Atheism

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I dunno if this is where this belongs, or even if this belongs on this site but well I'm afraid to ask so I figured it might fit. About a week ago I started researching atheism for a school project. Well the more I read about it the more interesting it seemed. I started discussing iwth some friends of mine that were in my class and they just don't understand it.I grew up in a religious elementry school but after fifth grade my family stopped going to church. I go to church occasionally now with my bf, but I don't enjoy it and I feel weird when I'm there.I think I might be an atheist, but I don't know if I should tell my bf, who is also my best friend and confidant. He's not really religious but his family is. Also, I'm not sure I should tell my friends, we were really close but we've all changed a little since college started. So yeah, if anyone has any suggestions at all, that'd be great, thanks.

Since this is in the "Life and Health" forum....Not having irrational beliefs, at least in this realm, feel like not having chickenpox. It's not that it feels good; it's that it doesn't feel bad.In most areas of the U.S., not believing in God is frowned upon. Depending on where you live and who your friends and family are, you might want to keep it under your hat. It's doubtful that someone will come up to you and ask you, "Do you believe in God?". (But if they did, what would you say?)I consider myself ontologically an atheist, but epistemologically an agnostic. That means that, for everyday purposes, I don't care about the existence of God, and I do my business as if no God exists. But for the sake of argument and debate, since I can't prove that God doesn't exists, then I am technically an agnostic.But I am the kind of agnostic who wouldn't give theology much thought if I weren't continually surrounded by it.But, unfortunately, some people consider atheism to be serious, stigmitizing disease.

Well, I don't think you are just born Atheist. Its just your beliefs. Your not Atheist just because you feel akward in church. I looked at everything (god.. religion.. etc) and I thought it looked like total bs, so I decieded I was Atheist. All my friends know Im Atheist. A few of my family members do (Which they hate it) When I read your post, its as if you compared religion to homosexuality. Just how it was said. Replace a few words and we would be looking at a differn't conversation

In reply to:When I read your post, its as if you compared religion to homosexuality. Good point. Telling people you're an atheist is kind of like coming out of the closet.I'd wager that very religious Christians would have a bigger problem with atheism than gayness...and they have a big problem with gayness.

Theres a big difference between being an atheist and not being religios. Atheistm is a religion with anti-God stuff, while the last one is just "I dont give a"

In reply to:Atheistm is a religionThat's debatable, but something religious people are fond of saying. For the atheist, not believing in God is tantamount to not believing there's a hamburger stand on Jupiter. It's just not reasonable. So then, not believing that there's a hamburger stand on Jupiter is a religion?Logically, it is incumbent upon whomever is making an affirmative assertion (e.g., "God exists.") to prove their case. Proving the negative makes little sense. But strict logic and religious debate rarely go hand in hand.But if you want to call atheism a religion, that's OK. I just wish it were easier for atheists to follow their religion in this country. I'd wager you'll see a Moslem elected president before you see an atheist elected. So the original poster is justified in her concerns.

thanks for the info ya'll.I live in the buckle of the bible belt and go to an uber religious college (because it has a good dance program) and yes I have been approached on the street and asked if I believe in God.It's really akward becuase I don't really understand how God can exist. It doesn't really make sense. I've just always been told to "believe" and I don't understand how people can kill and worship something that cannot be proven to exist.so yeah,thanks again.

Just be true to yourself.

religion:Noun1. a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. 2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order. 3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.atheism is not a religion, and it has nothing to do with bashing or putting actual religions down. its simply not believing in a god.

OK, youre right, its not a religion. But there are many forms of it and some of them are activley anti-God, while most of them are passively anti-God

Yup, but the original poster's issue is that, evean as a passive atheist, it's not always easy, especially in certain areas of the South and in certain areas of Afghanistan.