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.

[GoshAnneGorilla]

Right, so you'd go on a Doghouse thread and start talking about cats? And then pull the same "This is a public forum" line?

[headinhands]

That's a completely false analogy. If I owned a cat and saw a thread in the pet section that had 'cats' in the title I'd post if I wanted to. And besides, this is the philosophy board, philosophy is the study of what's real. Non Christian posters have pointed out, quite rightly, how religion has more clout over our public life then most of us realise such as compulsory worship etc.

[headinhands]

And if I posted about cats on a dog forum, why would that actually make anyone angry? Wouldn't you just ignore the 'crazy cat lady'? Feel sorry for me? Why even respond if the posts are so worthless? If I started a thread about some aspect of atheism I'd welcome alternative opinions from anyone as long as they avoided any personal insults.

[fifi669]

Third post in and again on the seventh I clarified what I was looking for, support.

Earlier today I restated this and reworded my original statement.

volstaire I'm not sure how I come across as controlling and overbearing? People have posted if the OP didn't want debate etc. so I was clarifying what my intentions were.

This isn't really my thread anymore so I'll leave you to it.

[HolofernesesHead]

I've always been a vocal Christian and not averse to a bit of robust discussion with non-Christians. I probably have been mocked etc, but tbh I can't really remember because I have always seen it as par for the course, have been obliged by my religion to forgive the offender and have focused on the issue rather than the person (so if an annoying person tries to get a rise out of me by talking about , for example, the Westboro Baptists, that's a good time to think about how I respond to people who call themselves Christians but say and do things that are most un-Christian. The annoying person who started it us long forgotten.)

As for religious privilege, or public role, that's a different question. IMO church people do a huge amount of good and the UK would be very much poorer without them. But the only privilege I'd really fight for is the privilege of being able to worship freely, a privilege which us denied many Christians around the world.

[ravenAnyKucker]

GoshAnneGorilla 'Right, so you'd go on a Doghouse thread and start talking about cats? And then pull the same "This is a public forum" line?'

Well, the analogy there would be someone posting a topic titled 'Living in a catlovers' world' in the Doghouse, complaining that people who prefer cats to dogs kept insisting on giving her grief for owning a dog.

At which point I think any catlover who happened across the thread might reasonably post to say that that wasn't their experience.

Also, it'd be on a subforum within a public forum, so it'd be pretty open for anyone else who felt like it to say that they just didn't like dogs very much. Or cats. Or to posit that we'd all be happier if we kept monitor lizards, for that matter.

I don't think OP has been particularly controlling to be fair...thread has followed an entirely predictable course & OP has accepted that that's how it goes.

[sashh]

That still leaves pretty much everything else in life, from work to entertainment, with no religious aspect at all

So why can't I go to the supermarket at 8pm today? On December 25th why is the TV schedule different and why are there trees in the background of each studio?

Why is the only thing on at the theatre a pantomime? I might want to see a ballet or some Shakespeare.

Then those bank holidays, the days where I can't choose to work because my employer closes for Easter and Xmas.

[curlew]

Are you aware that government has to take into account the views of faith groups hen formulating social policy? Including policy on things like abortion and stem cell research?

[Habbibu]

Sashh, winter festivals long predate Christianity in this country, so my guess is that Christian country or no, much of that stuff would still irk you at roughly the same time each year.

[technodad]

You are right Habbibu,

They have stoned women in the street as punnishment for many years in some countries. Best we let them continue doing that too, because it is a cute ole' tradition!

[Habbibu]

What? That's not really a reasonable analogy, is it? I was simply saying that were the uk to be Christian or not, it's possible that there would be festivals which meant that people didn't go to work. What exactly has that got to do w Ruth stoning people in the street?

[Habbibu]

With, not w ruth

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Constant stupid questions such as do you believe in the tooth fairy too?

Do you - as I think that comment implies - think adults who believe in the tooth fairy are stupid?

If so are you not as guilty as the woman at work of showing contempt for other people's beliefs?

[Kewcumber]

I know adults who believe in fairies and astrology and homeopathy (but not necessarily all at once, although quite often I must say).

I'm not rude to them though. Doesn't make any difference to me if they believe in the Easter bunny.

[octopusinastringbag]

For those who believe, what is the difference in believing in the Christian God and believing in the Gods from other religions. Do you see them all as variants of the same God or are they different Gods?

[curlew]

Hang on- are you saying that if I met an adult who believed in the a Tooth Fairy I would have to respect her beliefs?

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Only if you claim that all beliefs must be respected. I get around it by not respecting any belief.

I never understood why someone would wake up one day and think "oh I think I'll believe in Baby Jesus, The Reverend Moon or Fairies" and why they would then expect others to play along.

Though I have a bit of sympathy for those that were told it was true when they were too young to know better.

[Coupon]

I'm not aware of any ancient religions where God is considered to be a fairy. Goddess yes, fairy no!

[tuffie]

OP. Don t be disheatened. Whenever you feel drained and ridiculed, remember Matthew 5 "Blessed are you when people insult you because of me. Rejoice and be glad " And always remember how happy your faith makes you. Works for me !
Most atheists and Christians are ime very tolerant, and do respect each other. People on forums like this tend to be those with quite strong opinions !

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Coupon, Not sure how you meant that? Belief in fairies is older than Moonies, and Mormons. Belief doesn't have to mean only in the god of a monotheistic religion.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Celtic traditions, at least in Scotland, featured many faeries. But I cannot think of them in the same "breath" as "God", because "God" comes from a completely different tradition.

[Tubemole1]

I feel I live in a Christian society. I am of the opinion I and my family and friends who don't believe have the same self-imposed values as the religious. Don't murder, honour your family, don't cheat, etc. I am equally entitled not to believe as those who do.

Whilst individual believers may feel they are being persecuted, the Church as a whole does not. In an age of political correctness and the fear of offending anyone, religious groups have never had it so good. Our tolerant society has actually favoured the religious, as we are not supposed to judge, but find common ground with our neighbours.

I can defend my atheism, just as much as the religious can defend their beliefs. It may not make sense to either side, but at least we are entitled to our views. The op was shocked at views expressed in her presence from a non-believer...well, suck it up! Because if I hear anything against atheism, I am meant to take it on the chin! It's not fair. Accept the criticism, and learn from it, discard it, and move on.

If any atheists and secularists wish to find evidence to my ideas, Google the National Secular Society and the British Humanist Society.