How can i be a nicer person...... while being open about Atheism?

Question

I acknowledge the my comments about religion might appear to be rude. However I don't think they are any less rude then telling someone "you need Jesus to be saved" I don't go around trying to convince people. However when the subject comes up I want to be very clear where I stand. Where should I draw the line about religion?

Monica if you ever in ny I would love take you out to dinner. ;)

Some of you have some Excellent answer picking one of you will be very difficult.

thank you all ;)

Answer 1

I've been struggling with this same question myself. I wasn't concious that in a sense, I was bashing and tearing apart someone else's belief when I talked so negatively about religion, the church etc. But, when I looked at it the other way, I came to realize that I would be angry if someone told me that evolution or biology was total crap.

I've learned to be a bit more careful when I speak. Even when I do think something is utter crap, I tone down the way I express it by offering my viewpoint in a calm and rational voice. But I don't usually start conversations up about religion and atheism; only if the conversation/situation turns that way do I offer my opinions.

I used to think that people of faith were a detriment to society and our progression. But, now I have come to see that plenty of religious people believe in evolution and are willing to accept the notions of science. Religion, in a way does have its positive aspects because it gives the people a sense of morality. Something to work for, to be good, to give back to the community etc. So, I've learned to be tolerant and I only can only ask other's to tolerate my atheist views in return. If someone wants to be rude about it, then there is no common ground and I usually just extract myself from such a situation...

Answer 2

Well hey look at it this way it's not like you are going around harassing anybody and promoting Atheism. You are simply stating your stance on the matter whenever it is mentioned. You're not doing anything wrong. The best thing I can say is to keep going on about your business and defend your position when necessary. Otherwise simply set some sort of boundaries ahead of time. Tell people that you don't wish to discuss religion and move onto another topic. If they want to continue to try to talk about religion simply tell them to have a nice day and then all you do is simply move on.

Answer 3

How interesting... I do believe you have made a very interesting point.. I happen to be a Christian.. and I also agree with you.. Christians have the habit of being quite rude and un-convincing. I believe that when you have your mind made up and people try to tell you to do something, they are actually doing themselves a dis-service by aggravating the person they are trying to convince. do you think that if I was surrounded by Atheists, that constantly tried to change my mind for me, that I would even consider it? no.. it would just encourage me to keep my faith.. people need to understand that the more you try to forcefully change someones mind, the more they will fight back.

I have been Friends with non-believers before, and have had the best of friendship with such people. when we agree to disagree we seem to get along better than people who have a "power struggle" it's also quite a unique experience to be friends with someone who doesn't share your beliefs. I also believe that Atheists are sometimes better Christians than Christians. since they don't have a god to please, they tend to be nicer to people (because they don't find fault in other people) being nice to others is the second commandment, and many Christians can't even follow it half the time.

Religion is such a touchy topic.. it's the MAIN reason wars are fought all over the world. Why can't we all just get along and respect each other?

Answer 4

Unfortunately, those who suffer from the delusion of religious brainwashing will not deal with your questions in an objective manner, they can't.
I mean, look at the second answer "Your godlessness makes you evil." The only way I would respond to that is: Religion has been the cause of more evil, hatred, violence and murder than any other in the history of mankind. And I would ask that 'fundie'- 'if god equals good, then why do your priests molest young boys? 'And why does the church hierarchy aid and abet these sexual crimes against children?' Your church is exponentially more evil than any atheist.
Nice? Maybe not. but look at the answers your getting.

Answer 5

I've never seen you be rude. I think its very possible to be honest about your atheism without rudeness. In real life I find that body language and a lot of smiles help reassure people when that topic comes up. On here, I especially notice the atheists who phrase things politely (since we can't really smile on here) and who often end questions in an upbeat way. Or end statements with "what do you think?"

Answer 6

I believe that you need to upgrade your belief system to one extra level.

All you need is to understand why is it that you want to be *very clear as to where you stand* when you argue about this subject?

I will rephrase the answer in several terminologies to make your frame of experience more clear to yourself:

- You want to *clearly state your opinion* because you are *concerned about* people, that *ignorance* in this subject could lead to *problems in society*, or perhaps because you realize that *people are deprived of their freedom*, and they are *limiting their own potential*.

If you have ever used any of these terms in your own thinking, they are all pointing to a source of a negative emotional intensity originated from an *inner fear* about the past, the present or the future.

This *inner fear* will be so subtle to you unless you meticulously be aware of your inner thought processes and conciously criticize them.

You are a free individual in the society, but you know as well that others are free as well. Your opinion might be quite right, but hey.. others think they are right too!

So you ask yourself, if the other people are so opinionated and stubborn, how can I interact with the society in a more positive manner then? See yourself debating with others from a third observing point and ask yourself:

"If they keep arguing about theories forever, when will they find time to apply it? Does the tension of debate cause a peaceful environment for their minds to judge their own opinions, or it just creates more resistance to change?"

Open up your mind and then you will realize, that trying to be *very clear as to where you stand* is not perceived by others the way you want it to be. You appear to them as a virus that wants to contaminate their mind, and they attack it and get even immune to similar thoughts. Why? Because you have not given them the chance to yield the fruit of their own belief system.

Give yourself and others a chance to fully experience life without distortion, let them explore life the way they see it, while you keep your own progress and evolve by all means.

Answer 7

Why worry about what anyone else believes? Just tell them they are free to believe what they want and move on. I usually just ignore any religious comments my friends or coworkers make.

A few of my really close friends know I'm not a Christian but it doesn't bother them. They don't preach at me or try to convert me. I don't walk around shouting that I'm a Pagan at the top of my lungs, but I will tell anyone who actually bothers to ask.

Most people just ASSUME everyone they run into is a Christian so they don't think of their actions and preaching as being rude. They ASSUME they are talking to someone who believes what they believe.

Personally, I think everyone should adopt what I call the Kool-Aid Philosophy. Everybody has their own flavor of Kool-Aid, so just kick back, enjoy your own, and don't worry about everybody else's. Quit trying to make everybody else switch over to your flavor.

Answer 8

You know how to be nice. And you know that we Christians believe that the Bible is true, and the Bible is very clear about salvation. Jesus is the way. If you want to be saved, you need Jesus for that. Avoid those subjects if they are too much. I have several Atheist friends and we do not bring up hell and heaven in our conversations. God will respect your choice, so will your friends. : )

Answer 9

I'm Christian, but being Christian alone doesn't make me a good person. Religion might play some part, but you can be a good person without it. Say what you feel, but try to avoid insulting the religion you're talking about. Some people might say to stay away from sarcasm, too, but I'm a sucker for dry humor.

Answer 10

My mom taught me that honesty is always the best policy. I am Pagan (much to the dismay of my ENTIRE Christian family). When people ask me what I believe, I tell them. I am polite and respectful. I don't "bash" on any religion, to the best of my ability. When I get pointed questions or statements of "if you don't believe, you will burn in hell" I will say "that is your opinion". I do my best to not get into religious debates with anyone. Some people won't let it go. I guess at some point, if they insist on brow beating you because you choose to not believe in a deity you could always pose this question to them:

Does my choice of belief threaten your salvation? Of course they will answer "No it doesn't but..." it as this point that you can tell them that you are going to continue to believe the way you want to. Point out that YOU are the one who said a god doesn't exist not them. If they still continue, and some of them will simply tell them that you're going to have to agree to disagree with them on this issue and walk away, obviously they don't want to respect your right to think for yourself and they aren't worth continuing a conversation with.