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Are there any other atheists or agnostics here on the Religion forum? I thought I'd make a thread for us to chat, discuss freethinker-friendly places to live, etc. If you're not an atheist or an agnostic, but you would like to (respectfully) ask some questions, I'll be happy to talk to you. But if you're going to come in foaming at the mouth and yelling about how we're all going to hell, I'll ignore you. Also, FYI, it's atheist, not athiest. Atheist means "without gods". Athiest means "the most Athy".
First, a question for the other atheists and agnostics: How open are you about your beliefs or lack thereof? I know a lot of folks on are the downlow. I made the decision a long time ago that I would be fairly open about it, because I know that I may be the only atheist a lot of people ever get to meet. I don't bring it into every conversation, but if my friends start discussing religion, I'll offer the atheist viewpoint.
I've been on city data for a few months. I began by posting in my local forum, and lately I've been exploring others. This is the first time I've browsed the religion forum.
I'm an atheist, but like most people here I don't see any reason or need to bring up religious or spiritual beliefs in conversation. I'm not "on the downlow" or a "closeted atheist." If someone asks I say "I'm atheist." Friends and co-workers of mine have a number of religious backgrounds but they're rarely a topic of conversation. I think most people I come across think of religion as something that's personal and private. Most of my friends outside work are atheist, agnostic, or non-practicing associates of a religious group. It's not that I don't want to be friends with religious people, but I really don't know or come across very many people who are very religious.
Hey lammius -- you're in NJ? Northerners tend to be more accepting of atheism/agnosticism in my experience, Southerners and Midwesterners tend to be more solidly religious. I've had some fantastic conversations with folks before, one of the best was with a really thoughtful minister's daughter. Of course I also get some of those people who tell me "I'll pray for you" in a really snooty way. If you're going to pray for me, just pray for me, don't throw it in my face just to make yourself feel good.
I'm also an atheist and I don't feel like it's something I need to hide or be secretive about. I'm actually proud of the fact that I don't follow the rest of the sheep and I enjoy discussing the subject. It's never been my intention to insult people or be hostile in any way, what interests me is trying to get people to question what they believe and why they believe it. I do believe that at some time in the future, probably another century or two, that people will finally abandon mythology and superstition and simply accept the reality that the universe we live in is not populated by supernatural beings. I also think that the world would be a much better place if all of the hostilities generated by competing religions were removed from society.
I'm agnostic. I was raised a Mormon, as soon as I got on my own I put a quick end to that! I don't really know when the change in my thinking took place but now that I am more of a free thinker on this subject I just don't know how in the hell anyone can be religious. I don't want to sound condescending but to me its a bit of a mental weakness.
I better amend my previous post, I'm more of an atheist than an agnostic. If I'm not mistaken an agnostic is a person who believes there may be a god. I don't.
I guess I consider myself an atheist for the most part, as I find organized religion relatively obnoxious. My question is: Why do Christians think people who are not religious have somehow NEVER heard the "good news"! Hello? This is the home of the Christian Right for crying out loud! As though anyone can escape it? Okay, enough rambling....:-) Have a great night everyone!
Last edited by skyegirl; 04-30-2007 at 06:22 PM..
Reason: spelling:-)
I'm an agnostic. I don't claim to have the knowledge that a diety exists or not. I'm pretty open about being what I am. My family and friends know about my lack of belief.
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