I dont want to offend anybody, so I just lie or hope the topic doesn't come up.
2007-08-31 08:25:16 · 36 answers · asked by sspence966 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No. It isn't. You should never lie about your beliefs. They are nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has their own belief, or non-belief system, and everyone else should respect that. It's their problem if they cannot respect who you are.
2007-08-31 08:30:49 · answer #1 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 9⤊ 2⤋
You make it sound like its a bad thing. Some people are simply incapable of comprehending the concept of atheism and should be avoided or answered noncommitally. But if you really care about being misidentified, you should make the effort to, hopefully briefly, clarify your position. You aren't responsible for the offense people may take. A little reality check might do them good.
One should not give offense for its own sake, but if you see someone using their "faith" to hurt others, you have some obligation to challenge them. After all, the Hebrew prophets were not known for their friendly, supportive attitudes toward the pious and nominally "righteous". And Jesus had few good words for the hypocritical religious leaders of his day. Why can't an atheist be allowed to expend the effort to keep a religious person honest?
2007-08-31 08:41:37 · answer #2 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It definitely isn't mean and it would only be offensive to religiously intolerant bigots, (unless they also happen to be an atheist, of course). However, its not always wise to blurt out your religious views because there are some people that will discriminate against you.
Actually, that's true for everyone, not just atheists. There will always be somebody out there willing to discriminate against people for religious reasons, and no faith, (or lack thereof), is immune to it.
However, atheists have one advantage with this problem that people of other faiths often lack. Atheism comes with no inherent compulsion to force its adherents to reveal their religious beliefs. In Christianity, God is always supposed to sort of be there, breathing down the back of your neck, ready to smack you if you deny him. A lot of Christians believe that if they lie and say they are not Christian, their god will send them to hell. Atheists don't have this problem.
So, what you say about your beliefs can depend entirely on how comfortable you feel with the people around you. If you think some of them may be likely to discriminate against you in some way because you are an atheist, then don't tell them that you are. If the subject of religion comes up, just say you don't like talking about religion and change the subject. If they persist, you don't have to tell them you're an atheist, you can just say you find religion really, really boring, or something like that.
2007-08-31 08:45:41 · answer #3 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Offensive???/
If somebody has a problem with your religion or lack of then the problem doesn't lie with you it's them.
That's like somebody getting offended by breast feeding. I can't imagine how anyone could be offended by a child eating. For the same reasons I can't get how someone could be offended by your choice of not being religious.
Don't worry about it and if somebody gets offended tell them to go find someone else to bother with their stupid trash (for lack of more discriptive terms)
2007-08-31 08:35:11 · answer #4 · answered by beachbum 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
How is it offensive to have a particular set of beliefs? I mean, unless your system of beliefs includes cannibalism, or something else equally reprehensible.
I'm a Christian. If anyone is offended by that, it is his/her problem, not mine.
God Bless!
2007-09-02 17:28:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mel W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be what you like but if you do not conform to the mass mind which surrounds you then you risk being classed as an outsider and treated accordingly. It is not that you are wrong but that's how the pack reacts to perceived threats. It is just as offensive to proselytise atheism as it is to proselytise theism. In both cases you are imposing on the free will of individuals to make their own choices.
2007-08-31 08:40:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not in any way. Some people believe in some things, some don't. We're all human though. Plus, there's no evidence of God even existing! The only reason we think there's one is because someone just said something like, "HEY! LOOK! A TREE! GOD CREATED IT!" yatta yatta ya. I believe in God, yes, but if others dont...who cares?
2007-09-02 16:36:45 · answer #7 · answered by Puss In Suit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I am in a conversation with people that do not hold the same beliefs as me, I say "Let's not talk about religion or politics.....you never know who you are going to offend." Hopefully that will get you in the clear, and shut everyone else up.
2007-08-31 08:31:27 · answer #8 · answered by anselina1 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
No. As far as I'm concerned, if the topic comes up, my opinion is as good as anybody's.
I don't go around starting conversations about religion, and I don't talk about it at all on the job, because I'm a pro. But otherwise, it's fair game.
2007-08-31 08:31:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
It is not mean/offensive to be an atheist. However there are trolls, who come into this site claiming to be an Atheist and X Christ out of the word Christian (Xians) They answer questions directed to Christians with very rude mocking answers. Those types are mean and offensive. You have not said anything offensive. Peace be with you.
2007-08-31 08:45:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
To be an atheist is simply to be someone who doesn't believe in a deity. There are people who regard atheism as an assault on their own beliefs and are these people are likely to be offended, but it is more up to the observer than the observed.
2007-08-31 08:31:20 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋