Atheists Only?

Question

I am a very, what you might call avid, atheist. When anyone brings up religion or anything that has to do with it, I have to try so so hard not to say anything about how darn stupid it all is. My grandma is Catholic and says I should respect other's beliefs. Do I respect killing people? No. So I literally cannot respect these beliefs because I know better. What can I do to keep my cool?

Answer 1

Your grandmother is correct. If you want others to respect your beliefs and let you follow your path in peace, you must afford them the same luxury.
I don't feel any religion is evil or violent- it is the followers who are evil and violent that give the religion a bad name.
However, if anyone tries to shove their beliefs down your throat, you have every right to walk away.

Answer 2

I understand how you feel. It's difficult to show respect for others' beliefs when they show no respect for yours. And, as you pointed out, some religious zealots don't even have much respect for human life.
But I look at it is like this: I don't have to respect religions like Islam and Christianity that dictate I should be killed or tortured for all eternity simply because I don't believe what they do. In fact, I have nothing but disgust and contempt for that. But, since I live in a free society, I do have to respect the right of people to believe whatever they choose to.
Nobody is hurting you by bringing up religion. So try to let it slide and change the subject. But if they try to force it on you and won't leave you alone, then DON'T keep your cool. At that point, they're infringing upon your right to believe what you choose and you don't have to put up with it.
Don't get discouraged. There are more of us than you think!

Answer 3

Being an atheist is an intellectually integrated experience, and while there is personal relief in discovering the high plausibility of atheism, it is neither helpful nor accurate to assume a self-righteous attitude regarding this frame of thought.

There have been many people who have allowed you to achieve a certain intellectual comfort in questioning the beliefs that you were handed by your culture (and most likely, by your family). They sacrificed a lot to question their beliefs, many of them compromising their freedom. In addition, you have a full range of personal resources that have allowed you to examine things through your education, through reading, and through financial & social stability.

These benefits are far from universal. When you say that someone or their beliefs are stupid, you are assuming a great deal about their own life stance, including whether or not they have access to the same knowledge base and resources you've had access to. You also don't know how difficult it would be for them to depart from their religion when they've spent often decades investing themselves into it.

Just because you have sufficient resources and information to bring yourself out of religion, it is not prudent to assume if you can do it, so can everyone else. Quite frankly they don't leave religion not because they're stupid, but rather without it, they would no longer recognize their lives.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 4

I am also an atheist, but I've learned people will believe whatever they want. Regardless of how stupid it sounds, religion gives most people comfort and hope that there is something better. I think the key is to respect individuals and not their beliefs. If you genuinely like a person with the exception of their religious beliefs, and if they respect you enough to allow for your beliefs, it should be easier to speak with them.

Answer 5

Walk out of the room if you feel like your going to say something stupid or why not discuss it with them? Even your beliefs should be respected so if you bring them up in a respectful way without saying they are wrong or bullsh*t or something along them lines. If you can't do it just leave the room though it works for me. If I feel like I'm ready to start saying things I know will make the whole room mad I simply leave the room.

Answer 6

Are you really an atheist? I will respect your opinion about yourself..but you see there are so many things we really don't know about ourselves. Actually, if the truth were known..there no such thing as an atheist! The closest you can get is an agnostic. But there is no such thing as an intelligent thinking, reasoning atheist. How smart are you really? Of all the knowledge in the universe, how much of this knowledge do you possess? Maybe 5% or maybe your really smart and possess 15%. Ok..Wo ai ni!!.... Mahal kita!!
I just said, "I love you", in two languages..can you tell me what they are?? If you say absolutely there is no God, and have people respect you because you know...then you should be able to answer those simple questions. HOWEVER, you don't even know 1% of the people in the world,.how can you say with intelligence, and certainty there is no God!!! So change it to I don't THINK there is a God... but then that would make you an agnostic...wouldn't it? but again you wouldn't appear so clueless..

Answer 7

If you want people to respect you for your non-belief, respect their beliefs. Respecting people's beliefs is the same as having the sense not to shove your beliefs in their face. That word is getting redundant in this answer...

Anyway. If you want to keep your cool, just tune them out! I'm Buddhist, and I hate it when people tell me I'm going to hell [Catholic nun, marketplace, age five] or that my religion is wrong. Instead of attacking their religion I just tune them out or nod and say, "But I've already reserved my spot in hell!"

You might not respect someone's morals, but you have to tolerate them. When people talk about religion don't be obnoxious. Just don't listen to them!

Answer 8

Your grandma is right in telling you to respect each other's beliefs. It wouldn't hurt to do that. In case you get into arguments about religion, ask this question to a believer: Who will your God accept into heaven - an atheist who spreads goodwill, or a religious person who molests little children?

That question can stop an argument.

Answer 9

You don't have to respect others beliefs but you should respect others right to hold their beliefs however stupid those beliefs might seem to you.
It's not possible to respect what you see as barmy religious ideas and you should not but don't be rude...just say you are atheist and you don't agree and leave it there. You don't have to put up with religious tyranny from people, your right to hold the beliefs you do should also be treated with respect.

Answer 10

Maybe you have a "do as I say ...not as I do" problem... In life, you will find different opinions,beliefs and life styles from your own.... Get over it... If you can't respect other people...Why should they kiss your over sensitive a$$?

And of course... I mean that in the best way possible....My work here is done...