is atheist really a religion? and how do u avoid all the stuff about god without offending other people who belive in him? and is it ok to pray with people at the supper table even tho u have no belief in god but to do it out of respect for their beliefs?
2007-08-13 15:52:42 · 28 answers · asked by [LeT's GeT WaStEd] 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i am an atheist and i want to make sure im not doing anything wrong. and i care a lot about what other people think and belive and i dont want to lose my respect for being an atheist.
2007-08-13 16:10:51 · update #1
No.
I don't really care who I offend although I'm a little more circumspect with children.
I don't pray, bow my head or do any other hypocritical things. It's just not me.
If others respect my views I still won't respect theirs.
The belief in InvisibleSkyGuys is childish and is not the sort of thing educated adults should be doing and it should definitely NOT get the support from government that it does ... no property taxes, etc.
.
2007-08-13 16:06:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Q: "is atheist really a religion?"
A: No. Religion requires belief in a deity or deities. An atheist is a person who has no belief in a deity or deities.
Q: "and how do u avoid all the stuff about god without offending other people who belive in him?"
A: They don't seem concerned about offending me, so I don't concern myself with them either.
Q: and is it ok to pray with people at the supper table even tho u have no belief in god but to do it out of respect for their beliefs?
A: If people expect me to pray, they have no respect for my beliefs, so why should I respect theirs?
For most of my life I treated theists with respect, even when they were nasty to me. I got tired of being nice to people who don't deserve it. Too many theists want special privileges. It's about time they realize that atheists have rights, too.
2007-08-13 23:12:09 · answer #2 · answered by YY4Me 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, atheism is not a religion at all. Atheism is the lack of belief in any god. How is not believing in any god a religion? If you still think it is, try figuring our which god atheists worship.
You do not offend others if you do not ask other people about their religion.
Atheists do not pray with others at the supper table or elsewhere. To be respectful, most atheists are silent when others pray.
2007-08-13 23:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by CC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a religion, more like aa understanding that religion is a creation of mankind that has been gradually transformed into what it is today from many different aspects; I do not pray, even at dinner tables. I stand by my beliefs for a reason and respect others' beliefs and they should accept mine and understand that I will not worship their god by praying. If I offend other people it is because of their ignorance, not mine.
2007-08-13 23:00:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not a religion. I do not try to avoid conversations about my beliefs and I am definitely not ashamed of it. Why would my beliefs offend others. I don't think religious people worry about their beliefs offending me. I do not pray. If others that are around pray I will hold my head up. Look downward so as not to stare or look at those who are praying. If I am at an event like for instance a wedding,funeral, or graduation I look ahead of me. I never look at others who are praying.
2007-08-13 23:04:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no atheism is not a religion. It's the lack of a religion. When i go to other people's houses who pray I just watch, but I'm not disrespectful and laugh or anything. Hey, if religion works for them then let it be it.
what do you mean by "how do you avoid all the stuff about god without offending other belivers?"
I only have trouble when people say that I'm wrong with no proof.
2007-08-13 22:57:42 · answer #6 · answered by bob888 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Atheism is the absence of religion. It is not a religion.
When someone ask me if I believe in a god, I am hones, and tell them I do not believe in a god. If they say, "so you are an atheist?", I reply "No, just someone who does not believe in a god" and let it go at that.
Saying that is less offensive to person than telling them I an atheist, as the word "atheist: is charged word.
When someone is really inquisitive, ad I feel safe, I tell them more
When I am with someone who wants to pray at a dinner table, I let them, but do not participate. They have the right to follow their religion and waiting for them to say grace is a small sacrifice to pay.
Hope this helps!
Rob
2007-08-14 02:29:18 · answer #7 · answered by barefoot_rob1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atheism is a philosophy not a religion..
When the "god stuff" comes up I simply state I do not believe any deity has ever existed or will ever exist..if someone else who is pushing a deity is offended that's their problem..
If I am at a dinner table other than my own and someone wants to pray I sit quietly if it is in their home and ask them to pray silently to themselves if in a restaurant.. If my dining companion in a restaurant still wishes to pray aloud I excuse myself as them praying aloud shows their lack of respect for my beliefs... Respect is a two way street you have to give respect to earn respect.. I will show my respect for their beliefs by sitting quietly not disturbing them while they pray silently to themselves.. They pray silently to themselves to show their respect for my beliefs..
I do refrain from saying amen if at someones house and they pray as amen is an indication of agreement with what was said in the prayer and I do not agree..
2007-08-13 23:08:54 · answer #8 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheism isn't a religion. It's a type of belief or philosophy.
I change the subject if people bring up God.
I personally close my eyes out of respect (I also wouldn't want to be singled out) while people are praying, but I don't pray with them.
2007-08-13 23:03:30 · answer #9 · answered by Stardust 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, atheism is not a religion. It's a rejection of religion. I really don't care if I offend the Jesus freaks. I find that they. for the most part, are worthy of ridicule. Yes, I will bow my head at the table with friends out of respect for them, not the religion.
2007-08-13 23:03:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋