Atheist Pride

[Bobby]

There seems to be alot of it out there. What started as an argument or opposition to religion organized or not has seemed to take on a life of its own. Now personally im not religious. I do like to believe that there is something out there that perhaps has some idea on how to sort all of the chaos out i dont mind if its Jesus or a turtle or whatever( im reminded of noah and the whale " if you dont believe in god , how can you beleive in love, when were all just matter that will one day scatter) but i digress. i find pride to be a funny thing but i understand its part of what makes us well....us. my question if i have one even is why have pride for something youre lacking or have ruled out , i mean i think i have a pretty good understanding of it as i myslef have flirted with the idea of atheism. open conversation full of respect

[Mike Starks]

If people can have pride in believing in a deity, why can't I have pride in not believing in one?

[Bobby]

i get that much and i agree with you but i want to know why you have pride in that. hell i can take pride in that i dont have liver disease but i dont.

[Neko]

I see your point. I'm religious, but I have nothing against people who have pride in being Atheist... I think everyone has a right to be proud of their spiritual decision. However, I don't like it when Atheists assume that religious people are weak or inferior somehow for believing in God. The Atheists I know aren't like that, but there are some. There may be no concrete proof of God, but that for me is a reason to believe in him. I think for an individual to believe in something they cannot prove, to surrender to a power higher than them and admit their human limitations--, I think that itself is a strength. And for me, at least, accepting that my destiny is inevitable has actually given me more control over my life. But, again, it's a personal thing. I know quite a few teenagers who don't believe in God but have expressed to me that as they get older they hope to find the religion for them or establish a spiritual base for themselves, and I respect that. Sometimes it just takes time.

[Mike Starks]

It's a two-way street. Some Atheists view "religious folk" as weak or inferior, but some "religious folk" also view Atheists as weak and inferior. That's the problem with having sides on an issue, everyone assumes the other side is wrong.

[Neko]

you're right. To me, I don't think anyone is inferior in their beliefs as long as they are confident that it's right for them and they have enough integrity to incorporate their moral values into their lifestyle. and most Athiests are like that, I mean, my best and closest friend doesn't believe in God, and I really admire her.

[Faith The Fanpire]

yeah thats true. everyone thinks their side is right and anyone else on a another side is evil, wrong, or ignorant. Sometimes that is the case, though. But not necessarily with this.

[Hannah]

Could you please stop saying "religious folk"?

[Mike Starks]

Why? I just use it as an all-encompassing term for anyone who believes in a religion. Would you rather I listed each religion?

[Courtney]

I'm proud of it because I still see myself as a good person. And I'm not doing it just to please a god but because I think its right. And i'm proud because I still have morals an values but i do it for myself and no one else... I hope that makes sense.

[Bobby]

that makes perfect sense.

[Micah]

Being proud as opposed to being ashamed, or apathetic? I get my spiritual well-being from the beauty of the things that I can see and feel in the natural world, not the assumed love of someone a book told me about. My religion is defined by people who believe in god as a lack of belief in god. My religion is defined by me as a love for a nature that I can personally experience, of this, I am proud.

[Micah]

I hope that didn't come across as inflammatory.