sensitive to it. We are appreciative of the opportunity to openly discuss it. See, we don't have a church on every corner to assemble in and celibate our non belief status.
You speak for yourself. Not for me. I have long since had it with the religious folks who want to enforce rules they think others should follow, who want to control the facts taught in schools and who are members of churches that actively seek to build their numbers of followers by intimidation or any other technique available, priests who talk about abstinence and charity but practice neither.
I'm spiritual but not into the "Christian" thing even though I studies or maybe "because" I studied graduate level theology for a few years. I just retired and moved to be nearer family. How do you handle it when they are mostly more conservative "Christian" types and you aren't. I want relationships with them, but don't want the hassle of explaining why I don't go to a "Christian" church ...
I'm basically a libertarian in politics and spiritual things...
I have kept up with this thread from the beginning and I think I am the only Christian who responded. Obviously you guys are very sensitive about this as you should be. Christians don't have to worry.
Of course Christians don't have to worry; it is socially acceptable to be a Christian. Atheists are generally regarded with distrust.
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