The a-word

[rug]

namaste y’all

By Chelsea Sawicki | January 28, 2014

So, I’m an atheist. No, not your friendly neighborhood agnostic or non-practicing Protestant, but an actual atheist. I don’t believe in God. Trying to convince me to believe in God is like trying to convince me to like country music or become a Republican (don’t waste your time). I just cringed a bit, because that is usually a difficult thing for me to say. While I’ve been an atheist for as long as I can remember, the associated stigma and awkwardness mean that I’m often uncomfortable admitting it.
What do you think?

This discomfort began around age 8, when my Christian classmates (basically all of them) began receiving their First Communion. They wore fancy clothes and had parties and presents and all that jazz. At one of these parties, a friend’s mom inquired as to my own religious beliefs. “What church do you attend? Who is the priest? When is your First Communion?” When I told her that I didn’t believe in God and would, therefore, not receive my first (or second, or any) communion or spend any time in any church, she told me to take back my words or I would end up in hell. “But I don’t believe in hell.” (She nearly choked.) Later that night, she called my (atheist) mother to inform her of my “inappropriate” behavior. Naturally, I wasn’t invited to anymore play dates.

Once my young self learned of this atheist stigma, I fabricated numerous false religious identities. I’d rather lie than let people think I’m a bad person! It seemed like everyone in my hometown attended one of three churches and was either Catholic or Protestant. As a result, whenever questioned, I lied and said I was Jewish or a Buddhist or a Muslim or a Mormon and attended a temple 20 miles away in the middle of the forest. This caused quite a bit of eyebrow raising but usually worked, aside from the few times I encountered an actual Jew or Mormon with knowledge of such a temple. As I grew older, I identified simply as not religious, which seemed always more acceptable than atheism.

These encounters with curious Christians instilled in me a bizarre (and inappropriate) desire to mock them. And when I say them, I’m referring to people like my friend’s mother, Gov. Rick Perry and perhaps the Pope. While I’m not always vocal about it, in my head I refer to these folks as closed-minded, backward, proselytizing Jesus freaks. I’m usually that annoying troll, harassing people on pro-life Huffington Post forums or www.ConcernedWomenForAmerica.com. Not only do I feel pressured to violently type phrases like “Last time I checked, this was a secular nation,” “wake up and smell the science” or, my personal favorite, “keep your rosaries off my ovaries,” I enjoy it. Anytime any politician says “God” or, even worse, “Jesus Christ” in some variation, I cringe and b---- at the television (feeling rather pleased with myself, of course). Maybe seeking out these people and situations is my much-deserved tidbit of revenge?

http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2014/01/29/-word

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. I can relate.

There's nothing there. Nobody to talk to when you pray.

Maybe other people get comfort from the idea of God, but the cosmic all-seeing spy is creepy to me.

I grew up Presby and graduated from a Presby college with a very good liberal arts education. I attended various churches and sang in church choirs. I did not say I did not believe. Eventually I got dunked in a large Baptist church. I left because Jesus was not the wonderful cure-all I was led to believe. Nothing changed, the minister would not help me find a job. And I couldn't stand being trampled and insulted over original sin. I decided that if God works through "his people" on Earth, then God wanted me to starve to death.

I decided Christanity is destructive and demeaning to its followers, as well as illogical in its morality.

The only church I can set foot in now is the UU church which is not specifically Christian. It welcomes atheists, agnostics and the questioning.

[rug]

2. At least a major university provides a different environment for her.

[cbayer]

3. Nicely done, Chelsea.

I think (hope) she is more representative of her generation than some that have come before her.

Well said and worth reading.

[Festivito]

4. More of an A-Arrogance over A-Atheism.

I contend there is no way to prove there is a God, nor any way to prove there is not, so it is fine in this country if you choose to not believe in god.

But, that is not to say that there never will be or there is a reasoning I do not yet know. The dismissal of others in the story is more of an arrogant better-than-thou: I do not need or want to listen to ... you. And, it seems personal.

Better to at least include that hundreds have tried but none had a reaching response. Maybe just tens of people. You are at their party, you might at least give them thirty seconds, thank them, and let them know their attempt seems kind but not effective. Good bean dip.

Then if they discard you, you will know that they are the kind of people no one should have in their life anyway. Do not be the kind of person yourself that no one should have in their lives.

[cbayer]

8. I think she makes a good case for treating others as she would like to be treated...

a concept often held by believers and non-believers alike.

[Festivito]

10. Fabrications, lies, mocking, annoying, trolling, harassing, vengeful, ...

Likes a strange set of treatments.

[cbayer]

11. What?

[Festivito]

12. F5 refreshes screens in IE. Recheck the OP to see where the words originate. eom.

[cbayer]

13. Thanks. I know how to do a word search.

I still don't understand what you are trying to say.

[Festivito]

14. The simple "What?" and shrug didn't tell me that.

Could you tell me where we went awry?

[cbayer]

15. I said that she was making the case for treating others as she wanted

to be treated.

Then you listed a bunch of negative words from the article.

I didn't undertand what you meant by that.

If I had to guess, I would say you were pointing out that some of her behavior had been very negative.

Which she acknowledges and concludes her article by saying that she is going to treat others with whom she disagrees better.

I'm just not getting your point I guess.

[Festivito]

16. If that's what you find her to do now, that's what you should quote.

Other than that, she seems to imply she fears no retribution for any of her actions.

I’ll play nice if you do, but otherwise, I’m not worried about going to hell.

Not exactly implying she wants to treat disagreers better.

[cbayer]

17. Well that's what she says in the article.

Did you read it all the way through?

If not, I can understand why you didn't get that part.

[Festivito]

18. Still no quote? Just point to the whole article and claim I'm to find your point.

Did you read it all the way through?

If not, I can understand why you didn't get those parts.

[cbayer]

19. I'm sorry, but you have lost me.

She concludes the article by saying:

How can I strive to peacefully not believe in God when I am so hostile towards those who overtly do?

and

let’s take it upon ourselves to realize that religion (or a lack thereof) is deeply personal and respectable. Healthy discussions about religion and politics and everything else are great, but stigma and stereotypes really suck. We shouldn’t have to conceal our beliefs for fear that some crazy atheist or fundamentalist is going to attack us.

I thought those were good messages. What do you think?

[pokerfan]

5. A good atheist

Learned her place...

I hate to admit it, but Grandma is right. How can I strive to peacefully not believe in God when I am so hostile towards those who overtly do? I still think that religion does not belong in the public sphere (seriously, natural selection is a fact, and my ovaries should remain rosary-free), but that doesn’t mean I should freak out every time I meet a practicing Catholic.

[cbayer]

7. If by her place you mean an equal seat at the table with others

who might see the world differently and hold religious beliefs.



What is the problem with that?

[Goblinmonger]

9. Exactly

And, who really does this...

that doesn’t mean I should freak out every time I meet a practicing Catholic.

It's easy to dismiss atheists when you create a crazy-assed strawperson of them.

[longship]

6. This is my opinion also.

It is also why I have increasingly been sel-identifying as an atheist. Then, when there is the occasional blow back or a demonstration of ignorance of what it means to be an atheist, I take on the issue with respect, but fairly strongly.

Remarkably sometimes the criticism comes from other non-believers who identify themselves as some other descriptor. These often prove to be the most difficult encounters. I never disrespect the other side, but firmly describe my position and the reasons for my unwillingness to change it.

I am an atheist and have been for the vast proportion of my life. If people don't like that, that's their problem, not mine. Mostly, when I describe my reasons they understand, even some of the most fervent of believers. That is very encouraging to me and is my primary reason for my adoption of this tactic. Some of these people I am proud to call friend.

Sometimes calling oneself an atheist has its rewards. That is why I don't fear it.