Religious Responses

[Draka]

Naw, you gotta hit a Heathen Ritual and if you want to see some serious drinking in a ritual. Imagine a bunch of giant Scots, German, Irish, English, Icelandic people raising toasts for an hour... you need an alcohol tolerance. of course, I can't remember the last time I saw a small heathen. All the heathens I know are bigger than me and I'm 6'3 210lbs. lol

I don't need a ritual for serious drinking . I may not be very big 5'5" and 160 lbs (but look much less...muscular really) but I didn't spend 5 years in the U.S. Navy and not learn how to drink like a fish...you may be surprised...I may be able to drink you under the table .

As for rituals...a glass of wine at Sabbats is about it.

 

[s2a]

Saw11_2000 inquired:

What are some responses you have gotten after mentioning your religion to others? Have any of them been negative?

Has your religion being exposed ever changed your relationship with a person. For example, has you and your friends grown apart when they found out you don't think quite like them? Do you find people want less and less to do with you if you're different?

As an atheist, I typically do not abstractly blurt out my unbelief amongst mixed company (discussion forums excepted ;-)), and I have my reasons. However, when pointedly asked, I always answer honestly.

One of the more interesting aspects of such a confession are the looks of incredulity and slack-jawed stares that follow...with inevitable follow-up...

"You mean you don't believe in God? Why not?"

Thus, reason number ONE why I don't blithely mention my atheistic perspective. Most people don't really want to know my rationale, they just want a simple response that they can get their heads around.

"So, what do you believe? You must believe in something!? Everyone believes in something!"

Reason number TWO is now at hand. YOU try explaining (succinctly) why not accepting claims of supernatural cause/effect as explanation of naturally explained phenomena is not the same as "not believing" in "something" (of value, merit, substance).

"So, if there's no God, then what's the purpose of living?"

As you might suspect, reason number THREE must now enter. Here's where the atheist tries to explain that reason and purpose for life and living are readily self-proscribed by onesel - if that person is willing and able to accept the accountability/responsibility of their choices for themselves.

"You're just rejecting God because you want to live hedonistically...without direction, rules, or morals. Without God, why be good?"

Reason number FOUR - now I have to explain that one can be moral, compassionate, loving, and forthrightly just - absent any belief in a deity or some karmic cosmological "force".

"Well OK, whatever. You seemed like a really nice guy. I just feel sorry for you now."

Reason number FIVE - Do your level best not to get bitingly, causticly, witheringly sarcastic in acknowledgment of such earnestly lent sympathies.

And those are just the top 5 reasons, when confronted in genial, impersonal mixed company...that professing atheism rarely leads to other engaging exchanges. I often try to avoid invoking the "atheist" moniker by professing myself as a skeptic instead, but that usually doesn't suspend the inevitable downward spiral of inquiry.


Amongst my extended family, my atheism is not starkly contrasted with a primarily-held, overall, agnostic philosophy (though my mother-in-law is into "new-age" spiritualism concepts like "auras", "chi", and crop circles). Most family would say that the idea of a supernatural deity is "possible" (or even "probable"), but none are what most others would qualify as particularly "religious".

In my close group of friends, and larger assemblage of friendly acquaintances, my atheism is accepted, and often debated in the context of relevant worldly events - and my perspective is (often enough) invited for comparative input. Amongst my Christian friends, their frequently expressed sentiment is along the lines of "If I didn't know otherwise, I'd say you were a very good Christian...and I kinda hate that." I refuse to be offended by such imputations, and usually lend ingenuous smile instead.

The most negative reaction I ever encountered regarding a profession of my atheism, was when I was asked by a resident Baptist minister at a homeless shelter I volunteered at twice a week. After a few months, he praised my good Christian nature and charitable heart, and innocently asked which church I regularly attended. I related that I attended no church, regularly or otherwise. He inquired whether or not I simply couldn't find a church that satisfied my spiritual needs. I said that wasn't the issue. He pressed on. I "confessed". See: rules number one through five above. After his brief consultation with the other founders of the mission, I was politely but firmly asked not to return for further volunteer efforts. Their concern was sincere, and straightforward enough. They feared that my honesty and convictions in my atheism might have a detrimental effect upon their efforts to evangelize and redeem the indigent and homeless that were seeking hope and (suitable) explanation (ie, reason and purpose) for their unhappy situation. I acceded to their wishes, amidst multiple apologies ("I'm sorry, but I'm sure you understand") and extended sympathies ("I'll pray for you to seek and find the Lord").

Since then, I have extended my limited volunteer time at the one Salvation Army shelter in town. So far...no one has pointedly asked me about my religious philosophy (or lack thereof).

I fully appreciate the inherent bias and trick-bag of "Don't ask, don't tell".

And some wonder why I empathize with gay people...

 

[lilithu]

What are some responses you have gotten after mentioning your religion to others? Have any of them been negative?

Depends on the setting. Often times when I tell people I'm a Unitarian-Universalist, I get a polite blank stare. People have no idea what to make of that. When it comes up in the classroom, my professors almost always react positively and start telling me about their favorite philosopher or historical figure who they think was a Unitarian. When I tell liberals who are non-religious (and know what UU is), they tell me that's cool and if they were to join a religion, it would be mine. Apparently, UU is the least objectionable religion for those who otherwise do not like religion. People always feel the need to tell me that I'm acceptable even tho I'm religious. And then of course, there are the religious conservatives who have actually heard of UU, and they can't resist commenting on our lack of a creed. They expect me to be a moral relativist with no knowledge of the bible and are surprised to find out that they're wrong on both accounts.

Has your religion being exposed ever changed your relationship with a person. For example, has you and your friends grown apart when they found out you don't think quite like them? Do you find people want less and less to do with you if you're different?

In general, no. My parents can't understand why I would go to church every Sunday but it doesn't really affect our relationship. The only time I remember feeling distanced from an old friend the argument had more to do with philosophy than religion, if that makes sense. He's a modernist, believes in the progress of science, and that humanity is getting better and better. I am more of a post-modernist and don't believe that we are getting better (nor worse). More accurately, I think we're better in some respects (technology) and worse in others (alienation), which comes out even in the wash. But unfortunately, I think he blamed our disagreement on my being religious and that kinda got in the way of our friendship. Kinda weird, isn't it? - an atheist who believes in progress arguing with a theist who does not believe in progress.