Heathen Happy Hour (Atheism Thread - Bibles Beware)

[Waraji]

I'm an atheist and former believer, but I think the need to gather together to talk about atheism is downright laughable.

That is entirely misinformed. The groups I've met generally stay away from actually talking about religion/atheism. It's a nice atmosphere to talk about current events, politics, and other topics in depth. Just the other month there was a discussion on Anti-Vaxers that lead to a conversation of polarity of the current political system. The group I meet up with is comprised of engineers, programmers, psychologists, professors, and people from all walks of life. Just this past meet up, there was this lady from India who just joined, and a transfer member from Oklahoma who moved down here. She told us how she was part of the group whom this lady belong to:



It was brilliant.

For me at least, it's a nice break from the day long office dick jokes and superficial small talk day to day humdrum, such is the field of construction management. Irrc they mentioned something about the other group up in Broward last time, just around your area I think.

[Mazmaz]

So you feel as though you're victims? Genuine question. Up here you're looked at funny if you even mention being theist.

[Waraji]

So you feel as though you're victims?

Wut? :0 Victims of what?

[Yabby]

lol reminds me of the atheists groups I see on my city's reddit and meetup.com. I'm an atheist and former believer, but I think the need to gather together to talk about atheism is downright laughable. I just let people believe what they want, and I do my own thing.

For me and a few friends this is just the opposite. We meet up (Normally at a bar for drinks) just to discuss what is going on in the world and our lives. The main reason we enjoy having a group of atheist is so we don't have every debate or discussion turn into a debate about god. It's the prime reason i stay out of family discussions when i return home once every 5 years. The primary reason they vote/pick/do the things they do is because of their religion, and anytime my view conflict with theirs, i'm taken down the rabbit hole of debating God again.

Edit: As for the victims thing. I can see how some might feel isolated because they can't talk about how they feel, but to call them victims is a little much. We live in a world that is connected at all times. You can find someone that shares your thoughts easily any time of the day in seconds. Sure we might not have a chance running for office, but give it time.

[Waraji]

For me and a few friends this is just the opposite. We meet up (Normally at a bar for drinks) just to discuss what is going on in the world and our lives. The main reason we enjoy having a group of atheist is so we don't have every debate or discussion turn into a debate about god.

This is pretty much what it boils down to me as well. I love that no topic is off the table because we'd have be considerate of the other persons beliefs, or rather them be offended.

I understand now what he meant by victim now. There really are people whom do feel like victims. For instance a person who grew up in a very religious household and has since personally renounced their faith, with their family completely unaware. Those people live in secret, and often times in shame. Now that I think about it it’s similar to how closeted homosexuals feel around their families who would disapprove/denounced them for the way they are

[Mazmaz]

Wut? :0 Victims of what?

I'm not sure, but you make it sound like you need support groups.

[ronin sparthos]

Think about if you live in a small town in 'Murica. And then think if you're an atheist. You could lose your job, support network, family, threats and generally get alot of grief.

You're literally fucked unless you get outta there. It is very much like homosexuality and the end result is often the same. Either you come to accept the position you've taken and triumph over it or you end up a vicious self-loather who puts on two coats of fake it, to make it.

Worse still if you're coming out of a Muslim household, shit is gonna get real.

[Inshiya]

I lived in Alabama. Half my family stopped talking to me when I became an atheist. I had people openly yell at me that I was going to hell in the middle of the day, quite frequently.

It's not a need for support groups, but in certain parts of this country it's a scary and dangerous thing to be openly secular.

[Tyrath]

I'm not sure, but you make it sound like you need support groups.

More like needing a sense of community and belonging. Something that church accomplishes for many people.

[Ardrial]

I live in Arkansas. The vast majority of my family no longer speaks to me because I don't believe in Christianity. That is the reason I waited until I was an adult and could support myself before I "came out."

This is very much a problem for a lot of people in the shittier parts of America. Family abandons you, friends stop being friends, people are openly rude to you and constantly tell you that they wish you would die.

I can see where people might need support from other people going through the same thing.

[Waraji]

I'm not sure, but you make it sound like you need support groups.

Hardly, I have friends outside of work I hang out with regularly. Support? What exactly do they support? Meeting up once a month to shoot the shit with drinks and food. I suppose they're supporting my caloric intake?

[Aragon of Odin]

So you feel as though you're victims? Genuine question. Up here you're looked at funny if you even mention being theist.

Up here being where exactly? I don't find that I get looked at funny when I say I'm atheist, never had anyone really frown down on me about it either, and I know a lot of atheists.

[Clash Perez]

Up here being where exactly? I don't find that I get looked at funny when I say I'm atheist, never had anyone really frown down on me about it either, and I know a lot of atheists.

He did say 'theist' rather than 'atheist'

[Aragon of Odin]

Ok, so he's saying that "up here" if you believe in God you're looked at funny?

I still wonder where up here is. I don't really feel that anyone gets looked at funny for their beliefs, at least based on my experiences. Maybe I'm just completely misunderstanding what he meant

[Tyrath]

He lives in Canada. Which I think he just means is a largely secular place.

[Mazmaz]

^ Sorry, I thought BG stated country for some reason.

Interesting dynamic in the US that didn't occur to me tbh. A vast majority of, at least young people in Canada, identify as atheist, so if it does come up in conversations, people who go out of their way to say they're Christian or something else, are usually regarded as "that guy", at least on a subconscious level. Like when I swiped left on Tinder on a girl because she had "Christian" in her bio (1st time I saw in hundreds). It's certainly nothing compared to what you guys describe though.

[NynJa]

That girl on Tinder claiming to be Christian, she wasnt Christian, and you swiped left on a total freak in the sheets.

[Galkaeater]

missed out on anal

[Waraji]

missed out on anal

Ass to mouth even. It's both a curse and a blessing dating a christian.

[Tyrath]

People care for more than looks on tinder?