Alright atheists, the gauntlet has been thrown down....?

Question

I asked in another thread why ya'll are so nice to us pagans.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj6AC.bIbuujCzc_WBSFgtDsy6IX?qid=20070510215342AAMOIWh

Most self-proclaimed atheists responded that it was because we pagans didn't try to convert you or threaten you will hell, but one non-atheists had this to say:

"I dunno, maybe cause misery loves company? You know if you asked them straight out most Atheists would tell you that you are nuts for following Wicca."

Well, I am nothing if not fair-minded, so I'll put it to the test and ask you all straight out: Atheists, do you think I'm nuts for following Wicca?

And no sneaky pretend-atheists answering. We can check your Q&A history, you know, and it just makes your religion look snarky. ;)

Let the answers.... BEGIN! :)

Moira, you're not the first Wiccan Atheist I've met, and I honestly lean that way most days. Thank you for the kind comments.

gelfling and shadouse, in particular, it's my pleasure not to force my beliefs on you. It's always amusing to me that my Christian friends can't understand why I don't "mind" that my BF is an atheist and not the same religion as me. Why should I tell someone how they should interpret the world around them?

I'm sad to see the "Yes, you're nutters" response (Who knew the Christians would be right????) but I take solace in the fact that it's a low percentage. :)

Answer 1

Honey, I'm Wiccan and Atheist. I think the gods are concepts rather than actual beings. Trust me, Wicca is just fine with me. I think Wicca has the possibility of being one of the things that saves this world from itself.

As for other Pagan religions... I'm fine with them. They don't try to force their religion on me. In fact, its quite interesting to learn about them from others just from an education standpoint.

The difference between Pagans and Christians/Muslims is that Pagans only talk to you about their religion if you ask them directly and are much more polite rather than preachy.

Answer 2

honestly, i don't know enough about paganism. i know a little bit, but not a lot. what i do know though, from my pagan (wiccan) friends, is that they are more open-minded than most christians and more willing to discussing all the possiblities rather than just saying "i'm right, you're wrong" all the time. also because the wiccans i know don't blindly deny science and because they worship something that can be proven (nature). i still don't quite get it, merely because i am atheist and can't fathom the belief system, but to me it makes a bit more sense. so no, i don't think you're nuts. i don't think anyone is nuts actually for following any religion. what i think is nuts is blindly following a religion without taking everything there is to know into account before choosing.

beyond that though, i hold a higher respect for anyone who doesn't force their beliefs on others. i've never had a wiccan come knocking on my door trying to convert me. i have had open and honest discussions with my friends but they have never once tried to convince me to believe what they do. i cannot say the same for most christians i know.

Answer 3

I think it's true, that Wiccans don't try and convert agnostics (like myself) or athiests, so that is why Wiccans don't bother me. I do have a funny story though, and I think I'll share.

About 5 years ago, I was stocking groceries at Wal-Mart (I was LDS/Mormon) at the time. When we were on our lunch break, some of the people I was sitting with were talking a little bit about religion. Eventually they got up and it was just me and another girl. It was kind of an awkward silence, she was that person that nobody knew what to say around them. So I blurted out "so yeah, I'm a mormon." She looked at me and said "I'm Wiccan." I misheard her and thought she said "I'm Wicked" so I responded, "That's ok, we all are sometime." Cheers all!!

Answer 4

Nobody is NUTS for following Wicca, i believe that people who wish to follow any faith should be allowed to, without fear of spite and hatred. So many people on yahoo answers, so many who have no tolerance and understanding.So many who report and get questions, answers and PEOPLE suspended, because we may not agree with each other, or THEY don't like the answer or the question, these 'people' like the one you show in your question should not be allowed on this site, but they are, and the one's who have tolerance, humor and understanding are removed!!! Perhaps if we the sensible one's ignore the religious fanatics they might go away. But, no, that won't happen will it?

Answer 5

Nope, I don't think you're nuts. If I needed a god or goddess, and believed they existed, I would be significantly more likely to look into Wicca than Christianity. Wiccan deities tend to be much more impressive and generally good, unlike the Biblical God.

And THANK YOU for not pushing your beliefs on others! :-)

Answer 6

Nuts, no. Obviously you must get something out of it. But given the fact that I don't think any supernatural things are happening in this universe, I do often think people waste a lot of time. But again, if you didn't think you were getting something out of it you wouldn't bother.

And hey, as long as you don't go around discriminating against gay people or pushing your beliefs in public schools or meddling with affairs of state it is your party.

Answer 7

its your life, you can believe in w/e the hell you want to, im not stopping you. some people thought the guy who made up the spaghetti monster was crazy too, but its his life, let him believe in it if he wants. im an agnostic and ive never been around a pagan, but im fine with being with a person of any religion as long as they dont force their religions/beliefs on me. i also hate people who say i cant do something because it is a sin or something else, yet they do something worse

Answer 8

I'll reiterate what a lot of folk have already said. As long as a person keeps their religion to oneself I don't care what they believe. Having said that however, I hasten to add that i think any belief in anything supernatural is wrong. But you can believe whatever you want.

Answer 9

I just plain don't believe in gods, supernatural powers, chanting, spells, etc. etc. etc., but that doesn't mean I hate or disrespect you, or think you are nuts. As long as you or anyone else of any religion or non-religion are decent human beings and treat people with respect, I don't see a problem.

Answer 10

there are no real gods, and the wicca / witches were of herbs and medicines like doctor/ nurse individuals, pre-religious cult fanatic foundations, and got abused by such catholic, christ, mohammad, budda type make beliefs, and had to be removed from authority, by twisted wood floating burning symbolic male mentality droids, nothings changed, you want to be wicca oriented, thats up to you, just be aware that the popeism type organizations still don't want you and your free spirit, and since they already have their fingers in the medical pie stringed sky, they don't fear your wizardry anymore, but you learn what you can, while you'll you're free to do so, stay free, live life,..