Thank God I’m an Atheist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

"In our prayers" sounds super lame to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

Why say you'll do something you won't do and that you don't believe would work if you did?

I'm sure it's just cultural ... "In our thoughts" sounds lame to me ... and doesn't carry the right connotation. That's why. But open to your advice on what to say instead.

How about the truth? Or Just "I'm so sorry"?

How would you frame "the truth" in this case?

Are you seriously asking this?

The truth is what you think and what you will do.

OK understood. It sounds like this is important to you because you're a believer and you don't want anyone faking it. I'll probably keep saying 'in our prayers' but appreciate your POV.

The whole thing is intg to me b/c I think religion generally is a way to use myth for social cohesion ... The fact that we use myth that way is like a quirk of human evolutionary psychology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

Why say you'll do something you won't do and that you don't believe would work if you did?

I'm sure it's just cultural ... "In our thoughts" sounds lame to me ... and doesn't carry the right connotation. That's why. But open to your advice on what to say instead.

How about the truth? Or Just "I'm so sorry"?

How would you frame "the truth" in this case?

Are you seriously asking this?

The truth is what you think and what you will do.

Ha ha. DP here, but I guess what you're suggesting is something like:

I am so sorry. I'd like to let you know that I am sincerely sorry and want to let you know how much, but I don't believe in God or prayer so I don't want to say that I'll pray for you. But, just letting you know I'm thinking about you and your family in this time of need sounds a bit lame. so??? I just want to tell you the truth.


PP, is that what you're suggesting when you say "just tell them the truth"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t want to believe there’s a god who’s all powerful and yet allows so much horror and violence in the world.

I'm the opposite. I don't want an all-powerful being to control our free will. The more powerful beings get, the more they can be tempted to control your behaviors, thoughts, whatever. I'm grateful that the God I believe in gives us free will, even if it leads to horrible outcomes that we human beings sometimes do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

Why say you'll do something you won't do and that you don't believe would work if you did?

I'm sure it's just cultural ... "In our thoughts" sounds lame to me ... and doesn't carry the right connotation. That's why. But open to your advice on what to say instead.

How about the truth? Or Just "I'm so sorry"?

How would you frame "the truth" in this case?

Are you seriously asking this?

The truth is what you think and what you will do.

Ha ha. DP here, but I guess what you're suggesting is something like:

I am so sorry. I'd like to let you know that I am sincerely sorry and want to let you know how much, but I don't believe in God or prayer so I don't want to say that I'll pray for you. But, just letting you know I'm thinking about you and your family in this time of need sounds a bit lame. so??? I just want to tell you the truth.


PP, is that what you're suggesting when you say "just tell them the truth"

Oh jesus I give up. No of course not, you are being difficult on purpose and I am not going to play any more.

Let me give you some advice. Never read the directions on a bottle of shampoo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t want to believe there’s a god who’s all powerful and yet allows so much horror and violence in the world.

I'm the opposite. I don't want an all-powerful being to control our free will. The more powerful beings get, the more they can be tempted to control your behaviors, thoughts, whatever. I'm grateful that the God I believe in gives us free will, even if it leads to horrible outcomes that we human beings sometimes do.

But what about the horrors of nature, like disease and pestilence ... not all the horrors come from free will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

Why say you'll do something you won't do and that you don't believe would work if you did?

I'm sure it's just cultural ... "In our thoughts" sounds lame to me ... and doesn't carry the right connotation. That's why. But open to your advice on what to say instead.

How about the truth? Or Just "I'm so sorry"?

How would you frame "the truth" in this case?

Are you seriously asking this?

The truth is what you think and what you will do.

Ha ha. DP here, but I guess what you're suggesting is something like:

I am so sorry. I'd like to let you know that I am sincerely sorry and want to let you know how much, but I don't believe in God or prayer so I don't want to say that I'll pray for you. But, just letting you know I'm thinking about you and your family in this time of need sounds a bit lame. so??? I just want to tell you the truth.


PP, is that what you're suggesting when you say "just tell them the truth"

Oh jesus I give up. No of course not, you are being difficult on purpose and I am not going to play any more.

Let me give you some advice. Never read the directions on a bottle of shampoo.

You can bow out if you're getting upset or exasperated. To me, it's just an interesting conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

What's the difference between "in our thoughts" and "in our prayers"?

To me, prayers are just thoughts directed at some mystical being (who never responds, so not exactly helpful).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree. Especially as a woman. How can you participate in an organization that oppresses you??

Not all religions oppress women.

Which ones don't?
Christianity - yes
Jewdiasm - yes
Islam - yes
Hinduism - maybe not, but I may as well believe in Fairy tales.

First, it's spelled Judaism.

Second, there are different denominations/sects/interpretations of the big three (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) that have different views on gender roles, including denominations/sects/interpretations that promote female leadership/clergy, encourage women to participate actively and fully in religious life, and support/value women generally.

Third, there are lots of other religions that, as you pointed out yourself, you don't know much about. Be more specific in your criticism of religious oppression if you don't want to sound ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

Why say you'll do something you won't do and that you don't believe would work if you did?

I'm sure it's just cultural ... "In our thoughts" sounds lame to me ... and doesn't carry the right connotation. That's why. But open to your advice on what to say instead.

How about the truth? Or Just "I'm so sorry"?

How would you frame "the truth" in this case?

Are you seriously asking this?

The truth is what you think and what you will do.

Ha ha. DP here, but I guess what you're suggesting is something like:

I am so sorry. I'd like to let you know that I am sincerely sorry and want to let you know how much, but I don't believe in God or prayer so I don't want to say that I'll pray for you. But, just letting you know I'm thinking about you and your family in this time of need sounds a bit lame. so??? I just want to tell you the truth.


PP, is that what you're suggesting when you say "just tell them the truth"

Oh jesus I give up. No of course not, you are being difficult on purpose and I am not going to play any more.

Let me give you some advice. Never read the directions on a bottle of shampoo.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG you religion lovers are too much.

one day soon you will regret being funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG you religion lovers are too much.

Thank God you're an idiot!
(sung to the John Denver "Country Boy" tune....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

Why say you'll do something you won't do and that you don't believe would work if you did?

I'm sure it's just cultural ... "In our thoughts" sounds lame to me ... and doesn't carry the right connotation. That's why. But open to your advice on what to say instead.

How about the truth? Or Just "I'm so sorry"?

How would you frame "the truth" in this case?

Are you seriously asking this?

The truth is what you think and what you will do.

OK understood. It sounds like this is important to you because you're a believer and you don't want anyone faking it. I'll probably keep saying 'in our prayers' but appreciate your POV.

The whole thing is intg to me b/c I think religion generally is a way to use myth for social cohesion ... The fact that we use myth that way is like a quirk of human evolutionary psychology.

DP and religious, but I very much agree with the idea of religion/myth for social cohesion. Religion (usually) provides rules/guidelines for how to engage with others and build community.

As for comforting someone who is grieving, I personally don't see a difference between "in our prayers" and "in our thoughts" but we all have different ways we feel about words, so say what feels right to you. Other options that don't get religious are: "I'm so sorry for your loss" or "My sympathy to your and your family" or "May their memory bring you comfort."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG you religion lovers are too much.

one day soon you will regret being funny.

Thus sayeth the Lord of the internet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey that's a catchy song ... so thanks!

I think i'm more in the 'agnostic' camp b/c i figure there MIGHT be things beyond what we can perceive in the material world, i just haven't seen enough evidence to lay any bets in my own life ... esp since many gods seem to be jealous of each other ..

But I will confess: When someone I know has a loved one die, it sounds lame (to me) to say "You're in our thoughts," so I still say "you're in our prayers" even though I don't pray.

What's the difference between "in our thoughts" and "in our prayers"?

To me, prayers are just thoughts directed at some mystical being (who never responds, so not exactly helpful).

Also, it's always nice not to lie.