Sr. Zonules

I never really thought about it. I guess I did that sort of thing when I was Lutheran. I guess also that because that is what evangelists do.

I don't do much of going out of my way for anything these days, especially for silly people who will give me circular rhetoric. That is one of the things that I fealt most uncomfortable about, especially face-to-face.

On the internet I am a different man, and I really like to get into arguments and debates. I'm here talking to y'all for that reason, and cause I also am kinda bored.

Hmm... maybe this is why athiesm is not very popular in the US. I guess you don't see 'door to door' athiests at all; one usually equates evangelism with the Mormons and other RELIGIOUS folk. Maybe I should do just that. Put on a nice suit and get a friend, and act like a Mormon.

On second thought, that is quite a waste of time. How silly. I'll shut up now and leave y'all with a question: SHOULD athiests be "evangelic" (as in go out of your way to tell people that you are one of the many 'Friendly Neighbourhood Athiests') in their beliefs, much like Christians (and others) do?

GaryP

A few years ago, due to publicity about me asking to put up an Atheist holiday greeting in a city park, probably most of the people in my county knew I was an Atheist.

I would guess that many are reminded of it when I write a letter to the editor (which I do less frequently now).

What gets me is, everybody at work knows how I feel about religion, yet I continue to get God-spam from some. Even one in particular who is a lay Catholic leader but has been very supportive of me, emotionally at least.

I understand the concept of not wanting to offend people, but for "God" sakes, how can you stay quiet when the very religion your aquaintance is espousing is condemning you to eternal damnation just because you can't believe the particular myth which they believe?

Isn't that the ultimate insult and offense?

HelenM

Do you think Christians ever feel that way?

I mean, do you think they ever feel reluctant to be open about being Christians because the reaction they receive is based on an incorrect stereotype of a Christian and they don't enjoy explaining what a Christian really is, to an audience that has usually already made up its mind?

Anyway, I thought there's no such thing as 'atheism'. Or so I've been told every time I write something general about 'atheism' or 'atheists'! IOW it can't be easily defined in generalities because there's no such thing as 'the atheist viewpoint' since all atheists differ somewhat in their views on morals, etc. Or is that what you say if you try to define 'atheism'?

Helen

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: HelenM ]</p>

Pensee

Helen,

I think a lot of Christians do feel that way, but at least here in the South, it's only in their minds. What I'm trying to say is that everybody in their church (Pastor, deacons, etc.) warns them and has them fully convinced that they will be persecuted for their beliefs. That "the world" will reject them. The reality is, that they are the majority here. They are the ones who "persecute" others for their non-beliefs or adherence to a different denomination, even though they're all Christians.

Obviously, I don't know the religious climate of other areas. I can only speak for what happens here.

MollyMac

What a fascinating thread! Everyone I meet finds out I'm an atheist as soon as they ask me what I do for a living (I work full time for an atheist organisation).

The idea that the number of times someone has been asked this in 2.5 years can ONLY be counted on two hands is absolutely staggering to me. I've lived all my life (46 years) in a major capital city and have never been asked it once!

HelenM

Hi Pensee,

I take your point.

I think Christians who come here to the II board really do encounter inaccurate stereotypes of Christians from some nontheists here.

Helen

MzNeko

I don’t generally bring up religion unless the topic comes up in conversation, but I do occasionally get a certain glee from mentioning that I’m an agnostic married to a pagan! While it has caused a few raised eyebrows, it doesn’t get much negative reaction here in southern California, though…

I generally get a lot more flack about my opinions on gay rights (I think that marriage should be allowed), or my attitude about animals vs. humans (I like animals better) than I do about religion as such.

Puck

I don't go about telling everyone I meet, however, if religion comes up, the *least* I do is remind folks that christianity isn't the only religon out there, nor the sanctioned American religion. Leave's 'em wondering if I'm jewish (that's as far as they are able to go around here) or what?

Like Sr. Z(?) said, I don't like going 'round in circles with silly people, so I blow off the ones with dull eyes.

And Belle? How about you just tell folks the youngun's names are old family names and let it go if you aren't into a discussion? Again, if they have dull eyes, why bother?

THE_LEGENDARY_HQB

As a general rule, I don't discuss my atheism.
However, I will not hesitate to call myself an atheist if the opportunity presents itself.
some theists cannot accept that I'm an atheist.
That's when I start preaching the Ovary Cleansing Salvation of Aluminism to them.

When they ask me how I know my religion is true, I simply say that the ALLMIGHTY TIN HEAD appears to me every Thursday between 6:10 and 6:15pm, after I have taken the Holy Communion of Break fluid and Snausages.

When they ask me how I can call myself an atheist and still believe in a Divinity, I merely inform them that I don't believe in an Infinite God, but something far beyond mere infinity. At this point, the popping noises in their head are reminiscient of microwave popcorn.

Finally, if they threaten me with Hell, I calmy inform them that, since they have not invited the ALLMIGHTY TIN HEAD to dwell in their liver, they will be force fed 20 euro notes with mustard by Helmut Kohl on the Night of the Thousand Marmosets, then catapulted into the Sea of Beans which burns with Flatulence and acne, and in which the ALLMIGHTY TIN HEAD says "verily the stench of his flatulence shall ascend forever, and his acne shall leak puss profusely, yea he shall be compelled to sing Spice Girl songs in French, though French is not a true OR valid Language, and I, and MY people, shall watch their torment with great pleasure on MY Wide Screen High Definition wide screen T.V"
{Holy Book of Reynolds, Teachings of Hieronymus Q Blankenship, Page 105, verses 1-3}

That usually stops them. Other than that, I'm quite quiet about it.

Stay gold,
The Legendary HQB, Esq.
Supreme Sabelotodo of the Kaputarium of the ALLMIGHTY TIN HEAD.

Shake

Thanks! I've heard it's a good read and I really look forward to it!

Also, let me welcome you (and the other new posters that I see in this topic) to the boards! Enjoy!