Disclosing atheism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

Hard to know about that, but atheists certainly are often defending themselves against false impressions of atheists as evil, or god haters. I'd guess atheists are no more evil or good than religious believers and regarding god -- you can't hate what you don't believe in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

I think it’s safe to say normal people would not care about one’s religion or lack thereof. Bigoted people clearly do care. I imagine you land on the “do care” sude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

Y.A.A.H.

Yet Another Ad-Hominem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

You cared enough to write a mean post about it. Maybe you're not so mean IRL and maybe you have even questioned your faith in the past. It's very common, even accepted, as long as the questioning returns to faith, which I'm told it usually does - even stronger than before.

So question away, but please try not to be nasty to people who don't believe as you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

I think it’s safe to say normal people would not care about one’s religion or lack thereof. Bigoted people clearly do care. I imagine you land on the “do care” sude.

I wish that were true, but I'm afraid that it's still normal to care about someone's religion, especially if that someone doesn't have a religion. Hopefully, it's changing. Especially in big metropolitan areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

I think it’s safe to say normal people would not care about one’s religion or lack thereof. Bigoted people clearly do care. I imagine you land on the “do care” sude.

I wish that were true, but I'm afraid that it's still normal to care about someone's religion, especially if that someone doesn't have a religion. Hopefully, it's changing. Especially in big metropolitan areas.

Nobody gives a fig about your atheism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

I think it’s safe to say normal people would not care about one’s religion or lack thereof. Bigoted people clearly do care. I imagine you land on the “do care” sude.

I wish that were true, but I'm afraid that it's still normal to care about someone's religion, especially if that someone doesn't have a religion. Hopefully, it's changing. Especially in big metropolitan areas.

Nobody gives a fig about your atheism.

Says the guy posting in an atheism thread. Lol you can’t make this stuff up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family invited another family over for dinner who had just moved into the house next door and invited a few other families from the friends the neighborhood to welcome them and introduce them to folks. At one point, a member of the new family was talking with me about how much they are going to miss their old church and I was empathizing how hard it can be to leave a community and make a new one in your new home when they asked me about my faith, where I go to church etc. I breezily said, oh, I'm an atheist, and tried to keep the conversation moving but they seemed taken aback - as if I had said something really impolite. What say you, DCUM? Is it impolite, "too much", "aggressive", or what have you to identify as an atheist if pressed? My spouse thinks I should have said that I'm "not particularly religious" to avoid offending our new neighbors.

OP I wouldn’t sweat it. I am religious but would not take offense at anyone saying they are atheist. Especially in DMV/ urban areas.

It was weird your new neighbor assumed you go to church - unless you live in the South/ Bible Belt.

It was also unkind of them to make their gracious hosts feel uncomfortable. It was really nice of you to invite over your new neighbors for dinner.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be honest way. Maybe your husband was right but you shouldn’t have to tread in egg shells about your beliefs if they don’t hurt anyone.

Peace .

Thank you. I'm not OP, but really appreciate a believer saying this. Would love it if you spread this attitude to your fellow believers.

You are welcome. Common human decency and manners holds for all of us, whatever our preferred belief systems.

I think most if not all believers whom I know already think like this. In DMV, or at least in our part of DMV, most believers are highly educated and non fundamentalists.

It is a shame that white nationalists are poisoning believers with lower education levels or mental health issues into fostering unnecessary drama and divisions. That is not reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy.

That's one way to look at it. I just think of it as cruel and wrong.

PS: atheism is not a belief system. it's the lack of religious belief.

NP
Yet,
Atheist are the most active participants in the religion forum.

So many posts about their atheism and how people view their atheism; it’s exhausting.

Chronically online is exhausting too.

I doubt op invited anyone to family dinner. another made up post to talk about-surprise!- atheism. Plus the op is poorly worded and word salady. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

I think it’s safe to say normal people would not care about one’s religion or lack thereof. Bigoted people clearly do care. I imagine you land on the “do care” sude.

I wish that were true, but I'm afraid that it's still normal to care about someone's religion, especially if that someone doesn't have a religion. Hopefully, it's changing. Especially in big metropolitan areas.

Nobody gives a fig about your atheism.

Says the guy posting in an atheism thread. Lol you can’t make this stuff up!

Saying nasty or off-putting things about atheists is still acceptable among some religious people. Do they think it's cute? Do they hope the people they say they "don't give a fig about" will be hurt? silenced?

Obviously they give enough of a fig to comment. Maybe they'll soon learn not to, when the see the reaction of people who are on to their prejudice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I cannot understand for the life of me why some people have problems with atheism.

It's just as legitimate a position as belonging to a religion.

Indeed, atheism IS picking a side. So really, it's the same thing: you are consciously choosing a certain ideology, one where you do not believe in an all-powerful entity that commands the universe. It's not really that different from choosing to believe in an all-powerful spiritual entity, or believing in liberalism, or marxism, or the free market.

These are ALL constructs of the human mind, and work only because there are enough people in the world that share each of these beliefs.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Good for you OP. It was rude of your neighbor to assume you go to church and to ask you about such a personal matter (your religion). People need to start realizing that not everyone practices a religion and that’s okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I cannot understand for the life of me why some people have problems with atheism.

It's just as legitimate a position as belonging to a religion.

Indeed, atheism IS picking a side. So really, it's the same thing: you are consciously choosing a certain ideology, one where you do not believe in an all-powerful entity that commands the universe. It's not really that different from choosing to believe in an all-powerful spiritual entity, or believing in liberalism, or marxism, or the free market.

These are ALL constructs of the human mind, and work only because there are enough people in the world that share each of these beliefs.

Exactly!

Except atheism is not an ideology. It's the lack of an ideology about God.