Atheist support, discussion, and information sharing thread

BBinNYC · 07-03-2011, 08:55 PM

I'm here as a person who does not identify as an atheist to respect and support those that do. I grew up in an interfaith family (mother Jewish, father Catholic) and even though I was raised Jewish, I was taught over and over to respect other peoples' beliefs.

I know among progressive Jews there is a strong tradition of questioning everything, including the existence of God. I was so glad that when Jennifer agreed to come with me to the final part of the Yom Kippur service, our rabbi, who is fabulous, acknowledged that there were people in the congregation who do not believe in a god, and said that they are fully accepted. I was so glad that Jennifer could be there to hear that and not feel like she was being coerced in some way.

I think spiritual beliefs are less important than what each person contributes by way of their actions. There are atheists who work hard everyday to make the world a better place and I am grateful to them. I can't imagine that the "universe" would disapprove.

BBinNYC

AtLast · 07-07-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBinNYC

I'm here as a person who does not identify as an atheist to respect and support those that do. I grew up in an interfaith family (mother Jewish, father Catholic) and even though I was raised Jewish, I was taught over and over to respect other peoples' beliefs.

I know among progressive Jews there is a strong tradition of questioning everything, including the existence of God. I was so glad that when Jennifer agreed to come with me to the final part of the Yom Kippur service, our rabbi, who is fabulous, acknowledged that there were people in the congregation who do not believe in a god, and said that they are fully accepted. I was so glad that Jennifer could be there to hear that and not feel like she was being coerced in some way.

I think spiritual beliefs are less important than what each person contributes by way of their actions. There are atheists who work hard everyday to make the world a better place and I am grateful to them. I can't imagine that the "universe" would disapprove.

BBinNYC

There is a lot of stereotyping of atheists and sometimes I have been as amazed at the bashing of atheists here as much as religion/spirituality bashing.
I'm glad to see this thread and I hope there is an adult response to it. As iamkeri said, it just might be a way for those of us that do have some kind of spiritual/religious belief system- no matter what it is, can gain understanding of atheism across our site. There are several other threads that "believers" or whatever we all identify as to have discussions.

Star Anise · 07-07-2011, 08:51 PM

I speak for myself and no one else, I dislike disclaimers however find myself indulging them anyway.

I am really tired of people fighting over matters of belief, I mean this quite literally, these "discussions" can really wear me down, so I tend not to engage in them anymore.

I might have misinterpreted the intent of this thread because of the word "support" placed in the title, I thought this was meant to be a "safe place" for atheists...

Anyway...

Hi! I am Anise, and I am an atheist.

Peace.

07-03-2011, 08:55 PM	#1
BBinNYC Member How Do You Identify?: butch Preferred Pronoun?: Fine with he or she. Just don't call me late for dinner. Relationship Status: married to the best femme in the world Tournaments Won: 2 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York City Posts: 115 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 297 Thanked 589 Times in 75 Posts Rep Power: 6430377	Respect and Support I'm here as a person who does not identify as an atheist to respect and support those that do. I grew up in an interfaith family (mother Jewish, father Catholic) and even though I was raised Jewish, I was taught over and over to respect other peoples' beliefs. I know among progressive Jews there is a strong tradition of questioning everything, including the existence of God. I was so glad that when Jennifer agreed to come with me to the final part of the Yom Kippur service, our rabbi, who is fabulous, acknowledged that there were people in the congregation who do not believe in a god, and said that they are fully accepted. I was so glad that Jennifer could be there to hear that and not feel like she was being coerced in some way. I think spiritual beliefs are less important than what each person contributes by way of their actions. There are atheists who work hard everyday to make the world a better place and I am grateful to them. I can't imagine that the "universe" would disapprove. BBinNYC __________________ Please check out my new lesbian romance novel, Exception to the Rule, available in e-book format with paperback coming soon!

07-07-2011, 08:51 PM	#3
Star Anise Member How Do You Identify?: Femme in boots. Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Free range femme. Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: St Kilda. Melbourne. Posts: 118 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 256 Thanked 539 Times in 88 Posts Rep Power: 4729077	I speak for myself and no one else, I dislike disclaimers however find myself indulging them anyway. I am really tired of people fighting over matters of belief, I mean this quite literally, these "discussions" can really wear me down, so I tend not to engage in them anymore. I might have misinterpreted the intent of this thread because of the word "support" placed in the title, I thought this was meant to be a "safe place" for atheists... Anyway... Hi! I am Anise, and I am an atheist. Peace. __________________ ~~Anise x http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...rsona/bfrs.jpg Who's my Daddi?