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Post by Merge on Feb 25, 2024 0:36:32 GMT
I strongly dislike just about everything about organized religion. I think in general it does more harm than good. I think it is a form of brainwashing and indoctrination that is somehow seen as benign, and can be a form of mental and emotional abuse for impressionable kids and some adults, especially women. I strongly object to the fact that churches are businesses often occupying prime real estate and are not taxed in any way.
That said, I don’t care what anyone else believes as long as they’re not trying to force other people to believe it, too, and as long as they’re not abusing vulnerable members of their own church.
(ETA: if your religion teaches young children that they will go to hell for failing to follow all the rules, or says you have to confess your “sins,” including sexual ones, to some old man to avoid hell, that’s abuse.)
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Post by Merge on Feb 25, 2024 0:40:07 GMT
It’s so interesting to see the changes in the NBBR from 2000. Honestly, it reflects the changes in US culture. The number of people in the US who identify as “none” on religious surveys has gone up dramatically in that time. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Feb 25, 2024 2:12:06 GMT
I don't care what religion someone is and don't think one is better than another. I think there has been some good that has come from religion, but there has also been, and continues to be, a lot of problems in the world on the basis of religion. I don't agree at all with using your religion as a reason to wage war or annihilate people from another group just for your own power and purpose. And I think there are people of all religions who don't act in ways that go along with the teachings of that religion. That isn't unique to Christians, even though many threads and comments on this board would have one believing that to be true. I think it is just more socially acceptable to call out bad behavior by Christians than it is to do so for people of other religions.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,612 
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Feb 25, 2024 2:56:21 GMT
I’m an atheist, I don’t care what religion you are…or aren’t. I selected I dislike religion because it fits the closest with my true belief which is, I dislike a lot of aspects about organized religion in general. Faith is not the issue for me. But many actions tied to people’s faiths are. And I agree with the caveat that when I say I don’t care what religion you are, it is with an exclusion for cults. All this! |
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,152
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Post by camcas on Feb 25, 2024 3:01:36 GMT
Aussie pea here in case that affects your survey but….Raised nominally Christian but my DH is atheist ,my DIL is nominally Buddhist and younger DS current partner is Hindu .I would say we embrace the different cultures but believe religion/spiritual beliefs are entirely personal .
Happy to embrace any and all provided kindness and respect are shown
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,612
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Feb 25, 2024 3:01:39 GMT
I strongly dislike just about everything about organized religion. I think in general it does more harm than good. I think it is a form of brainwashing and indoctrination that is somehow seen as benign, and can be a form of mental and emotional abuse for impressionable kids and some adults, especially women. I strongly object to the fact that churches are businesses often occupying prime real estate and are not taxed in any way. That said, I don’t care what anyone else believes as long as they’re not trying to force other people to believe it, too, and as long as they’re not abusing vulnerable members of their own church. (ETA: if your religion teaches young children that they will go to hell for failing to follow all the rules, or says you have to confess your “sins,” including sexual ones, to some old man to avoid hell, that’s abuse.) I agree with all this as well. All of it applies 100% to my former religion. |
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Post by miominmio on Feb 25, 2024 8:58:10 GMT
Is the poster brave enough to own the first category check? I'm not religious, but I would assume that a religious person would believe that their belief is the right one...otherwise they wouldn't believe that way, correct? Depends on whether you are a monotheist or a polytheist. Us polytheists acknowledge that there are many, many Gods other than our own. |
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,785
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Feb 25, 2024 12:03:38 GMT
I grew up Catholic. We went to church every weekend. I went to Catholic school for 12 years. I was Catholic and I believed. Then the priest sex scandal broke, it was particularly big news in Boston. When it started coming out it wasn't just "one bad apple" and the church knew and moved these sick bastards around to protect them, NOT the people they hurt, I was out. My whole family was out. I was so very angry, felt betrayed. It happened in my parish.
I don't care what anyone's religion is, whatever helps you get thru the day. HOWEVER, I do not agree with forcing your beliefs onto others. You'd never know there's supposed to be separation of church and state.
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Post by cindytred on Feb 25, 2024 20:44:05 GMT
I'm an atheist. I don't care what religion others are or are not. In theory. In reality I really dislike those religions (or in some cases denominations/individuals) that push their beliefs on others and/or support laws that restrict others based on their views. And yes, cults are wrong. Religion doesn't bother me in theory. Faith is fine. Organized faith - in practice - is source of too many evils. Justification of inexcusable behaviors, exploitation, violation of basic human rights, indoctrination, "holy" wars, oppression, us-vs-them mentality, patriarchy, exclusion, cults, etc.
I don't need someone telling me to be a good person, "or else". I don't hurt people because I don't want to. Don't need some all-powerful invisible entity or leader to threaten me into being a decent human being. Boggles the mind that some people think they do. Empathy and cooperation are part of being a well adjusted rational human.
I deleted my response because it was too preachy which was not in line with this discussion. Say no to cults! Cindy |
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Post by katlady on Feb 26, 2024 0:25:38 GMT
Results are pretty much what I expected. I am surprised more people would not be upset with an Atheist in the family. And the number of Atheist on this board is higher than the national average, 27% (45 yes/164 voters). Thanks for voting.
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Post by shamrock on Feb 26, 2024 2:25:04 GMT
I do t care what religion you are (or if you don’t have one) except if you harm others in the name of your religion. Causing others pain because of your beliefs tells me that your religion doesn’t practice what it preaches.
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Post by annie on Feb 26, 2024 3:02:17 GMT
I was an evangelical Christian for 40 years and now am an atheist. I am thankful every day that I escaped. Most of my friends and family are Christian and I accept them. But I wish more of them would see the light like I have. Life is infinitely better for me now that I have worked through my religious trauma.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 26, 2024 3:02:25 GMT
I’m an atheist, I don’t care what religion you are…or aren’t. I selected I dislike religion because it fits the closest with my true belief which is, I dislike a lot of aspects about organized religion in general. Faith is not the issue for me. But many actions tied to people’s faiths are. And I agree with the caveat that when I say I don’t care what religion you are, it is with an exclusion for cults. I’m not exactly an atheist, but the rest of this is pretty true for me. For the most part I don’t care what other people believe as long as they aren’t pushing it on me or my family. I do have a sibling that I believe is in a cult. Her beliefs didn’t bother me for a long time but since her church leaders really started pushing Trump she has changed quite a bit and it has definitely affected our relationship. It’s hard to be rational when the other person is spewing endless conspiracy theories and other complete irrational nonsense. |
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Post by Zee on Feb 26, 2024 4:49:45 GMT
Results are pretty much what I expected. I am surprised more people would not be upset with an Atheist in the family. And the number of Atheist on this board is higher than the national average, 27% (45 yes/164 voters). Thanks for voting. I've often wondered what bothers people about someone else being an atheist. I think a lot of very religious people think that an atheist cannot have morals, which of course is ridiculous. But when I mention to religious folks that I'm married to an atheist, and am myself agnostic, they seem like it's impossible to be a decent person just because that's how you were raised and how you want to act. We don't need threats of Hell or being left out of an afterlife to be good people. |
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,797
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Post by valincal on Feb 26, 2024 5:18:10 GMT
And I think there are people of all religions who don't act in ways that go along with the teachings of that religion. That isn't unique to Christians, even though many threads and comments on this board would have one believing that to be true. I think it is just more socially acceptable to call out bad behavior by Christians than it is to do so for people of other religions. I would only call out Christians who are blatant hypocrites. The ones who want to tell rest of us how to be moral while they aren’t (by their own definitions). The ones who want absolute freedom but also want the government to control our bodies. That kind of stuff. I definitely hold them to a higher standard, the one they set themselves. |
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Post by katlady on Feb 26, 2024 6:00:52 GMT
Results are pretty much what I expected. I am surprised more people would not be upset with an Atheist in the family. And the number of Atheist on this board is higher than the national average, 27% (45 yes/164 voters). Thanks for voting. I've often wondered what bothers people about someone else being an atheist. I think a lot of very religious people think that an atheist cannot have morals, which of course is ridiculous. But when I mention to religious folks that I'm married to an atheist, and am myself agnostic, they seem like it's impossible to be a decent person just because that's how you were raised and how you want to act. We don't need threats of Hell or being left out of an afterlife to be good people. When I watch YouTube videos with Atheist and Christians calling in, the Christians always wonder why the Atheist isn't going around stealing and killing people. They want to know where the atheist gets their morals from. One response I hear sometimes is "if your God is the only thing keeping you from stealing and killing people, then please keep believing." |
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Post by gar on Feb 26, 2024 9:10:14 GMT
Results are pretty much what I expected. I am surprised more people would not be upset with an Atheist in the family. And the number of Atheist on this board is higher than the national average, 27% (45 yes/164 voters). Thanks for voting. I've often wondered what bothers people about someone else being an atheist. I think a lot of very religious people think that an atheist cannot have morals, which of course is ridiculous. But when I mention to religious folks that I'm married to an atheist, and am myself agnostic, they seem like it's impossible to be a decent person just because that's how you were raised and how you want to act. We don't need threats of Hell or being left out of an afterlife to be good people. Indeed. I have very little knowledge of who in my circle of friends may or may not be religious - it just doesn't come up here. I would guess that in the US it's much more obvious if you're agnostic or atheist. Never in my entire life has a person IRL asked for prayers or offered them to me. |
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hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,714
Location: Adelaide, Australia
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Post by hannahruth on Feb 26, 2024 9:20:26 GMT
So while I live under "Christianity" I don't subscribe to the teachings of organized religion. This exactly ^^^^ |
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Post by Bridget in MD on Feb 26, 2024 12:41:17 GMT
I chose "don't care what religion you are" but that isn't entirely true. I say that because there are cults who believe and push that they are a religion.
Scientology for example. I can't hang out with someone who believes that garbage. ETA: also if you try to push your religion on me, bye. I also picked that option, and totally agree with you about cults. I guess I didn't really consider them true religions, but more like someone's view/agenda they want pushed. |
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Post by littlemama on Feb 26, 2024 13:04:11 GMT
Results are pretty much what I expected. I am surprised more people would not be upset with an Atheist in the family. And the number of Atheist on this board is higher than the national average, 27% (45 yes/164 voters). Thanks for voting. There are atheists who are very insulting about other peoples' religion and there are atheists who just dont believe in God. I think the latter is far more common than the first, which is probably why most people dont care if there is an atheist in the family. |
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Post by candygurl on Feb 26, 2024 13:05:48 GMT
I don’t care if you believe or if you don’t. Just treat people with kindness and not judgement and don’t think you’re one religion is above anyone else’s.
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Post by smasonnc on Feb 26, 2024 15:33:56 GMT
I was raised Catholic and I believe that it informed who I am today. My mom & my grandmother were very religious and my uncle was a monsignor. They were the kindest, least judgemental people I know. Say what you want about the church, but the lessons I took away were humility, the duty to help others, and to love your neighbor.
I grew up seeing this in action. There was always someone at our holiday table who needed a place to go. The night before my wedding we were finishing preparations for the reception and a tired, homeless woman wandered in. My mom got her something to eat and drink and treated her like an honored guest. You don't have to be Catholic to be kind, but my mother's take on it was something like "Be my hands, be my feet."
I was gutted by the Catholic church scandal so I don't go to Mass anymore, and I was always a cafeteria Catholic, but the lessons I took away are still how I want to live.
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Post by katlady on Feb 26, 2024 17:55:17 GMT
I have very little knowledge of who in my circle of friends may or may not be religious - it just doesn't come up here. I would guess that in the US it's much more obvious if you're agnostic or atheist. Never in my entire life has a person IRL asked for prayers or offered them to me. The area I live in is like this. We don't openly talk about religion or politics. It is not like some places I hear about in the south where people will come up to you and ask what church you go to. I know some of my friends are religious, I know some are not, but the rest of them I have no clue. |
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Post by Merge on Feb 26, 2024 18:02:08 GMT
Results are pretty much what I expected. I am surprised more people would not be upset with an Atheist in the family. And the number of Atheist on this board is higher than the national average, 27% (45 yes/164 voters). Thanks for voting. There are atheists who are very insulting about other peoples' religion and there are atheists who just dont believe in God. I think the latter is far more common than the first, which is probably why most people dont care if there is an atheist in the family. Insofar as atheists are "insulting," consider how those people may have been treated by believing friends and family growing up. Some of us have no positive associations with religion whatsoever due to how we were raised. Look also at what some groups are trying to do to our country, imposing their own religious dictates on everyone else. It doesn't engender a lot of friendly feelings. |
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Post by Merge on Feb 26, 2024 18:05:54 GMT
Results are pretty much what I expected. I am surprised more people would not be upset with an Atheist in the family. And the number of Atheist on this board is higher than the national average, 27% (45 yes/164 voters). Thanks for voting. I've often wondered what bothers people about someone else being an atheist. I think a lot of very religious people think that an atheist cannot have morals, which of course is ridiculous. But when I mention to religious folks that I'm married to an atheist, and am myself agnostic, they seem like it's impossible to be a decent person just because that's how you were raised and how you want to act. We don't need threats of Hell or being left out of an afterlife to be good people. I think there are a lot of people in power who don't like that some people can't be controlled by threats of hell. I think that there are others who resent that their neighbor perhaps doesn't feel compelled to follow the dictates of a church, or who fear a "guilt by association" if they associate with atheists. |
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Post by littlemama on Feb 26, 2024 18:20:55 GMT
There are atheists who are very insulting about other peoples' religion and there are atheists who just dont believe in God. I think the latter is far more common than the first, which is probably why most people dont care if there is an atheist in the family. Insofar as atheists are "insulting," consider how those people may have been treated by believing friends and family growing up. Some of us have no positive associations with religion whatsoever due to how we were raised. Look also at what some groups are trying to do to our country, imposing their own religious dictates on everyone else. It doesn't engender a lot of friendly feelings. Two wrongs don't make a right? I think, and have stated multiple times, that I dont agree with people forcing their religion on others. I also dont agree with belittling people who find comfort in religion. Both are wrong in my book. |
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Post by withapea on Feb 26, 2024 18:32:11 GMT
I’m an atheist. I don’t really have any issue with people’s religion until they try to legislate it or proselytize. I do believe religion does more harm than good but that’s just my opinion, not my place to try to convince anyone else. I’m sure living in the Bible Belt reinforces that view. I’m really a live and let live kind of person as long as there is no harm being done.
Some people feel the mere existence of an atheist is an affront ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Post by Merge on Feb 26, 2024 18:47:14 GMT
Insofar as atheists are "insulting," consider how those people may have been treated by believing friends and family growing up. Some of us have no positive associations with religion whatsoever due to how we were raised. Look also at what some groups are trying to do to our country, imposing their own religious dictates on everyone else. It doesn't engender a lot of friendly feelings. Two wrongs don't make a right? I think, and have stated multiple times, that I dont agree with people forcing their religion on others. I also dont agree with belittling people who find comfort in religion. Both are wrong in my book. OK. I guess atheists are supposed to just take all the insults and never say a word about the people making them. |
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carhoch
Pearl Clutcher
Be yourself everybody else is already taken
Posts: 3,044
Location: We’re RV’s so It change all the time .
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Post by carhoch on Feb 26, 2024 19:06:09 GMT
I believe that most religious affiliations /churches in the US has lost their way, it’s all about power and money. We have ministers living in mansion , making millions ,traveling in their own private jet and refusing to open their church when there’s a natural catastrophe like Joel Osteen .
A lot of people claim to be Christian, but do not act remotely Christian like , I’m an atheist and I’m not surprised that more and more people see it the way I do.
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Post by littlemama on Feb 26, 2024 19:12:06 GMT
Two wrongs don't make a right? I think, and have stated multiple times, that I dont agree with people forcing their religion on others. I also dont agree with belittling people who find comfort in religion. Both are wrong in my book. OK. I guess atheists are supposed to just take all the insults and never say a word about the people making them. They can certainly say things about and to the people insulting them without lumping every person who believes in a higher being in with those people. In general, I believe that religion has been used as an excuse to perpetrate innumerable horrors throughout time right up through today. The people doing that are disgusting. However, I can also recognize that there are people who believe in a higher being who actually behave as that higher being has instructed in the texts that they believe in. I'm not going to shit on those people. Dh and I are not religious at all and our son is at least agnostic if not atheist. However, I respect others' right to their own beliefs regarding religion- up until the point they try to force it upon others or use it to commit horrific acts. |
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