*gasp* School knows I am an atheist now

[NormannTheDoorman]

Everyone who claims to be a Christian at the school is lying. They are all hypocrites. The school is just that small you would find out soon. And someone did try to convert me.

It seems that most people assume something terrible happened to an atheist that made them stop believing. He told his tragic story and asked me if I had any.

Because of that assumption that people make I rarely ever speak about my religious orientation. There are many other assumptions that christians make about atheist, and this is just one of them.

 

[GodOfOrder]

Ironic considering how many tragic stories people of faith give. How many ex-alcoholics, and mothers of dead children turned so blindly and militantly into their faith? I can think of more of those than I can atheists.

But ultimately, who cares. I go to an old and established Catholic university, and before that I went to a Catholic prep school. If there was one thing I have learned from that experience, it was/is that christianity made no logical sense. Most atheists experience a gradual transition away from faith. For me it went; down with organized religion, down with religion, down with a personal god.

But I love the people, and am happy and proud to be a part of my university. I would never trade it. I think through time and cool deliberation your peers may come to accept you. As for the ones that attempt to proselytize, I have fun with them. Exchange arguments, initially and politely, but if they are militant and persistent jesus freaks simply leave. Incidentally, philosophy and theology have become two of my favorite subjects.

However, perhaps it is different for you. I was open about my thoughts from the start of my freshman year. There were no surprises. I now have a well established base of friends and associates.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Try to keep an open and respectful dialogue going, maybe you can talk more in depth, explaining your position to one of the nicer more open minded Christians?

Having people paint you out like some kind of victim when you aren't sucks, personally makes me feel belittled and powerless.

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

If being an atheist is the only bad thing at your school, you're in a pretty chill school.

 

[Hadoblado]

Pull the 'respect my beliefs' card. It's bullshit, but they don't have a leg to stand on.

 

[RaBind]

I would also have thought it was more likely that religious people were the ones who experienced terrible things and tragedies. I can't think of a well known atheist who lost faith in god because of a tragedy or a terrible life event. Even if atheists do lose faith because of a tragedy or a terrible life event, their argument is quite logical and valid. Something along the lines of if there was a god, he/she wouldn't have made me suffer so much. This is of coarse is the paradox of the "omni" characteristics given to god.

If most student in your school are closet atheists than you shouldn't have too much trouble. Just try to clear misconceptions about atheists I suppose.

 

[Duxwing]

Greet positively identified proselytizers with "Zieg, Heil!" and a Nazi salute, or if you're feeling more adventurous, "War is Peace! Freedom is Slavery! Ignorance is Strength!". They'll get the message eventually.

-Duxwing

 

[Double_V]

Greet positively identified proselytizers with "Zieg, Heil!" and a Nazi salute, or if you're feeling more adventurous, "War is Peace! Freedom is Slavery! Ignorance is Strength!". They'll get the message eventually.

-Duxwing

Oh, definately. That should work.

Just be prepared for the intervention (*cough* exorcism) that will follow shortly.

And if that doesn't work just follow the lead of The Cowardly Lion, "I do believe. I do believe!".

 

[Duxwing]

Oh, definately. That should work.

Just be prepared for the intervention (*cough* exorcism) that will follow shortly.

And if that doesn't work just follow the lead of The Cowardly Lion, "I do believe. I do believe!".

If you want an exorcism, then walk over to them, shaking, eyes swirling in their sockets. As they gaze upon you in confusion, turn your head up and back and left and right, tongue hanging out. Then, in a flash, drop on your back and start speaking in tongues.

-Duxwing

 

[Cognisant]

Have you seen/read The Crucible?

Find out who has died in the area in the last decade or so, who, where, of what, particularly murders or strange/tragic deaths, really do your research, then write them all down on a list, think Death Note, for extra effect make a cut-out of a pentagram and use it as a stencil on the first page or cover in the middle of a big black paint/ink blot, maybe mix in a little sand and glue so it's thick and gritty. Basically you're trying to make it as creepy and suspicious looking as possible, next put it somewhere in the school, hidden but not well hidden, and when somebody finds it (make damn sure you aren't caught with it or making it) sit back and watch the hysteria unfold.

 

[SpaceYeti]

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HollywoodAtheist

 

[Chad]

So what. Be true to yourself and live the life you feel is logically and morally correct. Everyone disagrees with what this is but no one can change who you are besides you.

Therefore there opinion logically make no difference.

Also my own opinion and the opinions of anyone else on this forum don't make a difference. You are the person you create and no one else can change that. No matter what they believe.

 

[Architect]

Ironic considering how many tragic stories people of faith give. How many ex-alcoholics, and mothers of dead children turned so blindly and militantly into their faith? I can think of more of those than I can atheists.

And consider how many children were abused by their priests, and the parents who have to live with that. I know of some, and how some amazingly still go to church, and have to deal with their anger and betrayal every day.

In my experience atheists, who usually approach it due to rational and philosophical reasons, are far less messed up than the average church goer. But most people are hypocrites to some degree.

 

[TheScornedReflex]

Have you seen/read The Crucible?

Find out who has died in the area in the last decade or so, who, where, of what, particularly murders or strange/tragic deaths, really do your research, then write them all down on a list, think Death Note, for extra effect make a cut-out of a pentagram and use it as a stencil on the first page or cover in the middle of a big black paint/ink blot, maybe mix in a little sand and glue so it's thick and gritty. Basically you're trying to make it as creepy and suspicious looking as possible, next put it somewhere in the school, hidden but not well hidden, and when somebody finds it (make damn sure you aren't caught with it or making it) sit back and watch the hysteria unfold.

I like this.. Alot!

 

[GodOfOrder]

And consider how many children were abused by their priests, and the parents who have to live with that. I know of some, and how some amazingly still go to church, and have to deal with their anger and betrayal every day.

In my experience atheists, who usually approach it due to rational and philosophical reasons, are far less messed up than the average church goer. But most people are hypocrites to some degree.

quite so

and so very sad

 

[NormannTheDoorman]

Greet positively identified proselytizers with "Zieg, Heil!" and a Nazi salute, or if you're feeling more adventurous, "War is Peace! Freedom is Slavery! Ignorance is Strength!". They'll get the message eventually.

-Duxwing

I did pull some stealth insults off but I don't think they got the idea. Acting as a deadpan can be kind of fun.

 

[Amagi82]

I find I can't even take religious people seriously any more. I like to think we've moved into an era where open mockery is justified, just as you'd do to someone who actually believed in Zeus or Thor. Christianity is just as ridiculous- it's a morally and ethically bankrupt institution that stood in the way of every social advance we've ever implemented. Its adherents advocate intolerance, ignorance, and blind faith. Religion is dying, and good riddance. It's time to stop treating this absurdity like a valid and respectable course of action.

 

[Duxwing]

I find I can't even take religious people seriously any more. I like to think we've moved into an era where open mockery is justified, just as you'd do to someone who actually believed in Zeus or Thor. Christianity is just as ridiculous- it's a morally and ethically bankrupt institution that stood in the way of every social advance we've ever implemented. Its adherents advocate intolerance, ignorance, and blind faith. Religion is dying, and good riddance. It's time to stop treating this absurdity like a valid and respectable course of action.

I agree that religion is a mental disease (folie a deux) that ought to be wiped from the minds of the world, but reason is superior to mockery: history has proven that intolerance and persecution have led to far more harm than good.

-Duxwing