Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?

I don't want to make anyone feel attacked, but I admit that I was surprised at how the commentary here seems to often skew toward being anti-religious rather than pro-atheism if that makes sense. I even went back to read the original post a couple of times over the past several months:

"Hi I am newly diagnosed and I know alot of people rely on their faith for support and find great peace with that, however I am a atheist and was wondering if anyone else here was also."

When I initially visited and asked about coping with a cancer diagnosis without faith, everyone was exceptionally gracious about sharing what they find comforting or motivating, such as communing with nature and meditation. Similarly, you generously shared your thoughts with TravelText in support of his interesting article. However, the thread seems to inevitably move back to disparaging comments about this religion or that person attending a church of a particular denomination.

Don't get me wrong, we've all known a Church Lady who is a little more special than everyone else. The pastor of a Southern Baptist church I attended briefly basically kicked me out when I asked too many questions about why women weren't pastors there. He phrased it in genteel fashion suggesting I might be "happier at a more liberal church." When I attended a more liberal church, my pastor and I went round and round about homosexuality. He kept equating it to single people remaining chaste, which I rejected because I could get married one day, but gay marriage wasn't legal in my state so a gay person would be expected to be celibate forever. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I could never reconcile the supernatural aspect of Christian belief. Added to philosophical differences, I walked away knowing that would put me at odds with most of my family and friends.

Why, then, have I found myself conflicted about the criticism of religion that periodically dominates here? I think it's because I've encountered an incredible kindness and generosity of not just spirit, but time, money and energy given by my Christian and Jewish friends. I've not experienced any of the cruelty some of you have mentioned. Although I'll speak up loudly on matters like separation of church and state or defense of gay marriage, I still know that many of my moral values stem from Judeo-Christian beliefs.

I can't see the deleted posts from Joesomebody,. It's unfortunate timing that I finally got around to writing this note and it comes on the heels of what were apparently rude and disrespectful comments. That's unacceptable. Still, there frequently seems to be a negative tone that feels dispiriting. We all arrived at rejecting organized religion via our own paths and I think it's important to have a place to vent. As has been noted, there are numerous prayer-related threads, but a dearth of threads for those who don't believe in divine intervention. I've greatly enjoyed many of the quotes I've seen here and the tots and pears cartoon cracked me up. I'm simply sharing my perception that it sometimes feels like there is an emphasis on what religious folks are doing wrong instead of speaking to the positive impact of atheistic beliefs. I acknowledge that I'm not sure if I would properly define myself as an agnostic or an atheist, but I am trying to garner wisdom from the experiences of those of you who have walked this walk longer than I. Whew! If you read this far, thank you!

Lyn

The article is here:
http://malebc.org/thanks-for-your-offer-of-prayer-...

magiclight, One of the stories was from the point of view of a male with bc, that was the author's voice, mine. We need to get some more men posting here on atheism!

Yndorian1, Faith would be another article, I'd suggest. Faith obviously is a part of most religions, but having faith does not require any religion.

santabarbarian, I agree! I also have good friends like that. Their faith supports their lives. They are good people and treat others with respect and kindness. Having faith or following a religion doesn't make that impossible.

Always respect people. Opinions are another matter. One can dispute, refute, or repudiate opinions.

Well, that pretty much says it all!

ananada8- love it

Just watched a sort of funny movie - Hippopotamus - that's about a boy with 'miraculous' powers. Language and sex is definitely not PG. The acting is great, the poetic references worthwhile and the plot is congruous with the beliefs we all discuss here - do stay for its entirely or skip ahead to the last 10-15 minutes.

I love the Handmaid's Tale. Don't love that we may be heading that way though, would prefer it remain fiction

Funny - I too just re-read the Handmaid's Tale. Since I haven't seen any of the TV shows, it was almost new. I liked it as much as I did when it first came out.

Ananda, That is great!!!

illimae - I am also childfree (tubes tied 19 years ago). I can't cook, can't bear kids so I guess in the Handmaid's world I'd have to go to the camps.

Love the meme Ananda

MinusTwo,

Thanks for the article. The one aspect of the non religious that the article left out is the need for community. I think many people drop out of religion in part because they aren't 'joiners' to begin with. As for atheists, most of us have only two or three things in common at the start. We have no belief in a deity. We tend to read more than the average person. We are comfortable with solitude. Any two of those three things make joining as supporting a secular church only mildly attractive. Just my opinion but perhaps my hypothesis is more about me than about the average atheist.