Any time people ask me about my religious beliefs now I just kinda shrug
does that make me agnostic or
?
Well, except my family; we don't really talk about it at all, though Mom and Dad are certainly Christian; Dad would probably be unhappy if I told him about my rather lax faith
brainchild of Fabian Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques, he "used the submarine to make a documentary intended to demystify the notion that great white sharks are ruthless, mindless killers."
brainchild of Fabian Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques, he "used the submarine to make a documentary intended to demystify the notion that great white sharks are ruthless, mindless killers."
maybe he should have done that while as a fleshy human with pork strapped to his body.
I had a discussion last night with a close friend about how I am a closeted atheist.
Everyone around me would be pissed if they knew I was an atheist. Some might even stop talking to me, including family members. It would be ugly and painful and not really worth the headaches. So, rather than facing such things, I just pretend to be a Christian when I'm around anyone that falls into this category. I was raised Christian, so I know all the right words and phrases, and even quite a few bible passages if the situation calls for it. Everyone falls for it. It's remarkably easy to pull off, actually. I can see why so many people can make truckloads of money from religious folk.
I feel like a gay guy in a southern Baptist family... I parade the bible around at family functions, even kissing it from time to time so as not to set off any suspicion, but I secretly have science waiting for me in my bed back home...
see, when I left the church as a young adult I made a conscious decision at that point that I wasn't going to do what I'd seen so many friends do:
a) keep pretending they were christian around their family/friends so as to avoid conflict, but also (from my perspective) be trapped in a lie the rest of my life
b) become the bitter ex-christian that takes every opportunity to rail at my family for being stupid sheep, etc
I decided that I would simply be honest, but non confrontational about my beliefs and be proud of who I am without being a smarmy asshole
I've certainly had my arguments with my mom (my father had already passed away by that point), but it's allowed me to stay close to my family without pretending to be something I'm not and without becoming bitter
all it really requires is some patience and empathy
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General NemoThe Mighty ShameChurch for DogsRegistered Userregular
edited May 2009
This is a pretty cool thread and goddamn I wish I were better at math.
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FandyienBut Otto, what about us? Registered Userregular
edited May 2009
Shark sub?
Fuck yeah
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ButtersA glass of some milksRegistered Userregular
brainchild of Fabian Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques, he "used the submarine to make a documentary intended to demystify the notion that great white sharks are ruthless, mindless killers."
I'd rather something less sporty, with more headroom
I had a discussion last night with a close friend about how I am a closeted atheist.
Everyone around me would be pissed if they knew I was an atheist. Some might even stop talking to me, including family members. It would be ugly and painful and not really worth the headaches. So, rather than facing such things, I just pretend to be a Christian when I'm around anyone that falls into this category. I was raised Christian, so I know all the right words and phrases, and even quite a few bible passages if the situation calls for it. Everyone falls for it. It's remarkably easy to pull off, actually. I can see why so many people can make truckloads of money from religious folk.
I feel like a gay guy in a southern Baptist family... I parade the bible around at family functions, even kissing it from time to time so as not to set off any suspicion, but I secretly have science waiting for me in my bed back home...
How long do you want to pull this off?
Forever?
I don't see my parents that often, and I see no reason to cause trouble. It's not like I have to do this shit everyday or anything, and I really don't care enough to rock the boat.
I go to church with my folks maybe twice a year (Christmas/Easter) and I see them a maximum of 10 times per year. The rest of my family a maximum of 5 times per year.
brainchild of Fabian Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques, he "used the submarine to make a documentary intended to demystify the notion that great white sharks are ruthless, mindless killers."
oh man, I want to see that documentary
this also reminded me of an article I posted a ways back in the science thread robot penguins
when I was young I was quite secure in the knowledge that Jesus, indeed, loves the little children, and that I was golden as long as I said my prayers and all that stuff
but as I grew and was able to examine myself and my surroundings, I decided that I had never had anything approximating a "religious experience" and had never seen anything to make me truly feel, in my heart, that there was a God with a plan and all that
scientific inquiry and all that aside, if you don't feel that truth, deep down, then you don't by definition believe
Also I discovered that sin and vice are really fun
I had a discussion last night with a close friend about how I am a closeted atheist.
Everyone around me would be pissed if they knew I was an atheist. Some might even stop talking to me, including family members. It would be ugly and painful and not really worth the headaches. So, rather than facing such things, I just pretend to be a Christian when I'm around anyone that falls into this category. I was raised Christian, so I know all the right words and phrases, and even quite a few bible passages if the situation calls for it. Everyone falls for it. It's remarkably easy to pull off, actually. I can see why so many people can make truckloads of money from religious folk.
I feel like a gay guy in a southern Baptist family... I parade the bible around at family functions, even kissing it from time to time so as not to set off any suspicion, but I secretly have science waiting for me in my bed back home...
I've pretty much always been atheist/agnostic but I don't think my family knows. Fortunately we're pretty secular as it is so it almost never comes up. I've never seen a situation where it'd be a good idea to bring it up myself, either.
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ButtersA glass of some milksRegistered Userregular
remoras aren't cleaners, they just hitch a free ride and pick off scraps of food that are too small for sharks to bother with during feeding
their hosts don't benefit, but it doesn't really cost them anything either
Actually it's catholic tradition that says that mary was completely without sin for her entire life, and thus had no other children. Most protestant sects hold that she and joeseph had several kids. (Namely james, who wrote the book of james).
...science!
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General NemoThe Mighty ShameChurch for DogsRegistered Userregular
remoras aren't cleaners, they just hitch a free ride and pick off scraps of food that are too small for sharks to bother with during feeding
their hosts don't benefit, but it doesn't really cost them anything either
Man, what a rad life it would be to have free food and a great big scary fucking shark as your buddy.
as far as moral/religious development goes, I have to give my parents a lot of credit for letting me decide what I wanted to believe and for encouraging me to ask questions
my grandmas were really not happy with my dad when he gave me a copy of Holy Blood, Holy Grail for my 14th birthday
remoras aren't cleaners, they just hitch a free ride and pick off scraps of food that are too small for sharks to bother with during feeding
their hosts don't benefit, but it doesn't really cost them anything either
So it's the perfect fish for people who like to eat while using computers.
as far as moral/religious development goes, I have to give my parents a lot of credit for letting me decide what I wanted to believe and for encouraging me to ask questions
my grandmas were really not happy with my dad when he gave me a copy of Holy Blood, Holy Grail for my 14th birthday
good book
shame people tend to blow their claims out of proportion
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Clint EastwoodMy baby's in there someplaceShe crawled right inRegistered Userregular
Actually it's catholic tradition that says that mary was completely without sin for her entire life, and thus had no other children. Most protestant sects hold that she and joeseph had several kids. (Namely james, who wrote the book of james).
Too bad I won't be able to see it, being in Texas and all (and at work as well). That was a cool video though, especially listening to how excited that kid was. I love seeing kids get excited about science and stuff, it gives me some hope for humanity.
Actually it's catholic tradition that says that mary was completely without sin for her entire life, and thus had no other children. Most protestant sects hold that she and joeseph had several kids. (Namely james, who wrote the book of james).
Actually it's catholic tradition that says that mary was completely without sin for her entire life, and thus had no other children. Most protestant sects hold that she and joeseph had several kids. (Namely james, who wrote the book of james).
...science!
Mary and Joseph didn't actually exist.
... science!
Neither does you social credibility!
Jk jk
Not my scene, but I think there is a little bit of actual historical evidence for jesus and that crew, but maybe not?
Actually it's catholic tradition that says that mary was completely without sin for her entire life, and thus had no other children. Most protestant sects hold that she and joeseph had several kids. (Namely james, who wrote the book of james).
as far as moral/religious development goes, I have to give my parents a lot of credit for letting me decide what I wanted to believe and for encouraging me to ask questions
my grandmas were really not happy with my dad when he gave me a copy of Holy Blood, Holy Grail for my 14th birthday
My dad wouldn't be too happy with me being more or less agnostic but he'd learn to live with it. Now if I had kids that would be a lot different.
Posts
Me neither till about a month ago.
brainchild of Fabian Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques, he "used the submarine to make a documentary intended to demystify the notion that great white sharks are ruthless, mindless killers."
At least you're honest about it.
maybe he should have done that while as a fleshy human with pork strapped to his body.
oh woops they really are mindless killers
a) keep pretending they were christian around their family/friends so as to avoid conflict, but also (from my perspective) be trapped in a lie the rest of my life
b) become the bitter ex-christian that takes every opportunity to rail at my family for being stupid sheep, etc
I decided that I would simply be honest, but non confrontational about my beliefs and be proud of who I am without being a smarmy asshole
I've certainly had my arguments with my mom (my father had already passed away by that point), but it's allowed me to stay close to my family without pretending to be something I'm not and without becoming bitter
all it really requires is some patience and empathy
Fuck yeah
Ha ha ha! To myself maybe.
That's all that really matters.
Forever?
I don't see my parents that often, and I see no reason to cause trouble. It's not like I have to do this shit everyday or anything, and I really don't care enough to rock the boat.
I go to church with my folks maybe twice a year (Christmas/Easter) and I see them a maximum of 10 times per year. The rest of my family a maximum of 5 times per year.
this also reminded me of an article I posted a ways back in the science thread
robot penguins
when I was young I was quite secure in the knowledge that Jesus, indeed, loves the little children, and that I was golden as long as I said my prayers and all that stuff
but as I grew and was able to examine myself and my surroundings, I decided that I had never had anything approximating a "religious experience" and had never seen anything to make me truly feel, in my heart, that there was a God with a plan and all that
scientific inquiry and all that aside, if you don't feel that truth, deep down, then you don't by definition believe
Also I discovered that sin and vice are really fun
I've pretty much always been atheist/agnostic but I don't think my family knows. Fortunately we're pretty secular as it is so it almost never comes up. I've never seen a situation where it'd be a good idea to bring it up myself, either.
What kind of dumb faggot wouldn't want to play "shark" in that thing?
Folks on the Eastern Seaboard have a great opportunity to see a rocket launch tonight between 8-11pm
their hosts don't benefit, but it doesn't really cost them anything either
...science!
my grandmas were really not happy with my dad when he gave me a copy of Holy Blood, Holy Grail for my 14th birthday
shame people tend to blow their claims out of proportion
Mary and Joseph didn't actually exist.
... science!
Too bad I won't be able to see it, being in Texas and all (and at work as well). That was a cool video though, especially listening to how excited that kid was. I love seeing kids get excited about science and stuff, it gives me some hope for humanity.
Neither of these sound like science.
Not at all.
That's so close to me.
Neither does you social credibility!
Jk jk
Not my scene, but I think there is a little bit of actual historical evidence for jesus and that crew, but maybe not?
emmm
not necessarily
I really hope our awful weather clears up so I can see this
unfortunately the forcast is for rain and fog all evening
My dad wouldn't be too happy with me being more or less agnostic but he'd learn to live with it. Now if I had kids that would be a lot different.