As an atheist, I have found that once you gingerly step
outside religion, you suddenly realize how much all religions look
alike. I have used the word myopic before when it comes to organized religion. It seems like when it's
all you know, all of the other dogmas look strange and inferior and foreign. Atheists, if they truly are atheists, and are not just apathetic, sometimes see the grander scope of things. Yes, I am aware that there are many narrow-minded nonbelievers, but, what's that joke?
If you have a bible on your bookshelf, you may be a Christian. If you have a Koran on your bookshelf, you may be a Muslim. If you have a Torah on your bookshelf, you may be Jewish. If you have all three, you are probably an atheist.
I have to suggest that atheists are more tolerant and understanding when it comes to religious diversity and the commonality that many humans have to find a purpose and a power outside of themselves to lend order to their lives, even with the Angry Atheist stereotype we have to endure.
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| Great. Way to be subtle, dumbass. |
Atheists don't worry about infidels, sin, or converting anyone. Most of us believe in the Live and Let Live orientation, and simply wish that the religious would also just let us live and find our own way in life without condemnation. We all do the best we can. It's a very peaceful stance, in my humble heathen opinion.
I think the only time atheists get upset is when entitlement, for example, the "America is a Christian Nation" fallacy, enters, and threatens rational thought and especially encroaches upon government, freedom of and
from religion, and groups such as women and children. Then religion literally becomes harmful.
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| Saddy face. |
Even though this article I am about to share with you still adheres to the idea of the supernatural and the notion of a creator, I found this message incredibly refreshing. I wonder what you think. Want to read it? It's an excerpt from Desmond Tutu's book,
God Is Not a Christian: And Other Provocations.
That title at first seemed silly to me, but the more I think about it,
lots of people need to know that.
Here is the excerpt.
Yeah.
ReplyDeleteI could tolerate christianity a little more if cristians acted just a little more like their master. Not the daddy, of course, but the Son.
Greetings, BNB!
ReplyDeleteAs you celebrate your first six weeks of blogging,it's fun to see that your subject matter is becoming weightier; your views are always thought-provoking, and your writing shines with sincerity and tolerance. Your humor is pointed without being nasty, and where do you find all the photos you use for visuals??? Consider me an ardent fan!
Thanks for the link to the article but damn if the commenters of HuffPo understood it at all.
ReplyDeleteA facebook friend posted a link to your blog. I've enjoyed reading your entries. I'm also a heathen in the deep South. blah
ReplyDeleteIf you're on facebook or so, I'd love to have you as a friend. I don't have a blog, or I'd invite you to read it. I subscribed by email. Please tell me if there's a way to contact you directly (msg or so). I'll give you my profile link on facebook.
You're brilliant!!
I can honestly say no one has *ever* called me brilliant. *blush* I don't have a Facebook page yet. I'll set one up maybe. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteIf you like, you can send me an email anytime. You can click on my profile on the side bar and send me a message! Thanks again!
If you have a bible on your bookshelf, you may be a Christian. If you have a Koran on your bookshelf, you may be a Muslim. If you have a Torah on your bookshelf, you may be Jewish. If you have all three, you are probably an atheist
ReplyDeleteBible? Check... KJV, Living, Dead Sea Scrolls.
Al'Quran? Check.
Torah? Not yet. However I will submit my stack of Christian Apocrypha, Gnostic, Jewish Pseudepigrapha, Kabbalah, Etc. texts. :D
I love your writings. I was born a Jew then I converted to Buddhism (which is very much unlike the other religions) 56 years later and now at age 58 I am a born-again scientist. I am seriously studying math aiming toward advanced topics and science, chemistry, biology, physics and astronomy with my ultimate interest being cosmology. I plan to write a book on cosmology while I still can. Science and math provide me with the same comfort and contentment as believers claim, but I can prove my science.
ReplyDeletePlease answer a question: How and where do you get your ORIGINAL ideas? I am seeking creativity and I just can not seem to find it. I need help with this.
Favorite quote from you so far:
If you have a bible on your bookshelf, you may be a Christian. If you have a Koran on your bookshelf, you may be a Muslim. If you have a Torah on your bookshelf, you may be Jewish. If you have all three, you are probably an atheist.
To your first bolded statement, Amen!
ReplyDelete@Starvoyager...my original ideas? Where do I get them? These are just from my life. For about a year, I made a note anytime I remembered a funny story from childhood or when something awkward happened to me with the theme of religion and atheism. When my list reached about 40 things, I could resist no longer, so I wrote one down. This is a reason I don't show my face on my blog, because these are all true stories. I was once told by a wise man, tell the truth, or your stories will lose their charm. Start looking at life and details as "material," and you'll find that you are literally surrounded by opportunities to discover original creative insights. I am not a writer, but I like to write. It has been really fun and a great "venting" experience some days! Send me a message if you have any further need to discuss this, and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, BNB. I will keep searching my surroundings for funny and profound thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHiiiii Kasha. Stumpled upon your blog. Think i'm in love... blonde & atheist? sold.
ReplyDeleteAny-who-how, keep it up girl, and no need to pretend, I'm sure you are making people feel really happy.
Bible: check
ReplyDeleteMiniature Menorah/Draidel set with pocket size Torah: check
Book of Mormon: check (there's some scary ass stuff in there)
Various Budhist books: check
Koran: che...oh shit! I forgot to get that!
haha Athiesm rocks. And the book shelf is so eclectic too!
One thing that would be good to put in your arsenal is the fact that many psychologists believe that children begin to develop a sense of right and wrong at an early age So growing up a "moral" individual has zero to do with adhering to one of the multiple versions of the Bible that are around, and everything to do with being internally hard-wired like a human being.
ReplyDeleteWasn't it that loud-mouth Phyllis Schlafly who admitted on camera that she hadn't actually read the Bible? This was back in the 90s.
Billboards that have messages from GOD are just that - they are not forcing anyone to believe anything, it's not the same as organized religion.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that so many people on this site think that somehow you don't need GOD, don't believe in Him, but what I see is an awful lot of time, money and energy being poured out to shown disdain for someone/thing that claim to not believe in.
Catholics for instance, do not necessary = Christianity. In fact, religion is man made. GOD is not. Jesus is not. You can be a Christ follower and hate the religion seems to be giving a very distorted view of GOD.
WHy are self-proclaimed non-believers so angry? Where's the love inside the hearts of those that say they are so happy and good people doing so fine without GOD? Hating Christians and calling Jesus filthy names is just revealing what is already in your heart and why Jesus came...for you. He's not afraid of your anger and questions, he welcomes them!! Just ask him...