Atheists...?- Page 2

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/25/07 at 9:38pm

Okay. (And this is not solely directed at you, Jaystarr.) Did I not say that I only wanted to voice my opinion and didn't want to offend anybody? You said what you believe in, so don't I have a right to say what I believe in? I read the whole thread. And anyone who would post things like I did simply for dramatic effect is really cracked in the head. I said I was a practicing Catholic. That doesn't mean I believe everything the Church tells me. I rarely go to church. I don't feel it's necessary. I'd rather just pray by myself. And as for the "Peace and love to everyone, but if you're gay get out" thing, I don't go for it. I absolutely see what people are saying about the conflicting teachings there. But I don't believe that God ever actually said that. People did. And personally, I don't think they're right. So yeah, I'm Catholic. But I'm certainly not the buttoned-up nun-with-ruler type. Well, whatever. For now, surmise it to say that I believe God exists, in some way shape or form.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/25/07 at 9:41pm

"I said I was a practicing Catholic. That doesn't mean I believe everything the Church tells me. I rarely go to church. I don't feel it's necessary. I'd rather just pray by myself."

FTR, in terms of the church, that is not considered a practicing Catholic. Under doctrine you wouldn't even be eligible to receive communion.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/25/07 at 9:44pm

As Courtney Love put it in the Hole song "Gutless":

I don't really miss God, but I sure miss Santa Claus.

There was some point after puberty that I realized that God was most likely just another ploy by people in power to trick their underlings into behaving with the promise of reward LATER ON.

Then the more I read about science, it got harder and harder to "believe" in such superstitions as not letting a black cat cross my path, not walking under a ladder, and God.

Updated On: 12/25/07 at 09:44 PM

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 12/25/07 at 9:48pm

I don't believe that all Catholics are evil. I do find it kind of funny that pretty much everyone who's posted in this thread started out as Catholic. But there are a lot of very sane, reasonable, non-preachy Catholics out there. It's fine that you believe in God and the Catholic faith, GTG2 (though, as Colleen pointed out, the Church would consider you less a Catholic than you do). I don't have a problem with people being religious. It's like my father (who stopped believing in God after I was born with a visual impairment and he felt abandoned and resentful, after being a faithful Catholic for two decades): "Religion is a comfort. It's what people do and believe in to get by in their lives, and that's okay." I don't have a problem with it. What I do have a problem with is people forcing their religion on other people. I don't shove my non-belief down anyone's throat so I would hope no one would shove their belief down mine. That's MY two cents.

Updated On: 12/25/07 at 09:48 PM

[winston89]

Posted: 12/25/07 at 9:49pm

Suleen,

I had trouble belieaving at a similar point in my life as yours. My Bar Mitzvah.

I just have trouble belieaving that there is an invisable man up there who wants us to do everything he says. My personal rule on this sorta thing is that if I can see it I believe in it.


I find the whole idea of orgainzed religon to just be stupid. Just the thought of someone paying thier money to be told what to think is somthing that I laugh at.

And Glindathegood. For the love of god read the thread before you post. Your comments were nothing close to relevant to what the thread is saying.

Personally, I find the idea of something like Scientology to be just as practcle in my mind as something like the story of Jesus.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 12/25/07 at 11:40pm

I dunno. My rationale is probably a cop out, but it works for me. I grew up Lutheran and went to parochial school through 12th grade. Never set foot in a church again for more than a decade. In truth, I missed the sense of community and, most of all, the music. I landed in a UCC (liberal and inclusive) and started singing in the choir. Moved to NYC, and found an Episcopal church around the corner. No one asked me to say what exactly I believed; didn't have to sign on any dotted lines. The message of the church invariably centers on social justice. They have a homeless shelter, voter registration drives for the homeless, and are openly supportive of gay rights, both in word and deed. And the music is terrific. It's a church I can attend unapologetically.

As for my actual beliefs, they tend to be somewhat amorphous. I believe there is some kind of "god", and that the different gods that are worshipped across the universe are the same essence; that we've just been born or chosen different traditions by which we relate to the god concept. I happen to have been born into Christianity, and that is my tradition. Do I take it literally. No. Do I think Christianity has been used as a means to do bad things? Absolutely.

In the end, it is what it is. And it works for me and my life. But you won't find me out in the mission fields trying to sway others from their traditional pathways...

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 12:48am

Hey glindathegood22- you did not insult or offend me. I read so many negative posts about Catholicism (on other boards as well) that it is refreshing to read something positive for a change. I have been a Catholic my whole life- we are a dying breed.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 12:51am

All I have to contribute is that it's spelled "Atheist."

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 1:13am

Oops, fixed it, thanks.

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 8:38am

"I have been a Catholic my whole life- we are a dying breed."

Oh PLEASE don't tell me someone actually just said that.

[Miss Elphaba]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:31am

I used to go to church of my own accord, as i grew up in a non-religious family(my dad only recently found religion again. Then i started thinking about things. My Godson got meningitis when he was 2, it developed into cerybl palsy and hasn't been able to walk, talk or do anything for himself in 9 years, and that made me think, if there really was a god, there'd be some kind of improvment, he hadn't done anything wrong and it just stopped making sense to me.

Since then I've stopped believe entirelley, based on other events that have happened, in my life and more importantly in the life of my best friend, who grew up catholic, lost her mother to MS when she was 8 and her dad commited suicide last year. If God wouldn't even look after one of his own, how can he be real...

That was totally babbled out and probably didn't make much sense...

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:38am

I believe there is something out there but I really don't know. So many terrible things happen in this World. One good example is my Cousin dying on Christmas.
If you believe say a prayer for Leonard Adler.

[CJR]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:40am

iHeartmyGeek, I think they mean it in the sense that so many people are very quick to denounce and criticize Catholicism.... much quicker than any other religion, me thinks. At least that's the way it seems most of the time.

I am not an atheist. I *am* Roman Catholic.... I don't believe everything I was brought up being taught in the church, but I do believe. I will never tell anyone they're wrong for what they personally believe -- that's not at all my place.

However, personally, I find a slight issue with everyone who's saying there must not be a God (of any kind) if people are taken from us before we think it's time. Yes, it is awful when someone dies suddenly, tragically, or young. I am not at all denying that. My father didn't even live to see 50, but I don't blame God for that. Im one of those people who believes in the bigger picture. That there's a plan for everyone and that everything happens for a reason. We may not see it at the time, but there is always a reason. At least in my life, there always has been.

Again, I don't fault any of you for displacing blame on someone or something you have not decided if you believe exists or not, it just kills me sometimes -- as a faithful person, not even as a Catholic -- to read things like "if there was a God _______ would NEVER happen." I just simply cannot believe that. Let's say, for the sake of argument that all you atheists are correct and there is no higher power; There is no God of any kind. What makes you so sure that there would be no death, destruction, war, or terrible sickness? Do you honestly believe that? Im not trying to start an argument -- just asking questions so I can get a better understanding of another point of view.

That being said, I feel the need to point out that atheists do not believe in any sort of higher power or any kind of religion..... so maybe, from what I'm reading, some of you responding here aren't atheists, but rather just apathetic about religion.....?

Updated On: 12/26/07 at 09:40 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:46am

My Question Is:

For people who label themselves "ATHEIST":

Do you celebrate Christmas?

Because if you do, I have some news for you.

YOU ARE NOT ATHEIST.

Updated On: 12/26/07 at 09:46 AM

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:50am

Foster, trust me, if it were up to me I would not celebrate Christmas. But both sides of my family are strongly religious, so (very much like being forced into Confirmation) I have to celebrate every year.

CJR, you make some good points. I don't think that Catholicism is the most-denounced or the most insulted denomination in Christianity, I'm thinking that a few stricter sects would probably get that prize. Personally, I find Catholicism to be one of the more reasonable denominations. But again, that's just me, I don't have any idea about the rest of the world.

Updated On: 12/26/07 at 09:50 AM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:50am

Considering Christmas traditions are almost entirely based on the pagan celebration of the winter solstice, one can celebrate "Christmas" without being a Christian.

How many Christians who celebrate Christmas even spend a second thinking about Jesus Christ or the "reason for the season"?

[CJR]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:52am

iHeartmyGeek-- I didn't mean to imply that Catholicism is the most denounced... I can definitely think of a few religions that take that prize! lol Here at least, it seems like people are quick to jump on the Catholics for what they were taught and what they believe. Which I think is where the original poster was going with that.

[CJR]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:52am

How many Christians who celebrate Christmas even spend a second thinking about Jesus Christ or the "reason for the season"?

You'd be surprised how many.

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:55am

Well, that's true, like I said earlier it was kind of funny to see that most of the Atheists who posted in this thread are, as I say, reformed Catholics. I think that Catholicism, while not being the most obscure or strict denomination, does have a very polarizing quality--you're either in or you're out. And the people who are in tend to be really in, and those who are out...well, they post in this thread.

Colleen, I know you and I have had our differences in the past, but I would just like to say that I love you:)

[CJR]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 9:57am

Replying again to add a response to this:

FTR, in terms of the church, that is not considered a practicing Catholic. Under doctrine you wouldn't even be eligible to receive communion.

That's actually not completely true. They could not receive communion without first going to confession. Confession would serve as an absolution and allow them to be received back into the church.

Me, I don't believe in confession. I believe in repentance, sure, but I don't think that by sitting there, chatting with my priest and telling him all the "awful" things I've done this week and him telling me to say 50 Hail Marys that I will be absolved. I believe that comes with time and a change of behavior. I also believe (as I was taught) that you can "talk to God at any time" -- You dont need to be IN a church to do it. When it comes to repentance, I like to cut out the middle man that the priest serves as. LOL But that's just me and the aforementioned was according to the "rules."

iHeartmyGeek, I think there can be a happy medium between IN and OUT in Catholicism. At least in my church there is. Nobody is really completely pious and devout (though I do know some people who come close).... it mostly comes down to living your life in a good way, setting a good example and helping to pave a smooth path (with aforementioned good example) for the young people in our lives. At least, that's what I believe it's all about.

Updated On: 12/26/07 at 09:57 AM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 10:00am

"That's actually not completely true. They could not receive communion without first going to confession. Confession would serve as an absolution and allow them to be received back into the church."

Which is why I said she wouldn't be eligible to receive communion. She is not currently considered in good standing by the church.

[CJR]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 10:02am

Yeah, but 10 minutes with a priest changes that, so it's not like she's being excommunicated for not having gone in a while. That's according to the old doctrine, of course. Most churches don't even notice. We have a handful of parishioners who only show up maybe 4 times a year. Without fail, they always receive communion. Monsignor either never notices, or is just happy enough to see them there that he doesn't care. LOL

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 10:03am

I never suggested she wouldn't.

Though I am rather willing to bet that she doesn't sit confession before receiving communion.

[CJR]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 10:05am

I don't either. It's rare that I'll miss a mass anyway, (as I sing in the choir and solo at my church) but when I do, I don't go to confession before receiving again. I explained why in my post above.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/26/07 at 10:09am

An interesting perspective on theological belief through Santa Claus

" It’s hard to even consider the possibility that Santa isn’t real. Everyone seems to believe he is. As a kid, I heard his name in songs and stories and saw him in movies with very high production values. My mom and dad seemed to believe, batted down my doubts, told me he wanted me to be good and that he always knew if I wasn’t. And what wonderful gifts I received! Except when they were crappy, which I always figured was my fault somehow. All in all, despite the multiple incredible improbabilities involved in believing he was real, I believed – until the day I decided I cared enough about the truth to ask serious questions, at which point the whole façade fell to pieces. Fortunately the good things I had credited him with continued coming, but now I knew they came from the people around me, whom I could now properly thank.

Now go back and read that paragraph again, changing the ninth word from Santa to God.

Santa Claus, my secular friends, is the greatest gift a rational worldview ever had. Our culture has constructed a silly and temporary myth parallel to its silly and permanent one. They share a striking number of characteristics, yet the one is cast aside halfway through childhood."

http://parentingbeyondbelief.com/blog/index.php

Updated On: 12/26/07 at 10:09 AM