A few questions for fellow atheists

[BustaMike]

Ever been to a Unitarian Universalist church? It's church for (among others) atheists, but it's the only place where EVERYONE is accepted and no one ever says that your spiritual beliefs are wrong.

[Jack the Bodiless]

Nobody I've met in "real life" has attempted to preach at me. Outside churces, which I only attend for weddings and funerals.

...Except one. A very good friend of mine was the son of a vicar, but not religious himself. Until he went to university and acquired a girlfriend who was some sort of evangelical Christian. Later, several of my friends met up for a reunion, and we started talking politics and religion (just for fun). He informed me that I was going to Hell.

We have never met since. He just cut off all contact with the rest of us after that night.

[Az]

A friend of mine has started to believe in god, because, (direct quote!) "It makes one think less". Well, I said that that's what she wants, and that's what makes her happy, I will not judge her, and just hope that she's happy. I started debating her, but then I realized that she doesn't want that, so I just let her stay in her blissful ignorance.

I obviously, don't agree with her, but still.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by BustaMike
Ever been to a Unitarian Universalist church? It's church for (among others) atheists, but it's the only place where EVERYONE is accepted and no one ever says that your spiritual beliefs are wrong.

They are cool.

Just a while ago I adopted the practice of telling people I belong to the UU church when asked by religious people. Nobody here has a clue what the UU church is, which saves me a lot of trouble.

I now only discuss religion with friends when the occasion arises. However, I can still be very argumentative when somebody attempts to "convert" me.

[Lincoln]

Apolyton is no fun anymore. We used to have these flaming religious debates but now I guess everyone has mellowed out. Where is Civnation now that we need him?

[MRT144]

unitarians are sandal wearing yuppies that want to be hippies. i was one for 12 years until i had a falling out involving the chalice and the local fire department having to be called.

[Dauphin]

Go to Hell!

Originally posted by Jack the Bodiless
Until he went to university and acquired a girlfriend who was some sort of evangelical Christian. Later, several of my friends met up for a reunion, and we started talking politics and religion (just for fun). He informed me that I was going to Hell.

Are you sure sure he hadn't just been living in New York a bit too long?

[gunkulator]

Originally posted by MRT144
unitarians are sandal wearing yuppies that want to be hippies. i was one for 12 years until i had a falling out involving the chalice and the local fire department having to be called.

Geez, I never heard of anyone getting kicked out of the UUs!

I'm in the go-along-get-along crowd for weddings, funerals and the like. Life's too short to argue with friends and families over who has the best imaginary friend. The internet otoh...

[MRT144]

i feel the same way gunkulator. i think everyone should go out and get trashed together after the sabbath and watch sporting events, the real religion of man.

[Lincoln]

Yes, sports does seem to be the main religion now. Even in church the teams are discussed. I guess that makes me an infidel because I can't stand any professional sport.

[MRT144]

its okay, as long as you can provide the alcohol

[Lincoln]

Yeah, OK...

[MRT144]

thats the thing i love about sports. you and your friends can get together to "watch the game" but usually it can turn into something better with a BBQ, and drinking, and possibly more BBQ later that night. Sports is just a great cover for male bonding.

[RGBVideo]

Moving a bit off-topic, I guess, but...

I can't stand any professional sport.

Good. Keep it up.

[Sava]

I typically bite my tongue because most of the real religious people I know are stupid, and they certainly aren't worth the time I would waste arguing with them. My mother is not what you would call religious, but she definitely has faith. I often discuss my feelings that one shouldn't believe there is a God, or there isn't a God. We simply don't know either way. Her faith acts as a comforting tool for her, so I don't bother her. I don't have a problem with whether or not people believe in God, Allah, Zeus, or a pink elephant... but I have a real problem with people that try to preach their beliefs to others, or use their beliefs to justify some other agenda. I also dislike it when people say, "God says..." Nobody who has ever lived knows what happens when we die, what lies beyond... if there is an afterlife or not.

As for when I am at religious events...
As an Orthodox, I do not cross myself during the services. I haven't since I was around 9 or 10. I don't really care about how other people carry out their religious rituals; funerals, weddings, etc... Those occasions have more to do with the living than the dead or God.