LSWOTE
Member
- Location
- Weston, Florida šŗšø
I was a Christian when young and after 30 years of questioning, I became an atheist. I don't worship satan or eat babies, I just don't believe in a god. A (Greek prefix for NOT) THEIST (from the Greek meaning believer in a god). A-THEIST, not a believer in a god. Period. But while that is what I believe, I respect the right for other people to believe whatever they want as long as they don't hurt others.
It is very much a Christian society in the US where I live, and the socialization found in churches just isn't available to the atheist. Now in the future, it may well be that atheists will have healthy, supportive socialization outlets just like religious groups do now, but atheism isn't really an alternate religion, it is just nothing. and there is no support right now. I like to use an example of A-santa-ists, or people who don't believe in Santa. While someone who believes in Santa likely expects presents on Christmas, leaves cookies out for Santa to eat and sends a letter to the North Pole (or email?) telling Santa they have been good and what they want for Christmas, there is no counter position for someone who doesn't believe in Santa, they just discontinue their prior beliefs. But maybe they still like the positivity and presents that came with Santa, so they have to look to new outlets to satisfy those desires. So we give presents to each other and sing and eat together.
Likewise, that is the atheist story. Stop believing in god and lose benefit of the positive meetings and relationships believers in god enjoy. But there is no alternate outlet to look to for replacing the positives lost when you stop believing in god and can no longer attend a church and fellowshipping with positive people. It doesn't have to be that way but currently that is pretty much how it is.
Anyone else have some thoughts on this other than trying to save my soul?
It is very much a Christian society in the US where I live, and the socialization found in churches just isn't available to the atheist. Now in the future, it may well be that atheists will have healthy, supportive socialization outlets just like religious groups do now, but atheism isn't really an alternate religion, it is just nothing. and there is no support right now. I like to use an example of A-santa-ists, or people who don't believe in Santa. While someone who believes in Santa likely expects presents on Christmas, leaves cookies out for Santa to eat and sends a letter to the North Pole (or email?) telling Santa they have been good and what they want for Christmas, there is no counter position for someone who doesn't believe in Santa, they just discontinue their prior beliefs. But maybe they still like the positivity and presents that came with Santa, so they have to look to new outlets to satisfy those desires. So we give presents to each other and sing and eat together.
Likewise, that is the atheist story. Stop believing in god and lose benefit of the positive meetings and relationships believers in god enjoy. But there is no alternate outlet to look to for replacing the positives lost when you stop believing in god and can no longer attend a church and fellowshipping with positive people. It doesn't have to be that way but currently that is pretty much how it is.
Anyone else have some thoughts on this other than trying to save my soul?
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