I don't believe in God

Degeneratefk

oftenreading said:

Degeneratefk said:

oftenreading said:

I can't remember a time in decades when anyone has asked me if I believe in god. Very occasionally people have asked if I attend church but that seemed to have been more of a social question, and there was never a negative reaction when I said no. In my experience, this just isn't something that people are concerned about in my neck of the woods. 

I understand where you're coming from here. It's not something I'm asked on a weekly or even a monthly basis. But occasionally, whether it be at work, or at a social event, or a party, politics comes up and that inevitably leads to a religious discussion. 

Interesting. Politics almost never leads to a religious discussion here in BC, with the exception of taking about religious/cultural minorities.  Maybe it's different in other provinces, but we just aren't as rabidly Christian in Canada. 

Well, since Trump has been in office, talk of right wing conservatives naturally leads into religious politicians that leads into religion itself.

bootlegger10

Thoughts_Arrive said:

I don't believe in God either. My religious parents don't get me.

My parents are very religious.  They've kept quiet for about 10 years but finally said something to me over the holidays.  It really bothers them that I don't go to church.  I feel bad because you never want to let down your parents.  I don't know where I am at with it though.   The religious person discredits evolution/big bang by saying what created the particles or whatever to make us (something from nothing?), and the atheist asks where did God come from?   

OnWis97

I'm an agnostic, which to me means "I have no idea."  Living in Minnesota, it's very rare for it to come up.  I don't recall any contentious discussions that I've been involved with.  That said, I don't look to have them.  I do notice, at times, there is a presumption of Christianity at times and this was most prevalent when I lived in Peoria, IL (not the south but more culturally "southern" than any place I've lived).

brianlux

I had a customer in the store who asked me if I was a Christian.  I told her I tried that once and it didn't work for me.  So she asked me if I believe in God.  I said, "I believe there is mystery in the universe and I'm fine with that.   So I guess maybe you could say that to me God is mystery.  No, I think just 'mystery' works"  The conversation pretty much ended there. 

I don't tell people I believe or disbelieve in God.  What is God anyway?  But there's no need to answer that because as soon as you use human thinking and words to describe "God" you've made God (if there is one) something human and that doesn't seem very God-like. 

On the other hand, a great guitar solo, or the fact that an American field ant can withstand pressures up to 5,000 time its own body weight,  or a sunset like the one we had tonight-- those might well be described as God-like.  But then we have the word "awesome" for when something is truly awesome.  That works.

So much is a mystery.  And there's no need to fear that.

Degeneratefk

I had someone I csre about very much explain to me that we are all nothing but energy. Everything in the universe is energy. She believes in god. But God to her is energy. Some sort of divine energy. That God is in all of us through this energy. Now, if I had to believe in a god, that may be the best option for me to go with. 

HughFreakingDillon

it comes up as my brother is ultra religious, as is his wife and son. their son especially judges me like a motherfucker. i really think he thinks i'm the devil. he creeps me the fuck out. in a unabomber kinda way.

they believe homosexuality is a choice and is curable. my brother told me last night at dinner that the he finds the american (republican) version of christianity is so bastardized that it barely resembles christianity at all. which i found interesting. 

it also comes up in my house a lot as my wife is catholic and so i agreed to raise our kids as such. or rather, i said i'd allow her to teach them that as kids, and they can make their minds up about it when they can frame it themselves. my youngest asks me questions about my beliefs all the time. it's kind of fun as, for an 8 year old, she comes up with fascinatingly intelligent questions. and i enjoy talking to her about it, because she's so young, there's zero judgment, only curiosity. which is refreshing. 

my daughter's guitar teacher gave her a ball to carry around the house as exercise in how to hold her finger picking hand. i looked at it and it said "smile....jesus loves you". i nearly stuffed it in his fucking mouth. 

HughFreakingDillon

but to answer your question, it is not odd at all in canada. it doesn't come up much, but when it does, most people say they don't believe. 

cincybearcat

Smellyman said:

I don't get weird looks, but I don't live in the bible belt.   It's another reason the USA is so backwards (In many areas).


Another good Gervais.

… If you took every holy book, every holy book there’s ever been, every religious book, every bit of spirituality, and hid them or destroyed them… then you took every science book and destroyed that, in a thousand years’ time, those science books would be back exactly the same, because the tests would always turn out the same.

Those religious books would either never exist or they’d be totally different

Wow genius....describing the difference between science and faith...who knew.

cincybearcat

HughFreakingDillon said:

it comes up as my brother is ultra religious, as is his wife and son. their son especially judges me like a motherfucker. i really think he thinks i'm the devil. he creeps me the fuck out. in a unabomber kinda way.

they believe homosexuality is a choice and is curable. my brother told me last night at dinner that the he finds the american (republican) version of christianity is so bastardized that it barely resembles christianity at all. which i found interesting. 

it also comes up in my house a lot as my wife is catholic and so i agreed to raise our kids as such. or rather, i said i'd allow her to teach them that as kids, and they can make their minds up about it when they can frame it themselves. my youngest asks me questions about my beliefs all the time. it's kind of fun as, for an 8 year old, she comes up with fascinatingly intelligent questions. and i enjoy talking to her about it, because she's so young, there's zero judgment, only curiosity. which is refreshing. 

my daughter's guitar teacher gave her a ball to carry around the house as exercise in how to hold her finger picking hand. i looked at it and it said "smile....jesus loves you". i nearly stuffed it in his fucking mouth. 

Serious question...you want others to respect your beliefs, so why the last sentence?  

I persoannly don;t believe in organized religion.  I do believe in something...or maybe I just want to.  But to me it just feels like there is something that ties us all together.  But then there are times when I think there is no way.

I also am a bit like you in that I seem to have a terrible reaction to others beliefs at times and it bothers me.  But I'm trying to not do that as much.  Because some of the time they are being judgmental and deserve it, but most of the time it's pretty innocent and just normal life for them.  And really it doesn't effect me anymore than someone's sexuality so I should stop being such a jerk about it all the time.

HughFreakingDillon

cincybearcat said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

it comes up as my brother is ultra religious, as is his wife and son. their son especially judges me like a motherfucker. i really think he thinks i'm the devil. he creeps me the fuck out. in a unabomber kinda way.

they believe homosexuality is a choice and is curable. my brother told me last night at dinner that the he finds the american (republican) version of christianity is so bastardized that it barely resembles christianity at all. which i found interesting. 

it also comes up in my house a lot as my wife is catholic and so i agreed to raise our kids as such. or rather, i said i'd allow her to teach them that as kids, and they can make their minds up about it when they can frame it themselves. my youngest asks me questions about my beliefs all the time. it's kind of fun as, for an 8 year old, she comes up with fascinatingly intelligent questions. and i enjoy talking to her about it, because she's so young, there's zero judgment, only curiosity. which is refreshing. 

my daughter's guitar teacher gave her a ball to carry around the house as exercise in how to hold her finger picking hand. i looked at it and it said "smile....jesus loves you". i nearly stuffed it in his fucking mouth. 

Serious question...you want others to respect your beliefs, so why the last sentence?  

I persoannly don;t believe in organized religion.  I do believe in something...or maybe I just want to.  But to me it just feels like there is something that ties us all together.  But then there are times when I think there is no way.

I also am a bit like you in that I seem to have a terrible reaction to others beliefs at times and it bothers me.  But I'm trying to not do that as much.  Because some of the time they are being judgmental and deserve it, but most of the time it's pretty innocent and just normal life for them.  And really it doesn't effect me anymore than someone's sexuality so I should stop being such a jerk about it all the time.

the last sentence because it just seems so underhanded to give a "gift" to a child and it turning out to be something that happens to be part of their agenda. I find that disgusting. people do that shit knowing full well how awkward it is to confront the person about it with their child right there and the parent giving them shit for a gift they gave them. it turns into 'how did I become the asshole in this situation?'. 

I wasn't actually as angry about it and that statement made it sound. He's a nice guy, and for all I know, he got it for free to give to his students and thought nothing of it. I don't know. I looked at it, chuckled to myself, and put it down. 

the difference between someone's sexuality and religion is that no one is trying to ram their sexuality down anyone's throat. They are proud, they want to make you aware who they are, but by no means are they trying to convert you. 

cincybearcat

HughFreakingDillon said:

cincybearcat said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

it comes up as my brother is ultra religious, as is his wife and son. their son especially judges me like a motherfucker. i really think he thinks i'm the devil. he creeps me the fuck out. in a unabomber kinda way.

they believe homosexuality is a choice and is curable. my brother told me last night at dinner that the he finds the american (republican) version of christianity is so bastardized that it barely resembles christianity at all. which i found interesting. 

it also comes up in my house a lot as my wife is catholic and so i agreed to raise our kids as such. or rather, i said i'd allow her to teach them that as kids, and they can make their minds up about it when they can frame it themselves. my youngest asks me questions about my beliefs all the time. it's kind of fun as, for an 8 year old, she comes up with fascinatingly intelligent questions. and i enjoy talking to her about it, because she's so young, there's zero judgment, only curiosity. which is refreshing. 

my daughter's guitar teacher gave her a ball to carry around the house as exercise in how to hold her finger picking hand. i looked at it and it said "smile....jesus loves you". i nearly stuffed it in his fucking mouth. 

Serious question...you want others to respect your beliefs, so why the last sentence?  

I persoannly don;t believe in organized religion.  I do believe in something...or maybe I just want to.  But to me it just feels like there is something that ties us all together.  But then there are times when I think there is no way.

I also am a bit like you in that I seem to have a terrible reaction to others beliefs at times and it bothers me.  But I'm trying to not do that as much.  Because some of the time they are being judgmental and deserve it, but most of the time it's pretty innocent and just normal life for them.  And really it doesn't effect me anymore than someone's sexuality so I should stop being such a jerk about it all the time.

the last sentence because it just seems so underhanded to give a "gift" to a child and it turning out to be something that happens to be part of their agenda. I find that disgusting. people do that shit knowing full well how awkward it is to confront the person about it with their child right there and the parent giving them shit for a gift they gave them. it turns into 'how did I become the asshole in this situation?'. 

I wasn't actually as angry about it and that statement made it sound. He's a nice guy, and for all I know, he got it for free to give to his students and thought nothing of it. I don't know. I looked at it, chuckled to myself, and put it down. 

the difference between someone's sexuality and religion is that no one is trying to ram their sexuality down anyone's throat. They are proud, they want to make you aware who they are, but by no means are they trying to convert you. 

But to a lot of religious people it's just part of who they are.  So they can't hide it from you.  And while you think it's ramming it down your throat it's no different than you talking about your favorite band to them.  Just what I found after spending some years in a pretty religious area.

But trust me, I often agree with you and have the same feelings....trying not to though.

Degeneratefk

I can't speak for other religions (hell,  I can't speak for Christianity.  It's just what I grew up around) but it's existence relies on people jammingbjt down everyone's throat. Doesn't Christianity teach that all Christians must spread the word? Why do you think people always say "I'll pray for you?" Aren't they praying that you or whoever will turn to Christ? 

KC138045

I was out with a buddy at a bar about a month ago and we got talking to a group of women.  One I was talking to brought up religion and I told her I was an atheist.  The conversation ended abruptly after that but she did leave with a "it's ok Jesus still loves you".  

hedonist

oftenreading said:

I can't remember a time in decades when anyone has asked me if I believe in god. Very occasionally people have asked if I attend church but that seemed to have been more of a social question, and there was never a negative reaction when I said no. In my experience, this just isn't something that people are concerned about in my neck of the woods. 

Same here in my neck.

And if someone wants to pray for me, whether or not they ask?  All good, as I can't imagine the intent comes from a place of malice.

I'm similar to OnWis, as an agnostic.  Religion, and freedom of it, has played a huge role in my life.  And the thread title keeps bringing me back to this -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQcU5w915p8

RogueStoner

I was given a copy of The Book of Mormon for Christmas (seriously) with an inscription to the effect of God is aware of us and our struggles and that the book has brought them comfort knowing they'll be together forever in heaven. I'm very glad I didn't open the gift in front of them. I don't think I could've controlled my reaction. 

HughFreakingDillon

cincybearcat said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

cincybearcat said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

it comes up as my brother is ultra religious, as is his wife and son. their son especially judges me like a motherfucker. i really think he thinks i'm the devil. he creeps me the fuck out. in a unabomber kinda way.

they believe homosexuality is a choice and is curable. my brother told me last night at dinner that the he finds the american (republican) version of christianity is so bastardized that it barely resembles christianity at all. which i found interesting. 

it also comes up in my house a lot as my wife is catholic and so i agreed to raise our kids as such. or rather, i said i'd allow her to teach them that as kids, and they can make their minds up about it when they can frame it themselves. my youngest asks me questions about my beliefs all the time. it's kind of fun as, for an 8 year old, she comes up with fascinatingly intelligent questions. and i enjoy talking to her about it, because she's so young, there's zero judgment, only curiosity. which is refreshing. 

my daughter's guitar teacher gave her a ball to carry around the house as exercise in how to hold her finger picking hand. i looked at it and it said "smile....jesus loves you". i nearly stuffed it in his fucking mouth. 

Serious question...you want others to respect your beliefs, so why the last sentence?  

I persoannly don;t believe in organized religion.  I do believe in something...or maybe I just want to.  But to me it just feels like there is something that ties us all together.  But then there are times when I think there is no way.

I also am a bit like you in that I seem to have a terrible reaction to others beliefs at times and it bothers me.  But I'm trying to not do that as much.  Because some of the time they are being judgmental and deserve it, but most of the time it's pretty innocent and just normal life for them.  And really it doesn't effect me anymore than someone's sexuality so I should stop being such a jerk about it all the time.

the last sentence because it just seems so underhanded to give a "gift" to a child and it turning out to be something that happens to be part of their agenda. I find that disgusting. people do that shit knowing full well how awkward it is to confront the person about it with their child right there and the parent giving them shit for a gift they gave them. it turns into 'how did I become the asshole in this situation?'. 

I wasn't actually as angry about it and that statement made it sound. He's a nice guy, and for all I know, he got it for free to give to his students and thought nothing of it. I don't know. I looked at it, chuckled to myself, and put it down. 

the difference between someone's sexuality and religion is that no one is trying to ram their sexuality down anyone's throat. They are proud, they want to make you aware who they are, but by no means are they trying to convert you. 

But to a lot of religious people it's just part of who they are.  So they can't hide it from you.  And while you think it's ramming it down your throat it's no different than you talking about your favorite band to them.  Just what I found after spending some years in a pretty religious area.

But trust me, I often agree with you and have the same feelings....trying not to though.

I'm not asking anyone to hide it from me. fly that jesus flag all you want. just don't ask me to hold it.

and I think it's quite different. I used to have a massive issue with my brother because his goal in life was to bring everyone into the flock. Once he realized we weren't interested, and shit did that take a long time to get through, we can talk about religion in a respectful manner that doesn't make me feel like he's judging me or trying to make me better. 

because, in the end, that's what it's all about for me: some people seem to believe their lives are better with god in it. and that's fine if it worked for them, but quit trying to tell me mine would be as well, like I need some improvement.

try once, fine. try twice, fuck off. 

brianlux

Degeneratefk said:

I can't speak for other religions (hell,  I can't speak for Christianity.  It's just what I grew up around) but it's existence relies on people jammingbjt down everyone's throat. Doesn't Christianity teach that all Christians must spread the word? Why do you think people always say "I'll pray for you?" Aren't they praying that you or whoever will turn to Christ? 

This is certainly true for Christianity.   You're supposed to proselytize.  If you're a "true Christian", a "good Christian", you're supposed to be an evangelical.  I got interested in the Jesus movement for a while back in the seventies because some of the people I knew who were into it were very kind and giving but the two things that turned me off were the notions of having to say the right words ("I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior") to get into heaven (otherwise you go to hell?  fuck that) and the insistence that you had to proselytize to be a true Christian.  No thanks.

rgambs

KC138045 said:

I was out with a buddy at a bar about a month ago and we got talking to a group of women.  One I was talking to brought up religion and I told her I was an atheist.  The conversation ended abruptly after that but she did leave with a "it's ok Jesus still loves you".  

And that's when you say, "it's ok, science will still be the dominant force which makes every part of your life better, healthier, and longer."

dankind

RogueStoner said:

I was given a copy of The Book of Mormon for Christmas (seriously) with an inscription to the effect of God is aware of us and our struggles and that the book has brought them comfort knowing they'll be together forever in heaven. I'm very glad I didn't open the gift in front of them. I don't think I could've controlled my reaction. 

Was it from your sister wife?

RogueStoner

brianlux said:

Degeneratefk said:

I can't speak for other religions (hell,  I can't speak for Christianity.  It's just what I grew up around) but it's existence relies on people jammingbjt down everyone's throat. Doesn't Christianity teach that all Christians must spread the word? Why do you think people always say "I'll pray for you?" Aren't they praying that you or whoever will turn to Christ? 

This is certainly true for Christianity.   You're supposed to proselytize.  If you're a "true Christian", a "good Christian", you're supposed to be an evangelical.  I got interested in the Jesus movement for a while back in the seventies because some of the people I knew who were into it were very kind and giving but the two things that turned me off were the notions of having to say the right words ("I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior") to get into heaven (otherwise you go to hell?  fuck that) and the insistence that you had to proselytize to be a true Christian.  No thanks.

I hate that! So basically, as long as you accept Jesus..., it can be on your deathbed but you'll still get into heaven, regardless of what kind of person you were in life? Even if heaven existed, that wouldn't be right. What does that even mean? What's the point? 
I respect others' religious beliefs but when they start pushing them on me...it's on! They better have some damn good arguments. They never do.