• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!
  • Welcome to our archives. No new posts are allowed here.

Anything but an Atheist

Which takes us right back to my original question, why should we respect them if they won't respect us and our right not to believe their silly fairy tales? I do understand religion, I simply do not respect it or anyone who follows it. They have not earned my respect by acting in a rational, logical fashion. No one is entitled not to be offended, nor do they have to be respected. Their actions dictate how they are treated. Act badly, and I consider trying to force your beliefs on me through social pressure or force of law to be bad, then you will be treated accordingly.

You are willing to generalize and insult the belief system of over half of the entire world, and you want to ask questions about respect? You're the reason atheists like me get so much venom from some religious folk. They see people like you pissing all over their belief system and respond in anger; then you want to call them out like they're worse than you? It's a two way street and somebody has to start off as the bigger man. If it ain't you, don't expect it from anybody else.
 
I couldn't disagree more. Issues of conscience are no more a choice than race of sexual preference. It is disgusting to hear people talk about atheism as a "choice" to justify discrimination against atheists. Kinda reminds me of the people who call being gay a "choice."

Truly religious people do not "choose" their religion, and similarly those truly convinced by atheism do not "choose" to be convinced. They find it to be true, and cannot help themselves. It is the path their conscience leads them down. It must be respected.

Religion is very much a choice. People changing religions, leaving or joining churches, changing from belief to disbelief?? It happens all the time. You choose whether or not you believe in God. It is no way comparable to being gay or being white or black or asian.
 
Religion is equally as much a choice sexual preference.



Because they are compelled to do so because of their conscience. Hardly a choice at all.

You aren't born being directed by your conscience to worship God. You are taught over time and make a decision regarding what is taught to you. Hence, choice.

Sexual preference is inherent, it isn't taught. Hence, not a choice.

But I'm not having a stupid circular argument with you. This will be just like the stupid flag debate and I'm not doing it. So this will be my last post in response to your train of thought.
 
I was lucky enough to find a fellow atheist to marry, but my employer, coworkers, and my wife's family would make life difficult if they found out. My wife's family has already outcast one girl, my wifes cousin, for marrying an atheist, though that's not her main fault for them outcasting her, but it's certainly something that thy bring up often to rag her on. My bosses and co-workers are a mix of Christian from you'd never know unless you asked them to full fledged Jesus emails being sent around the office daily. I'm sure a few of them could probably live with it but I'm no where near comfortable enough to not fear losing my job should we ever have a round of layoffs because I'm an atheist. As it is right now I'd be one of the last people to be laid off, but I wouldn't want to risk being dropped on the totem poll. Plus my direct boss, though he doesn't own the company or anything, has told me before that the county would be better off going back to the old days of hanging any atheists, gays or blacks.

Really my wife and I keep it between ourselves and a handful of close friends. Other than that no one really needs to know and even if I wasn't scared of repercussions I'm not one to go screaming from the rooftops about anything anyways.
 
There are a few friends and family I have told. The family took it pretty hard. I have had Catholic neighbors come over to have "The Talk".

Deep in the heart of TX, it is best I keep my atheism to myself. Especially around the workplace.
 
You aren't born being directed by your conscience to worship God. You are taught over time and make a decision regarding what is taught to you. Hence, choice.

Sexual preference is inherent, it isn't taught. Hence, not a choice.
.

Once again you demonstrate your naivete and ignorance with your foolish arguments. Religion is a matter of conscience, not rational thought. It is no more a choice than sexual preference. This is not a nature vs. nurture argument.

You argue, basically, that sexual preference is only a choice if it is biological, but you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Sexual preference is not a choice, whether or not it is a biological function (there is no clear evidence of a "gay gene" for example, but even if sexual preference is the result of environmental factors it is not a choice by any means).

Likewise, religion may or may not be inborn. You don't really know, do you? You certainly haven't got any evidence one way or the other. People may be genetically predisposed to religion belief or atheism for all you know. I recall a book called "The True Believer" makes this argument.

But that isn't really the point. I am sick to death of this idiotic right-wing canard that a behavior must be strictly biological to be considered "not a choice." It isn't true of homosexuality, and it isn't true of matters of conscience.

It's despicable and inhuman.
 
I have no idea who is or is not religious where I work. Religion or lack thereof is not something anyone ever talks about. I don't care what god my coworkers believe in nor do I want to know and it's pretty obvious everyone feels the same way. :shrug: As for friends and family, most are either agnostic or atheist or non-practicing Christians, Jews, Muslims and a few Hindus. Everyone gets along great.
 
Back
Top Bottom