Why an Atheist in the R&S Forum? (Abraham, Christian, beliefs)

[LearnMe]

Originally Posted by Harry Diogenes

How can you not hear the bell when you are using your head as the clapper?

For Constitutional purposes and only in the United States.

Big clues with flashing neon lights that say 'I am a big clue', how DO they work?

There is just no fixing what you are trying to fix...

[LearnMe]

Originally Posted by aries63

And what about those folks who were not raised under threat of "fire and brimstone" in their religion? I can understand why you would reject a religion based on fear and the psychological damage that would cause.

Yet I can also imagine situations in which children would be afraid to oppose the will of non-religious parents, especially those who enjoy taunting and insulting religious people. I have lost friendships because of that kind of behavior. I can tolerate many things except intolerance, whether from religious people or atheists.

I am not sure I would use the term reject, although I suppose that works. I am not a follower of any religion for many reasons. Only one of them for the reason you note, and that reason rather minor by comparison to all the other reasons I follow no religion.

How we deal with our upbringing that will likely be heavily influenced by the ways of our parents is in part what I begin to touch upon in my OP for this thread. If you are still unconvinced about the significant influence that our upbringing has on the religion we end up following and/or how religious we turn out to be in the end, I can provide you a good many links about the psychological explanations that well demonstrate this dynamic as well.

Again there are exceptions to the rule of course, but again the rule is still the rule regardless the exceptions. No different than if someone is given a strong thorough education while growing up, they are much more likely to become an educated adult than a child who is not provided a good education while growing up. Same sort of obvious effect about how our upbringing matters and matters a lot.

[Northsouth]

Originally Posted by GldnRule

And for the 10,001st time...yes, it is a Religion...as per my information and belief.
It has even been deemed a Religion for Constitutional purposes by United States Federal Courts.
But, since it is disputed...let's call it a opinion.

As far the definition of "Evangelize"...it is not limited to Christianity. See #3:

e·van·gel·ize (ĭ-vănjə-līz′)
v. e·van·gel·ized, e·van·gel·iz·ing, e·van·gel·iz·es

v.tr.

1. To preach the gospel to.

2. To convert to Christianity.

3. To promulgate or promote (a doctrine or idea, for example) enthusiastically.

And as you see...even in your listing...there are many other definitions/meanings.

Currently, the most prominent Atheist poster to the board, puts up many posts like this. So....:
https://www.city-data.com/forum/64527525-post9.html

https://www.city-data.com/forum/64095316-post235.html

https://www.city-data.com/forum/64476127-post841.html

https://www.city-data.com/forum/64477243-post17.html

THAT is what you call...Preachin' the Dogma of his Religion!
Which I have no problem with...everyone has their Theological Views, and no two are exactly alike.
Go Forth With That! Shout it from the rooftops...or Preach long sermons online daily for years.
You belong here...ya fit right in!
Or Pastafarianism & FSM worship. It's all good.

I have no problem with Thrillobyte's passion for his disbelief, and if the bolded is the truth, then you shouldn't either. I've read his posts so there's no need to quote him so many times. If it makes you feel better to call atheism a 'religion' and an 'opinion' then go for it. I have no religion as an atheist and it is more than an opinion, it's a fact. I still don't understand the need to brand it a "religion" when it clearly is not.

Some atheists may see it as their religion, but I highly doubt that many would agree that it is in fact, a religion. I don't understand your need to call it that and to be so insistent about it. There is nothing to shout from the rooftops, I'm not trying to "convert" people to atheism but I do have a lot to say about it. I don't "worship" anything, that's not what atheism is about. There is no need to worship because there is nothing TO worship. Why the constant need to worship something?

I've never heard an atheist say, 'I'm here to convert people to atheism." Never. That's a Christianity thing. Christians will actually state that's why they are here, to proselytize and try and convert 'the lost'. So, why don't you go after the real proselytizers? Like yourself.

"To evangelize is to share religious beliefs, especially Christian ones, with other people. Preachers and ministers evangelize from the pulpit in their churches every Sunday. Certain Christians believe that it's important to evangelize to others — to preach the gospel and convey what they believe."

To "evangelize" in it's most common definition applies to Christianity.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Northsouth

...If it makes you feel better to call atheism a 'religion' and an 'opinion' then go for it. I have no religion as an atheist and it is more than an opinion, it's a fact. I still don't understand the need to brand it a "religion" when it clearly is not.

Some atheists may see it as their religion, but I highly doubt that many would agree that it is in fact, a religion. I don't understand your need to call it that and to be so insistent about it. There is nothing to shout from the rooftops, I'm not trying to "convert" people to atheism but I do have a lot to say about it. I don't "worship" anything, that's not what atheism is about. There is no need to worship because there is nothing TO worship. Why the constant need to worship something?

I've never heard an atheist say, 'I'm here to convert people to atheism." Never. That's a Christianity thing. Christians will actually state that's why they are here, to proselytize and try and convert 'the lost'. So, why don't you go after the real proselytizers? Like yourself.

"To evangelize is to share religious beliefs, especially Christian ones, with other people. Preachers and ministers evangelize from the pulpit in their churches every Sunday. Certain Christians believe that it's important to evangelize to others — to preach the gospel and convey what they believe."

To "evangelize" in it's most common definition applies to Christianity.

I guess I would describe atheism (certainly) not as a religion, but more of a way of life.

The need to "brand it" a religion is an effort to paint a picture of atheists as some sort of firebrand radicals. I don't know what the heck they think we 'worship'.

Think of the wailing there would be if we were actually proselytizing and converting. They think they're the only one who should do that.

[GldnRule]

Originally Posted by LearnMe

There is just no fixing what you are trying to fix...

Right. Things that are not broken don't need "fixing".
So...efforts to that effect will be similar to spitting into a strong wind. Something you all do regularly.

Again...as per the OP: The Atheist Religion belongs here, along with all the other Theological and Spiritual views.
And you all represent it and proselytize it very well. Good on ya!

[L8Gr8Apost8]

Originally Posted by GldnRule

Right. Things that are not broken don't need "fixing".
So...efforts to that effect will be similar to spitting into a strong wind. Something you all do regularly.

Again...as per the OP: The Atheist Religion belongs here, along with all the other Theological and Spiritual views.
And you all represent it and proselytize it very well. Good on ya!

It's also unadvisable to pull the mask of the old lone ranger.

[GldnRule]

Originally Posted by L8Gr8Apost8

It's also unadvisable to pull the mask of the old lone ranger.

I agree. Good advice.
Lone Ranger

[L8Gr8Apost8]

Originally Posted by GldnRule

I agree. Good advice.
Lone Ranger

Agreed
Slimberly

[Northsouth]

Originally Posted by phetaroi

I guess I would describe atheism (certainly) not as a religion, but more of a way of life.

The need to "brand it" a religion is an effort to paint a picture of atheists as some sort of firebrand radicals. I don't know what the heck they think we 'worship'.

Think of the wailing there would be if we were actually proselytizing and converting. They think they're the only one who should do that.

LOL, I mentioned the FSM and both times it got blown out of proportion. I have a rl friend who cannot fathom that atheists don't worship something so he's on this tangent that FSM is real to atheists. Oh dear FSM, save us from all this ignorance!

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Northsouth

LOL, I mentioned the FSM and both times it got blown out of proportion. I have a rl friend who cannot fathom that atheists don't worship something so he's on this tangent that FSM is real to atheists. Oh dear FSM, save us from all this ignorance!

I have no idea what you're talking about.