How do you feel about atheists? And being atheist around friends and family

[Inzanethingy]

Today in class while discussing Calvanism my teacher asked for a show of hands on who believes in god. About half the class raised their hand And I assumed about a majority of those who keep their hands down were atheist. It really felt different after that, some bad looks were given to each other.
My question is for theists how do you feel about friends or family being atheist? Do you have any problems with atheism.
My question for atheists how do you feel about being atheist when friends or family are theist? Do you tell people about being atheist or keep it to yourself?

(By the way if you were wondering I am an atheist)

[PinkFloyd]

I don't have a problem with them at all. It's their own belief that they're entitled to...

[Vocabulous]

im an atheist and i am fine with it. once a 'friend' told me that i will burn in hell. i laughed in his face, which admittedly didnt improve the situation, but telling an atheist that they are going to hell is like telling someone that they will be gorged to death by a flying unicorn. it doesnt really work as a threat.

[teen.jpg]

I keep my atheism to myself. I dont go around shoving it down people's throats like some people do.

[Tarannosaurus]

My mother's an atheist and my parents didn't baptise me because they wanted me to choose my own religion, so they're okay with it. I've been told not to mention that and my other religious experimentation to my grandparents. A lot of my friends are atheist too, but I've gotten into arguments with some of my christian friends because they just won't stop quoting the bible at me. I get the 'burn in hell' thing too but since I don't believe in hell...

[Magenta]

My mother's an atheist and my parents didn't baptise me because they wanted me to choose my own religion, so they're okay with it. I've been told not to mention that and my other religious experimentation to my grandparents. A lot of my friends are atheist too, but I've gotten into arguments with some of my christian friends because they just won't stop quoting the bible at me. I get the 'burn in hell' thing too but since I don't believe in hell...

This. Like entirely this.

My father is Catholic, I had a minor Catholic upbringing because my nanny was very Catholic. But otherwise my beliefs are incredibly complicated and sorta combine Pagan, Catholic and atheist 'beliefs'. So I have no problem with atheists.

[Croconaw]

I'm an atheist and proud of it. I'd rather not mention it to my grandma, though. She'd kill me.

[LouBerry]

I don't have a problem with it in a way like, oh, he's atheist, better stay away from him, because most of my friends at school are, and I respect them, and they respect me.

But I do have a problem with it in a, I'm a Christian, I believe in Hell, and I don't want my friends there, kind of way. If that makes sense.

[handle with care]

i believe in god but as far as my principles and beliefs i take a little from all religions. i don't have a problem with atheist i treat all people with decency. i have lots of friends who are atheist, and for some reason all my friends ask me if i'm atheist because i don't follow a religion.

[pieman10]

It sounds awful but when someone tells me that they believe in god I kinda look down on them and see them as less intelligent.

Its weird because I class myself as an Agnostic Atheist.
I dont know wether to believe in god but with our current understanding and evidence there is no god.

My mam used to be Christian but that has died out as me and my brother became atheists.

The thing I hate about religion is how children are often indoctrinated and led to belive from an early age that a particular religion is right.they dont get to form there own opinions or make their own choice.
Religion is handed down in the family.
I hate fighting over religion but I do love sensible debate.

I also love when Christians quote the bible or make references, half of which don't even exist.

Still, I try to keep an open mind about everyone.

[uglyinsideandout]

I feel that God is real and it's unfortunate that some people don't believe in something so wonderful. But I don't go around telling anyone they are going to burn, I think the 'in your face' confrontational people of any belief system are probably best avoided, whether they are religious or atheist. Those people never seem to understand what they're talking about and make up for it by being loud and mean.

[Luminous]

Well I was raised in, and still live in, an orthodox Jewish household. For years I had to wear a skirt, no pants, below my knees, and a shirt sleeves had to go below my elbows. Every Friday night to Saturday night is Sabbath and we would go to temple and pray. I could only eat certain foods, (Kosher). On Sabbath you could not pick anything up while outside or use electronic things or drive a car or push a stroller. In the house, though not in public, for a year or two at the peak of crazy religious, my parents even looked down on non-Jews. My mom told me I would marry a nice, middle class Jewish boy, and I was not allowed to marry someone not Jewish.
It was torture, I hated being pushed around and told what to and what not to believe, being told what was wrong and what was right.
When I was 11 my mom got me to start preparing for my Bat Mitzvah. Good Jewish girls know their place and sit seperate from the men at the temple, and young girls don't read portions from the Torah when they turn 12. Conservative and Reform know that men and women are equal and allow girls to lead in prayer but Orthodox is to old fashioned.
Back to 11 years old, my mom told me I had to start writing a speech about hiw amazing God is and whatnot. I finally told her I don't believe in god and I don't want to. She was really freaked but she said to write a speech anyways. Usually in most orthodox families if you turn bat mitzvah you have to be stricter about Jewish laws, but my mom (not dad) decided it meant I was old enough to make my own choices, but if I wanted to wear pants I had to pay for them myself and whatnot. She ended up having a family meeting and said we were going to be able to do things on Saturday like draw, but no electronics, we can drive places but only occasionally (no saturdays was the reason I couldn't do a play before because they all performed then, but that was when I started acting since we could do stuff on Saturdays). My dad freaked out and went to his room, idk what he did maybe cry. We've almost completely loosened up since then, except my dad but my mom runs herself and the kids and he knows it.
So I guess thatwas a giant build up/life story.
I had a really negative experience being an orthodox Jew and ended up hating Judaism and all of the silly things orthodox Jews do. I don't mind Reform or Conservative as much. I don't like any religion that goes stuffing their religion down others' throats. But those who do it right I respect and admire. Anyone know the Shaytards on Youtube? They are mormons but they are so amazing about it. They don't discriminate, they let their kids wear what they want - within reason of course - and they don't push their religion onto anyone else. I wish I could have a faith like that but I honestly don't belive god is real. Plus my parents would disown me. I don't classify myself as atheist or anything else. But I guess you could say that.
Moral of the story- Don't become orthodox Jewish, kids, it sucks. Want to give up your Saturdays? Wear long skirts and shirts through 100 degree weather? Not be allowed to wear a bathing suit? No flip flops? No bacon, or pig of any kind? Not eat dairy and meat foods within 6 hours of each other? Yeah. Didn't think so.

[unknownuser]

I've got my religion and they've got their own beliefs (or if they're atheist, I guess a better way to say it would be lack of beliefs?)
If they keep theirs to themselves, I'll keep mine to myself. Simple as that. I don't want people trying to throw their religion on me, so I'm not going to go around trying to convince others and talk them into my beliefs.

[Camazotz]

I grew up an a Catholic household and was pretty religious until I turned about fourteen. I wasn't even aware of what atheism was until then, and as I started to learn and expose myself to it, the more it made sense to me. I started researching Catholicism and other religions for myself, trying to learn the differences between the many religions out there just to understand what other people believed. I went through the transitional stages of agnosticism into eventually Agnostic-Atheism, which is how I would describe myself now.

I kept going to weekly mass with my family and such during this time, and I didn't want to tell them since I was nervous about how they'd react. After a few months, I was supposed to write a short essay on why I wanted to start my journey into Confirmation. I started writing it, but then I realized it would be wrong of me to lie to my parents and the Church and to myself, so I changed it to a letter to my parents explaining my situation (I actually posted my preliminary essay on VT, and if you search the archives or my threads, you should find it). In the end, they supported me and told me they loved me no matter what, and for that, I am extremely grateful.

Back on topic, my (immediate) family is comfortable with my (lack of) religious beliefs. To be honest, I don't know how much of my extended family knows. Some of my aunts and uncles know, and I think my grandmas know, but I'm not really sure- when I came out to my parents, they asked if I wanted to tell everyone, and I said it didn't matter.

My friends, for the most part, know that I'm an agnostic-atheist, but we don't talk about religion/church a whole lot. I was bullied by classmates (weren't friends to begin with, still aren't friends) once for being an atheist, but it was over pretty quick (just a few weeks of name-calling, spreading rumors, etc.) I don't tell anyone that I'm an atheist unless they ask, and I've become less extreme in my views over the years (I used to be somewhat outspoken).

[Cygnus]

All my family is theist and when I told them I was atheist ,my family doesn't mind, my parents do not mind, my friends do not mind, no one shoves their religion up my throat, so life is fine. If they tell me anything about converting back I just tell them about something called freedom of choice and tell them it is a pointless talk.

[conniption]

I try to keep the fact that I'm atheist to myself because some of the friends I've told seemed to look at me differently once I told them. I have no problem with other people have different beliefs as me as long as they don't try to preach to me.

[uglyinsideandout]

(or if they're atheist, I guess a better way to say it would be lack of beliefs?)

I don't think that's a better way to put it at all. Their belief is just as real and valid as anyone else's. Just becasue they believe something different than me doesn't make their belief a lesser thing or non-existent.

[Pseudogeek]

I'm a Christian, but if you're an atheist, have fun.

[Jess]

I'm an atheists myself

As for what my family think, they don't really have an opinion. They aren't religious, but I wouldn't say they're atheists like me. I told my mom I'm atheist, and she didn't get mad or anything, she just told me that I shouldn't tell other people I'm atheist...

[CharlieHorse]

I don't think that's a better way to put it at all. Their belief is just as real and valid as anyone else's. Just because they believe something different than me doesn't make their belief a lesser thing or non-existent.

This is one way to think about it, but I dislike the use of the term "belief" associated with atheism, since the term commonly implies faith, which, in a way, is the opposite of atheism.
Faith is belief (in a god or such) based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. An atheist will believe based on proof, and not spiritual apprehension.

[uglyinsideandout]

This is one way to think about it, but I dislike the use of the term "belief" associated with atheism, since the term commonly implies faith, which, in a way, is the opposite of atheism.
Faith is belief (in a god or such) based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. An atheist will believe based on proof, and not spiritual apprehension.

If you believe there is no god then that is a belief. I don't really see how 'faith' is the opposite of atheism, since there is no proof there is no god then an atheist must have faith that their belief is true. Of course if you've got proof there is no god then alot of people would like to see it.

[DerBear]

It honestly doesn't bother me, in recent times I've leant much more towards atheism and while some of my friends are religious they haven't treated me any different. My parents are atheists as well so obviously it doesn't bother them.

Religion isn't really made a big deal in the UK. I mean its not as prominent as say in the USA.

[Jess]

If you believe there is no god then that is a belief. I don't really see how 'faith' is the opposite of atheism, since there is no proof there is no god then an atheist must have faith that their belief is true. Of course if you've got proof there is no god then alot of people would like to see it.

No we have no beliefs. Atheism is the lack of belief in a god. We don't have ANY faith in a god.

There's no proof for a god either but I don't want to get into that...

[inexco]

I'm an atheist

[CharlieHorse]

If you believe there is no god then that is a belief. I don't really see how 'faith' is the opposite of atheism, since there is no proof there is no god then an atheist must have faith that their belief is true. Of course if you've got proof there is no god then alot of people would like to see it.

Of course in literal terms, "belief" means any sort of acceptance as truth. However I was using belief in implying a positive acceptance of religion in general.
Using the former, I believe that there is no god based on the principle of Evidence of Absence. Here's a link to the described: Evidence of Absence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_of_absence#Existence_of_God)

This is what I justify as proof that there is no god. It is simply because there is no proof that there is one.
I also do not believe in god because we cannot observe him in any way. We cannot see, hear, taste, touch, or smell a god. We cannot mathematically compute the existence of a god, and we have no physical way of observing a god. Therefore it is completely illogical to believe that there is a god.
That's where faith comes in.
Faith can be defined (Merriam-Webster) as "b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof".
Faith is used as an excuse to believe what one wants to believe. Religion and the existence of a god gives the believer a sense of security, and in communities, a sense of closeness to others who share the same belief without proof.

Let me ask you personally. Why do you have faith? Have you unbiasedly considered the possibility that there is no god? What proof or evidence do you have to support your belief. Is that evidence reliable and logically correct and consistent?

And also, do you know that a young child's brain is very malleable because it's still forming connections and growing? This time in an infants's life is critical, because ideas can be literally hard-wired into their brain. It has the same effect as long term brainwashing.

[uglyinsideandout]

No we have no beliefs. Atheism is the lack of belief in a god. We don't have ANY faith in a god.

There's no proof for a god either but I don't want to get into that...

Maybe a better question is: Do you believe in a strawman?

Of course in literal terms, "belief" means any sort of acceptance as truth. However I was using belief in implying a positive acceptance of religion in general.
Using the former, I believe that there is no god based on the principle of Evidence of Absence. Here's a link to the described: Evidence of Absence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_of_absence#Existence_of_God)

This is what I justify as proof that there is no god. It is simply because there is no proof that there is one.
I also do not believe in god because we cannot observe him in any way. We cannot see, hear, taste, touch, or smell a god. We cannot mathematically compute the existence of a god, and we have no physical way of observing a god. Therefore it is completely illogical to believe that there is a god.
That's where faith comes in.
Faith can be defined (Merriam-Webster) as "b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof".
Faith is used as an excuse to believe what one wants to believe. Religion and the existence of a god gives the believer a sense of security, and in communities, a sense of closeness to others who share the same belief without proof.

Let me ask you personally. Why do you have faith? Have you unbiasedly considered the possibility that there is no god? What proof or evidence do you have to support your belief. Is that evidence reliable and logically correct and consistent?

And also, do you know that a young child's brain is very malleable because it's still forming connections and growing? This time in an infants's life is critical, because ideas can be literally hard-wired into their brain. It has the same effect as long term brainwashing.

Your first part sounds a little like Humpty Dumpty from 'Through the Looking Glass'...

"When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less."

If you want to define 'belief' to have a religious meaning I guess you can, it just makes it pretty useless to try to talk to you.

Oh goodie, do I really get to give you my personal story to rip to shreds? Sounds fun, maybe we can save that for some time when we can agree on what words mean. All I will say is that I was pretty much an atheist and something happened that turned me around. It has had a pretty huge impact on my life and it's the reason I'm still here to type these words. So whatever, feel free to make fun of it, or what ever you want to do, just be aware of where you're stomping.

[xXl0sth0peXx]

Remember that this is not meant to be a debate, let's please keep it that way.

[kylem1229]

Each person has the right to their own views

[uglyinsideandout]

Remember that this is not meant to be a debate, let's please keep it that way.

it's my fault for saying that the beliefs of atheists are just as real and valid as anyone else's. This is a great example of how my life works. I can be nice and defend someone that doesn't even believe what I do and they thank me by telling me off. Why can't I ever learn?

Unsubbing the thread, have fun.

[CharlieHorse]

Maybe a better question is: Do you believe in a strawman?



Your first part sounds a little like Humpty Dumpty from 'Through the Looking Glass'...

"When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less."

If you want to define 'belief' to have a religious meaning I guess you can, it just makes it pretty useless to try to talk to you.

Oh goodie, do I really get to give you my personal story to rip to shreds? Sounds fun, maybe we can save that for some time when we can agree on what words mean. All I will say is that I was pretty much an atheist and something happened that turned me around. It has had a pretty huge impact on my life and it's the reason I'm still here to type these words. So whatever, feel free to make fun of it, or what ever you want to do, just be aware of where you're stomping.

Because there can be multiple definitions and implied meanings to words, it can be difficult to discuss a topic with someone who doesn't first define how they are using these words. In both of my posts, I made a statement as to how I interpret the words, but since I changed between the two to fit yours, I guess I caused confusion, and I apologize.

In my second post, I did not use the term belief to imply a belief in god. Which is why I said I'd use the general definition I provided, aka the same one you used.

Now that we are using the same terms for "Belief" and "Faith", would you care to answer the questions? I'm interested.
I'm not making fun of you. I'm very glad to hear that you have found happiness and security in your religion. :) That's a good thing.
I'm also not stomping, I'm just expressing my views on my beliefs. Words and actions are vastly different.

[Poisonberry]

Today in class while discussing Calvanism my teacher asked for a show of hands on who believes in god. About half the class raised their hand And I assumed about a majority of those who keep their hands down were atheist. It really felt different after that, some bad looks were given to each other.
My question is for theists how do you feel about friends or family being atheist? Do you have any problems with atheism.
My question for atheists how do you feel about being atheist when friends or family are theist? Do you tell people about being atheist or keep it to yourself?

(By the way if you were wondering I am an atheist)

If that happened in the U.S. it sounds illegal. They aren't supposed to get into anything having to do with personal religious or political beliefs. Sounds really weird to me.

[Inzanethingy]

If that happened in the U.S. it sounds illegal. They aren't supposed to get into anything having to do with personal religious or political beliefs. Sounds really weird to me.
He used the show of hands to explain something. It wasnt illegal and nobody was offended or hurt. Dont worry

[Poisonberry]

He used the show of hands to explain something. It wasnt illegal and nobody was offended or hurt. Dont worry

I'm not worried, why would I be, but the teacher might should be worried. Next time there's an election ask the teacher who they are voting for and watch how they can't say. Discussion in these areas is sensitive at best. A teacher can mention many factual aspects of these subjects, but runs a high risk when they ask the children or themselves voice personal beliefs. Personal beliefs about religion and politics aren't supposed to be included in a public school curriculum. Violations of such things can and do end up with teachers being terminated.

[Miserabilia]

I live in the netherlands and in my class of about 30 students everyone is 1oo% atheist.
i think about the whole school (about 2200 students) are almost all atheist.
My parents are very inteligent, and though they were raised (especially my father) cristian, they became atheists when they had their own place etc, thinking for themselves. My parents always told me to beleive what I want, and I am atheist, because I have many reasons not to beleive in god, or anything para/supernatural.
I don't know why anyone would have a problem with atheist for being atheist, so yea...

[Fraser]

Im catholic but my dad is athiest, and that's fine. He strongly believes there is no god but doesn't push that opinion on the rest of the family, nor do we try to convert him. For a Catholic to judge someone else or tell someone else that they're going to burn in hell is completely wrong. Only God judges us, we don't have the right to judge each other.

[Stronk Serb]

I am an atheist and nobody cares. Neither my friends or family.

[Avenida105]

Out my group of best friends, two are atheists, one is "Christian" and the other doesn't really care about religion but still believes there is a higher being. I love my friends and I'm not going to stop talking to them because they don't believe or if they do. As for myself I follow my own beliefs, which I base on Schrodinger's Cat. In my opinion a god can exist but also not exist at the same time, but that's just deep and complicated shit.

[BookSmart]

I'm perfectly fine with friends and family being atheist. I think as long as peoples beliefs aren't hateful towards others (like religions that target certain ethnic groups or races), I'm fine with what they believe. I wish people could just be accepting of each other, but that's not going to happen anytime soon. It'd be nice if everyone could try and be a little more tolerant though. I'm Jewish, and I don't care what other people's beliefs are. If they're a nice person, I''d be happy to be their friend. I have friends who are Buddhists, Hindus, Catholics, Baptists, other Christians, Other Jews, people who aren't really sure what they believe in, atheists, you name it. What matters is that they're all nice people.

[Zsofia]

The place I borned is so different. In the high-school I met a girl who was religious, she even went to church. We were shocked.
Now I know more people who is religious. It's their choise. But for long time I believed "atheism" is the normal, and some people are religious.

[Living For Love]

I believe in God and there's absolutely nothing that can make me change my mind, but I don't really have any problem being around atheists, it's not something that people give much attention here. People have the right to have their own beliefs, like they support different teams or have different opinions. I live in one of the most Catholic countries in the world and it isn't a great deal around here whether you believe or not in God.

[nklarke]

I'm Jew and I respect others beliefs. In fact, my cousin is atheist and all my family respect it.
Not big deal.

[Saint of Sinners]

Ah, religion. My paternal grandparents were taoist, maternal grandparents catholic, parents aren't really religious. I have christian friends, muslim friends, buddhist friends, atheist friends. Personally, i mix christian, atheist and sum assorted beliefs.


We all get along fine because we don't really judge each other for our beliefs. Can't stand those who do.

[Miri]

I'm agnostic, and I have friends who are atheists, and friends who are religious.

Religion doesn't affect me, and I even enjoy learning about people's beliefs, and why they choose to believe in them. I interviewed a bunch of my friends and family and acquaintances last year for my project on human nature. In my opinion, to each his own.