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As a atheist who was raised in a religious environment I think I know about how religion informs lifestyle and belief systems. I find that the more religious speak I am exposed to,the more I move away from the religious beliefs I was raised with. So engaging with religiosos seems only to reinforce my atheism rather than challenging it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder however why some Christians seem hell bent on engaging with Atheists? Are they reinforced by the encounter? Are they challenged? Or does the non-believer simply threaten their Christian beliefs by simply existing? I wonder if Christians need everyone to believe because their beliefs are fragile and need mass reinforcement? OR do they simply want to save others? Why is my non belief a priority for the belief systems of others?
For those of us who come from religion and become atheists it is kind of like finding out about Santa. I love watching children enthralled with Santa...and would never take away their beliefs. But for me once Santa was exposed...there was no going back. I did not tell my son about Santa, he came home from day care and talked all about him and so I left him with that idea. One day he asked me if Santa was real and I asked him if he really wanted to know and then I told him.
Also there are Christians who are like Atheists in that they just want to live and let live...you know I am not talking about you!! I am wondering about those who feel it is important to inject religion into the public sphere including schools. I am wondering about those who openly seek engagement by baiting Atheists into conversations by accusing them of all sorts of heinous acts. I am wondering about those who think prayers are universal and innocuous.
My mother still believes in religion and I envy the fact that she finds comfort and peace in her beliefs. I would never seek to take that away. She has worked hard, suffered much and deserves the vision of joy that God brings to her.
I just have to wonder why others cannot be happy for me.