You so called atheists with your Christian practices are so funny. You have 325 (326 this year!) other days in the year to give up something to show sacrifice, yadda, yadda, blah, blah. BUT, you decide to do it during Lent.....but you're not a Christian and not partaking in a Christian custom. Yeah.............sure.

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a Catholic area. Giving up something for Lent was part of the region's culture. I'm an atheist and I always gave up something for Lent. I don't think I understood anything about it but I knew that it was what you did this time of year. Also, fish fry's. I went to lots of fish fry's. So, I don't think it's a bad thing or an insulting practice. Sometimes it's cultural. Now that I live DC, a place I don't consider to be a heavily Catholic area, I don't do it anymore. Funny thing, though, I still automatically think about it and find myself reviewing what I should give up.

I thought I was the only one who grew up thinking lent was just one of those things everyone does. Lol! I grew up in New Orleans, a very Catholic city. I was much older than I should have been before I realized it really wasn't universal in America.

I am completely atheist. No doubt here. And for you science haters, you should know the closest I ever came to believing in a higher power was when I was studying physics in undergrad. After working outside the ivory tower for close to 20 year I now have no doubts that there is a no loving father figure god - none. Later I came to realize there is no higher power, disinterested or otherwise. However I never encouraged doubt in believers. It seems to me that the human brain is very much wired to want religion. I also have no problem borrowing the customs of my ancestors or other large groups and tailoring them to my and my family. I like Christmas, Easter, Yoga and I've been thinking about trying to get my family to take Sunday as a day of rest, reflection and gratitude.

I grew up in a Catholic area. Giving up something for Lent was part of the region's culture. I'm an atheist and I always gave up something for Lent. I don't think I understood anything about it but I knew that it was what you did this time of year. Also, fish fry's. I went to lots of fish fry's. So, I don't think it's a bad thing or an insulting practice. Sometimes it's cultural. Now that I live DC, a place I don't consider to be a heavily Catholic area, I don't do it anymore. Funny thing, though, I still automatically think about it and find myself reviewing what I should give up.

Also an athiest who celebrates Christmas and easter. Those holidays have borrowed from other traditions (tree), so I just borrow them back to take what I like from the holiday, create traditions for my family, celebrate the morality without the religion. Also, helps to fit in as I am not vocal about my family's lack of belief.

I'm an atheist who enjoys both Easter and Christmas traditions and celebrations. Why can't an atheist give things up for Lent? The next atheist can believe and practice whatever they want, it makes no difference to me. No single belief system is one of the best things about being an atheist!

(BTW, Lent lasts 40 days!?!?)

Atheists already celebrate Christmas. To them, God and Santa are equally probable.

Anonymous wrote:I'm agnostic, and I participate in the giving up of something during this 40 day period. Why not? Who cares? I just like to see if I can do it.

i stopped masterahbaytin'

I'm agnostic, and I participate in the giving up of something during this 40 day period. Why not? Who cares? I just like to see if I can do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm convinced that atheists are not athetists, but rather agnostic at heart.

You'd be wrong about that, then.

Another atheist here who would be forever grateful if you dind't make assumptions about me and what I believe. If I tell you I don't believe that a higher power of any kind exists or ever has, then yeah, I'm an atheist.

People think pagans are stupid, and then they go around putting up trees and decorating their houses in greens to get into the "yuletide" spirit.

If religions can appropriate traditions from each other, why can't an atheist appropriate an ascetic tradition like Lent?

RantingAtheist wrote:Just want to point out that every single borderline nasty comment on this thread has come from theists--not non-theists. And so it goes...

Do you always take credit for the good stuff and pretend you don't see the bad? There's a good chance you're one of the nasty posters on the other Lent threads, posting anonymously.

Anonymous wrote:My atheist boyfriend, who thinks Christianity is stupid, just seriously told me what he was giving up for lent. He sees nothing wrong with including himself in this tradition. Why is this pissing me off??R

This would annoy me, too. Years ago I was really bothered by a convenient Catholic friend who gave up dessert for Lent, but decided it was OK to drink port (otherwise known as a dessert wine). It's a consistency issue for me.

RantingAtheist wrote:Just want to point out that every single borderline nasty comment on this thread has come from theists--not non-theists. And so it goes...

While you're at it, you should have pointed out that the atheists are being really rude (not just borderline) on the "What Are You Giving Up for Lent" threads. An oversight on your part, I imagine.

Anonymous wrote:My atheist boyfriend, who thinks Christianity is stupid, just seriously told me what he was giving up for lent. He sees nothing wrong with including himself in this tradition. Why is this pissing me off??R

Because you an insufferable, holier than-thou Rick Santorum-voting caricature?

Just want to point out that every single borderline nasty comment on this thread has come from theists--not non-theists. And so it goes...