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How I feel as an indifferent atheist when I see posts about religion on the front page (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by galuple

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[–]Squirrelometer 2 points3 points ago

sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted on

I don't know where you live, but here in America, religion is driving us back into the dark ages (yes, that's slightly melodramatic). As an atheist, indifference in such a religion-crazy nation is almost criminal.

Anyway, the picture is funny.

[–]SnuggleBunni69 0 points1 point ago

So what do you suggest OP does, lashes out at Christians? Try to convert them? What's wrong with letting people believe in something?

[–]Squirrelometer 0 points1 point ago

I'm saying atheists and agnostics should care a little. Have you noticed the recent push to put creationism in the curriculum of public schools as science? Teaching our kids pseudoscience as if it were science is a clear step in the wrong direction.

Creationism in schools is just one example. Christians love to manipulate society. They would even like to control what you do in your own bedroom.

This is almost trite, but Edmund Burke once said, "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle."

[–]Squirrelometer 0 points1 point ago

I like to live and let live, but I'm still firmly opposed to any group that encourages hatred, intolerance, and ignorance.

[–]SnuggleBunni69 0 points1 point ago

I mean I think you're making some pretty blanket statements. Even a lot of christians out there agree that creationism does not belong anywhere in school. I'd say it's not an atheist/believer argument but more of understanding of the principals our country is supposed to be based on. I may be putting words in OP's mouth, but what I took him as meaning, and my view is, even though I don't believe in anything, I don't care if others do. I'm not gonna judge them, I mean to be honest I do, but I keep those feelings to myself because I know it's not right to judge others like that. I start having a problem when they take their religion and start trying to affect others with it. But since I don't want them pushing their beliefs on me, I'm not about to push my beliefs on them. I just get annoyed by the double standard in r/atheism that they don't wanna be persecuted for their beliefs, but they're totally up for shitting on anyone who doesn't agree with them.

[–]Squirrelometer 0 points1 point ago*

I can understand your desire to withhold judgement. However, being intolerant of another person's intolerance is not wrong.

You said you lived in Arizona and that you live in California; this is probably why you haven't experienced the militant Christianity that so many on r/atheism are upset with. I live in Michigan, where the religious climate is hot. I know homosexuals who have been disowned by their Christian families. I, as an atheist from a fundamentalist Christian family, have also experienced a certain level of rejection by my family. I love my family so much, yet they constantly judge me aloud, and my own mother constantly monitors my conversations so that she can shut me down if I say anything controversial (i.e. anything that isn't of a Christian attitude). I'm almost afraid to come around for holidays and family reunions.

I don't think you realize how miserable militant Christians can make our lives. If you ever move to a bible belt state, or another highly religious region, you'll understand.

Edit: Just a note: I'm not making excuses for the multitude of idiots in r/atheism. There is certainly a lot of assholes in this particular subreddit.

[–]Squirrelometer 0 points1 point ago

Again, I don't like to judge anyone, but I am extremely intolerant of groups that encourage hatred.

[–]SnuggleBunni69 0 points1 point ago

I get where you're coming from, and I know that to be true of myself, I've never lived in an area where religion ever affected me. But I think my problem comes with the blanket statements about how all christians are stupid and intolerant and that their religion is a joke. Fighting intolerance with intolerance is not gonna get us anywhere, it's just gonna make both sides more angry and less open to rationality. I know religion is incredibly, incredibly flawed, to a point where that might be a gross understatement, and I think we can fight against bigotry. But I don't think we should be intolerant of the religion as a whole. Like if you're christian fine, that's cool. But if you let that religion make turn you bigoted, you're a fuck. I know the line between the 2 is really blurred and hard to distinguish a lot of the time, but I think it's all of our responsibility to work on that.

[–]Squirrelometer 0 points1 point ago

I agree with you on about half of that. The difference here is that you probably know a lot of liberal Christians who aren't hurting anyone with their belief, while I know a bunch of militant Christians who hurt almost everyone they touch.

Both of our viewpoints are probably a little skewed due to limited personal experience (I've always lived in highly religious areas, most notably Grand Rapids, MI; and we've already talked about where you live/lived).

I think we can both agree that bigoted, militant Christians often need to be confronted, while the rest will never be a problem; am I right?

[–]Squirrelometer 0 points1 point ago

I've got a tennis match this afternoon, so I have to fly. It was nice talking to you. If you've still got more to say, I'll have to read it when I get back this evening.

[–]SnuggleBunni69 0 points1 point ago

I can agree with you on that. Good conversation man.

[–]frackmesideways 2 points3 points ago

sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted on

Guy in the background reminds me of this guy

[–]AWFULJACKASS 1 point2 points ago

where everybody knows your name

[–]DougyM 1 point2 points ago

sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted on

I would draw attention to a lot of people probably thinking the same thing when women kicked up a stink in order to be treated fairly.

Also see the black rights movement and the current gay rights movement.

You need people willing to cause an uproar or the established views of society will not change.

[–]jonaheim88 1 point2 points ago

indifferent atheist. hmm..I'm surrounded by prejudice and out right hatred..and its treated as if its legal. so I dont really know whats its like to be indifferent. tolerant yes. indifferent..they wont allow me to be.

[–]09112001 1 point2 points ago

Is that David Arquette??

[–]LogicalContusion 0 points1 point ago

sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted on

Fat white guy making a girly fist ftw.

[–]forresale 0 points1 point ago

i live in the southern America, have friends from all over. i have never once been in a reddit worthy argument. christians i know are respectful like i am. and we chat. am i missing the experience? i am glad if i am and ya'll are in the "foxholes." godspeed. get it? sorry to those that feel animosity for logic and sense in my opinion.

nonedit: kinda drunk vent, just confused that there are such dinguses out there.

[–]SnuggleBunni69 1 point2 points ago

I'm from California but lived in Arizona for a couple years, and I'm totally with you. Persecuted for my agnosticism just seems such and odd concept.

[–]SnuggleBunni69 0 points1 point ago

I like the way you think. I feel like I'm just constantly rolling my eyes at angsty "intelligent" posts.

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