Atheist support, discussion, and information sharing thread

[tapu]

Oh, good, Jar. We're glad you're back to offer that clarification.




Others, this to me, seems like a classic troll situation. Does anyone know this poster? If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but it seems obvious that it's not a sincere effort, if you will.

[Jar]

Originally Posted by tapu

Oh, good, Jar. We're glad you're back to offer that clarification.

Others, this to me, seems like a classic troll situation. Does anyone know this poster? If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but it seems obvious that it's not a sincere effort, if you will.

I have been on b-f.com and this site for years. You can ask most anybody here tofu

[weatherboi]

anyway....

I am an atheist. I am certain there is more out there but it doesn't come in the form of deities. I think the science world is so untapped and what we know today about infinite space is just the tip of the iceberg. THAT is my more!!!

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Jar

I have been on b-f.com and this site for years. You can ask most anybody here tofu

And well-respected, I'm sure. Please, hold forth.

[weatherboi]

I also believe man created god not the other way around.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by tapu

Oh, good, Jar. We're glad you're back to offer that clarification.




Others, this to me, seems like a classic troll situation. Does anyone know this poster? If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but it seems obvious that it's not a sincere effort, if you will.

No Jar is not a troll...

[Jar]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

No Jar is not a troll...

thank you LadySnow. I just have different beliefs as we all do

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by Jar

thank you LadySnow. I just have different beliefs as we all do

You hit the nail on the head there Jar, we do have different beliefs, the term non believer annoys the hell out of me because frankly it's insulting and it insinuates that somehow atheists or agnostics or any one else other than those who believe in some Diety have no belief system. It's different than say the whole God created stuff in 7 days story.

I hope that Ms Jennifer's thread can continue to educate and give support to folks who have different thoughts, beliefs and ideals.

Thanks for coming back in and continuing to dialogue with everyone Jar

[Jar]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

You hit the nail on the head there Jar, we do have different beliefs, the term non believer annoys the hell out of me because frankly it's insulting and it insinuates that somehow atheists or agnostics or any one else other than those who believe in some Diety have no belief system.

You're right Lady Snow and even though I have different beliefs I didn't respect the rights of others to have thiers. I apologize for the post because it was certainly disrespectful.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by Jar

You're right Lady Snow and even though I have different beliefs I didn't respect the rights of others to have thiers. I apologize for the post because it was certainly disrespectful.

THANK YOU for taking the time to come back in here and apologizing! It's deeply appreciated I hope you have a great Holiday!

[Jar]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

THANK YOU for taking the time to come back in here and apologizing! It's deeply appreciated I hope you have a great Holiday!

Well sometimes I fire off before my brain kicks in but I'll own it. Thanks Lady Snow

[nycfem]

Hey, Jar,

I think within our culture there are a lot of assumptions about atheists, that we are unfeeling, not in tune with the universe, don't believe in anything, etc. Actually though, there are as many types of atheists as there are religious people. I feel hurt when someone assumes I am not in tune with the universe because being in tune with the universe is so important to me. It may seem like a contradiction but I have a book called "The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality," which helps to reinforce my gut feeling that I don't have to believe in God to find all kinds of deep meaning in relationships, nature, and the universe. I even pray for others when they want it because I conceive of it as a meditation and direction of energy towards those I care about and love. I also relate it to quantum physics. Some atheists don't feel that way at all, but I just want to put out there what a struggle it can be to be automatically written off as unfeeling or lacking depth and meaning when coming out as an atheist. Belief in God, imo, is something we have or don't have. Sometimes I think it would be much easier in life if I did have it, but I don't and yet I still want to be acknowledged as someone who cares and has depth and believes and questions and is a good person. Thanks for your participation in the thread. One aspect of this thread I hadn't thought of but which Wolfy pointed out is its potential to provide some understanding of atheism for those who do believe in God but want to understand more about those of us that believe differently. I have pretended to believe in God to fit in at times in my life, but I don't want to do that because it's not authentic. I think acceptance from those who are different from us as atheists can only help us not to hide our authentic selves. I didn't choose to not believe in God, and have tried very hard to at different times in my life, but I don't, and I want to love myself as I am, because that is what feeds my soul.

Originally Posted by Jar

You're right Lady Snow and even though I have different beliefs I didn't respect the rights of others to have thiers. I apologize for the post because it was certainly disrespectful.

[Jar]

Originally Posted by nycfembbw

Hey, Jar,
One aspect of this thread I hadn't thought of but which Wolfy pointed out is its potential to provide some understanding of atheism for those who do believe in God but want to understand more about those of us that believe differently. ...I didn't choose to not believe in God, ... and I want to love myself as I am, because that is what feeds my soul.

I think I jump so fast to conclusions because I don't understand it and have never really had a conversation with anyone about it. I'll read the thread with more of an open mind and maybe I will understand it better. I never claim to know it all

[*Anya*]

I won't elaborate on what others have so eloquently stated already. I will state however, that most atheists-myself included-do tend to stay in the closet for fear of being attacked by others that are made uncomfortable and unable to accept my own personal value system. I have stated before that I accept you as you are, I do not mock you, belittle or attack you for your own personal choices/beliefs (no jumping on me for using the word belief either-no good word to describe it). What I like about the planet is the wide range of diverging viewpoints. If I feel a pang of discomfort inside myself reading some else's post, I take a step back & try to understand for me and me alone, why it bothered me. I learned a long time ago I could be reactionary if I allowed myself to be. I would much rather be thoughtful & gain wisdom from the viewpoints of others. In case you
Also may think I was just never "shown the way"; I was raised Lutheran, Church every Sunday, confirmed, vacation bible school etc. My parents piously did the same-plus the choir. Meanwhile, they were abusive to me. I prayed plenty as a child though my prayers were never answered. I learned instead to count on myself. Just the same way it would be easier to pretend I am straight & be accepted by straight society; it would be easier for me to pretend I believed there was such a being or spirit such as God. I am going to go strap myself in my body/self-esteem armor now but hope I don't need it to
protect against attacks from planet readers.

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by Jar

You're right Lady Snow and even though I have different beliefs I didn't respect the rights of others to have thiers. I apologize for the post because it was certainly disrespectful.

I know everyone is trying to be nicey in here now, but there were a couple of other wee bombs dropped that I would like to address.

The original comment really was disrespectful, as was the one where Jar intentionally referred to tapu, as "tofu."

Now, I can be as big a prick as there is, but I like to at least stick to the facts of argument, and not insert disrespectful little jabs at member's names. Maybe you were butt hurt that tapu didn't know you from a million years on the internet, but still, that was shitty.

As far as atheists being "out of tune with the universe," that is clearly only your opinion, and holds no greater value than merely that. You also committed a fallacy, or incorrect leap of logic when you made the statement, "I just mean that anyone that doesn't think there's more is out of tune."

Do you know the definition of "atheist?" Because it is not an umbrella term for those who do not believe "there's more." It means we do not believe in the existence of a deity. That is all. "More" is sort of a broad term, wouldn't you say?

I hope that helps you feel more prepared to, "read the thread with more of an open mind and maybe ... understand it better." I don't think you need to worry that anyone here though you might "know it all," but thanks for clarifying.

[Jar]

Yes I did refer to Tapu as tofu because she called me a troll. It was an immature response to an immature statement. I didn't see any response from you about the troll comment though.

And no, I was not "butt hurt" over the fact that she didn't know me. I just pointed out that there are a lot of people here that have known me and they know I'm not a "troll".

I admitted that my comment was disrespectful and that I don't know a lot about what atheists believe. I was also sincere in my comments about wanting to understand it.

Anything else cuz I'm the last one that will play nice without meaning it