Why does the agnostic complain while the religious does not?

[DailyMail]

Freethinker,

would it help you to imagine you're here with me in the cold wet north where we don't pray at work or even in school anymore? and where we're so multicultural that our universities have built special washrooms solely for the Muslim students so they can wash their hands and feet before prayer 5 times a day?  (I like where I live, a LOT)

[flowerpower]

Carolyn, thank you. 

I was just rereading that article and realizing with horror that it is probably horribly offensive to Christians. I hope you all will take it as a raw and uncensored explanation of how I feel without taking it personally. I bookmarked it a long time ago and had forgotten how blunt it is.

DailyMail, I am jealous except for the cold weather. It is 55 degrees here now and tomorrow will have a high of 80 degrees.  I love my warm weather, but the lack of diversity not so much. I have fantasies of moving to Europe. 

[teartracks]

Hi Freethinker,

Welcome.

I consider myself a freethinker too.

I am Christian.  You are Atheist.  We both live in the same crazy world system.  Christians can no more escape the craziness than can an Atheist.  Please note that I make a distinction between religion and Christianity.  For me to be thrown into that big mixed bag  known as religion is just as offensive to me as it would be to you.

tt

[teartracks]

Hi Freethinker,

I think I'm going someplace with this question, but not sure.  In the Atheist community (if there is such a thing) , do you know how many professing Atheist are in the USA?   And further, on meeting another Atheist, do you  immediately feel a kinship, withthem even though you've never met them before or had a conversation with them about religious or spiritual issues?

tt

[teartracks]

Hi Iz,

Refresh my memory.  I know you're one of the A's, but i can't remember which.

I promise no PTL's when I write to you.

tt

[axa]

heh, heh, heh

Agnotstic, tt, but it made me think of my Nsister's husband said,"Praise The Lord" to me when I said, "Heavens. It's icy!," as I navigated hesitantly on my crutches.

I wonder what the connection is between 'PTL' and  my possibly breaking my neck too?

You  might remember a post of mine now?

Love
Izzy

[teartracks]

Yeah, that's right Iz, Agnostic.

Well, we'r getting a more balanced group of folk her.  Atheist, Agnostic, Christian, and I believe may some Budhhist or at lest those leading to Budhhism.

tt

[Gabben]

when I read posts here it feels like an exclusive Christian board and I definitely don't fit in.

My background as it relates to feeling voiceless is as follows: I was brought up by a paranoid, narcissistic mother and a passive father. My in laws are very narcissistic and my husband has "traits" of narcissism. I am doing my best to develop a voice, but often feel that I am invisible. Being different (atheist in the South) makes it more challenging.

Hi Free,

Thank you for your post. I was sad when I read the part about "exclusive Christian Board" -------------NOT, ask Hops. I have not even read the rest of this thread yet, perhaps Hops has already welcomed you?

I'm sorry for the pain you have had to endure. I too have come from the kind of background as you describe, my mom suffered from paranoia and alcoholism N traits. That is a very painful upbringing and one that takes a lifetime to work through. Not to say there is not hope and joy along the way but let's just say that I know your pain.

Please hang out here, the atheist's need you (((((((((((((((((Freethinker)))))))))))))))

[Hopalong]

Hi Freethinker, and welcome.

I sometimes listen to FreeThoughtRadio on the Air America network on Sunday afternoons, if I catch it. It's very interesting, and might give you more of a feeling of community. I'm sure they'd have an online forum, too.

I wonder, do atheists feel at home with humanists? There are a lot of Humanist Societies about, perhaps you'd find kindred spirits.

Meanwhile, glad you've found us!

Hopalong

[flowerpower]

Hi Freethinker,

Welcome.

I consider myself a freethinker too.

I am Christian.  You are Atheist.  We both live in the same crazy world system.  Christians can no more escape the craziness than can an Atheist.  Please note that I make a distinction between religion and Christianity.  For me to be thrown into that big mixed bag  known as religion is just as offensive to me as it would be to you.

tt

Hi tt, thank you for the welcome. I don't mean to offend with the word religious. I do understand the differentiation between religious and spiritual. I am neither, but I do know many people who self describe as spiritual versus religious. Is your view of being "religious" legalistic and dogmatic?

By the way, I kind of regret the link for my first post. I forgot the specific language that was in that post. It resonated with me when I read it awhile back, but I realize it is insulting to believers and that is not my intention. I wanted to share how alienating it can feel for a non believer in the society we live in.

[flowerpower]

Hi Freethinker,

I think I'm going someplace with this question, but not sure.  In the Atheist community (if there is such a thing) , do you know how many professing Atheist are in the USA?   And further, on meeting another Atheist, do you  immediately feel a kinship, withthem even though you've never met them before or had a conversation with them about religious or spiritual issues?

tt

tt, Actually getting atheists together is a bit like herding cats so we will never take over the world.  I believe atheists account for less than 10 percent of the population of the USA. I might feel a kinship upon first meeting another atheist just because it very rarely happens. However, since atheism is not a belief, but just a description of what we don't believe, it doesn't follow that I would necessarily have anything in common with another atheist.

[Certain Hope]

Hi again, Free,

Just wanted to let you know that I never clicked the link... and no offense taken. I can kinda imagine, though... because I have had some pretty strong feelings of my own about religion, and not toward agnostics... but rather toward those whom I consider legalistic death-mongers. ahem. Anyhow, I understand.

Thanks for your thoughtfulness... and again, welcome!

Carolyn

[lighter]

::raising hand::

Spiritual here....

not religious.

Welcome Free.

[flowerpower]

when I read posts here it feels like an exclusive Christian board and I definitely don't fit in.

My background as it relates to feeling voiceless is as follows: I was brought up by a paranoid, narcissistic mother and a passive father. My in laws are very narcissistic and my husband has "traits" of narcissism. I am doing my best to develop a voice, but often feel that I am invisible. Being different (atheist in the South) makes it more challenging.

Hi Free,

Thank you for your post. I was sad when I read the part about "exclusive Christian Board" -------------NOT, ask Hops. I have not even read the rest of this thread yet, perhaps Hops has already welcomed you?

I'm sorry for the pain you have had to endure. I too have come from the kind of background as you describe, my mom suffered from paranoia and alcoholism N traits. That is a very painful upbringing and one that takes a lifetime to work through. Not to say there is not hope and joy along the way but let's just say that I know your pain.

Please hang out here, the atheist's need you (((((((((((((((((Freethinker)))))))))))))))

Thank you! I am very sorry to hear about your mother's issues. I will have to post more of my story when I have more time. My typing skills suck so long posts take me forever. I would like to think I could help other athiests feel comfortable here. Maybe there are others lurking like I have been.

[flowerpower]

Hi again, Free,

Just wanted to let you know that I never clicked the link... and no offense taken. I can kinda imagine, though... because I have had some pretty strong feelings of my own about religion, and not toward agnostics... but rather toward those whom I consider legalistic death-mongers. ahem. Anyhow, I understand.

Thanks for your thoughtfulness... and again, welcome!

Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn.