When anyone asks me what religion i am, i tell them i am atheist...but there are many other types of religions around and when they say they are jewish or muslim no one reacts they way when i say what i am???... why is everyone so judgemental, or should i hide my atheism, or ....???? a little advice would be nice, i do not want to offend anyone i just want to tell them how i feel...should i lie?...help me..
2007-06-15 21:36:52 · 18 answers · asked by dontworryitshalffull 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just say you are a freethinker.
It works better.
2007-06-15 21:45:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think that's because many people do not realize that atheism IS a religion. So they react in a surprised manner.
I personally would shut my mouth and try to understand how you could be so conceited! But there is no getting away from what you want to say; just say it, like you've been doing. After a while, you will get used to the responses, and they will learn not to ask you that question.
2007-06-16 10:14:43 · answer #2 · answered by flandargo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheism isn't something to be ashamed of, it's something to be proud of, because it means you can think for yourself. If the people around you are judgemental it's because they either have mental issues or were brought up believing everything their parents told them without ever questioning it, and so can't understand someone who won't believe everything he's told by his parents. Don't lie anyway. We are living in the Age of Reason, atheism is growing more popular at a drastic rate and eventually it will be wierd for someone to be religious.
2007-06-16 02:15:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it's not actually a religion for a start. and some people are just like that, trying to push their beliefs on everyone else, but i'm sure the majority of people couldn't care less whether you were religious or not (unless you live in america, where they do care, and get really bothered about it, for some reason)
at the end of the day, don't lie, because that's worse. just tell them you do not believe in any god, and that you are happy that way.
2007-06-15 23:55:44 · answer #4 · answered by Kit Fang 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
World governments with the help of the media use religion as a method of controlling the masses(just look at Iran). The media never mentions atheists because they want everyone to believe in any one of the religions. It's Prozac for the masses. I just say that I don't want religion.
2007-06-15 22:35:55 · answer #5 · answered by liberty11235 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I too agree with many answerers' views that atheism is not a religion - it is just a stand that you do not believe in a deity (theist).......But these are all, in Indian philosophy, only a stage in the mental and soul evolution of each individual.
There is a saying in Indian philosophy that even to believe in God you should have that gift from HIM. So not believing is a lower evolutionary step. Believe it?
2007-06-16 00:21:42 · answer #6 · answered by straightener 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No matter what religion people are, they are scared of people who are different. I am sorry if any of my fellow Christians have judged you, I may not agree with you. I don't think your personal beliefs make you a bad person, just like my personal beliefs don't necessarily make me a good person (which I do consider myself, but I am so totally not perfect).
I personally think you should be honest and upfront with people. If they start to attack you let them know that you are not going to attack their personal beliefs, so please do not attack yours. If they have such a problem with it suggest they do as the Bible (or whatever religious documentation they believe in) and pray for you, smile and tell them to have a nice day.
2007-06-15 22:09:12 · answer #7 · answered by Nicole B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why not call yourself a Religious Nihilist?
It will confuse some, irritate others and the rest will just not be bothered.
2007-06-16 12:48:40 · answer #8 · answered by davidifyouknowme 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends what they say to you and how you act toward them. I consider myself a friend of most religions because I do not expect them to call God a delusion, Jesus a myth, me a hypocrite, or my religion responsible for evil throughout history. But such disrespect is expected from most Atheists. I don't think Atheists really grasp tolerance and respect toward religion. They think it to be "I respect your right to believe in your religion" but that is not really respect.... That is like me saying, "I respect your right to be a black person". Such a saying is not very liberal or generous, or friendly.
2007-06-15 22:00:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Atheist can be also a Buddhist, don't you believe Buddha was an enlightened being?
And you can be the same.......you are potentially the same
study a bit of tibetan buddhism
then you answer to your friends.....
2007-06-15 21:53:52 · answer #10 · answered by dreaming 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just learn your case, and learn it well. Stand up for the truth. The first point to attack is always evolution. If they already understand it, attack the bible for getting creation wrong.
Don't worry about offending them. Worry about them completely missing the point of life. Worry about them having a completely screwed up ethics. Worry about them living for the "next world" instead of improving this one.
2007-06-15 21:44:07 · answer #11 · answered by The Instigator 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋