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Not to convert you in anything like the sense that you are familiar, but certainly you get to be a 2nd and maybe in the south, 3rd class citizen. The key, as usual, is to avoid substantive discussion of theological matters. Probably doable up here, not so much down South, since, as you print out, everyone down there is endlessly triangulating to figure out if you're in-group or out-group, bless your heart!!
As long as I walk this earth, even gently expressed atheism will be like farting at the dinner table. Someday maybe it will be different.
The reason being, unlike agnosticism, atheism is a polarized position. The announcement would be like a whistle call. You've made a stance and desire to debate with those who care.
Perhaps the mark of a devout atheist is one who has no regard for a potential afterlife or any Creator Gods, which in turn leaves a vacuum for some atheists to be consumed by their fellowman.
The reason being, unlike agnosticism, atheism is a polarized position. The announcement would be like a whistle call. You've made a stance and desire to debate with those who care.
Perhaps the mark of a devout atheist is one who has no regard for a potential afterlife or any Creator Gods, which in turn leaves a vacuum for some atheists to be consumed by their fellowman.
It need not be a polarizing position, anymore than preferring a Chevrolet to a Ford or sports team A to B needs to be. Well in the case of atheism it might be more like preferring walking to driving a car, but the point holds, lol.
The real problem is not atheism but many people's over-identification with personal beliefs, to the point that to question or not accept the belief is an attempt to annihilate their very identity.
I'm a perfectly harmless and kind person and if no one ever is told about what I actually don't hold beliefs about, I'm literally indistinguishable from the next person, particularly outside the Bible Belt where it's unremarkable that people don't go to church.
I virtually never offer up info on my (dis)beliefs in real life for just this reason. The closest thing to a quality debate concerning weighty matters happens in places like this for me, so this is how I work out the nuances of my own thinking. In real life I'm just a slightly eccentric software developer with a wife who is probably out of his league, nothing more. It endlessly fascinates me how, should I ever reveal my actual thoughts on the divine, I would suddenly transform into a hideous gargoyle with an agenda to destroy society itself. That is why I am convinced the problem is in between other people's ears. I certainly didn't put it there.
It need not be a polarizing position, anymore than preferring a Chevrolet to a Ford or sports team A to B needs to be. Well in the case of atheism it might be more like preferring walking to driving a car, but the point holds, lol.
The real problem is not atheism but many people's over-identification with personal beliefs, to the point that to question or not accept the belief is an attempt to annihilate their very identity.
I'm a perfectly harmless and kind person and if no one ever is told about what I actually don't hold beliefs about, I'm literally indistinguishable from the next person, particularly outside the Bible Belt where it's unremarkable that people don't go to church.
I virtually never offer up info on my (dis)beliefs in real life for just this reason. The closest thing to a quality debate concerning weighty matters happens in places like this for me, so this is how I work out the nuances of my own thinking. In real life I'm just a slightly eccentric software developer with a wife who is probably out of his league, nothing more. It endlessly fascinates me how, should I ever reveal my actual thoughts on the divine, I would suddenly transform into a hideous gargoyle with an agenda to destroy society itself. That is why I am convinced the problem is in between other people's ears. I certainly didn't put it there.
It endlessly fascinates me how, should I ever reveal my actual thoughts on sex, I would suddenly transform into a hideous gargoyle with an agenda to destroy society itself.
It endlessly fascinates me how, should I ever reveal my actual thoughts on sex, I would suddenly transform into a hideous gargoyle with an agenda to destroy society itself.
Ah, so Certain Things are simply Not Said, lest reality itself begin to unravel.
The parallel to sex is interesting, as it seems like a more personal topic than religion. The latter is certainly discussable at least by mutual consent with persons outside your immediate family. Or so one would think.
Ah but it IS discussable ... as long as it's the fine points of one religion, not different ones and certainly not NO religion.
I think I have that about right ...
This is really just about what society is or isn't ready for. It is not ready for too much difference. It is not even really ready for different skin colors, though we have tried to manage it.
The reason being, unlike agnosticism, atheism is a polarized position. The announcement would be like a whistle call. You've made a stance and desire to debate with those who care.
Perhaps the mark of a devout atheist is one who has no regard for a potential afterlife or any Creator Gods, which in turn leaves a vacuum for some atheists to be consumed by their fellowman.
It's perceived as a polarizing position. I listened to Meghan Phelps call herself an unbeliever because of the baggage attached to atheist. There is much discrimination but I think it's getting better.
Not to convert you in anything like the sense that you are familiar, but certainly you get to be a 2nd and maybe in the south, 3rd class citizen. The key, as usual, is to avoid substantive discussion of theological matters. Probably doable up here, not so much down South, since, as you print out, everyone down there is endlessly triangulating to figure out if you're in-group or out-group, bless your heart!!
As long as I walk this earth, even gently expressed atheism will be like farting at the dinner table. Someday maybe it will be different.
LOL! That reminded me of the scene in "The Nutty Professor" where they are all sitting at the dinner table, farting. Here's hoping that one day we won't be seen as devil worshipers and evil but I don't think that's going to happen in my lifetime. We are, after all, in the end times so when we're "left behind" we can enjoy our time without those annoying Fundamentalists. I do need some sort of social interaction but honestly if someone says god, I'm out. I guess I have to get out of the South to meet like-minded people. Because there aren't any here.
I briefly went to a Universalist " church " as a child when my acedemic parents ( college professors ) were searching for some meaning.
I learned about dinosaurs in sunday school. Was kinda cool for me at that young age, compared to other churches they tried.
What would attract me now, is the search for truth.
Personally. I believe "Truth " to be synonomous with the divine.
I know many do not share that view.
But a group, any group, searching for truth, has my vote
Do you think that devil worshippers are searching for truth?
Do you think that witches are searching for truth?
Do you think that those who were following Jim Jones were searching for the truth?
Do you think that devil worshippers are searching for truth?
Do you think that witches are searching for truth?
Do you think that those who were following Jim Jones were searching for the truth?
Yes. But unfortunately their road was going in the wrong direction.
What would attract me now, is the search for truth.
Personally. I believe "Truth " to be synonomous with the divine.
I know many do not share that view.
Roughly 1.2 billion and more do.
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That reminded me of the scene in "The Nutty Professor" where they are all sitting at the dinner table, farting. Here's hoping that one day we won't be seen as devil worshipers and evil but I don't think that's going to happen in my lifetime. We are, after all, in the end times so when we're "left behind" we can enjoy our time without those annoying Fundamentalists. I do need some sort of social interaction but honestly if someone says god, I'm out. I guess I have to get out of the South to meet like-minded people. Because there aren't any here.
