I live in the Middle East, and people here are not really open minded (more like ignorant), and am sick of hearing "OMG you're an athiest?? Do you know you're going to hell?? You know, God is really great blah blah blah, and am sick of everyone shoving their beliefs down my throat, should i pretend to be a muslim so people can shut the hell up and leave me alone?
2007-01-27 10:50:00 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Don't ever pretend to be someone your not. Move to the US and come hang out with me...we can be ridiculed together.
2007-01-27 10:57:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, the same thing happens in the Southern United States. I've been told so many times that I'm going to Hell (like I really care). You live in the Middle East though. That is a dangerous place, and I think sometimes it is necessary to pretend to be something you are not for your own sake. I'm as Athiest as I think is possible, and everyone that knows me knows that, but if that is because I am in Canada right now, and most people here have the same view. If I was in a place with extremests though, I would concede and do what it takes to be safe. Remember... It doesn't matter what you believe or what you think at all if you are dead.
2007-01-27 10:58:52 · answer #2 · answered by Bob 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is a decision that you will have to make. First, are you truly an atheist? I've never met one that could prove that God does not exist. I've meet hundreds of agnostics (I'm one myself) that doesn't really believe there is a God but is not sure for the same reason they don't believe in God, no proof.
Most people that I have met that claim to be an atheist only have an axe to grind with religion and haven't really approached either belief with an open mind. I would first evaluate my knowledge that no God exists before sounding off. I think that anybody's absolute belief that God exists or that God does not exist has no proof and therefore are just going on faith.
Good Luck
2007-01-27 10:58:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As an atheist you'll have a lifetime of people telling you that you're going to hell. I had an older lady once exclaim that it was impossible not to believe; that EVERYONE believes in god, and pooh-poohed me off with a wave of her hand! But Muslims and Christians war. Protestants and Catholics war. Baptists and anyone war. So you have to pick and choose when to reveal your 'spiritual' self and know that, when you do, you'll have a debate on your hands. Openly broadcasting that you go against the beliefs of the majority of the planet could get you more than a debate. But take heart- atheists and agnostics make up the second largest spiritual group on earth and the numbers are rapidly increasing.
2007-01-27 11:14:18 · answer #4 · answered by STEVE 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Better than most people speaking about a God they do not know or understand. Many people find security in numbers but the Bible plainly says most all people will never find God. As it was in the days of Noah-9 peoples saved 8 floated away and one went to Heaven. As in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah 4 left Sodom and one died along the way so 3 saved. And this is how it will be in the coming of the Son of man; Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Peter 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Now I say to you atheist it will be more tolerable for you on the day of judgment than many so called Christians.
2007-01-27 10:53:54 · answer #5 · answered by sirromo4u 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It seems to me you're more Agnostic than Atheist... DO you actually believe there is no God, or do you just not care, because frankly there are more important things than an ancient need to believe there is something out there that can protect us from the unknown to us, if only we have faith...
I sympathise for you and your situation. We don't realise how lucky we are to be able to be free thinking, and as a result we waste it.
2007-01-27 10:59:41 · answer #6 · answered by MoB uK 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What's it like over there? But anyway, YES. Keep to yourself. There is no atheist god who will reward you for speaking out. I am either atheist or agnostic, but I never openly talking about beliefs except when asked, in which case I will tell the truth.
2007-01-27 10:54:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even in America, there are places where being an atheist in public is risky. I've heard its even worse in the Middle East, but if it was as the American propaganda organs say you should have been hung by your own people already...
As for what to do, be brave and determined but learn not to take unnecessary risks.
2007-01-27 11:06:10 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. NoneofYourbusiness 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, pretend to be muslim. If you don't, you'll be putting yourself through far more stress than you deserve and I would go insane if I had ANY beliefs being shoved down my throat, much less that hideous religion. Also, you don't want to become known as an "infidel" if you know what I mean.
2007-01-27 10:55:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, but i do emphasize with you.
I used to keep quiet, then I decided to argue with my Muslim friends - about things like the drinking of alcohol, in that it is described in the Koran - heaven is a river of milk and a river of wine. I thus ask them to show me the passage which prohibits wine, and they can not, its in the laws written 30 years afterward.
I tell them "That I was born a child of the book, and if Allah is so forgiving he will forgive my doubts in his existence, as long as I live a good life" And if he doesn't exist, then I will not have wasted time praying to a non existent god, but enjoying life and the company of my good friends here on earth.
2007-01-27 11:00:43 · answer #10 · answered by DAVID C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you really atheist? Most atheists are actually agnostic and don't know it, from what I've found. If you can stand on your own, believe what you want to. Ted Haggard pretended to be something he's not, which is a good Christian. Google him for more info.
2007-01-27 11:14:47 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋