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Views: 42

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I let them do their own thing without comment and try to be respectful of their beliefs.  Of course, I only talk to my older relatives.  The younger ones are mainly in love with money and only being showy about god.  They don't really deeply believe.  They just are very showy and surfacy about religion.  I'd rather hang out with people are deep down true believers, because at least we can agree religion is important and something a person should really think about.  It's not just something you do to sell something or make yourself popular.  I don't believe in following or not following a religion just to get yourself ahead or to keep up with the Jones. 


I feel like needing to put "in god we trust" on all the money and forcing showy religion in public prayers a)doesn't get a person anywhere with god and b) is just a way to force one way down the throats of everyone who doesn't agree.  I really think all this public show of religion by putting the Ten commandments on government buildings or making school kids pray is just another way of bullying the disagreeing minorities and has nothing to do with true belief.  So while I am against forcing little kids to say under god in the pledge, I am not against a private group doing a Bible study or a prayer meeting public building conference room as long as every other group has equal access to that room.  For example, I don't think they should have priority over weight watchers or a bird watching society, but if they sign up and wait their without pushing out the garden club or the ladies sewing circle, then I'm cool with it. 


My problem comes in when I can't enjoy a photography club or a hiking club without every meeting being started with a prayer.   God doesn't have to be infused into absolutely everything.  We can (hopefully) take a cooking class or go to a poetry reading without invoking a higher power. 

I've heard that American has a different take on secularism - in that other countries see secularism as keeping religion out of the public space - whereas america more sees it more as freedom of speech in the public space for all religions - correct me if I'm wrong.


I've been pursuing social groups that are non religious by nature - such as the atheist society or humanists or skeptics etc.  But even in the other groups I was involved with I've never had a group that started with a prayer - unless I was in a religious group as the main purpose.  Or with Christian friends at their home - and they haven't been having prayers around us for a while now - since they found out I wasn't religious perhaps.  Or maybe there are just getting slack with their own rituals.

My berst friend is an evangelical christian.  It made her sad when she found out that I am an atheist but, since then, we don't talk about it.  She accepts gay rights so I don't even harp on the fact that it isn't a "lifestyle".
That Christianity isn't a lifestyle?  It does seem that a lot of people do just live and let live with their differing believes and don't feel the need to convert their family and friends to their world view.
That being gay isn't a lifestyle.
Oh OK I get you - LOL - like being gay is just something a person chooses - because they thought they would try it out, or it looked cool!  I just don't know how these people get through their day thinking like that -
Since I was about 14, whenever a friend or family member has started religious discussion or preaching, I've snorted derisively.  When asked why, my response has been for these 50 odd years, "I don't believe any of that religious shit."  This usually causes the conversation to drift to other topics.
at least you are able to be yourself - an still be accepted by the sounds also.... I say that to close family too...

Hey, atheists didn't declare war on religion, fundamentalists declared war on atheists.  They lie and slander us all of the time.  The reason atheism makes your religious friends and family uncomfortable is what they hear about atheists from other theists. 


That being said, I'm all for portraying yourself with what you believe (naturalism, or humanism or whatever) versus just atheist.  You'll find that naturalism and humanism have a lot of shared ground with most religious people's views, even if their official dogma doesn't.  That's the best way in I've found.  Don't challenge, for instance, the official Catholic stance to a Catholic.  Find out what they believe, and then ask why they are Catholic.


Use common ground to talk the religious, and you'll find people will either respect your position or move their own beliefs more often than before.  At least I have.

That makes sense - thanks for the tips - basically take everyone on their own merit and don't make any presumptions...

The other people who responded earlier have it right, for the most part.  As was said, there is no war on religion - - the war is by religion, on all others who don't follow their belief, especially on unbelievers.  Believers are told what to "know" about outsiders.  One thing is that if someone doesn't worship god, then you must be worshiping the devil.  Another is that atheists "hate" god.  Stephan is right about explaining the common ground to believers, but I would ask the believer a direct question, "What have you been taught/ told about atheists or other religions?"  Then you have something to work with.  


I do not interfere with rituals/prayers, but I do not respect their beliefs, just their right to have them.

fair enough


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