Anonymous wrote:Anyone saying there's no such thing as an evangelical atheist must be fairly new to the Internet. Because, yes, they exist. Internet Atheists are akin to foamy mouthed evangelicals preaching fire and brimstone to anyone in earshot. They annoy the living shit out of me (an atheist). So does anyone who feels the need to shove their beliefs (or lack thereof) down my throat by belittling and threatening (hell! you're going to hell!) anyone who disagrees. No, they're not the majority. Most are nice people, like me, who just don't believe for whatever reason. I'm happy to sit in most houses of worship for whatever religious ceremony is on offer. Weddings, funerals, christenings, etc. it's not about me and I don't need to take a stand about someone else's expression of their faith. Just don't interfere with my lack of faith, please. It is that easy.

Anonymous wrote:I am an atheist/agnostic who was brought up by two atheists. I married an atheist (in a civil ceremony) who was brought up by two atheists.

All our brothers, sisters and brother and sister-in-laws are atheists although both of us have religious cousins.

We are totally open about it. Both my DH and I have religious friends and we often have interesting and respectful discussions about God and life etc.

It's no dirty secret, if that's what you're getting at OP.

It is totally normal in the world I am from -- upper middle class, northeast, college+ educated -- to be an atheist.

Anonymous wrote:



Finally, if someone responds to you with an inordinate amount of emoticons, it usually means they're dismissively screwing with you because they consider time honestly engaging you to be wasted..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question for atheists: What do you tell your children when they ask what happens when you die? That their body will be put into the ground to push up daisies? Because being atheist obviously precludes talk of Heaven, souls, or any other comforting notions.

Pretty much. I tell them their bodies will decompose, i.e. rot. I told them this when our cat died and we buried her. We planted a small bush there, and they know that the cat's remains, as they decompose, will help feed that bush.

I tell them death is the end, which is why life is so precious and important, and taking a life is so wrong.

There is nothing comforting about death, except if one is in extreme pain.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Anyone saying there's no such thing as an evangelical atheist must be fairly new to the Internet. Because, yes, they exist. Internet Atheists are akin to foamy mouthed evangelicals preaching fire and brimstone to anyone in earshot. They annoy the living shit out of me (an atheist). So does anyone who feels the need to shove their beliefs (or lack thereof) down my throat by belittling and threatening (hell! you're going to hell!) anyone who disagrees. No, they're not the majority. Most are nice people, like me, who just don't believe for whatever reason. I'm happy to sit in most houses of worship for whatever religious ceremony is on offer. Weddings, funerals, christenings, etc. it's not about me and I don't need to take a stand about someone else's expression of their faith. Just don't interfere with my lack of faith, please. It is that easy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question for atheists: What do you tell your children when they ask what happens when you die? That their body will be put into the ground to push up daisies? Because being atheist obviously precludes talk of Heaven, souls, or any other comforting notions.

Pretty much. I tell them their bodies will decompose, i.e. rot. I told them this when our cat died and we buried her. We planted a small bush there, and they know that the cat's remains, as they decompose, will help feed that bush.

I tell them death is the end, which is why life is so precious and important, and taking a life is so wrong.

There is nothing comforting about death, except if one is in extreme pain.