I am a devout atheist (!) and want to make a decision to not go to church ever agin for any reason as I don not believe in any sort of religion. How can I do this though, with so many others having weddings, christenings etc, all things I do not believe in - yes I shoudl support my friends beliefs - but at the expense of mine? Also I am about to graduate as a teacher and find assemblies intolerable!
2006-11-12 12:17:23 · 39 answers · asked by chrismyarse 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As we live in a Christian Society I'm afraid like the rest of us Atheists you only have two choices.
1 Go but sit quietly when prayers are said, and dont sing the hymns.(Most people wont notice if you sit and stand when they do) You support them by showing respect for their beliefs.
2 Dont go to the church but attend the reception or party afterwards. If they are friends then they should respect your beliefs too.
As a teacher you could try approaching the Head-master. Most schools nowadays dont use Religion in Assemblies or make provision for pupils whose beliefs may conflict. You could perhaps supervise those pupils. If you must attend do as I suggest for a church service.
Devout is usually not used as people tend to think of it in religious terms. It actually means devoted to your belief so is grammatically correct but most WONT see it that way!
Only you can choose how you will behave!
2006-11-12 12:58:42 · answer #1 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you can't be tolerant of your friends views, you can't be much of a friend. I have attended services at a mosque, at Roman Catholic church, a Mormon church, and have visitted many Christian and none Christian religious sites for my own interedt (architecture etc), and have no problem with others religion. Clearly you are someone who has no religion, not an Atheist. Atheists have been persecuted by the RC Church for hundreds of years, and their beliefs were that their actions should benefit those around them, because this improved the world, and you clearly do not share those tolerant views. I hope you're not teaching English or Philosophy/Theology with such an ignorance of the meaning of the word Atheist, and yet are so quick to describe yourself with the word.
2006-11-12 12:23:52 · answer #2 · answered by SteveUK 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can boycott the weddings if it's really worth it to you. Or you could focus in on the fact that you're there to celebrate with your friends. If you're truly comfortable as an atheist, going to a church for something like that might be a little unpleasant but it shouldn't kill you. Unfortunately, the little exclamation mark you felt it necessary to add leads me to believe that you're really not all that sure and that you're putting up a front.
And if assemblies were really going to be that much of a problem, you should have considered another profession.
2006-11-12 12:21:19 · answer #3 · answered by Phil 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I too am an atheist and politely refused to be my friends baby's Godmother as I thought it hypocritical.
I do however go to weddings and funerals as a mark of respect but will not sing the hymns.
Most assemblies nowadays don't tend to be about religion so I shouldn't worry too much.
2006-11-12 12:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by kerrie h 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Does going to a wedding or funeral or whatever church occasion makes you a non-atheist? Can Christianity rub off on you, while you are there? Look out, because some of your pupils might just be Christians, what will you do then?
2006-11-12 12:27:26 · answer #5 · answered by charmaine f 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
definitely learn to respect other people's views... and 'devout' is a rather interesting word for an atheist, eh?
however, the net net is... I'm afraid you cannot escape Christianity.... because.. it's true and a reality of the universe you live in, both in this age and the next. Someday you will stand before the great white throne and you will not only be embarassed at what you wrote but wonder why you spent the short life you had on shutting your ears against God instead of seeking HIm
seriously .... your best bet... get a new heart... if you can't fight em join em and learn to luv it.. you will be devout to somethin why not be devout to something of inestimable value?
2006-11-12 12:23:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I am not an atheist, but perhaps for the events that your friends throw that involve church services (weddings, etc.) you could send them a gift and note saying you are thinking of them and you wish them the best. If they are truly your friends they will understand and respect your decisions. I don't have any advice for assemblies, though.
2006-11-12 12:21:57 · answer #7 · answered by Ang 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Build a house on a mountain or in the hills someplace where no one cares to drive to. Live there in peace and visit your friends when they really have something going on with them, like small pox, but otherwise, quietly drop out of the social scene. The friends will get the point. Your beliefs are more important than their feelings.
2006-11-12 12:23:55 · answer #8 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't know. Atheist means you don't believe in God, it doesn't mean you need to escape Christianity.
Although I do understand your dilema, I have no logical answer, unless you only have athiest friends.
Assesmblies are always intolerable where people feel the need to spout off about lots of stuff you already know or couldn't care less about.
2006-11-12 12:23:17 · answer #9 · answered by Abbasangel 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Deist, and while I believe in God, I, don't go to church (Deism is not an organized religion). Respect their beliefs and just go along with it (in other words, play lip service). It if really bothers you, come up with an excuse not to go.
2006-11-12 12:28:05 · answer #10 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋