Do you feel it necessary to tell people you dont pray or you dont believe in god when the question of religion or beliefs, let alone your own, come up in the conversation?

such as, if you coughed and someone said god bless you

would you really say, I don't believe in God or say your an atheist?

2/21/2008 1:58:22 AM

Quote :

"Do you feel it necessary to tell people you dont pray or you dont believe in god when the question of religion or beliefs, let alone your own, come up in the conversation?"

if asked, yes

Quote :

"such as, if you coughed and someone said god bless you would you really say, I don't believe in God or say your an atheist?"

and no, i just say thanks

2/21/2008 2:01:13 AM

^ty

i wouldnt have a problem with you like i dont have a problem with christians forcing their religion on people

2/21/2008 2:05:02 AM

Not an atheist, but just what did this topic hope to accomplish? What is the purpose?

"Post here if you're an atheist, and datman will evaluate his approval or disapproval of your social habits?"

2/21/2008 2:06:34 AM

no, more of just for a discussion of, is it necessary for you to outright show you dont believe in God or whatever

or see whose really inconsiderate

2/21/2008 2:08:33 AM

does anybody actually say god bless you when people cough? i stopped saying it when people sneeze years ago, because really, youre not dying or anything and may not even be sick at all.

but to answer your questions, i keep anything regarding religion out of conversations as much as possible, but if i were asked specifically i would probably say something along the lines of "i dont really know what i believe"...so i guess im more agnostic

2/21/2008 2:14:00 AM

yea

id think like almost no one says God bless you

if anything they say bless you or excuse you

2/21/2008 2:19:33 AM

datman got really offended by some guy saying that he doesnt pray in a thread asking for prayers


maybe it sounds a little egotistical say "i dont pray, but best wishes" but the same could be said for the person asking for "prayers" but it wouldnt be seen that way because the majority "prays"

2/21/2008 2:20:13 AM

First, what is it that you feel is inconsiderate? Voicing a belief that is pertinent to the current conversation? If religion comes up, and people are discussing or debating beliefs, it's appropriate for the atheist to state his. If someone uses a meaningless cliche, it's appropriate to respond to the intent of the cliche.

Should this be in soapbox?

2/21/2008 3:10:07 AM

Quote :

"maybe it sounds a little egotistical say "i dont pray, but best wishes" but the same could be said for the person asking for "prayers" but it wouldnt be seen that way because the majority "prays""

Exactly. Hell, I pray and it still struck me as odd that someone would outright ask for prayer. Given that request, it seems perfectly normal/acceptable for someone to say "i don't pray, but best wishes". It's better than the atheist/non-praying person just lying and saying that they will pray.

Granted, just saying "best wishes" would have been a better response, but simply mentioning that one doesn't actually pray is still plenty acceptable.

2/21/2008 3:21:37 AM

Haha, no, we're not baptists.

2/21/2008 9:01:06 AM

I always feel a little awkward signing sympathy cards because most people say something like, "You'll be in my prayers." I don't want to lie, but saying, "I'll be thinking about you" isn't really the same.

2/21/2008 9:04:08 AM

Quote :

"Do you feel it necessary to tell people you dont pray or you dont believe in god when the question of religion or beliefs, let alone your own, come up in the conversation?"

No, not unless asked directly.

Quote :

"such as, if you coughed and someone said god bless you"

I'd just say thanks.. it's almost destined to start an argument if you give them shit about how you don't believe in god, blah blah blah

2/21/2008 9:05:16 AM

And seriously, anyone who gets their panties in a wad over someone just expressing a positive sentiment needs help.

2/21/2008 9:08:13 AM

datman have you been listening to Dane Cook again?

2/21/2008 9:15:07 AM

I usually only get agressive when someone goes out of their way to impose religion in an interaction by saying something like "have a blessed day" after bagging my groceries.

2/21/2008 9:15:14 AM

Much like how even though I am not a Christian I don't get pissed when someone tells me "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Easter". I actually feel happy that someone of another faith would include me in their holiday greetings.

2/21/2008 9:15:22 AM

At work, I've made it a point to not respond when someone says "God Bless You" to me. It offended my Christian co-workers at first, but now they've accepted it.

And yes, I was sure to let them know that I don't believe in Santa Claus, Bigfoot, or the Christian god.

2/21/2008 9:15:27 AM

Quote :

"I actually feel happy that someone of another faith would include me in their holiday greetings."

It's not like being non-Christian makes you green or something. Christianity is largely assumed. Unless you're talking about people you know who say these things.

2/21/2008 9:18:50 AM

If the topic of religion comes up in conversation I do mention that I am an atheist if it is applicable to the conversation (I don't go out of my way to do it though). Some people accept it, some don't, doesn't matter to me. I try to avoid religion and politics when talking to friends and relatives.

The real question is when you're at someone else's house or function and they say grace do you bow your head all that or do you just stare at the clock?

2/21/2008 9:25:07 AM

I usually just sit there in silence and try to not interrupt them. I see praying for christians like washing your hands for everybody, let them get clean so you can eat some good food.

2/21/2008 9:29:42 AM

^i look down

2/21/2008 9:32:04 AM

I hate that situation. If I'm at a funeral or wedding or something, I usually look down out of respect for the people being honored, but don't close my eyes. If it's just before dinner or something, I just look around. If my boyfriend is there we just kind of awkwardly stare at each other till it's over.

2/21/2008 9:34:00 AM

One of my nieces called me out once

"YOU DONT HAVE YOUR EYES CLOSED"

"uh, sorry?"

"WE HAVE TO PRAY AGAIN"

2/21/2008 9:39:28 AM

Quote :

"I see praying for christians like washing your hands for everybody, let them get clean so you can eat some good food"

Nice philosophy. I usually look down and I've always felt weird about doing it.

2/21/2008 9:42:09 AM

thegoodlife3 nailed it

2/21/2008 9:43:10 AM

Agreed. It seems to me like you were the "biggest fucking douche bag" in the other thread datman.

2/21/2008 9:56:07 AM

i don't usually close my eyes. might look at my bf or brother across the table if it's just family dinner. i'll put my head down a little if it's a big function or something.

[Edited on February 21, 2008 at 10:02 AM. Reason : ]

2/21/2008 9:59:52 AM

First thing's first...

Quote :

"God All American 15804 Posts user info edit post At work, I've made it a point to not respond when someone says "God Bless You" to me. It offended my Christian co-workers at first, but now they've accepted it. And yes, I was sure to let them know that I don't believe in Santa Claus, Bigfoot, or the Christian god. "

I have a SCREEN SHOT of that post now, because of the layers of irony there.
Anyway, I'm Wiccan, which is worse than being Atheist to some people around here. I'm pretty open about it, except around my grandparents. Luckily, I'm dating a nice Baptist boy, so I can take him along when I see them and get an excuse to not go to Catholic church. Honestly, they are too old-fashioned, they wouldn't understand.
I don't bring it up at group prayer before dinner or that kind of thing, and if anyone asks, I just tell them I'm sending my prayers to someone else. Although, my Sensei is now a lot more aware of his assumptions that everyone around him is Christian because I've called him out on it so many times.

2/21/2008 10:00:07 AM

I have a SCREEN SHOT of that post now

2/21/2008 10:09:02 AM

Quote :

"I have a SCREEN SHOT of that post now"

2/21/2008 10:11:55 AM

Prove it. Lets see the jpg.

2/21/2008 10:16:59 AM

some parts of my family still hold hands when they bless a meal for like thanksgiving or something

it usually ends up where my sisters and myself are pinching each other hands trying to see if you can make someone break and make a scene



[Edited on February 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM. Reason : WE SO CHILDISH]

2/21/2008 10:21:48 AM

2/21/2008 10:24:36 AM

Quote :

"Anyway, I'm Wiccan"

Wiccan is fucking retarded. If you are going to believe in nature and magic, why waste it on only white magic?

2/21/2008 10:42:51 AM

oh, i get it, you say that because his name is God

2/21/2008 10:44:35 AM

^^^ahahahhahaaaahahhahahhahah

oh god

ahahhahahahahahhah

2/21/2008 10:53:47 AM

I generally do all I can to avoid revealing the fact that I am an atheist to coworkers. People I have worked with have had a huge problem with it. If someone sneezes, and I know they find it particularly rude not to say "bless you" I will sometimes say it to avoid controversy. It's totally useless, but so are most social customs. One might as well say "unicorn food" when someone sneezes, whatever. I have had many Christians be extremely intolerant and preachy towards me after they found out I don't believe in God.

It makes me angry though, and I will acknowledge my atheism when people just assume I am a Christian, Especially when it is to disparage some other faith.

I once had a coworker come to me like, "I don't trust that guy, I know not all Muslims are bad but, you never know" That was awkward.

I consider myself to act more "Christian" (in the ethical sense for which people use that term in the south) than many Christians. I find it pleasant when someone that has known me asks if I am a Christian because they find me honest or nice or whatever. I can just tell them I am perfectly capable of being that way without the prospect of hell hanging over me, I can think for myself quite well.

2/21/2008 10:54:29 AM

I think datman is a douchebag for flying off the handle for someone that stopped by to say they support you, but not in the way you want

someone asking specifically for prayers isn't the same thing as someone saying "bless you" when you sneeze

2/21/2008 10:55:49 AM

Quote :

"I usually only get agressive when someone goes out of their way to impose religion in an interaction by saying something like "have a blessed day" after bagging my groceries."

does it really get you "aggressive" or are you just trying to act like a hard ass on an internet message board?

2/21/2008 10:56:12 AM

Quote :

"I usually only get agressive when someone goes out of their way to impose religion in an interaction by saying something like "have a blessed day" after bagging my groceries."

I hardly consider that someone trying to impose their religion on you.

2/21/2008 11:00:30 AM

how has vix not posted here yet

2/21/2008 11:01:16 AM

I tell you one thing chicago_fats you mother fucker I would beat your ass if you tried to ever get aggressive with me if I told you to have a blessed day.

2/21/2008 11:04:28 AM

yeah, I am not talking about someone simply saying "have a blessed day." I have had experiences at work and elsewhere, where people have harassed me by "testifying" to me and telling me that I would "eventually get right with God, get saved and stop sinning."

I actually think that I was fired from one job because the employers constantly talked shit about "heathens going to hell" etc. and when they finally straight up asked me if I was a Christian and I told them no, I was gone within the week. That was fine with me though, because they were batshit loonballs.

2/21/2008 11:05:50 AM

eh, if someone says "Have a blessed day" I usually respond with something like "May the goddess bless you as well"...shuts them up.

2/21/2008 11:06:54 AM

I only do what the Church of Scientology tells me

2/21/2008 11:07:24 AM

^^I just say thanks, their intent is to be nice, they just happen to be wrongfully extending the good will of an imaginary being to you, but those comments are just habit anyway. If I say "have a nice day" it's just a habit, although I don't wish that person harm.

[Edited on February 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM. Reason : bv]

2/21/2008 11:09:51 AM

lmnop you are such a fucking idiot

2/21/2008 11:10:53 AM

oh man Wicca is such a dumb religion

way to go pretending your 60 year old sham is ancient

if you're gonna pick a wrong-headed religion at least go with the one that gives you the historical authority necessary to kill in the name of God

2/21/2008 11:11:56 AM

^^ have a blessed day.

2/21/2008 11:12:49 AM