Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!
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I'm curious. What time is it for you folks? It's 9.10am here so some of you keen posters must be burning the midnight oil!
9 pm here in TX, 12 hour difference
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I don't know that these are common misconceptions, but they're the ones that I often encounter personally.
1. That I live in fear of going to heck. I'm not clear on where people get this from, since it seems obvious to me that I cannot be in a constant state of fear from something I don't even believe in. But they honestly think it must keep my mind in a constant state of unease. They've offered me help in the form of advising me to just say I believe to keep out of heck. First off, I'm not sure how they think that would trick a supposedly omniscient god, secondly, my spirituality is not and will never be susceptible to such a ridiculous form of blackmail, and last and most important . . . I do not believe in heck, so the need to do such a thing just doesn't exist for me and I can't figure out why it keeps being brought up!
2. That disbelief has rendered me childless. It is incredibly hard for some religious folks to understand that I am childfree, not childless, so there are those who believe my lack of children is punishment from their god for my disbelief. For the ones that do understand that I chose to be childfree, they tend to think there must be some link behind my lack of religion and my lack of desire to have children. Perhaps certain religious folk do feel added pressure to have children because of their religion, but my not wanting them certainly has nothing to do with it. In fact, my grandmother, a staunch Catholic, has said the only reason she had children is because of Catholicism's stand on birth control, so maybe the people who think there is a link have a point, but not in the sense they intend . . . my lack of religion has removed the pressure that would make me go against my own inclination to live a childfree life. I'm good with that.
3. Of course, the "lack of morals" nonsense. Of course, there are those who do think it is immoral to choose not to have children, citing some "Be fruitful and multiply" command that their god gave, so I've proven them right as far as that goes (though I do think it had more relevance back when it was a struggle to keep societies populated. At six billion strong, I think humans have that command covered
). And the fact that it took me eight years of "living in sin" with my committed monogamous boyfriend before finally deciding to get married can set certain people all a-flutter with exclamations about how atheists take relationships too lightly, and we're doomed for divorce (I mean, yeesh, he was my first and only boyfriend, high school sweethearts, all that jazz. If it weren't for the atheism, delay in getting hitched, and lack of children, we'd be the poster children for the Christian ideal of a married couple). But if you take out all the "morality" that really isn't morality, it's pretty clear this misconception just doesn't hold water. ---- Actually, I believe this last one might be the most common misconception there is, that non-religion fosters immoral behavior, and that it is impossible to teach morality without some form of religion.
4. That I'm angry with god. Again, tough being angry at something you don't believe exists.
I haven't come across many more than that, at least not any that people will tell me directly. I'm sure there's someone out there who believes I must sacrifice puppies to demons or something, but so far they've kept quiet about it.
Ooh! I'm on the phone with my uncle, and he wants to add to the list:
5. That atheists are all liberals, socialists, democrats, etc. He gets this one a lot, because he is probably the most conservative person you will ever meet so people are always surprised to hear he's atheist. He and I are always butting heads when politics come up.
I don't know that these are common misconceptions, but they're the ones that I often encounter personally.
1. That I live in fear of going to heck. I'm not clear on where people get this from, since it seems obvious to me that I cannot be in a constant state of fear from something I don't even believe in. But they honestly think it must keep my mind in a constant state of unease. They've offered me help in the form of advising me to just say I believe to keep out of heck. First off, I'm not sure how they think that would trick a supposedly omniscient god, secondly, my spirituality is not and will never be susceptible to such a ridiculous form of blackmail, and last and most important . . . I do not believe in heck, so the need to do such a thing just doesn't exist for me and I can't figure out why it keeps being brought up!
2. That disbelief has rendered me childless. It is incredibly hard for some religious folks to understand that I am childfree, not childless, so there are those who believe my lack of children is punishment from their god for my disbelief. For the ones that do understand that I chose to be childfree, they tend to think there must be some link behind my lack of religion and my lack of desire to have children. Perhaps certain religious folk do feel added pressure to have children because of their religion, but my not wanting them certainly has nothing to do with it. In fact, my grandmother, a staunch Catholic, has said the only reason she had children is because of Catholicism's stand on birth control, so maybe the people who think there is a link have a point, but not in the sense they intend . . . my lack of religion has removed the pressure that would make me go against my own inclination to live a childfree life. I'm good with that.
3. Of course, the "lack of morals" nonsense. Of course, there are those who do think it is immoral to choose not to have children, citing some "Be fruitful and multiply" command that their god gave, so I've proven them right as far as that goes (though I do think it had more relevance back when it was a struggle to keep societies populated. At six billion strong, I think humans have that command covered
4. That I'm angry with god. Again, tough being angry at something you don't believe exists.
I haven't come across many more than that, at least not any that people will tell me directly. I'm sure there's someone out there who believes I must sacrifice puppies to demons or something, but so far they've kept quiet about it.
Ooh! I'm on the phone with my uncle, and he wants to add to the list:
5. That atheists are all liberals, socialists, democrats, etc. He gets this one a lot, because he is probably the most conservative person you will ever meet so people are always surprised to hear he's atheist. He and I are always butting heads when politics come up.
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Haha yes but in all seriousness, that idea is out there. It can be noticed in little stories such as "brainy stuck up atheistic professor gets pwned by a little good christian boy or girl" or responses such as "you think way too much" in a debate.. some children being discouraged from going to a secular college in case they "learn too much and leave religion"(some private religious universities are formed partially in response to this idea- to keep the students "shielded").. religious person being very shocked at non believer knowing more about their religion than themselves, etc. And then there are some religious quotes such as: Reason is the enemy of faith- Martin Luther
Haha yes but in all seriousness, that idea is out there. It can be noticed in little stories such as "brainy stuck up atheistic professor gets pwned by a little good christian boy or girl" or responses such as "you think way too much" in a debate.. some children being discouraged from going to a secular college in case they "learn too much and leave religion"(some private religious universities are formed partially in response to this idea- to keep the students "shielded").. religious person being very shocked at non believer knowing more about their religion than themselves, etc. And then there are some religious quotes such as: Reason is the enemy of faith- Martin Luther
I think the thing I encounter the most is the idea that I should be afraid of going to hell for my (lack of) beliefs.
Um, don't think we're on the same page, there. Why would I fear something that is, to me, entirely imaginary?
I think many very religious people simply cannot comprehend that there are others in the world who don't believe the things they do.
It's not that I've turned my back on something, it's that I *just don't buy it*
Um, don't think we're on the same page, there. Why would I fear something that is, to me, entirely imaginary?
I think many very religious people simply cannot comprehend that there are others in the world who don't believe the things they do.
It's not that I've turned my back on something, it's that I *just don't buy it*
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Ah, the political link, that unholy alliance. It's what led two political leaders to use Chrisianity as a justification for sending the sons of others to there deaths in foreign countries when their lies about the real reasons were exposed.
If I remember my Sunday School lessons correctly, Christ was a liberal if not a socialist. He, it is claimed, abhorred money lenders. His ministry was about helping those less fortunate than ourselves (Luke 10:25-37) and he said that it would be more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24). He would heal people for free, not asking for money or proof of insurance. I would say that you don't have to be a Christian to hold those beliefs and neither do all Christians practice them.
Ah, the political link, that unholy alliance. It's what led two political leaders to use Chrisianity as a justification for sending the sons of others to there deaths in foreign countries when their lies about the real reasons were exposed.
If I remember my Sunday School lessons correctly, Christ was a liberal if not a socialist. He, it is claimed, abhorred money lenders. His ministry was about helping those less fortunate than ourselves (Luke 10:25-37) and he said that it would be more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24). He would heal people for free, not asking for money or proof of insurance. I would say that you don't have to be a Christian to hold those beliefs and neither do all Christians practice them.
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You mean we're not??? Just kidding. I too have an Uncle that is soooooo conservative it's not even funny!
Some of the silly things that he believes, I'm sorry are just ludicrous!
Actually I just found out that I am almost dead center when it comes to politics (quite a shock, where I live I'm considered very liberal!).
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Well, they kind of have a point don't they? I mean the more you learn the less likely you are to hold on to a superstitious belief system. I know the church I went to discouraged me from going back to college, saying that it was very hard for people to hang onto their faith once they get too much education, and they were right! The more I learned about how the rest of the world and the people in it functioned the harder it was to keep my eyes closed to the narrow mindedness of the system I was in.
You mean we're not??? Just kidding. I too have an Uncle that is soooooo conservative it's not even funny!
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Well, they kind of have a point don't they? I mean the more you learn the less likely you are to hold on to a superstitious belief system. I know the church I went to discouraged me from going back to college, saying that it was very hard for people to hang onto their faith once they get too much education, and they were right! The more I learned about how the rest of the world and the people in it functioned the harder it was to keep my eyes closed to the narrow mindedness of the system I was in.
Sunny, my SO referred to that point in his life as the popping of the bubble
He went to a very insular, affluent HS. Then he went to Europe, joined the military, went to college. All those dangerous thinkin' things that can ruin a good boy
He went to a very insular, affluent HS. Then he went to Europe, joined the military, went to college. All those dangerous thinkin' things that can ruin a good boy
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Yes, it's so true! I guess we had better stop thinking for ourselves.
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I am also amazed by this! It is so encouraging to see how many of us with different opinions can get together on this thread and discuss our beliefs openly and without judgement. We all, of course, have our own biases, yet we still feel comfortable sharing them with each other. I've never talked to so many people openly about their different religions without seeing folks get extremely defensive. Although this thread has made some folks turn away, I'm sure, I am pleased to see that most of us are not only quite civil but actually welcome other opinions!
I don't imagine this thread sits well with folks who are not free thinkers. It is so wonderful that we have several christians, as well as many other faiths represented on this thread that see all our viewpoints and are not threatened by them. That is a beautiful thing to witness! It shows that the folks on this thread are very secure in their beliefs and open to other's ideas as well. I feel very comfortable stating here that I believe in karma and reincarnation but am also very impressed that others can state opinions contrary to this without defensiveness.
Given what the news is full of these days I am, frankly, astounded that this discussion can take place in such a friendly atmosphere (and it stays friendly)! In other words you folks ROCK!!! I am having so much fun on this thread!
Yes, it's so true! I guess we had better stop thinking for ourselves.
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I am also amazed by this! It is so encouraging to see how many of us with different opinions can get together on this thread and discuss our beliefs openly and without judgement. We all, of course, have our own biases, yet we still feel comfortable sharing them with each other. I've never talked to so many people openly about their different religions without seeing folks get extremely defensive. Although this thread has made some folks turn away, I'm sure, I am pleased to see that most of us are not only quite civil but actually welcome other opinions!
I don't imagine this thread sits well with folks who are not free thinkers. It is so wonderful that we have several christians, as well as many other faiths represented on this thread that see all our viewpoints and are not threatened by them. That is a beautiful thing to witness! It shows that the folks on this thread are very secure in their beliefs and open to other's ideas as well. I feel very comfortable stating here that I believe in karma and reincarnation but am also very impressed that others can state opinions contrary to this without defensiveness.
Given what the news is full of these days I am, frankly, astounded that this discussion can take place in such a friendly atmosphere (and it stays friendly)! In other words you folks ROCK!!! I am having so much fun on this thread!
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