BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Atheist Hello fellow athiests

to the post:

Atheism means "without religion" not "without god". So you can subscribe to atheism as a way of showing your disagreement with "organised religions", but still believe in some sort of higher power. (As far as I am aware, Buddhists don't believe in a god, but that doesn't make them Atheists, because Buddhism is a religion). Atheism is such a broad concept, it can even cover those who have created a "religion" out of being without a religion.

I think on the whole - and the reason why this board is so quiet - atheists are people who simply don't have religion in their lives (and admit it). It's very difficult to create a forum around something that people don't do (although the Childfree forum is going well). What on earth do you talk about - what you don't believe? I think that is why it can then degenerate into a religion-bashing exercise, which is not encouraged here on BellaOnline. And rightly, I believe. I don't see the point in hating others simply because they believe something I don't.

I didnot know that!!! i have been doing research and i did not even thing about adding Athism to my list to study because the arent a religain that believe in God so whats to ask? or so i thought ok now i have questions..

1) why do you not believe in religion but believe it a higher Power (is that the right term?
2)why do some try to Evangilize other people (try to convert them)?

Hi freebubbles

A religion is an organised community of people who believe in one or more gods or a supernatural power. It can also simply mean a belief system that is held with such high importance and faith.

So, with the second definition, an atheist who fervently believes that there is no god could be considered to hold that belief religiously.

On the other hand, you can get atheists/agnostics who think there might be a higher power but don't care... or do care but don't want to make a religion out of worshipping a higher power.

Religion is a certain state of being - either worshipping a deity, or having great faith that what you believe is right barring all else. Some people just don't want to be that intense about this higher power stuff.

As for your second question - when people believe that they are right and someone else is wrong, some people feel a need to correct the other person, sometimes for the perceived good of their soul, other times just because they want to be right.

thank you for replying so nicely!! i think there are a few of the I JUST WANT TO BE RIGHT in every walk of life. and i can see how people would get defensive, no one like some one in there face.

and i like this :
Religion is a certain state of being - either worshipping a deity, or having great faith that what you believe is right barring all else. Some people just don't want to be that intense about this higher power stuff.

I have great faith that GOD (being a generic term because every religion calls God God in some langage) loves me but as for converting and dominating the world with my religion... I think i will let God lead them to me and when they ask i will answer!

and have a great day!!!

I think athiesm means different things to people. It has a broad meaning I guess. I dont belong to any religion at all but I deffinatley 100 percent know there is a higher power out there but my belief is that none of us knows the real truth...

I dont think I am an athiest.To me an athiest does not belive in any afterlife.I will use my father as an example,he belives that once you die that is it,the whole concept of any higher power to him is utter nonsence - now that to me is a real practising athiest.

You're right, atheism is a very broad term.

I don't consider myself a true atheist either (more agnostic), simply because I don't care enough about religious issues to claim the label. If someone gets my back up, though, with their evangelism, then I will use it.

I really appreciated Rae (our Pagan editor's) comment when she said that the pagan view of a person trying to convert others when they haven't requested their help or intervention (proselytising) is that this is as close to a "sin" as one can get in pagan terms.

Some people just don't understand how offensive it can be to preach about their religion, or try to "save" a person, when that person is not interested.

Yes there is nothing worse than being preached to.The worst are the ones who come to your door.Being nice and telling them you are not interested does not help none.I now tell them to [email]f@@k[/email] off and that works well <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

try going to the same church for 26 years and asking a question they cant answer so they being on FULL FORCES YOU MUST GET SAVED and and after the 999999999999 milionth time in one day God Says..."DONT YOU GOT SOMETHING BETTER TO DO THEN SAY THE SAMETHING OVER AND OVER AND OVER....SHUT UP!!! your human I made you that way so go be HUMAN!!!" God loves me and He saved my soul from being saved over and over and over....forever!! AMEN

Streuth! that would drive me crazy <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />