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all 102 comments

[–]G4M3F4C3 80 points81 points ago

That image also conveys my reaction to finding out people still go to church.

[–]YoureMyBoyBloo 16 points17 points ago

Yeah, why does the atheist OP have a church?

Wait, did we get tax exempt status?!

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 34 points35 points ago

I've attended a non-denominational church with my long-term girlfriend, as it is a very big part of her and her family's (+extended family and all family friends) lives. I also like learning more about it and getting a well-rounded perspective and multiple opinions on things within their church, rather than just a view from an atheist's perspective. If that makes sense to you.

[–]Untiedshoes 4 points5 points ago

I'll just leave this here for you. Relevant.

Here's a bit of insight into some of the crazy shit these 'non-demoninational' AKA Penecostal-but-not-really churches pull. A lot of what I said is from a mixed perspective--a more agnostic view if you will. I should really post a diary entry I wrote the day after, which will help give a better perspective of what a Christian thinks of all this.

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 6 points7 points ago

Whoa there. Non-denominational is just that. Grouping all non-denominationals as the same is like grouping all atheists as the same. Not all non-denominational churches are like that.

[–]DefinitelyRelephant -1 points0 points ago

No True Scotsman

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 7 points8 points ago

Different game. If I said, "whoa, those aren't truely Christians" then you'd have a point. But non-denominational isn't a specific group. They don't follow one doctrine or organization.

[–]DefinitelyRelephant 3 points4 points ago

They don't follow one doctrine

Yes they do, they just pussyfoot around it because they don't like labels (and invented a new one instead).

[–]theyliedaboutiraq 0 points1 point ago

'atheist's perspective'

Oh, you must mean 'reality'.

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 17 points18 points ago

To assume that we know everything either is ridiculous. But I mean to at least gain more perspective and information on the backgrounds, history, and contexts within religious texts, as well as understanding Christian lifestyles and ideas better. What gets posted on R/atheism is not a good indicator of the majority of Christians, and it never hurt anyone to entertain more ideas and perspectives.

[–]gamertag543 7 points8 points ago

I'm with callmenighthawk here. Even as an atheist, I go to church with my parents because it's interesting. As soon as I stopped viewing it as a way to drag me out of bed early on Sundays, and started viewing as a chance to observe something different from my beliefs, I began to enjoy myself.

[–]BoredomHeights 2 points3 points ago

You're obviously not Catholic. AAAA-aaaa-oooo-OOOO-AAAA-ooooo. When will this end!

[–]gamertag543 1 point2 points ago

lol, you've got me there.

[–]JohnMcGurk -4 points-3 points ago

Yes. The stupid tax that is paid by those who give their hard earned money to these evil, immoral, child-groping clowns. You sir are exempt.

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 1 point2 points ago

I still understand it. Lots of people use it as a support or for motivation in their life. Whenever I get frustrated and I think of telling someone that believing or going to church is pointless, I've always tried imagining telling it to my grandmother (who was deeply religious and a sweet sweet old lady) and it stops me and gives me a bit of perspective as to why people believe what they do. And I'm perfectly supportive of it, as long as they don't impose it or use it as justification to pester, discriminate against, or judge others.

[–]G4M3F4C3 11 points12 points ago

You can't have religion without ignorance so I look down on the whole thing in general.

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 7 points8 points ago

Everyone is ignorant to some degree. There's no such thing as a person that isn't.

[–]G4M3F4C3 7 points8 points ago

I cannot refute this.

[–][deleted] ago

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[–]callmenighthawk[S] -3 points-2 points ago

There will never be a human who isn't ignorant in regards to something. If someone wants to believe that a creator made them and their life has a purpose. Good for them. Are you trying to make an argument as to if we should let religion exist?

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]callmenighthawk[S] -5 points-4 points ago

So what's the game plan to eliminate all ignorance from humanity here captain?

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]callmenighthawk[S] -1 points0 points ago

My logic that all humans are ignorant in some regard... is invalid? Please. Inform me of people that are not ignorant in any way.

[–]UmphreysMcGee -2 points-1 points ago

That's true, but when someone is ignorant about something, you educate them on it, not support their ignorance by actively engaging with them in the practice of an ignorant activity.

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 2 points3 points ago

We don't always need to correct everyone. Some find comfort in faith. Go tell your grandparents that believing in God is stupid if you adhere to that idea. You wouldn't. Why? Cause we don't always need to be dicks going around pointing out to people that things they value or hold dear may be false.

[–]DownpoursForAll 15 points16 points ago

My college Roommate's girlfriend believed in witchcraft.

I know how you feel OP.

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 6 points7 points ago

http://i.imgur.com/KSMwY.png

My girlfriend believes in it as well.

[–][deleted] ago

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[–]callmenighthawk[S] 3 points4 points ago

Hahahahahahahahaha I have no comment

[–]Dissidius 11 points12 points ago

I can confirm that there are christians who believe in magic, witchcraft, ghosts, spirits and demonology.

My dad slipped a disk in his spine one day when I was a child and passed out due to the pain. He woke up in hospital after emergency surgery and to this day has a huge scar. I remember my Grandad, who was a surgeon at the hospital and always told me shit straight up regardless of my age, informed me of the "gory" details regarding the surgery. A few days after the surgery I remember a pastor from our church came to visit my dad with us. He gathered us around and informed us how a demon had climbed onto my fathers spine and ripped the disk out, and that it was the church's prayers that had cast away the demon - completely disregarding the work of the surgeons.

I think that was the first time I had atheist thoughts and saw the true nature of the church - malicious and brain-washing. Even as a child I knew that demons didn't exist and they were the stuff of myth and fiction. I was then told by the pastor that I am possessed by a demon who was putting these thoughts into my head that demons don't exist, when I questioned his idiotic logic.

To this day my parents still believe in demons and ghosts. I have an undiagnosed sleep condition and my sister has narcolepsy, and my parents straight up say it's because we are "cursed" or "possessed".

[–][deleted] ago

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[–]Dissidius 4 points5 points ago

I ask them why they hid my Hogwart's letter because I'm obviously a wizard who should be fighting demons. It's kinda a sarcy reply but I really have nothing to say when they insinuate I am possessed and that magic is real.

[–]UnholyGeezer 2 points3 points ago

It's ironic. I'm a great Harry Potter fan, but I'd never believe magic existed.

But Christians do.

[–]TricksterPriestJace 10 points11 points ago

If you believe the bible, then you have to face that it considers magic real. Demons are an actual thing. Harry Potter is a threat because they believe it is TRUE. Asteroids don't strike on their own, God threw a mountain at a city with too many gays.

[–]Taodeist 8 points9 points ago

My Dad is a Christian and his church was trying to tell him and others the same thing on Harry Potter and how dangerous it is. He called out the bullshit instantly and told them what they really need to be worried about is that if kids read Harry Potter first there is no way in hell they're ever gonna believe the Bible.

I swear that man is just trolling the fuck out of that place, I just can't figure out his end game.

[–]TommaClock 4 points5 points ago

Dude, he's not a Christian.

[–]Taodeist 6 points7 points ago

Deep down I am aware of that. But he reads the Bible every damn day and always goes to church. The bastard is well aware of my deism and my brothers atheism and agrees very often on our issues with Christianity. He is either incredibly broken or plotting something of immense lulz.

[–]sinisterdexter42 0 points1 point ago

actually in the story of Sodom the Hebrew word for "know" is different from the Hebrew word for "know, as in fucking"

Sodom what wiped out because they where a bit rude to some travellers.

[–]gareen5 2 points3 points ago

1912 according to my windows 98. I think I may need an update.

[–]fish4me 1 point2 points ago

Apparently it's 1692.

[–]GammaTainted 1 point2 points ago

What year is it? Certainly not the 1560s, when consultant on the occult and famed skeptic Johann Weyer published his books which asserted that witchcraft was not real, that demons could not be summoned, and that magic was not credible. Weyer was allegedly one of the first to use the term "mentally ill" to describe those accused of witchcraft, saying that anyone who confessed to the crime was likely to be suffering some mental disturbance.

So, basically, people still talking about witchcraft today are even more behind the times than you thought.

[–]Pwnk 2 points3 points ago

why do you go to church and browse r/atheism?

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 5 points6 points ago

1)Why do you go to church

My family, as well as my girlfriend and her family, and most of my friends, are all extremely religious. I've gone to various churches with many people, but I regularly attend a non-denominational church with my long-term girlfriend. I somewhat enjoy the community that comes with the church, meeting new people, and volunteering to help people in my city. I'm also a huge reader into religious texts (pro and anti), and consider myself very well versed in discussion with both theists and atheists. I enjoy learning of various different interpretations, outlooks, and lifestyles associated with Christianity. It doesn't hurt to expand your knowledge of opinions, views and perspectives upon something.

2)Why do you browse /r/atheism

Because I'm a lifelong atheist.

[–]Pwnk 2 points3 points ago

Cool :D

[–]sludgefiend504 2 points3 points ago

I did the same thing for a while. I was an atheist, but still went with my dad to his church because the people we knew were awesome and I got to go feed homeless in the French Quarter every Sunday.

[–][deleted] ago

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[–]callmenighthawk[S] 2 points3 points ago

Being an asshole doesn't make atheists look any better. If you think a single logical and reasonable argument against a lifetime of indoctrination is going to change anyone's mind... you're wasting your time. Trust me.

[–]MotherFuckinMontana 0 points1 point ago

Its not an argument that changes someone's mind, its a question that does.

Trust me. I'm from Montana.

[–]Ghillieonaire 1 point2 points ago

JUMANJI!!! that's what this picture is from!! I've been trying to remember for quite some time now.

[–]constro 0 points1 point ago

Which church is that?

[–]callmenighthawk[S] 1 point2 points ago

I attend a non-denominational church in SW Canada (won't say exactly what city as to remain somewhat anonymous, as non-denominational churches are pretty uncommon here)

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

That's kind of weird. I personally have never known anyone to possess either witchraft or demons.

[–]yaysuekristy 0 points1 point ago

Christian response: It's the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twelve

[–]Extravajohnza 0 points1 point ago

Even though I find christianity ludicrous, witchcraft and possessions aren't necessarily ridiculous fears if you know what I mean.

[–]UnknownArchive 0 points1 point ago

I posted this earlier, but it was bad timing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLLw2MXDqTE

Occult influences include TMNT, He-man, Thundercats, Super Mario Bros., Simpsons, and meditation

[–]Lexlimo 0 points1 point ago

My buddy went on his Mormon mission because he was conflicted about the church and wanted to see for himself what it was all about. After two years he came back and had seen for himself that the Mormon church was absolute truth. Today he votes against gay marriage because he's afraid if he doesn't, his church will lose tax exempt status for calling gays an abomination. This was a bright guy who is now an instrument of a corrupt organization. Go to church once if you want to see what ts about. But when they start talking about witchcraft and demon possession I'd say you've found all the answers your going to find. From here on out, it's indoctrination or bust.

[–]woodchuck_pie 0 points1 point ago

I have a family friend whose parents actually asked her if she was practicing witchcraft when she painted a picture of some badass fairies for her kids room.

Yep.

[–]Electricrainbow 0 points1 point ago

When I went to a youth group everybody had to pray for the wiccans who had devoted their life to Satan.

Christianity always hates on other religions no matter how similar they are.

[–]monstereddit 0 points1 point ago

Je suis un espion

[–]lebanon100 0 points1 point ago

Haha i feel this way during summer but its more like "what day is it?" lol

[–]Robolenin 0 points1 point ago

THAT SOME DUUUUUMMMBBBBB SHIT

[–]Not_Me_But_A_Friend 0 points1 point ago

what church are atheists going to that talk about witchcraft and demons?

[–]wikipediaBot 1 point2 points ago

Atheists:

Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists.

For more information click here

[–]kingdomcome3914 -1 points0 points ago

I have a better suggestion: use one of Zero's official artwork from the Zero series, and caption it, "WHAT CENTURY IS IT". Just some of my two cents

[–]rizziam -1 points0 points ago

What the fuck church do you go to?

[–]UnholyGeezer -2 points-1 points ago

What year is it?

It's The Year Of Our Lord, silly.

[–]123American -3 points-2 points ago

still goes to church

[–]DTA132 -3 points-2 points ago

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

[–]Fisheswithfeet -3 points-2 points ago

Why do you go to church!??!

[–]paul_mendoza -3 points-2 points ago

Why are you still going to church?

[–][deleted] -3 points-2 points ago

What exactly did you expect from church?