The stigma of being an atheist in the US

[cronus]

If the universe is a sort of 'matrix' and the dog end of some vaster more interesting place why not use the concept of 'God' or 'Gods' to describe what/who put us here? Seems to bridge the gap between what we do and don't understand in the counter-intuitive way required? When technology is sufficiently advanced it is akin to magic. So, maybe, when nature is sufficiently well understood it is akin to the spiritual?

[pErvinalia]

Stop the trolling, that debate, we've had enough of it.

Who you talking to?

[Svartalf]

Both you and scumple

[cronus]

I knew it wasn't all me. Tend to question the ambiguous and determine a answer without requiring more ambiguity.

[Svartalf]

Ambiguity? that's the whole problem of dog's existence... it's hard to view the clockwork and to imagine there's no clockmaker.

[cronus]

Ambiguity? that's the whole problem of dog's existence... it's hard to view the clockwork and to imagine there's no clockmaker.

We are only human. Our most profound ideas are also.

[Animavore]

Ambiguity? that's the whole problem of dog's existence... it's hard to view the clockwork and to imagine there's no clockmaker.

That's assuming the clockwork even exists and isn't an invention of ours. In fact, I'd hazard it is. I would doubt the universe has such precision and the element of chaos is always present.

[tattuchu]

It's been over a decade, but I had my own problems with being shunned. having my tires slashed, and my cats killed after being seen reading a book about atheism while living in a small town in Mississippi. No one bothered to ask me what my personal thoughts were. Things were a bit better when I lived in New Mexico, but you were still more accepted if you professed believe in some sort of religion, even if it wasn't christian.

Jesus Christ! Gotta love those Christians

And sometimes even the people who are open-minded about atheism don't even know what the fuck it means. The subject of religion came up when I was talking to my psychotherapist. I told her I was an atheist. Then she asked if I minded if other people believed in God. I said people had a right to believe whatever they wanted and it didn't bother me as long as they weren't real pushy about it and and as long as they respected my right to not believe what they believe. "Oh, so you're an agnostic," my therapist said. She looked real confused as I explained the difference between atheism and agnosticism. She seemed to think they were basically the same thing except that atheists were pushy about it and agnostics were more relaxed about it

Anyway, it's not so bad here in the Northeast. Still, it's bad enough. My father, my twin sister, and step-sister are all born-again retards

[Animavore]

I think a lot of Americans believe in destiny and god-given rights. Many seem to think that people without a belief in a higher-power are untrustworthy because they are seen to have no real alliegence, and vision and goal. They may even be seen as traitorous or 'commie'.
Interestingly this is the same reason the SS didn't allow atheists in their ranks.

[cronus]

Atheism means you don't believe in God. Nihilism means I don't believe in you.

[pErvinalia]

Both you and scumple

What have I done?? I just corrected him on the meaning of atheism. He's undeniably wrong.

[cronus]

Both you and scumple

What have I done?? I just corrected him on the meaning of atheism. He's undeniably wrong.

Don't recall giving a meaning.

[cronus]

[pErvinalia]

"How do they know this isn't a universe with a God in it? "

[cronus]

"How do they know this isn't a universe with a God in it? "

Valid question. In the Book, praise be upon Dawkins.