As an agnostic/atheist myself, doesn't bother me.

But like a PP i'm probably more of a secular humanist, and ironically enough am a member of a Church because it matters to my DH. Which I've been able to come to terms with by focusing on the community / community service aspects, and because I think Jesus had a lot of important things to say about how we should live in *this* world. It's just the *next* world the Church and I disagree on. Well, that and the Holy Trinity. Details.

Anonymous wrote:I am still teetering between agnostic and atheist. I mostly just tell people I'm not religious and leave it at that.

My parents and several of my family members have declared themselves atheists in recent years. I'm sure some would think less of them if they knew, which is just silly. They are wonderful people who care about others, give to charity, etc. - it really shouldn't matter whether or not they believe in a higher power.

Ditto.

i don't believe in athiests

I'm Jewish and belong to a synagogue for the community and social action. The "spiritual" part of it doesn't speak to me, but there is something in me that enjoys being a part of this community. I don't know where I fall in the "athiest" or "non-athiest" camp, but I honestly don't care where anyone falls in their religion/spirituality. As long as noone is trying to convert me, why would I or anyone else care what someone else believed? I might not have a ton in common with someone who is very religious, but that is a different issue. You obviously have lots in common if these people are your friends.

It seems to me that if you are concerned about how your religious friends percieve you if you would tell them the truth, then it is about them and not you. I think their religion probably has something to say about being judgemental.

OP, if friendships fell out because your friends realized you are a non-believer, they were not real friends to begin with.

I am not religious at all. I am a good person, I am a caretaker and go above and beyond making sure my family and patients get exceptional care. I don't cheat, steal, back stab....so on and so forth, not because someone we call, God expects me not to, but because it's wrong, period. My children are raised to be respectful, work hard and be good contributing member of society. So what if I don't belong to a religion or a church? I don't need a fairytale story, or a fallible human being preaching to me about what I should believe in (anti-abortion, anti-gay).

Religion causes hatred among people with different religious backgrounds, it's the cause of many wars, and is a way to control an impressionable population of people (not all, but many). If you revisit history and there are countless examples.

Anonymous wrote:I'd say, "Hey, let's start a non-church!" as a fellow secular humanist (a.k.a atheist) . While I do enjoy our lazy churchless Sunday mornings, I would really enjoy the community aspect of shared potlucks, ethics discussions, doing community outreach, and validating atheism for our kids outside the home.

PP, I think what you described sounds more Unitarian.

The people with whom I socialize, religion never comes up very much specifically. We're not particularly religious, but have friends that are Baptist, Episcopal, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, and generic Christians who don't belong to a specific church but think of themselves as Christians. I'm sure some agnositics an atheists are in the mix but have identified themselves as such. Honestly, OP, if you are friends with someone and they find out you're an atheist and don't want to be friends with you anymore, then that's on them.

OP here. I do miss the community of a church (grew up in a church) When I was confirmed, the minister asked why I wanted to be a member. I said it was for the community. So, non-church it is!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd say, "Hey, let's start a non-church!" as a fellow secular humanist (a.k.a atheist) . While I do enjoy our lazy churchless Sunday mornings, I would really enjoy the community aspect of shared potlucks, ethics discussions, doing community outreach, and validating atheism for our kids outside the home.

I would love this! And I'm serious!

Try the Washington Ethical Society.

Anonymous wrote:I'd say, "Hey, let's start a non-church!" as a fellow secular humanist (a.k.a atheist) . While I do enjoy our lazy churchless Sunday mornings, I would really enjoy the community aspect of shared potlucks, ethics discussions, doing community outreach, and validating atheism for our kids outside the home.

I would love this! And I'm serious!

I'm not religious at all. I'm just surprised by the degree of certainty that many atheists seem to espouse. If Einstein and Darwin considered themselves unable to rule out the existence of a god, I can't see myself being able to do so!

I have no problems with atheists, agnostics, or believers unless they're obnoxious about their beliefs (or lack thereof).

I'm and I will answer to whoever asks. I also offer the info is the talk is about religion and it seems appropriate. If someone doesn't want to be my friend because I'm an atheist, he/she is not the kind of person I want to have a friendship to begin with.

I'd say, "Hey, let's start a non-church!" as a fellow secular humanist (a.k.a atheist) . While I do enjoy our lazy churchless Sunday mornings, I would really enjoy the community aspect of shared potlucks, ethics discussions, doing community outreach, and validating atheism for our kids outside the home.

I am still teetering between agnostic and atheist. I mostly just tell people I'm not religious and leave it at that.

My parents and several of my family members have declared themselves atheists in recent years. I'm sure some would think less of them if they knew, which is just silly. They are wonderful people who care about others, give to charity, etc. - it really shouldn't matter whether or not they believe in a higher power.

I'm also an atheist. Generally if people ask or if the topic comes up, I answer.

But I still haven't told my family. I'm too unsure of what their reaction would be. You can choose your friends and if a friendship is lost over some as trivial as belief they really aren't your friends to begin with. But family is a whole other ballgame.

There are some misunderstandings about atheism and atheists, just like there are about any other group.

I am an atheists. I have a lot of friends who are religious, and I expect that to be the norm more likely than not. Not knowing how they would react, if the issue of religion comes up I am most likely to be non-committal and therefore leave people with the impression that it is possible my beliefs are as theirs are. I don't want to lose friendships, as they aren't based on a religious connection but other commonalities.

I suppose it is most appropriate to continue to not share... But what would you think if someone let you know that they were a non-believer in any kind of deity?