Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?

Freya244117

I'm an atheist as well. If someone says they will pray for me, I say thank you and leave it at that. It is the thought that counts, and I appreciate it. It is when some take it onto themselves to "save" me from my heathen views that they get cut off pretty damn quickly.

ananda8

If you want to stop seeing someone's post on your page, go to their page, click on following and then click on unfollow.  You can go to their page at any time and still read their posts.  You just won't get their posts on your page.

JWoo

someone please put the earth back into the correct universe. Every time I think things can't get more insane, something else even crazier happens.

Now I'm just wondering which country is going to attack us first.... because we've got an absolute lunatic at the reigns.

solfeo

It will be a bumpy ride for awhile but the universe will correct itself. A small core group of delusional supporters will never get it because they get everything backwards, but everyone else will. I hope most countries will do what I am planning to do: grit my teeth and ride it out because I know the insanity is temporary. If you are old enough to recall, things didn't turn out so well for Nixon and Agnew, and this feels a lot like those days.

I usually have a very strict rule about not talking politics online, but I am so completely astonished and disgusted by the clown show that has taken this great nation hostage that it feels like a good time to declare myself. If you think this shit is OK then I don't care what else you think - especially not your opinions about me and my values.

ananda8

I am making calls to Congress objecting to some of Trumps nominations.  I am calling again on Monday to object to Jeff Sessions being Attorney General.  He is a racist and has said that the KKK is a fine organization.  I am objecting to Scott Pruitt who will further compromise our environment.  We won't be able to undo the damage Pruitt can do to the environment. 

I have joined an organization called SwingLeft.org, a grass roots organization that is identifying Congressional seats that can be won by Democrats. 

Take Action even if it is only one phone call.

Lita57

What's he gonna do next? Tear down the Statue of Liberty because of the plaque that says "Give us your tired, your poor, your down trodden masses..."? Concentration camps, coming to a county near you.

People in California are seriously considering seceding because of this madness.

Freya244117

Lita, he will probably replace it with a statue of himself

Spookiesmom

Ladies, before someone reports to the Mods, there are 2 threads you may want to check out

I say YES, part deux is the liberal political thread

Mirror is the conservative thread.

They are not listed in active topics. Do a search and they will come up.

JWoo

Thanks everyone- I was just having a major panic attack (about my major religigulous/conservative family and how I love them but no longer am able to sit at the table with most them) in the middle of the night and wasn't sure where to turn, I figured most of you would understand where I was at (possibly, hopefully).

magiclight

Glad I found this thread as a place for all of us who do not rely on a hand from the heavens to get us through difficult, pleasant, neutral times. Although I am an atheist, I do practice meditation because I believe that my brain is an incredible structure and I can influence how I respond to thoughts. There was a great article in Lion's Roar (previously Shambhala Sun) a Buddhist magazine about how one can be both an atheist and a Buddhist. I try and let me emphasize TRY to live intentionally and compassionately though most days I want to post on the thread about what cheezed me. I am the only one in my immediate or extended family who is not a church going Christian, so finding this group as a place where reliance on religious affirmations will not be doled out as problem solutions is a refreshing change.

glennie19

JWoo, we understand!!

Bagsharon

I posted on Facebook that my oncologist considers me cancer free and a family member posted "Yay God!" Yay God? For what? For giving me cancer? Or for curing my cancer by making me go through deforming surgery, poison, radiation, and 10 years of crippling joint paint from AI? How about congratulating me for enduring it? Or the doctors for providing treatment?

So I'm posting here to avoid a family feud.

magiclight

Bagsharon...Here's to your courage, fortitude, stamina for all you have gone through. Hope this coming year brings some relief from joint pain and finding comfort where you can.

Wren44

So what do these people do? Go to funerals and boo God? I prefer to believe that things are random rather than a God who takes sides.

Congrats to achieving NED. I hope your joint pains improve. I'm close to the end of my AI and looking forward to less tendonitis (my reaction instead of joint pain).

Bagsharon

Is it weird that complete strangers are more comforting than family? Thank you.

And I'm just staring on the AI (typo of 19 years when it should be 10 - there was a sunflower seed stuck between the keys - god must have done it) so I'm hoping I find relief with some exercise and weight loss.

MinusTwo

bagsharon - thanks for the chuckle. I'm sure that god put that sunflower seed in your keyboard.

SoCalLisa

I am wondering when both teams pray before a game, which team will god choose to win...

Lulu22

It used to drive me nuts when women who were interviewed after giving birth to mega-multiples (e.g. quints) ascribed their ability to carry all their babies to term to faith, prayer, and God's will. I thought, "What does that say about the millions of women who have suffered repeated miscarriages or could never get pregnant at all, that they deserve infertility because they didn't pray enough?

solfeo

There is a truly horrific genetic disease that runs in my husband's family that can be prevented in only 3 ways at this time. Pre-implantation genetic testing (embryo wouldn't be used); prenatal testing (termination of the pregnancy may be required); and birth control or sterilization to prevent pregnancy.

These options present a problem of varying degrees to religious folks. Even some of those who believe in birth control decide to "leave the decision up to God." I see this as rolling the dice and inflicting needless suffering and death on another person. They see it as God's will and hope that if they pray hard enough they will be blessed with a disease-free child (50% risk). Then when their son or daughter gets sick they feel absolved of all responsibility. As a non-believer trying to get through, I have said to people, "Look, God gave you the technology, the brains and the morals to apply it, and if you fail to use them then no one is responsible but you." I have never changed a single mind.

Meanwhile, my child is 50% at risk because we didn't find out about the disease until he was 3 months old. Burns me up that we were not given a choice that we would have made responsibly, when so many others have thrown it away in the name of god.

Freya244117

Solfeo, many people "leave it up to God" as it absolves them of all responsibility. I don't get it either.

Wren44

Solfeo, I hope your child ends up in the 50% that don't have it. When will you know? I agree about terminating a pregnancy sure to end in disability and suffering.

Freya, Good to hear from you.

Bluebirdgirl

I'm so glad I found this thread! Good to know others share my same thoughts! I grew up in and still live in a small community, bible belt territory. I don't know any atheists in my community and I NEVER talk about religion. People just don't understand how you could not believe in god. When the athletes win a game and point up to the sky, like it was all god's doing, I think what about all the people suffering in this world, and he chose to help YOU win that game!! Wow, how truly special you must be! I have seen too many people in my life die long, painful deaths, and watched my children go through hell. But I have gotten through it all without god. However, I am never offended when someone says "I will pray for you" as I know that is their way of showing love and concern. I send positive thoughts instead of prayers to everyone!

ananda8

solfeo,

I can't imagine how tough this must be for you and your husband.  ((hugs))

solfeo

Thank you fellow heathens! And look, you managed empathy and compassion without threat of hell hanging over your heads. Some people don't understand how that is possible.

My son is 18 and healthy so far, so we have been living with this for a long time and have adjusted to the uncertain future, much like we adjust to the uncertainty after a breast cancer DX. It is usually an adult onset disease, but even babies can get it. He survived childhood but it could happen anytime between now and age 80 or more. Most people get it in their 40s or 50s. He could test but there is no treatment or cure so there isn't much benefit to knowing once you are alive and kicking and can't do anything about it, until you are thinking about having kids yourself.

solfeo

Hi Bluebird girl. Glad you found us!

nem126

Hey All!

I am a Christian. I will admit going through something like this tests your faith and your perspective on life. In my case, my faith has given me more strength.

BUT I do know there are many different beliefs and non- beliefs out there. Putting religion aside, one thing I've found helps me get through the crap is trying to do something good for other people. Volunteer work in your local community. Even just coming on these boards and talking with people who are newly diagnosed so they aren't as scared.

I realize volunteering is easier said than done when you're going through cancer treatments. I have a lot of days where I'm just like nah, I think I'll lay on the couch and eat some cookies...

But if you can do it, it's worth it. For you and for them.

Hang in.

Spookiesmom

When my cousins oldest fell into a pool and nearly drowned at 18 months old, everybody in the family prayed and prayed for god to heal her. Didn't happen. She lived to about 21 with the ability of a 3 month old.

That did it for me. I couldn't understand how a loving god wouldn't heal that beautiful child.

glennie19

Agree with you all. Why wouldn't a loving god heal the child? Why is there suffering at all?

JWoo

Freya244117

Religion has always been a way to control the masses, usually by fear. Understandable in the middle ages perhaps, but it is now the 21st century. I choose to put my belief in science.

Thanks Wren, it is nice to see you again too.