OT: religion

[carlsbadworker]

Now I know what to do if I become homeless.

[UCGal]

Interesting to note which religions had dollar bills, vs just change.

[svelte]

UC, you should peruse kiva.org

For the longest time, the group that had loaned the most was the “Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers”. (The group I belong to on there)

I’m not sure if it is still the same way as I’m just in there long enough to fund new loans now and haven’t bothered looking at the stats.

[NotCranky]

The atheists, agnostics, and Freethinkers are motivated to prove that you don’t need religion to be good and the religious people think they are good enough without really doing anything for the homeless guy. The results are skewed by these things.

[scaredyclassic]

Designed to increase income not provide reliable data

[SK in CV]

[quote=Blogstar]The atheists, agnostics, and Freethinkers are motivated to prove that you don’t need religion to be good and the religious people think they are good enough without really doing anything for the homeless guy. The results are skewed by these things.[/quote]

Not all atheists are out to prove anything at all. In fact, I think most aren’t. It’s an egocentric claim from the point of view of a believer. Believers seem to think that anyone who thinks differently has a burden to support that view. Atheism is the absence of belief. As an atheist, I have no burden to support a non-belief. Some, like me, really just don’t give a shit.

[zk]

[quote=Blogstar]The atheists, agnostics, and Freethinkers are motivated to prove that you don’t need religion to be good and the religious people think they are good enough without really doing anything for the homeless guy. The results are skewed by these things.[/quote]

I would agree with this. I would also say that many “bad” people use their “faith” to convince themselves and others that they’re not bad people.

[creechrr]

[quote=SK in CV][quote=Blogstar]The atheists, agnostics, and Freethinkers are motivated to prove that you don’t need religion to be good and the religious people think they are good enough without really doing anything for the homeless guy. The results are skewed by these things.[/quote]

Not all atheists are out to prove anything at all. In fact, I think most aren’t. It’s an egocentric claim from the point of view of a believer. Believers seem to think that anyone who thinks differently has a burden to support that view. Atheism is the absence of belief. As an atheist, I have no burden to support a non-belief. Some, like me, really just don’t give a shit.[/quote]

+1

I’ve never understood why there is such concern over the religion of others.

Your relationship with your God of choice is between you and that God. Please leave me out of it.

[Doofrat]

Can’t remember where I heard this:
Religion is like a penis: It’s fine if you have one and it’s fine if you’re proud of it, just please don’t wave it around in public or try to shove it down my throat.

[svelte]

[quote=doofrat]Can’t remember where I heard this:
Religion is like a penis: It’s fine if you have one and it’s fine if you’re proud of it, just please don’t wave it around in public or try to shove it down my throat.[/quote]

lol. I think you heard that from me, as I’ve posted it on here before. You have some wording changes in there that I actually like better than what I typically say. Obviously I didn’t practice what I preached (heh) on Kiva. Actually I sorta did since I am anonymous on there.

Most people in my life are unaware that I am a non-believer. I don’t belong to any atheists groups, don’t have one of those fish-with-feet decals on my car, and haven’t filed any remove-that-symbol-from-public-land lawsuits. So for the most part, I keep it down low.

But sometimes people push my buttons just right and it’s like holding raw meat in front of a tiger.

Signing up for Kiva was one of those moments. Someone on here mentioned Kiva and I thought it was a good way to give back to the world. I could encourage independence world-wide by helping fund entrepeneurs in poor countries who just needed a hand, not a hand out.

So I signed up. But first thing I was presented with when I joined was one Christian group after another as options of what I could become a member of on Kiva. Well that was the raw meat. I went looking for a non-believers group and found Atheists, Agnostics, and Non-believers. The only time ever I have joined such a group for anything.

Another ‘raw meat’ moment was during the election with Prop 8. I was doing perfectly fine, was gonna vote against it, wasn’t talking to anyone about it. Then I drove up my street and I’ll be damned if the neighbors on both sides AND across the street didn’t have “Save Marriage” signs planted in their yard, sponsored by a local church. That did it. I put a “Straight Not Narrow” sign in my yard and held a “No on 8” banner on a street corner for full two full days the next weekend.

The third time I can recollect was at work. My boss went to lengths to mention each week about the charity work he did with his church. I smiled and said nothing. Then one week he suggested I join his church group. Raw meat again. I bet he never forgot that conversation.

Anyway, I don’t hate religion or Christians. I just want to be left alone in my freedom from religion. Just don’t hang raw meat in front of me. 🙂

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=svelte][quote=doofrat]Can’t remember where I heard this:
Religion is like a penis: It’s fine if you have one and it’s fine if you’re proud of it, just please don’t wave it around in public or try to shove it down my throat.[/quote]

lol. I think you heard that from me, as I’ve posted it on here before. You have some wording changes in there that I actually like better than what I typically say. Obviously I didn’t practice what I preached (heh) on Kiva. Actually I sorta did since I am anonymous on there.

Most people in my life are unaware that I am a non-believer. I don’t belong to any atheists groups, don’t have one of those fish-with-feet decals on my car, and haven’t filed any remove-that-symbol-from-public-land lawsuits. So for the most part, I keep it down low.

But sometimes people push my buttons just right and it’s like holding raw meat in front of a tiger.

Signing up for Kiva was one of those moments. Someone on here mentioned Kiva and I thought it was a good way to give back to the world. I could encourage independence world-wide by helping fund entrepeneurs in poor countries who just needed a hand, not a hand out.

So I signed up. But first thing I was presented with when I joined was one Christian group after another as options of what I could become a member of on Kiva. Well that was the raw meat. I went looking for a non-believers group and found Atheists, Agnostics, and Non-believers. The only time ever I have joined such a group for anything.

Another ‘raw meat’ moment was during the election with Prop 8. I was doing perfectly fine, was gonna vote against it, wasn’t talking to anyone about it. Then I drove up my street and I’ll be damned if the neighbors on both sides AND across the street didn’t have “Save Marriage” signs planted in their yard, sponsored by a local church. That did it. I put a “Straight Not Narrow” sign in my yard and held a “No on 8” banner on a street corner for full two full days the next weekend.

The third time I can recollect was at work. My boss went to lengths to mention each week about the charity work he did with his church. I smiled and said nothing. Then one week he suggested I join his church group. Raw meat again. I bet he never forgot that conversation.

Anyway, I don’t hate religion or Christians. I just want to be left alone in my freedom from religion. Just don’t hang raw meat in front of me. :-)[/quote]

most Christians i am told believe they have a duty to hang raw meat in front of you. They might phrase it slightly differently; perhaps, sharing the good news of the holy gospel, making sure your soul is ok and set up for eternity..just trying to do you a favor, man. feel bad for you, with your messed up situation…all unsaved and basically willfully blind.
here take this Bible, dude. we’re just going to open this meeting witha little prayer. what’s the big deal? you don’t ahve to listen? this is a christian country, little fella, and if you don’t like it, well, you ahve a right to be an unsaved idiot, just shut up.

or dont.

your boss is an idiot. employmentlawwise speaking…

[flyer]

I agree that a person’s religious beliefs, or lack thereof, are completely their own decision.

Even though I know many feel “believers” just can’t wait to convert them, personally, I could care less what others believe. I know exactly what I believe and why, and no one’s “opinion” will ever change my thinking.

At least we can all agree that no one gets out of this world alive, and the rest remains to be seen (or not.)

[creechrr]

I also don’t hate Christians, Jews, Muslims or any other group. However, the only group that has ever tried to force their views upon me are Christians.

Christians have a tendency of beating about the head and shoulders with their beliefs. I just want to be left alone. Let me believe or not believe as I see fit.

[flyer]

If someone forces their views upon you, just tell them you’re not interested, as you have stated here.

I’ve told many people who insisted on sharing their beliefs with me that I’m not interested because I’m very happy and secure in my own beliefs, and, frankly, have no interest whatsoever in their beliefs–or lack thereof.

Sometimes you have to be firm, but, it can be done.

[ltsddd]

[quote=flyer]If someone forces their views upon you, just tell them you’re not interested, as you have stated here.

I’ve told many people who insisted on sharing their beliefs with me that I’m not interested because I’m very happy and secure in my own beliefs, and, frankly, have no interest whatsoever in their beliefs–or lack thereof.

Sometimes you have to be firm, but, it can be done.[/quote]

amen 😉

[Author]

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