May 16, 2007
Something I Wonder About
I find it ironic that one of the nominated Best Religion Blogs of the Blogger’s Choice Awards is Atheists.org.
Pardon me for being blunt, but is Atheism really a religion?
If an atheist doesn’t believe in God and does not practice a set of beliefs involving devotional and ritual observances than how, exactly, can it be classified as a religion?
And for the record, if an atheist does not believe in God nor believes that Jesus Christ was the son of the same God they do not believe in, than why do they willingly accept the time off they receive for Christmas and Easter?
Sure, they may not be worshiping in a church or giving silent thanks to the Creator Himself, but why not go to work instead of basking in the luxury of time off because of the religious affiliations of those of us who do in fact practice a faith?
And when Atheists are blaspheming the very God I believe in (and calling it his or her right to do so) than why do they never understand why Christians become upset? And why are we expected to turn the other cheek and deal with the nasty comments, calling us foolish and naming us “religious fanatics”?
This country called America was founded under God and now all of a sudden it’s not okay to talk about Him. It’s not okay to say God Bless You or Peace Be With You because the non-believers become offended.
Well, I ask you; if you don’t believe in God, what is there to be offended about?
Posted by Dana @ 8:47 am • Religion
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May 16th, 2007 at 9:17 am, Cheryl Says:
I dated an athiest once. It was one of the most frustrating times of my life, especially around the holidays. He was one of those jerks who would complain if Christmas carols were played on the speakers at stores or other public venues. His reasoning behind it was faulty and selfish. He didn’t believe in God, therefore he shouldn’t have to have someone else’s doctrine shoved down his throat. Like Hark The Herald Angels Sing is a way for the Christian right to convert him and preach to him. A bunch of crap.
My husband and I are both not religious but were raised in Christian homes. We don’t participate in any organized religion, but we certainly don’t begrudge other people who do. And for the record, we love Christmas carols. So for me and my family, we will always defend the Christians as long as the individual isn’t using his or her beliefs to push a doctrine of intolerance and bigotry. And if I sneeze, somebody better say “Bless you” or else I get very hurt and upset that nobody noticed.
May 16th, 2007 at 1:30 pm, Debbie Says:
I agree with you! I would not be offended if someone of another religion greeted me in a manner that is applicable to their religion (i.e. if I was told Happy Hanukkah)…why should I? It’s their choice and their religion. That is why I say “Merry Christmas” at Christmas time…there’s no stopping me!
I feel this country is becomming more and more anti-Christian every day, and it really saddens me. I wish that people would see the link of the demise of the country, the climbing divorce rate and the state of our children to the removal of God from anything government or socially for that matter, related.
May 16th, 2007 at 1:42 pm, dana Says:
Cheryl, I am so happy to hear you wouldn’t be offended by Blessings from others.
Debbie! I couldn’t agree more! It does seem that our country is Godless and it’s very sad.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:42 pm, The Gatekeeper Says:
Wow! Well said. I’ve always wanted to post a question like this, but I could not have said it more eloquently as you did. Hope you don’t mind but I’m linking your post for my Thursday Thirteen Meme. Nice job.
May 16th, 2007 at 3:06 pm, Dana Says:
Thanks, Gatekeeper! I don’t mind at all. I’m glad you stopped by!
May 17th, 2007 at 1:09 pm, ITChick Says:
What?! Bloggers actually nominated an Atheist site for a ‘Best Religion Blog’?! There goes the blogosphere. Good job on this post, Dana.
May 17th, 2007 at 1:23 pm, Violet the Verbose Says:
No, Atheism is not a religion, but it is a pointed lack thereof, so it therefore deals with religion. Knowhutimean?
(For the record, I am not an atheist.)
The holiday thing got me giggling a bit. People will take whatever time they can get off of work, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. We need breaks. My MIL works for a Japanese company and gets all sorts of days off that she wouldn’t working for an American company. Should she go in to work on those days because she’s not Japanese?
I think that the backlash you’re seeing to religious stuff is due to how much our current president has mixed religion with politics, and what a big sway the Right Wing has over things (which is, of course, debatable, but that’s how I see it).
Everyone who is actually thinking clearly realizes that most of religious America is like you - going to church but not lording their beliefs over everyone all the time. However, the fanatics (I am sure you will admit that they do exist) have such a big voice and say such wacko things that sometimes I imagine some folk lose sight of the fact that those are not your everyday average religious people.
While our country was settled and founded by religious folk, they themselves just wanted to be able to practice their own religions. I like to think that those who wrote the Constitution considered all the harm that extreme religious fervor has done over the ages (think of the Crusades and the Inquisition just to name two) and that is why they chose to keep politics and religion separate.
Our founders meant for us to have religious liberty, not to insist that we all worship God in the same way - or even the same god. Surely religious liberty also gives us the right *not* to believe; *not* to worship.
I do hear what you are saying about some people giving other people flack for talking about God out loud, etc. I think that just comes down to basic respect. We all have the right to follow our own religion or lack thereof, and we all also have the right to criticize each other for our beliefs (be they that God exists or doesn’t). But it comes down to common decency to discuss or debate these things with respect for each other, and not to call names.
May 17th, 2007 at 1:46 pm, dana Says:
I’ve yet to see any name-calling except when it comes to those who believe in God.
There is a big difference between a religious person and a “religious extremist”.
And the “Right Wing” is not all “crazy people”.
I agree with you Caroline, America was found on religious freedom — and yet, the religions of myself and others are forced to be quiet because otherwise the big bad ACLU enforcers will bang on our doors and file lawsuits.
I’m supposed to step aside and allow my tax money to support legal abortions, stem cell research and school programs in which contraception is taught instead of abstinence. These things offend my religious beliefs but no one in the government cares. What about my rights?
Don’t I have the right not to support these things? And yet I’ve gotta put up with the politicians on the liberal left who seem to think they can do no wrong, stealing my tax money to fund their immoral causes.
Tell me, is that right?
People wonder why there are so many school shootings and natural disasters in this world. Do you think maybe it’s because we no longer fear God? We no longer respect Him?
I understand many people don’t believe in Him and I’m sad to hear that, but they need to remember there are people who DO believe in Him. And we are tired of being told to shut up and stop “pushing our religion on others”.
We’re not pushing religion on anyone. We’re not asking the non-believers for anything more than respect for our convictions and for our morals.
May 17th, 2007 at 2:19 pm, Nadine Says:
I believe in God and get highly annoyed when atheists make fun of people who are religious.
I live in The Netherlands, where (I am guessing) 80% is atheist. Believing in God is not something people admit to easily. They are often looked as believing in fairy tails.
I like your post.
May 17th, 2007 at 4:04 pm, Violet the Verbose Says:
“There is a big difference between a religious person and a religious extremist.”
Yes, that’s what I was saying. But I was also saying that it’s the extremists who get the media, and with that happening again and again, it can start to look like all religious people are extremists. Which I know is not true, I’m just saying that it can seem that way if all you do is watch the media.
Yes, I know the Right Wing is not all crazy people. But there sure are a bunch in there.
The ACLU will as soon defend your right, as a private citizen, to share your religious beliefs in public, as it will defend the rights of gay people not to be beaten to death based on their sexual orientation. This is from their website in the religion section:
“The ACLU is a strong defender of the right of religious organizations and individuals to express their religious beliefs in public. The ACLU is opposed, however, to the government sponsoring, endorsing, promoting, or financing religious symbols. The government has no right or authority to decide whose religious symbols should be promoted and whose should be ignored.”
They defend the private citizens’ rights and work to make the government abide by the Constitution.
As for political policies that you don’t believe in - those representatives, congress people, etc. were voted to those positions. I certainly don’t support everyone who was voted in - least of all Bush - but now that they’re there, they get to push through their policies and agendas. If we don’t agree with what they are doing we need to do the things we can to let them know: Write letters, sign petitions, become political activists, and most importantly, vote against them the next time an election rolls around.
I personally don’t believe that the rise in school shootings is caused by a lack of belief in God, or that natural disasters are a sign of His unhappiness with the human race, but that’s just me - you’re certainly welcome to believe that (I answered that because it was put as a question).
Again, I know that YOU are not pushing your religion on others. But there are those, like the Queen of Spain’s brother-in-law, who would have us believe that since we are not Southern Baptist, we’re all going to burn in hell. Because we don’t believe exactly what he believes, we’re going to hell. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
I think that the religious extremists have made it difficult for the rest of the religious people. There is a lot of public reaction to the extremists, and that unfortunately splashes onto normal people.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:12 am, Carla Stream Says:
I am so with you Dana! What a great post!
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:31 am, Dana Says:
Thanks Carla!!