Did you know my ex boss is an Atheist?

Question

Yes! It's true. I worked side by side with him 5 days a week. He is Dutch, and we disagreed about everything!
My point in asking this question is this...I love that guy! He was the best boss I ever had. I still drop by for a visit from time to time. When I drop in he gets a big smile....he doesn't care what I believe in.
If we had a discussion about beliefs, it didn't turn into a hate session. We agreed to disagree. Why all the mocking on here?

Answer 1

maybe it had less to do with his religious thinking and more to do with him being a decent human being? Additionally, you had a different relationship with him: getting work done. Whatever the differences in your religion/nonreligion, you were both out to make it through the week OK.

Here, you come specifically to discuss religious issues without having any further ties to the people here.

Answer 2

that was perfectly normal.
If I were to answer the final part of your question, as to why all the mocking, I think my answer would include elements that are not permitted on YA. But I'll try and say it nicely: A lot of people come on to YA because they have nothing else to do, and they are like (or they are in effect) giggling teenagers, who want to see how big an insult they can throw at someone.
There are also those who have some kind of belief or non-belief, and are angered by the fact that anyone might disagree with them! For some reason they feel threatened by that, so they need to lash out at them.
As you have noticed, this kind of behaviour has come from people claiming to be atheists, from people claiming to be Christians, from people claiming to be muslims....
Oh, and I won't be surprised if someone comes on saying he has counted, and there is more hate stuff coming from one particular camp - then someone else might come on and say it is not true, more comes from another camp.
There is no end to this, unfortunately. We just have to sift out the dross, and enjoy the good stuff that comes on: there is plenty of that too.

Answer 3

I once had the impression that the general population was somewhat educated and cultured. Now that I have been on this forum for a year, I know that is not so. This forum is a cross between grade school and junior high. In general, the only thing you can do is come on here for a laugh or two.

Answer 4

My husband is an atheist and I don’t consider us unequally yoked at all. This is because we don’t try to pull each other in different directions. We have always worked as a team and can still do that even though we disagree on Faith. It’s called respect.

Of course I wish he shared my Faith and perhaps he will someday. But he will have to come to it in his own time and in his own way. I can’t make him change, nor would I try.

I have friends who are all over the place when it comes to Faith and to politics. If you are confident of what you believe you can listen to others without name-calling. Arguing with respect for differences of opinion can cause one to more deeply examine our own beliefs.

Answer 5

It's a shame that there's a lot of mocking, but a lot of people are narrow-minded and ignorant. I'm glad that you were able to find that you can have an intelligent discussion with someone who has different beliefs than you do. Enjoy!

Answer 6

Some mock. Some just want to challenge the stereotype that atheists are miserable, immoral, confused people who are angry at god. It's more likely that you met an example of the real thing. We're really not that unusual when you get to know us.

Now, why all the challenges to atheist questions? Anyone want to counter that?
_

Answer 7

I have been thinking about that the past couple of days.

It seems as though quite a few folks are in attack mode all the time, and constantly looking to demean peoples deeply held beliefs.

Too bad honest questions aren't asked more often, and when they are, its too bad insults are so typical.

Answer 8

Hooray for you! I'm so pleased to hear that you've been able to engage in dialogue with your ex-boss. We could use a lot more of that around here!

Answer 9

I get along great with many Christians and Muslims. The computer just provides anonymity thus it's easier to talk out your backside.

Answer 10

i pass to church once per week to take the sacrament and renew my baptismal covenants to save God's commandments. it is also awesome to sense the Holy Ghost there and study some thing new and go jointly with those who percentage my beliefs and help me.