This is for open discussion. Please try to keep a cap on your attitudes and respect each other here. I know plenty of you who can't help yourself; if you can't then oh well. It's BG.

I'm posting all this because in sick of seeing others plaster my newsfeed with Christian lead hogwash one after the other. It was so full of bigotry-NOT of God!

I got into a discussion with a couple students on campus about this recently. Those students told me they have never thought of it this way before and later on said I was awesome for being so sure of myself and that they will try to think of this often:

I'm atheist, support equal rights for all, pro-choice because Your body is not the government's business. Being an atheist and accepting other's beliefs keeps my head out of someone else's ass in a sense, thus my mind is open and I use good judgement I learned from experience. I've learned a lot already in my short life. I also enjoy sarcasm  

I've been attacked quite literally just for not being a Christian by both teenagers and full grown adults alike. Even my own mother called me a whore, slut, little bitch- accused me of doing drugs- for not being Christian. She never went to church and NEVER taught anything in our house. The only time it came up was when she wanted an excuse to yell at me for being "incompetent". Ive been told to just "ouff" myself for being sure and certain about what I believe. Pardon me for being a little aggravated and callous!

Why am I an atheist? I have many reasons and it's one of the things about myself that I have the utmost confidence. It does not mean I'm an idiot or a satanist. It means I am no different than anyone else in this country exercising my right to freedom to religion. Some of the best people, are godLESS and very intelligent. Some of worst people identify with some organized religion that calls for peace and then that person starts battles. You're born who you are. Whether you choose to be a person of God, or blame a God as an excuse makes the only difference in a nut shell.

Atheists have values and morals much like any other person, just with the absence of the phrase "'insert deity name here' says We/I should..". That is really all there is. There's this thing we learn as children (in the right environment) called humanism and ethics. We all typically develop a mutual understanding of our culture's right and wrongs. Most of us would agree hurting other people is bad, taking care of your children is good, etc..

In fact DH has caused our lives and marriage to fall apart before it even started because he was deceitful, unfaithful and never stood up for anyone, but himself. He let the blame for both our marriage AND his freaking sister's marriage failing within a year. The latter, she said it was ONLY because her husband "just didn't like" me. Poor excuse. He identifies as a serious Christian and the only time I see him exercise the fear of God is when he gets caught doing something like.. Emailing transgender prostitutes from Craigslist (denied it in front of his family), which he and his family blame on me! Yay! Not. >.< I on the other hand, even when I was in way better shape, have never considered having an affair and haven't lied with any relationship I've been in. Didn't need to.
Anyways..

For other people it may be for slightly different, but it is the same ideal. No deities also means there cannot be a Satan, period. People still think it or say it today and its mind boggling!! I must repeat: I do know there are good and bad people in every faith. I consider Atheist a faith.. It's just the faith in knowing there is no higher beings.

I know Christians who follow God/Jesus the best way and the way I think most should.. They are all loving and accepting. They can face the worst of the worst with their head held high not to show they are superior, but because they know in their hearts that their God created everything and everyone for a reason; to just love people and their adversity no matter the challenge it presents. I do really enough discussing this stuff with other students Christian, Muslim and Wiccan alike. I don't feel or tell anyone they are wrong unless they are pointing the finger at a person And spouting off some bullsmurf as to why another is less than thy


That was a little venting and a lot to start a debate

woo hoo ... two of us in other. I don't feel quite as alone

I'm a christian, but I'll be the first to admit....mainstream christianity bothers me more and more every day. The more I get to know Jesus, the less I think he'd appreciate what we've done to His church. We don't love enough, and we judge way too much. It is disheartening.

<blockquote><b>Quoting the grace life:</b>" I'm a christian, but I'll be the first to admit....mainstream christianity bothers me more and more every ... [snip!] ... I think he'd appreciate what we've done to His church. We don't love enough, and we judge way too much. It is disheartening."</blockquote>

My best friend said this almost to a tee and so does my very Christian grandmother!

Thank you for that. I found it really interesting and informative. Especially, " I consider Atheist a faith.. It's just the faith in knowing there is no higher beings"

im an atheist. I do not look down upon christains or any other type of religion.
I will admit, the one and only christain group i cant stand..are Jehovah Witnesses!!

I told my grandmother I didnt believe in anything, which she understood, because she knew i never grew up in a religious home...at all. So, she paired me up with a Jehovah witness, closer to my age, for bible studies. I wasnt too fond of them. When we first started, she was pretty much forcing me to say "Amen" at the end of her prayers. She knew I wasnt comfortable doing so, I told her myself. She kept telling me to try it. so, i did, just to shut her up. Even when I was looking through the book to answer her questions she'd ask, she'd get pissed that i wouldnt answer fast enough. She expected me to know everything. The whole entire time she was forcing smurf down my throat.

As I have said, i do NOT look down on other religious...but if you're going to force smurf down my throat, thats a whole different story.

Quoting Gir!:" <blockquote><b>Quoting the grace life:</b>" I'm a christian, but I'll be the first ... [snip!] ... It is disheartening."</blockquote> My best friend said this almost to a tee and so does my very Christian grandmother!"

I believe it is true. I recently said, in front of a few Christians, that I believe that if Jesus was hanging on the cross and the ONLY person he could have saved from hell was a gay man, he still would have died. Christians tend to pick their favorite sins, we create these levels of "this sin is bad, this sin is terrible, this sin is not acceptable in the church"....but God has a different opinion, a different standard. We always try to make ourselves look "better" or somehow more holy or something. Boo. But now I'm starting to rant!

If you have netflix, I'd really recommend the documentary called Lord, Save Us From Your Followers. I really enjoyed it.

Agnosticism, woooooooo!

I know this isnt what i posted about before..

but, this thread made me think of Marilyn Manson...

He'd explain to be your own god, to believe in yourself.
That's why he came out with his song "personal Jesus."
 

I am a Christian... but i also do not identify with most christians i know. I am open minded, loving (EVERYONE) and do my best to be non judgmental. I think being married to an atheist has really opened my eyes to how hateful most christians are and it saddens me immensely. We have been judged, looked down on and insulted, him for not believing and myself for marrying someone who didnt believe and 'not trying hard to change him'. I havent been to church in months for this reason, i miss it but at this time i cannot handle the 'im a better cristian' crap.
Gandhi said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

Quoting lilsoph:" I am a Christian... but i also do not identify with most christians i know. I am open minded, loving ... [snip!] ... cristian' crap. Gandhi said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.""

This is the most heartbreaking quote. Considering we're called to be Christ-like, we're failing miserably.


And I'm still praying for your husband. *hugs* Remember, I've been there!!

<blockquote><b>Quoting the grace life:</b>" I believe it is true. I recently said, in front of a few Christians, that I believe that if Jesus was ... [snip!] ... If you have netflix, I'd really recommend the documentary called Lord, Save Us From Your Followers. I really enjoyed it. "</blockquote>



Hmm I will look into that. Thank you!

Quoting lilsoph:" I am a Christian... but i also do not identify with most christians i know. I am open minded, loving ... [snip!] ... cristian' crap. Gandhi said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.""

I agree with Gandhi ... as a bumper sticker I once saw said 'I love Christ, its his fanclub I can't stand'.

<blockquote><b>Quoting lilsoph:</b>" I am a Christian... but i also do not identify with most christians i know. I am open minded, loving ... [snip!] ... cristian' crap. Gandhi said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.""</blockquote>



I love the way that is put

I'm a recently "turned" agnostic.
I was a Christian for as long as I can remember, but I always had question that either couldn't be answered, or I got slammed for asking.
Basically, I don't care about religion. I'm not going to presume to know that there is a god and that any religion is the "true" religion, and I'm not going to presume to know that that there isn't one. I don't care tbh. We get one life to live, and I'm not going to spend it worrying about what's going to happen when I die.

I'm not fully "out" to my family. The only person who truly knows is my fiance and he's agnostic as well so it's not like he cares lol. Being a black atheist or agnostic is damn near unheard of here and people will get angry with you and shove everything they think down your throat. I don't have time for that crap, so I keep it to myself.