Non-Religious People

[Loopdilou]

Anyone else get a certain twinge of "piss off" when well-meaning people offer their prayers, etc? I still have a gut level reaction to it (I was pseudo-bullied by Christians in HS).

[Loopdilou]

Technically, I still am berated when people ask and I answer. I was told never to share my atheism (since I'm involved in politics in my community), which I won't do unless queried, because it's my business, but I feel like I'm doing it primarily to protect myself while Christians get to advertise without fear of repercussion.

[swamp]

Aug 30, 2012 9:16:22 GMT -5 Loopdilou said:

Anyone else get a certain twinge of "piss off" when well-meaning people offer their prayers, etc? I still have a gut level reaction to it (I was pseudo-bullied by Christians in HS).

It depends on the person and the purpose of their prayer.

Some people, I think it's very nice and it's how they show their support. When I was campaigning a few years ago, several people said they were praying for me and one couple had a mass said for me. I appreciate that is how they support people.

If someone is praying for me because I don't accept Jesus as my personal savior, or I support gay marriage, well, that just annoys me.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

because I don't accept Jesus as my personal savior

That's the whole thing isn't it Swamp. The guy set it all in motion so that one day the slaves would be part of the profits. IMO, he was created to "save" everyone, not the individual(Bring peace, aka the Messhia)... Isn't it up to us to act right and treat each other the way JC would want us to treat each other? Not just worship and act mighty because we go to a building and read a book?

[chiver78]

exactly, sir - in YOUR opinion. those of us who don't agree tend to treat each other as we'd like to be treated, irrespective of our opinion of a guy who might have died 2000 years ago. if you'd like to do the same regardless of whether you go to a building and read a book, I'm sure the masses would appreciate that. I know I would. blessed be, on this blue moon tonight.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

those of us who don't agree tend to treat each other as we'd like to be treated,

Exactly....

Isn't it up to us to act right and treat each other the way JC would want us to treat each other?

How else do you get on Earth as it is in "heaven"?

[chiver78]

some of us ascribe to the ideas of evolution, not creationism. that's how we got here. YMMV.

much like the religious folk who bristled at the non-religious piping up on the "God-Loving Thread", I'm going to caution you to expect attitude if you try to convert anyone in here. I won't be rude, but I will remove any insulting posts as I (and other mods) have on other threads in this forum.

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2012 22:35:09 GMT -5 Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger said:

How else do you get on Earth as it is in "heaven"?

Morphine.

Aug 30, 2012 9:16:22 GMT -5 Loopdilou said:

Anyone else get a certain twinge of "piss off" when well-meaning people offer their prayers, etc?

Yeh, as Swamp said -depends on the person and the occasion. The better I know them the less annoying I'm likely to find it.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

LOL Astro...

I'm not trying to convert anyone Chiver, simply a conversation right? I also believe in evolution. However, just as a lot of the scientist that are responsible for the creation of sciences believed in a God, I also believe that the Big Bang is where the energy started. The standard theory has been proven. So it's a creation/evolution thing we are looking at. Everyone of us was created and evolved from one cell so it's all relative when you take a step back, I would say.

[moon/Laura]

I grew up in a non-religious home. I have attended various churches- mostly non-denominational. None of them have ever truly struck a chord with me, and right now I consider myself to be an agnostic with atheist leanings. I don't discuss my feelings unless asked, and a DESPISE being preached to (unless I've gone to church, where it's expected). That includes people saying "I'll pray for you". If they don't know I'm agnostic, I won't tell them.. not trying to make them feel bad, after all. They're just being kind in the way they know how to be. But if they DO know my feelings and they insist on saying that, I will absolutely be offended. I don't need or want prayers, thank you.

I do my best to live by the golden rule too, which is a hell of a lot more than some "Christians" I know do!

[mmhmm]

I think this thread is really meant for those who don't believe in the Christian God, ahamb. There really are a lot of us who don't, and we have a place in the world, too. Those who are posting here don't come into the thread meant for religious folks and start talking about how God doesn't exist and those who believe in him are simply misled. We already know Christians believe Jesus was put here to save everyone, but we don't believe we have to live our lives as close as we can to how Jesus would want it because we look upon Jesus as an historical figure, not a Savior. We don't need believers coming into this thread preaching about God and Jesus any more than the believers need non-believers coming into the religious thread poking fun and demeaning. It's not going to be allowed in either direction. Why should be obvious to anyone with the slightest touch of human understanding.

Those of you who are believers have a thread in which to discuss your beliefs. Leave this thread to those who don't believe, please. Each ... cut the other some slack and leave them be.

Thanks.

mmhmm, Administrator

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

I do my best to live by the golden rule too, which is a hell of a lot more than some "Christians" I know do!

Exactly.. That's the problem with religion, right?

I think this thread is really meant for those who don't believe in the Christian God, ahamb.

I think that a lot of people just assume that I see things like "Christian" God and "Islamic" God without asking any questions. I see Jesus as an Historical figure too.

A historical figured that existed, and we can prove all this through science and history BTW. About the time that the Romans destroyed the Library of Alexander.( Which just happens to be where Hellized Judaism started) Brought "Peace" to their empire by freeing their slaves and taking care of them, and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem because the Jewish people wouldn't fall in line and worship them as Gods.

So I don't really see a religious God at all, but one that has a power far greater than we can even imagine. I also believe that this is also why we are always discovering thing through science and technology, because the power is great that us. I know for a fact we didn't create ourselves.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

However, if this thread is for people who strictly don't believe in a God because of a personal reason they might have, then it shouldn't be titled for non-religious people... Just sayin.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

then it shouldn't be titled for non-religious people... Just sayin

Isn't it already? It's very simple to see that there's a thread titled "God Loving People" and a thread titled "Non-Religious People". It's pretty easy to pick the one that fits for you and your beliefs (or non-beliefs as the case may be). I don't go on the other thread and talk about evolution, and I don't come here and quote Bible (or other religious) passages.

[mmhmm]

Aug 31, 2012 23:25:06 GMT -5 Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger said:

However, if this thread is for people who strictly don't believe in a God because of a personal reason they might have, then it shouldn't be titled for non-religious people... Just sayin.

It doesn't matter, ahamb, what reason someone might have for being a non-believer in God. It's none of your business, and it's none of mine. That's a personal decision that is the business only of the one making it. This thread is for such people. They don't believe in God and are non-religious.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

I'm not quoting the bible or religious passages here. I, in fact, have no religious affiliation and thought some spirited conversation would be ok. I apologize to the people that don't believe in God the creator of all things, and will leave you all to it. Peace be with you.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

Aug 31, 2012 23:42:21 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Aug 31, 2012 23:25:06 GMT -5 Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger said:

However, if this thread is for people who strictly don't believe in a God because of a personal reason they might have, then it shouldn't be titled for non-religious people... Just sayin.

It doesn't matter, ahamb, what reason someone might have for being a non-believer in God. It's none of your business, and it's none of mine. That's a personal decision that is the business only of the one making it. This thread is for such people. They don't believe in God and are non-religious.

Never said it was any of my business.. It's everyone else that seems to be assuming that you have to be religious to believe in God. Peace be with you.

[mmhmm]

You may see it that way, ahamb, but everyone doesn't. The people posting on this thread do not believe in God, or are doubtful. They're adults and can make their own decisions, just as can those who do believe. Let's keep the believers and the non-believers separate on these threads, please.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

I understand mmhmm... This thread is for the religion of Atheism.. I am done posting on it since atheism makes no sense to me. Peace be with you all..

[mmhmm]

Thanks, Aham.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

NP

[Loopdilou]

I considered titling it "God Hating People," but I felt that would be a bit crass and wanted to be inclusive while also being pretty obvious that it wasn't for people who believe in God with a capital G.

Was that not obvious enough? And calling Atheism a religion really just means you don't know the definition of either religion or Atheism.

[trevorw2539]

Sept 1, 2012 0:45:37 GMT -5 Loopdilou said:

I considered titling it "God Hating People," but I felt that would be a bit crass and wanted to be inclusive while also being pretty obvious that it wasn't for people who believe in God with a capital G.

Was that not obvious enough? And calling Atheism a religion really just means you don't know the definition of either religion or Atheism.

Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature. According to some estimates there are roughly 4200 religions in the world.[1]

Religion is not necessarily a belief in a god. It is a belief in a moral or ethical system, usually acceptable to ones own 'way'.
That some turn to a 'god' while others turn to ethics and morals does not mean some are 'religious' and others not. It is just a misuse of the word 'religion'.

'God hating people' would infer you believe in 'god'. You could try 'god denying people'.

[mmhmm]

That may be the way you see it, trevor, but it isn't the way most people see it. The dictionary defines it as the belief and worship of a superhuman controlling power. I think that's how the OP intended it to be defined here.

[hollybee]

I was raised to believe God was kind and good, and being kind to people is what people do when they believe in God. I was baptised a Catholic, but mom was/is a Presbyterian so raised in her church. When I do go to church, that is where I go, to a Presbyterian one.

Do I believe in God? Sometimes I do... lately, not so much. So many awful people are loaded with money and good things, and so many good people are suffering. Why would God allow those awful things to happen? I have been leaning towards not believing in God lately. Or deciding if there is a God, maybe we just don't get what God is all about and we won't get it till we die. So it goes...

[Opti]

I was surprised to see Ahamburger here. I do believe in God but I consider myself more spiritual than religious because I don't fully embrace any denominations dogma 100%.

Loop, I hope if someone offers to pray for you as support you think about trying to accept it instead of seeing it as a negative. Prayer does work. There are places that have studied it using scientific experiments like Princeton University. People prayed over for health reasons have been found in general to get better quicker than those who weren't prayed for.

I like Religious Science because it explains how the technology hinted at in the bible actually works. Hollybee if you are interested you may want to check out a center or another New Thought church. It explains why 'God allows things to happen'. In a nutshell its about free choice and what a man thinketh, he becometh. (No conversion here BTW, just explaining for anyone who isn't Loop. )

[mmhmm]

It's probably best that we leave the discussion of God, prayer and the bible to the believers' thread. The only way we can have this sort of thread (for believers and/or non-believers) is to keep the two separate and distinct. Otherwise, posters get into spitting wars over who's right. In the past, we've had to forbid all religious discussion in order to stop the madness. This area was set up because people really wanted to discuss spirituality and moonbeam tried to do something to allow that to happen without the nastiness that has been seen to be inherent in these discussions. We want to keep it that way.

I'll ask, therefore, those who believe in God to keep their discussion in the threads made for others like yourselves. This is the only thread for non-believers (and/or agnostics), so it's not like you'll have nowhere to discuss. Let the non-believers have somewhere to discuss, as well. Thanks.

mmhmm, Administrator

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2012 9:16:22 GMT -5 Loopdilou said:

Anyone else get a certain twinge of "piss off" when well-meaning people offer their prayers, etc? I still have a gut level reaction to it (I was pseudo-bullied by Christians in HS).

Just a point. In most cases, i think that is just a way that Christians offer support to one another and other people. It is a way for them telling that they are thinking about you and that they care if you are talking about the context of an illness or a bad situation or something like that.

[mmhmm]

I agree, Shooby. It's never bothered me for someone to offer to pray for me. I realize it's their way of offering comfort, just as my way might be to offer to help them around the house, or fix a meal, or take them out for lunch. It's a gesture of kindness and no more than that. I take it as such.

[vonna]

Loop--

It definitely depends on the context, and more importantly, WHO says they will pray for me.

If a god-believing friend of mine says they will pray for me at a time I am experiencing a lot of difficulty, I know it is how they express concern and support.

On the other hand, I have experienced some people who manage to say the same words, and grate every last nerve I have. Usually it is those people who "proclaim" to be so christian, but their actions proclaim self- absorption.

Sometimes the statement comes across as compassionate, sometimes the statement comes across as condescending. The latter make me angry.

So, to answer your original question, I guess it depends on who says they will pray for me, and why!