Living in an atheist world

[fifi669]

Anyone else find it difficult at times? My faith is unfaltering. I just find other peoples attitudes a bit draining sometimes.

I had a woman at work taking the piss out of Christians to me so I told her I was one. She looked at me like I had two heads. (She'd obviously not noticed the crucifix).

Constant stupid questions such as do you believe in the tooth fairy too? Come about once religion is mentioned. Sigh.

Unless asked a relevant question I keep my faith to myself and don't shove it in peoples faces. I don't see why people can't do the same with their atheism.

[exexpat]

GoshAnne - I don't think anyone could leap on a thread entitled 'living in a non-vegetarian world' to point out that actually, the world is dominated by vegetarians, because that would be patently untrue. Whereas if someone posts something about 'living in an atheist world', there is an obvious issue with that statement...

[technodad]

But why is the "no religious at all"element of your post at all relevant to this discussion?

Your post used the non-religious as part of an argument against a secular society, so you must think it is a threat.

[CountryCob]

It is a shame that a thread which was started to discuss the difficulties of having beliefs disrespected has attracted so many commenters who feel like people with religious beliefs need to explain or justify their position or that it is acceptable to smugly force a point of view upon us that religion is meaningless, this happens much more often in my experience than religious people preach to those who do not want to hear, genuine faith is quite hard to find in the modern world although the framework is still there, so many people think they are an expert on belief systems they actually do not understand and are so keen on banging on about how they do not want to know any more there is no conversation to have, perhaps if you disagree so much with faith schools you should look for an alternative? Is it hypocritical to use a system you don't believe in?

[Gingerdodger]

I am sorry you feel drained and tired OP. It can be difficult if you feel you constantly are being called to justify your faith.

Whilst I quite enjoy some of the debate I feel that with every discussion there comes a time where you need to asess whether it is a healthy debate between people with different perspectives (which I find can really help to clarify my own thinking or look at something from a new perspective), a genuine interest from someone wishing to discover more or just one of those fruitless conversations where the other person wants to provoke a reaction. If the latter it is sometimes just time to move on and carry on living your life in your way.

[DoctorTwo]

Blimey, your faith must be a little fragile if you can't take a little criticism/truth.

[CountryCob]

I don't think it is that her faith is weak but that the constant repetition of the same ill thought through criticism is wearing, but boring too actually although most proponents seem to think it is an original form of free thinking genius....

[technodad]

Ginger

I agree - and this goes both ways!

[Habbibu]

The thing is, op, as I said earlier, when I was in Catholic school, we were taught too try and embrace exactly what you're describing as a part of our faith - that being mocked or derided was part of the deal, and would strengthen faith. And the sermon on the mount was trotted out as part of that.

Now, I'm not saying you should do that - like I said, I don't believe in God - but it does strikes me that it's a big element of Christianity, and one that the current thread and many others, plus various news items, seem to overlook. Perhaps Christianity has changed since I was at school?

[exexpat]

CountryCob - "perhaps if you disagree so much with faith schools you should look for an alternative? Is it hypocritical to use a system you don't believe in?"

Just to pick up that point:

1. All state schools in the UK are faith schools, in so far as they are obliged to carry out collective worship of a broadly Christian nature. There is no alternative. There are non-denominational schools, but there are no secular ones.
   
   
2. In many areas, there is not even the option of a non-denominational school, as all the local ones are linked to Church of England or Catholic churches (4 out of 5 primary schools within walking distance of my house are church schools; atheists do not even get priority in applications to non-denominational/community schools, while church-goers get priority at some church schools.). They are paid for by everyone's taxes, so why should the growing proportion of the population which is not religious be forced to send their children to church-run schools?

[Habbibu]

To, not too.

[headinhands]

It is possible to change systems though. It's not either a case of accept it or move. And a good way of starting change is by talking. I didn't realise that even non faith schools had to provide some form of worship until someone here told me it was the law

OP you say you keep it to yourself but Christianity isn't about keeping it quiet. I'm surprised they didn't already know you were a believer. Wouldn't it have been a great opportunity to witness to them instead of feeling offended.

For example if my lack of faith came up at work and someone ridiculed my position I would relish the opportunity to explain how and why I hold the opinions I do. And ultimately, if you're confident in your beliefs then wouldn't you just feel sorry for them for not being Christian too?

[MomentForLife]

Sorry people have been rude to you OP. As an atheist myself,the main thing for me is that in the politest way possible I couldn't care less about religion. I wouldn't aruge why I don't believe in it, I wouldn't challenge peoples views or laugh at them. I just point blank don't believe and don't feel the need to question why others do.

I think there must be two types of atheists, the ones that just don't believe and ones that enjoy the religious debate.

[Habbibu]

Countrycob, I think we tend to hear more of what irks us than not- so you hear more of atheists mocking, but are unaware that there's no such thing as a secular school in the uk, and I hear the minister talking to children at my daughter's non-church school as if they were all Christians. Neither perspective is likely to be wholly accurate.

[CountryCob]

Maybe more non denominational schools or free schools could be set up if people made an effort to change the system rather than criticising those who value a religious education? Very strange message to send a child that the family does not believe but goes along with it anyway. The church does support its churches as well and often provided the original building/ land. Yes turning the other cheek is a fundamental Christian belief system so thanks for the opportunity to exercise that once again, the op was looking for some religious support I think but has just attracted the same old

[CountryCob]

Good point Habbibu

[Habbibu]

Ha! I read a recent report on religion in schools in Scotland, triggered in part by people wanting to change the status quo. Half the people on the consulting body were religious. And worship remains.

[Gingerdodger]

Habbibu you are right that being mocked and derided is part of the Christian (and I am guessing all religions and atheism to a greater or lesser extent depending on people's personal circumstances) experience.

Whilst it is something we are all called to do it can become draining and something we need support with.

[Habbibu]

What do you mean, but goes along anyway? My dd goes to her local school. State, not Church, but subject to the same laws about worship as every other school in the country. Do you really like I should spend my time either homeschooling or fighting this, as it's hypocritical to send her as we're atheists?

[Habbibu]

Yes, but I didn't mean just the experience -we were taught that it was fundamental to our faith, and something to be embraced. That doesn't make it easy - I just rarely see this brought up, and it strokes me as odd, as it really was hammered home to us.

[Gingerdodger]

No I think you are right, it is something to be embraced in that it enables Christians to do 2 things. Firstly to openly discuss faith and beliefs and secondly to constantly be challenging ourselves regarding our faith and hopefully strengthening through this.

I personally don't think it is necessarily about making Christians 'suffer' as such to make faith stronger. There are, of course, all the examples of Christian martyrs who have died for their faith who I see as a more extreme, challenging and brave version of this in that clearly they continued to express overtly their Christian views and to continue to do so on the face of the most hostile challenge.

It can be draining though and make us in need of mutual support even when it is not on the scale above and may be just mockery, derision and pisstaking.

[headinhands]

But this is how change starts. People discussing. Being exposed to alternative views. Discriminatory laws don't generally get changed just because the government wakes up and decidedls to modernise. It's us that drives it and it starts with ideas.

[GoshAnneGorilla]

Headinhands - then start your own thread for "change" instead of bulldozing other peoples.

[headinhands]

I haven't bulldozed anything. This is a public forum.