to be annoyed that religious people think theyare more fulfilled than me???

[PosieParker]

I am a very happy atheist and feel that I am kind, caring and considerate. Time and time again religious people show pity to those that haven't 'found' God and think that we are missing something. It really pisses me off.
I do see that they believe that some of their own fulfillment comes from their faith but why assume that I am lacking because I have none?

You know, mostly religious people think they are being nice and are genuinely trying to be helpful; remember they genuinely believe that you need to be saved, and want that for everyone out of - mostly- kindness.

Just thank them for their concern and say that you have found your own path in life.

Wannabe, is her life like that because she is religious, or is she religious because its the only way she can cope with life? Its hard to know....

I think you should have out "more sanctimonious than me" on the OP
If these people really are "religious" or Christian then they shouldn't be making you feel bad about anything. I agree with you in that any people who think they are better than me are annoying

But Peachy it never seems ok to do the same thing back does it? what if an atheist told a christian 'its all nonsense don't waste your time with it'? i don't feel its my place, so why do they seem so intent to CONVERT us??

Peachy, don't generalise! I don't have a burning urge to convert people -- if my dh had wanted to become a catholic I'd have been happy for him and for me, but I know it's not going to happen and I'm fine with that. In fact, if he expressed an interest in converting now, I'd worry that he'd been kidnapped by aliens and had his mind wiped.

Tommy - with you on every single point, particularly the last one!

It should be OK to say it back though (i've been both Atheist and Christian in my time though so can see both sides), but where you see convert they see save- and that's the ky I guess

Microwave, they feel they HAVE to convert us as it's their duty to save our souls. It says so somewhere in the Bible - something about witnessing (she says, trying desperately to remember her school RE classes...) For the same reason, they lump Catholics, CoE, Jews and every other religion or brand of Christianity in with the rest of us atheists, agnostica and wiccans. We're all damned, because we are following different paths to theirs and therefore, wrong paths.

Hey, aren't we all going to have a great MN get together in hell !

Catholics aren't big on trying to convert though, are they? They're not evangelical.

I get pissed off with being told I'm missing out and not fulfilled too

Not since the Inquisition, anyway!

Message withdrawn

YANBU - although I more often find it vaguely amusing rather than annoying. However, I do get offended by the assumption that because I do not believe in God - I do not believe in anything. I have highly developed morals and conscience (for a wooly liberal!). Religious people do not have a monopoly on morality.

peachy tbh I'm not sure. She had a bit of a shit upbringing, dad had affair with the same woman throughout her childhood, woman even used to ring the house to speak to him etc, mum was desperately unhappy, but the whole family was fairly religious for as long as I remember. This was in South Africa where the Afrikaaners are very religious anyway, she just took it to the extreme.

I was stopped in the street by a Krishna follower who said 'you look like a vegetarian'. Which I found worrying... he didn't specify in what way and am still wondering. (I am veggie but how did he know?)

YANBU
It amuses me more than it annoys me.

YABU
you should feel smug instead

Ah Edam, Iskcon- coursemates went to the Iskcon temple recently (couldn't go, they were scared I'd pop out ds4 on the way). They had to pay £9 each IIRC and got a really basic skanky meal- then walked past the devotee meal kitchen where they were feasting!!!

So you look like a veggie addressed at a non worshipper should presumably be taken to mean think and svelte LOL

YANBU - I am a Christian, kind of, but have major problems with the idea that you have to be religious to be a good, happy, fulfilled person. That is so obviously not the case. Everyone has their own way to find contentment, for some it involves a religious faith, not necessarily Christianity, but that isn't the only way.

I totally agree, but at least we know better

Does it matter what they think? Let them think what they like, it doesn't hurt you in any way. Rise above it.

just wanted to add my name in. I am very happy and have my own rules of behaviour. I don't need help from fairies.

I have met some nice people who were also christians, but even though I've studied it, religion is an alien thing to me. I still don't see how anyone can believe in magical beings without evidence AND expect me to go along with it.

I'm usually very tactful, but honestly if someone says "god told me so", isn't the correct response to laugh?

My babysitter (only when children are asleep) constantly prays foe me, which I can take, says God saved all these skanky ex prostitutes at the toddler group she wants me to attend, which is quite sweet but then flaunts her pro-life, anti embryo stem cell whatever it's called research... I just feel like (but never would) saying I have no inclination of ever believing in the LORD!!!, I think you're a fool and the reason those prostitutes aren't selling themselves is that some kind people, human folk showed some compassion for their plight...through the loving spirit of the human condition AAAARRRGGGHHHH .

PS I am a Theology graduate...shhh... always been an atheist.

Did you get grief from your college mates Posey? I did when i started my course (world religions, mainly Theology for last year). I actually decided to convert but never told any of them, couldn't bear their silly attitude to it all. None of their business, to be frank.