So I am at work this afternoon out front taking a smoke break with 2 of my employees.

[Eko]

And these 3 ladies walk up to us and ask how we are doing. We all say great, good, doing well, how are you, the things you say when someone does this. She says great then proceeds to ask us if we are saved, One of my employees is pretty religious so he says yes I go to church and follow the lord, she turns to my other employee and asks him and he says he is an atheist. She replies that they will pray for him tonight. I just look away and don't let them engage with me at all. I'm thinking really? What kind of person would say and think something like that? I was thinking to myself to say "You know what? When I go to bed tonight I will think and hope fervently that you can find the right way to think and become an atheist". Not because I care or want them to think like I do but to just put it right back at them as to how fucking disrespectful that is. To walk up to someone and ask if they believe like you do, something that no one can prove, and when they don't tell them that you think they are so wrong that you will spend your time at home wishing that they believe what you do. I cant do that because well, that would get me fired and would be wrong to do so.
Sorry for the rant.
Eko.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. Effin' religion busybodies.

You guys were a lot nicer than I would have been.

[RKP5637]

2. K&R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[DENVERPOPS]

21. What was it Cheryl Wheeler said?

"I have no problem with you listening to your imaginary companion........But if you start telling ME that I have to comply with what your imaginary companion tells YOU, then we are gonna have a BIG problem".......

[Major Nikon]

3. If it's right for religion to be promoted, it must be equally right to protest it

If both of those things aren’t equally true, there can be never be religious freedom.

[Eko]

6. True, but ending up on fox news in a cell phone video of

"STORE MANAGER OF SO AND SO COMPANY ATTACKS PEOPLE FOR THEIR RELIGION!!!" is not something that will let me keep my job. Even more important my religious employee who is an awesome great guy may feel offended. Outside the store on public property people have the right to say what they want, that's the deal with being an American. In the store if it's not affecting other customers or employees, like they want to talk to him some and is not interfering with his job duties, I can deal with that.

[Major Nikon]

60. That goes right to the heart of what is so wrong about religious discourse

Even right here on the religion group on DU you have people who claim people can’t be critical of organized religion because this is somehow an affront to religious freedom since someone might be offended. The reality that attitude is a far greater threat to religious freedom. If organized religion is so fragile it can’t withstand critical thought being applied, then it certainly doesn’t warrant any level of protection masquerading as tolerance. That attitude is actually highly intolerant given the idea that one viewpoint should be protected while the other is attacked.

Most large companies frown on proselytizing at work because if it is unwelcome and pervasive it becomes a form of harassment in which the company can be rightly sued for. The people who do this are assholes and should be called out for it both by employees and the company.

[Eko]

61. You get it.

I'm going to put in for a promotion for you to Lieutenant Colonel Nikon.

Thanks,
Eko.

[Major Nikon]

62. These days I'm more happy being captain of my own vessel

[elleng]

4. 'Saved? Greenstamps? They went out YEARS ago.'

Bye!

[rubbersole]

24. I got my first guitar with Greenstamps.

61 years ago. An acoustic Kay. Chet Atkins couldn't play that pos. But I loved it and traded it in for an electric 3 years later. Greenstamps at the grocery store and Savings Bond stamps at school. Moisten to stick. Damn near child abuse.

[WaterSong1951]

5. Had that happy horseshit thrown at me once

In my own home - told the person to get out and never return- also that language is not allowed in the workplace -spent many hours going through training about it and could get yourself fired

[Eko]

8. Religion is a protected class in the workplace.

Interfere with that at your peril. Its a fine line and lots of bad publicity for the company if you do that.

[Major Nikon]

63. That also includes atheism

From a legal standpoint discrimination based on religion also includes non-religion. And the worm has turned regarding bad press associated with intolerance regardless of which direction it goes.

[barbtries]

7. they never think

about how disrespectful and downright rude they are. I just got into a conversation with a friend on fb about just this and told her sometimes I fantasize about just turning the tables on them.

Let's go knocking and doors and asking people have they figured out yet that gawd was made up by man and not the other way around?

[Eko]

12. That would be pretty fucking insulting to them.

But we don't do that. I would never think its ok to walk around to meet total strangers and ask if they are atheists and when they aren't insult them. I fully understand that this is not the normal actions of every religious person so I am not putting this on all of them. Maybe I am bringing this up to show the culture that protects people who do this. This is not acceptable behavior for anyone religious or non-religious but if you did this as an atheist it would be all over the news.
Eko.

[barbtries]

15. well that's the whole thing.

they have carte blanche to do it and then they play victim. basically they refuse to acknowledge that any other belief system is not only reasonable, but it's allowed under our system of government.

i was kidding by the way. i'm not going out and proselytizing for atheism or any other metaphysical beliefs. mine are mine, yours are yours. we're ALLOWED to hold the beliefs that we do and should not be vilified, accosted, preached at, "prayed for" or any other thing. it's rude. it's disrespectful, and it pisses me off.

with my friend i offered a shoe on other foot scenario. she agreed that it was disrespectful. the post in question was from her mother, a friend since childhood, and complained that she was mocked for believing in jeezus and would never apologize blah blah blah. the daughter said i don't think writing about jeezus is proselytizing. i never said it was, even though i think it is.

isn't there something in the bible about doing that? aren't they not supposed to?

[Eko]

19. I didnt think you were being serious.

I just wanted to be clear I was not on here advocating for that at all. There are people that I respect that are religious, there are people on here that I respect that are religious. As much as I want to just grab them and shake them and yell that what I believe is correct I have to remember that I can be a pompous jerk and that

When it comes to me being an atheist.
Eko.

[barbtries]

20. yep. that's right.

i can be rude right back if they show up at my door or accost me in public however. my friend and i had discussions arguing back and forth but it never got ugly and neither one of us prevailed, clearly. eventually she stopped trying to change me - i mean I was never the person starting that conversation.

[NJCher]

33. your switch the tables thought exercise

made me realize I don't care whatsoever if anyone agrees with me about religious or spiritual concepts.

It really isn't a thing one should buy into. It's something each person should figure out on their own.

But the idea of going door to door promoting athiesm is really funny. Should be an SNL skit!

[barbtries]

35. the idea of going door to door

pushing gawd is no different though - and people do that. isn't that just as funny? it's kind of like i perceive a default view with which i do not agree.

[Thunderbeast]

9. Why can't these people use Jimmy Carter as a model

If Christianity is truly the world view that answers their questions and brings them comfort, then let them modestly and quietly do the good works of their messiah. If they ask me to work in the soup kitchen, or build Habitat homes, I will entertain their request.

If instead, they massage their fears and insecurities by seeking my agreement with their chosen fairy tale, then I have nothing but contempt...and I will let them know how utterly stupid I believe them to be.

Myths of the bronze age must be stripped away from the few universal truths learned over the centuries by civilized humans. The core message of the "golden rule" serves us well, but we have no more need for the fear and threats that spew forth from 21st Century pulpits.

[Eko]

13. Carter is awesome.

[Skittles]

57. because that would require they DO something besides judge other people

and THAT is too much work

[msongs]

10. when someone pitches their religion an du didnt ask, watch out. that woman thinks

you deserve to go to hell

[True Dough]

11. The three of you were out there smoking cigarettes?

I will pray for your health!




Kidding! I don't pray for diddly squat. But give up those cancer sticks, damn it!

[Desert grandma]

14. Another answer

Last edited Sun Mar 5, 2023, 02:35 AM - Edit history (1)

" Of course." " I believe that everyone is saved!"
That's what I told someone once. They did not know what to say.

[LudwigPastorius]

16. There's a fine line between "As my Father hath sent Me, even so send I you" and...

[LakeArenal]

17. When someone says they'll pray for me I say thank you.

I don’t believe in divinity so it doesn’t matter to me any more than when someone says god bless you when I sneeze.

[stopdiggin]

22. kinda' in the same lane on this

I mean, I understand where the offense stems from - trying to superimpose your belief over the top of mine - but most of the time it's not done with ill intent - and frankly I've got bigger fish to fry. And - any attempt to 'correct' - is almost certainly to make you look like a bigger jerk, than them.

[Eko]

25. Well, how do you know if it was done will ill intent or not?

I don't know and neither do you. I most certainly have bigger fish to fry, but you can fry more than one fish and yes correcting them will make you look like a bigger jerk. Do you think that is right?
Eko

[stopdiggin]

58. I suppose its amatter of picking your battles.

You can go all 'proactive' and 'instruct' someone as to how they are crossing boundaries - if you feel it worth the effort - and you don't mind the fact that you've now become as offensive (and as big a bore) as the original transgressor. Do you have a similar reaction to someone who greets you with a 'namaste', a 'blessed be', or a 'walk in peace?'

I'll continue to maintain (in the large majority of cases) that it is easier, entirely more civil - and, in the end, much more beneficial - to respond to these minor, and mostly unintentional, slights with a, "You too, brother" N' then I'm moving on.

[TigressDem]

18. Some thoughts.

I wouldn't go up to someone and say that, because I feel that being a Christian is about my own walk with Christ and keeping my own nose clean. IF someone asks, I am honest, but I've never wanted to push religion at anyone.

However, having been around many types of Christians and other faiths, atheists, pagans and such..... I have seen people get along despite their differences and people make everyone uncomfortable from any position. It all comes down to respect and a light touch.

SO WHY would someone start out nice and friendly and then offer to pray for an atheist? Don't they REALIZE how offensive it is?
(I hear you, really I do. I get it.)

Basically, they may totally accept that others have every right to believe or not believe, but let's say there is even the slightest chance that someday science could prove the existence of intelligent design and some sort of higher power that started all this chain reaction of evolution.....

Think Higgs boson and Black Holes.....

https://scitechdaily.com/science-made-simple-what-is-the-higgs-boson-god-particle/

https://www.science.org/content/article/black-hole


There was a time where there really wasn't a way to "prove" black holes existed and a time when no one even thought about them.

Higgs boson particles are way weird. Quantum physics is a slide down the rabbit hole at times.




IF Christians are right and there is some day a way to prove the existence of God, it's just a kind thought to hope everyone might feel the love that exists in people of faith for all of humanity.

They are TRYING to NOT be those a**hole Christians PUSHING anything on others, but wishing them a nice day.


I KNOW IT SEEMS ridiculous, self-righteous and INSULTING, but it's a step in the right direction of NOT JUDGING or EXPECTING a person to "convert or go to Hell".

A way to say, "I believe and I wish you the best in the only way I know how to do that and stay true to my beliefs." NOT ANY EXPECTATION OF THE OTHER PERSON CHANGING, but a kind thought toward others who don't have the same beliefs.




I once sat next to a Druid at work and he sneezed.

I said, "God bless you."

He said, "Which one?"

I said, "Take your pick, it's your blessing."

He said, "I can live with that."



There are MANY wonders to discover in this world and the universe. Who knows what the final answer will be?

We just need to make it through this life and be our best self, however that shakes out.


I think the way Jesus taught and treated people sounds like a good way to live, so he's my example and I'm good with that.

I respect that others believe differently.

It makes the world more interesting.


IF you take anything from this, simply open your mind to the possibility that they meant no disrespect, though they certainly DID act in a disrespectful manner according to any rules of engagement where someone doesn't assume a position of authority OVER others.


Sorry that it gave you that angry slimy feeling.


And I don't know those ladies.... maybe they DID mean it that way.


BUT you DO have personal power over whether you let it wreck your day or just let it slide off as really "more about them" than anything you need to worry about.


You could also simply look at them and say, "Respectfully, ladies, I am also an atheist, but please DON'T pray for me. You may not understand it, but it comes off as judgemental and I'd prefer to simply be allowed my choice and not be on your prayer list. IF you DO believe in God, then you know He gave man free will and wouldn't force Himself on anyone. You may be trying to be nice, but it just comes out offensively. Have a good day."


IF you stand up for yourself without resorting to defensiveness, you can teach them to back off in those cases and save others the discomfort you felt.


It's STILL BETTER to hear about that kind of interaction than to hear ANY THING the Christian Nationalists are spouting.


I am so glad you didn't run into anyone like that. They COMPLETELY give Christianity a bad name. Like whores spreading ghonorea in the name of love. Please.


Enjoy what's left of the night.

[Eko]

23. Noooooo, you dont hear me.

it's just a kind thought to hope everyone might feel the love that exists in people of faith for all of humanity.
Are you saying that us people of non-faith don't feel the same love for all humanity? Cause that's what it sounds like.
I could probably pull more from what you said but just that is enough. That shows you the exact audacity of the people that I met this afternoon. That something you have from what you believe is something that I can not also have. I am not trying to attack you so please don't take it that way, but that is really insulting what you said and I hope that you can rethink you position on this.
Eko.

[TigressDem]

38. You are correct. We ALL can have good thoughts for others.

Do you hate Christians for having their beliefs?

Probably not.

I hear that you are reacting to being treated disrespectfully, because I have had friends and co-workers that have shared their points of view and I've listened.

These ladies didn't REALLY listen. You and your friend weren't HEARD.

I'm mostly saying they are basically clueless and trying to exit as gracefully as they know how, to say they do have good thoughts from their own perspective.

BUT having been around so many people of different beliefs and non-believers who I find to be just people who have ways they prefer to be understood and respected, I realize there is MORE to this kind of interaction than MOST Christians understand because they CAN have BLINDERS and EAR MUFFS on that keep them in a certain train of thought.

IF I had been WITH YOU at that interaction, I would have CRINGED with you guys.


THEN I would have followed the women and explained to them as a "fellow Christian" that what they said was disrespectful even if they didn't mean it that way.


I wish all Christians could meet and really get to know people of other ways of thought. It expands your world view.

Some Christians are threatened by that, others just wish you well and move on.



I personally feel that other people's opinion of me is none of my business.

It's THEIR opinion and they can take it home with them, I'm not going to pick it up and cart it off, especially if it smells like dog doo to me.


Just saying, you can BE the Peace whether you are Christian, Muslim, Atheist, Druid or Wiccan.


OR you can TAKE offense at everything others say and let them rent space in your brain.


It's up to you.


I just know I don't have time to worry about what others think of me.

I spend my time doing what I need to and moving on from weird situations I have no control over.


I just wish we could all get along.


Good people are good people.


Period.

And you are here on DU, Eko. So you're pretty good in my book.

[Eko]

43. Of course I don't hate Christians for having their beliefs.

I hate Christians pushing them on me. They weren't clueless at all, if they were then when my other employee said he was an atheist then they would have just left him alone. Right? But they didn't. They had to give judgement right then and there. He engaged and they had, just absolutely had to tell him that they thought he was wrong, right? They didn't try to exit at all, we had to walk away from them. We exited. Why are you making things up that you don't know? Yeah, some of them have blinders and ear muffs. Exactly what I said in different ways. That's cool if you would have cringed and told them what's up. Great. But you are also making excuses for them. Its not the exact same of course but what if some guys acted very shitty toward some women and you said " Well, some guys have blinders and ear muffs on them". "Well, some bigots have blinders and ear muffs on them". "well, some racists have blinders and ear muffs on them", "some Nazis have blinders and ear muffs on them". You are excusing them for a very bad behavior because you think they are ignorant. You think. But you don't know this. They think atheists are bad people because they are ignorant. Because their religion tells them so. This is not a good argument for religion.
I was the peace, I did the peace.
I never took offense at everything others say and let them rent space in your brain.
How absurd for you to say that.
When you stand where I stand, where being a Christian is against the law in states to run for office,
When you tell a fellow student when you are 14 that you are a christian and they say you are a devil worshiper so that the entire school thinks you are for the entire time you are there,
When your entire family and 2/3 rds of your friends think you are going to spend a eternity in torment cause you don't think the same opinion they do,
Let me know.
Until then, you can wish we all get along, cause that's all I'm doing and you are telling me I am overreacting.

Eko

[TigressDem]

46. Yeah, pushy people are a pain no matter what they are trying to sell.

IN YOU OP, you stopped mentioning these women after you stated:

She replies that they will pray for him tonight.

Then you go into your own thoughts and didn't mention anything more about the women. THAT is why I inferred that it was the last statement they made. This is the first that you mentioned there was any more interaction.

It was still judgemental.

What I've said is not to excuse their behavior, simply to offer you a way to let it be on them and not let it wreck your day.

You sound more like a strong silent response than peace, because it seems like it hurt you and that is what concerns me. You are an ally here on DU and your pain matters in my opinion.


I hate when Christians get pushy and give people even a WORSE opinion of the God/Religion thing. You certainly didn't do any thing wrong and you have the right to be offended.

I am simply sharing strategies that might allow you to have more personal power. I personally challenge myself to NOT take offense because I find it takes away my personal power.

I am sorry that not being a Christian put you in some awful situations.

However, you don't have a monopoly on being mistreated.

I get told to "Go play with my imaginary friend" HERE ON DU and attacked at some times because I try to offer up a sympathetic opinion of support toward non-Christians to show them we don't ALL think that way.

I get lumped in with the MAGA Christian Nationalists just because I am a Christian.

I've had people jump me 20 at a time and beat the snot out of me for MANY YEARS of my life.

My ex tried to kill me.

I've been raped, multiple times.

We ALL have tough experiences and we either come out stronger or become something we don't want to be during the process.

I simply want to support and encourage you to be yourself and don't worry about such a very small statement.

IF you take what I say and throw it to the side of the road, that is your perfect right.

You have lived many years without my assistance, I'm sure you will do fine one way or another.


Take what you like and leave the rest.


If it all smells like doo doo to you, surely, do NOT pick it up.


Whatever works.

But you have twisted some things I've said and made assumptions too.

Welcome to the world of being human. None of us does everything right.

[Eko]

48. No, I didnt twist anything, I used your own words and I shall do so below.

What I've said is not to excuse their behavior, simply to offer you a way to let it be on them and not let it wreck your day.
No where did I say it did or imply this. Why do you bring this up?
What I've said is not to excuse their behavior, simply to offer you a way to let it be on them and not let it wreck your day.

No, you did,
IF Christians are right and there is some day a way to prove the existence of God, it's just a kind thought to hope everyone might feel the love that exists in people of faith for all of humanity.

it's just a kind thought to hope everyone might feel the love that exists in people of faith for all of humanity.
I'm mostly saying they are basically clueless and trying to exit as gracefully as they know how, to say they do have good thoughts from their own perspective.
OR you can TAKE offense at everything others say and let them rent space in your brain.
Wow, put it on me.
I am sorry that not being a Christian put you in some awful situations.

However, you don't have a monopoly on being mistreated.
I simply want to support and encourage you to be yourself and don't worry about such a very small statement.


I think your heart in in the right place, and I am happy for that. I would ask for you to do as much reflection on what you have said and I have said and to come to the conclusion that of course I am correct. I jest of course. I do not know you, anymore than you know me. But we are here on DU, trying to make things better. Maybe I am offering a world that you have never considered or seen, maybe not. Maybe I am a self centered jackass old white male, the odds on that are pretty good unfortunately.Way too good sheesh. Regardless, you are here on DU and being polite despite a very contentious subject and the fact that you have not just told me to go fuck off, pardon my language is very good. As we say in the south, although I am not there anymore,
Keep keeponing.
Thank you for the conversation and I hope to have more with you.
Eko

[TigressDem]

53. I have had THE BEST talks with some atheists.....

Once we get past certain issues.

When someone RANTS about something that happened, and is highly offended by something said and has that whole drama flare about I wish I could just say.....

I guess I put myself in that place and try to think how I would be feeling and hopefully find something helpful to say.

Because we are different people, guess I am missing the mark a bit. Sorry about that.


I LIKE to REFUSE to let people manipulate me in such a non-defensive manner that it makes me feel empowered. It really infuriates people who LIKE to push buttons when I don't allow my buttons to function.

But there are times to stand up for oneself and that's a judgement call as to which works best in certain situations.




My little suggestion about "if Christians are right about the existence of God" is more of a request to be open minded. There isn't any proof God exists, but it's a theory that runs through many cultures so there "might" be something to it.


I CAN SEE YOU as a good person even if you aren't Christian and hope you can see Christians as good people even though we have imaginary friends even as adults.



Other than the statement about praying for your friend, was there ANY indication of ILL intent?


Would it offend you if a person speaking Spanish automatically said, "Vaya con Dios" as that is a standard "good bye" but it literally means, "Go with God" and could be interpreted as "Safe travels" if you remove the "God" aspect and simply take the general intent for your safe travels.


I did have one Pagan co-worker who grew up in Spain and was SO irritated by the constant barrage of Jehovah's Witnesses that came to his home to try and convert him that one day he opened the door buck naked and asked them if they wanted to come inside and join the orgy he was having with his parents and a few friends.

He never had to deal with them again.

They ran away as fast as their legs would carry them and he cherished the looks on their faces and the shrieks that showed above their heads like little thought bubbles.


Now THAT might get you fired if you did it at work. I will admit. It might still be worth it....



Good Night.

[TigressDem]

41. Funny thing is....

You admitted you didn't actually read what I wrote and it kind of shows in your response.

BASICALLY, your argument is akin to "ALL LIVES MATTER" if someone says "BLACK LIVES MATTER".

It's more like they are speaking ORANGE and you are speaking APPLE. Nothing wrong with either one as long as they are not trying to push it down your throat.


YOU DO NOT have to justify your choice to reject religion to those ladies, me or anyone.


You ARE just as valid as any human on this planet.

SOME people get it and some do not.


Don't waste time on any one who looks down on you.

Don't ACCEPT that judgement.


Be YOU.


That's enough.


No one else on this planet is you.

Take your free will and party on, enjoy life and don't waste it worrying about what other people do with their spare time.


Every minute you spend resenting them or me is like you are renting space in your brain to my thoughts.


I am sure you have MUCH better things to do.


Peace.

[Eko]

44. I I have no idea what you are talking about as reply #23 is you replying to me.

Can you be more concise please?

[Eko]

45. Ah, found it.

My post.
it's just a kind thought to hope everyone might feel the love that exists in people of faith for all of humanity.
Are you saying that us people of non-faith don't feel the same love for all humanity? Cause that's what it sounds like.
I could probably pull more from what you said but just that is enough. That shows you the exact audacity of the people that I met this afternoon. That something you have from what you believe is something that I can not also have. I am not trying to attack you so please don't take it that way, but that is really insulting what you said and I hope that you can rethink you position on this.
Eko.

Naw, its not the same. If you ask people that say all lives matter if black lives matter they would most likely say yes. Do you agree with that? If you ask those religious people that push that if atheists can feel the same love that that exists in people of faith for all of humanity, they are going to say no for the most part. Not the same at all.
I dont have to justify, I am valid, I am me, but the law has a different say on the matter.
Business also have a different say.
Imagine me in my jiffy lube shirt (not where I work) with my store manager name tag telling some pushy religious people to shove off in a polite manner going on youtube and then fox news. How valid would my job be then? How would I pay for my free will and party on? When your job is on the line you do have to rent space in your brain.
Eko.

Ps, if someone was filming you at your job and you said you were a christian would you be afraid of loosing your job because of public backlash? Cause I would bet 95/05 that I would if I said I was an atheist, remember, religion is a protected class, non-religion, no so. Walk my shoes.
Eko

[TigressDem]

49. I think it depends on if you've ever been in mixed groups where people were still respectful.

I tend to think the best about people until they prove me wrong.

I was referring to: I could probably pull more from what you said but just that is enough.

That kind of statement seems to say that you stopped reading and made your own judgements. AND I'm probably throwing too much out there anyway. It can be overwhelming.

People that COUNTER with All Lives Matter IN RESPONSE to Black Lives Matter are NOT LIKE YOU AND ME because WE believe that BOTH ARE TRUE. NORMAL people can see that BOTH ARE TRUE.

When the MAGA say it, they are expressing that BLM is OFFENSIVE because they don't matter MORE than anyone else, especially not unborn babies.... but you and I know that WE call attention to BLM because black people dying at the hands of police happens BECAUSE they are black and it HAS TO STOP.

I know a lot of Christians that understand that atheists are not evil by default. That would not fire you for your choice because a lot of my Christian friends believe in seperation of church and state. My sister is a Christian and was impressed with a lady who owned a laundry mat going after people selling drugs near her entrance with a broom.

Ilhan Omar is my rep and she's Muslim as is Keith Ellison who was our rep before her and then became our Attorney General. So things are changing in regards to being able to hold office without being Christian.

If I started trying to preach to people at work, I'd probably lose my job. I'm a temp and it isn't part of my job description to spread my beliefs there. It wouldn't have to even be filmed. I've been let go for being a liberal too, and I'm mostly centrist, but the big dog was moving to the Reich. At least he didn't shoot me.

I worked at a job with an atheist recently. People knew but no one had a problem with it. He wasn't pushing anything on anyone and was a great employee. It was just a fact about him.

MAGA wants to make religion a protected class, not me.

But you may be in a more RED area, so mileage may differ as they say.

[Eko]

50. No, religion is a protected class in federal law.

Non religion not so.
Eko

[TigressDem]

55. MAGA would have you believe that, but it isn't true.

https://www.atheists.org/legal/faq/first-amendment/

Is atheism protected under the First Amendment?

Yes. The First Amendment prohibits the government from punishing citizens for professing and exercising their religious beliefs—including a lack of religious belief. So how are atheists, who by definition do not have religious beliefs or exercise a religion, protected by the First Amendment?

First, atheists are protected by the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing a government-sponsored house of worship or showing preference to one or all religions by passing laws to favor religion, or by forcing citizens to profess belief in religion or attend religious services.1 This protects atheists from being forced to participate in government-sponsored religion and from government reprisal if atheists did not participate.

Second, the Supreme Court has held the Free Exercise Clause to mean that government may not express a preference for “religion over irreligion.”2 In 2005, Justice O’Connor, concurring with the majority’s conclusions in McCreary County v. ACLU, was more explicit:

“The Religion Clauses . . . protect adherents of all religions, as well as those who believe in no religion at all.”3

[Eko]

51. I know of lot of Christians that know Athiests are devil worshippers. 100% sure.

Tell me how I am supposed to deal with that.
Im talking about the deep south where I grew up. So yes, the mileage does differ.

[TigressDem]

54. Same ones who "know" tRUMP won, I bet.

My friends explained to me that some people just don't see the point in God because there is no real evidence. Same goes for the Devil. If you're atheist, you really don't see the point of worshiping either of them. For the Devil to exist, there would need to be a God.

I've actually had a conversation with a Satanic Priest who wanted to date my best friend. I told him it wouldn't work and asked him why he was in that gig because he'd made indications he wasn't happy about it. Said he got there during a time of bad addictions and wasn't in his right mind really but that they forced him to commit some unforgivable sin so he was stuck there.

Now was any of it real? Hard to say, but he believed it.

He also asked me if I would "stop him" if he tried to date my friend, and I said I wouldn't have to she's an adult and can make her own decisions. He said, "What if I put a spell on you and make you convince her?" I told him he doesn't have any power over me if I don't allow it and he knows that. He nodded and left.



Down south.... maybe you could say,

"Just because the only horses I deal with are the ones under the hood of my car, doesn't mean I'm out in the barn yard tipping cows at night. Being an atheist is like being a city slicker, I just don't go out to the farm at all."


It's a thought.

[Skittles]

26. the arrogance of these people is astounding

heaven forbid you just be a good person without believing in the big sky daddy

it's all so ridiculous

[Eko]

27. That is not acceptable to some of them apparently lol.

I have an ex friend that is a Christian Nationalist and before I cut him off he would say how surprised he was that I was an atheist and a good person.

[Skittles]

30. that's just plain arrogance

they cannot conceive of doing good without expecting some kind of reward

[Eko]

32. Nope.

[Eko]

28. Wow, 34 recs to something can be very personal and divisive.

I can tell you all that this post 10 years ago would not have gone this way. I appreciate all of you bigtime, your thoughtfulness, care and support is much appreciated.
Thank you so very, very much.
keep on keeponing all.
Eko.

[Skittles]

52. agreed

I think more people, especially young folk, are becoming aware of the con....

[ancianita]

29. It is quite the affront, isn't it.

But don't believe these women haven't been trained the way their patriarchal families wanted them to go -- whether at home or at church -- missionary work has been on done on the backs of women for centuries. Don't think they weren't trained to think they had made a real choice about this.

I've had the parallel experience when men -- at home, work, dates -- think they can just groom-talk women into being in their image.

As an atheist I feel you, get your experience. But I know that women in male god/male run religions are not agents of their own lives, nor are they considered spiritual equals in their religions.

Thanks for the rant. Glad to hear it.

[Eko]

31. Yup, dudes can seriously suck.

And I'm one of them. On behalf of all men I sincerely offer my apology. The best of us are idiots 25% of the time. The worst, well,,,,,,.
Eko

[NJCher]

34. somebody once said they were praying for me

and that they'd ask others to pray for me, too.

I'd never had that happen to me before, and I found it interesting that I found it insulting.

I recall saying, "Don't bother. Go pray for your own ass. You need it more than I do."

[SeattleVet]

36. Several years ago I was in a supermarket in Laurel, MD...

minding my own business, getting a few items. I was wearing a jeans jacket with an American Atheists patch.

A woman approached me in the aisle, looked at the patch, and said, "Can I pray for you?"

I replied something like, "Whatever floats your boat."

She grabbed my hands and knelt down in front of me and started with her 'Oh, lord, save this....'

She was somewhat shocked when I said (in a rather loud voice), "Get the fuck away from me" and pulled away from her grasp.

[royable]

37. I can't help wondering how they would have reacted if you'd puffed yourself up, stared them down,

and forcefully snarled, "Vile spawn of Satan, writhe back to the depths of hell and trouble no longer these blessed children of God!"

Not that you could have, but still...

[Warpy]

39. "None of your business"

is my catchall reply to people who ask ridiculously intrusive, personal questions, especially strangers.

Now some people might take this as being rude but I think there are too many people out there who need to be reminded that their own business needs a hell of a lot more minding than mine does. My business is my own problem.

Besides, it's more polite than fuck off, which is what I'd prefer to say.

[grantcart]

40. In reality they aren't trying to convert you they are trying to convince themselves

[I_UndergroundPanther]

42. There were a few proseltysers that would

Park thier asses every friday night on the square Irritating everyone at fells point which is a party spot with bars and shows going on etc..

I was sitting on the tomb of the unknown drunk with a few friends.I decided to debate them using thier bible. They really couldn't refute my argument and after 5 minutes they had to admit a satanist who's even hostile to christianity will still go to heaven. I said the bible sez God picks who goes to heaven who does not.Nobody knows who gets picked not even jeezus knows.So why are you coming here every friday?

They weren't there the next weekend...

[Lifeafter70]

47. I had this happen to me

About five years ago I had a manager ask why I always worked on Sundays, don't you attend church? Told her no and that I was a recovering Catholic lol. She said she would pray for me since I had lost my way. Told her I knew exactly where I was going and didn't need her prayers. For the next few weeks she continued to tell me she was still praying for me. I finally had enough and told her she was making me uncomfortable and creating a hostile work place for me. That got her attention and she never mentioned praying for me or religion again. It works both ways if I don't push my beliefs on someone they don't have the right to push their beliefs on me.

[sanatanadharma]

56. A dialog with a 'believer'

A dialog with a 'believer'

"So you believe in God!"
"Yes"
"So tell me, is God infinite and unlimited in time and space?"
"Yes, God is infinite."
"Well, OK. Is God conscious? Is God a conscious being?"
"Yes, well of course."
"OK, God is a infinite, limitless, being. Now are consciousness or existence (being) qualities that God has, or are they the nature of God?"
"Well, I guess they have to be of God's nature, not qualities that may or may night be permanent."

"Fine, changing subject. Are you a conscious being?"
"YES! Yes, of course."
"So you exist as conscious-being and God exists as conscious being?"
"That is true."
"Are you and God separate from each other?"

"Clearly, I am not God."
"But an infinite God of Consciousness exists, and you exist as a different conscious being?"
"Where are you going with this?"

"Just that if an infinite conscious being exists, there can not be a separate second (or billions) existent consciousness, different, apart from, outside of, other than the 'Infinite conscious-being that you say God is."

[drmeow]

59. I told missionaries who came to my door

That they were basically telling me that I was wrong and that they were right (to which the older one continued to looks smug) and then that it was "not very Christian" - she went from smug to the biggest evil eye I've ever seen. It was awesome!