Why I am an atheist – Cathy Oliver

[cleanhippie]

In July of 2003 I was pregnant with twins. I was happy, excited, and nervous, and looking back on it now I feel like I was in a state of pregnancy-related ignorant bliss. I was one of those people who happily use the phrases “I’m pregnant” and “I’m going to have a baby” interchangeably and I could foresee nothing but a happy ending to the story.

I was 18 weeks pregnant when my water broke. My husband rushed me to the hospital and the doctor told us we had less than a 5% chance of things working out well. Indeed, the next day an ultrasound showed that both babies had died, and the following day labour would be induced.

About an hour after I gave birth to my babies, a nurse came in to talk to us about ‘coping with our loss’. We were understandably upset and in a bit of shock, and I wasn’t really listening to everything she was saying, but I did hear her ask if she could call a priest, or some equivalent, for spiritual guidance. Being atheists we declined her offer, but she persisted and asked how we could possibly cope without religion in our lives. I politely assured her we would be fine, but she was not content to drop it. She sighed and told us that it would “be much harder to manage without God’s help” and she promised to pray for us.

--snip--


I’m really an atheist because religion is selling ignorant bliss – and I don’t want it. She wanted me to accept, on faith, that I needed God to make everything better. She wanted me to avoid grieving for my babies by believing that they were in heaven and that God had a plan. She wanted me to take the easy way out, so that I would feel better. As long as I ignored all the contradictions in the bible, the lack of evidence for any sort of higher being, and all the problems caused by religion meddling in this world, I could be happy all the time because eventually we’ll all be in heaven – problem solved.

http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/10/29/why-i-am-an-atheist-cathy-oliver/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[Arkansas Granny]

1. Many years ago I gave birth to premature twins. One of them died a few hours after birth..

I received advice and condolences much the same as the author of the article. Some even went so far as to say that God had allowed me to keep one of my babies, so I should be thankful.

That experience made me start questioning the existence of God. I came to the conclusion that he is a myth just the same as the Roman, Greek and Egyptian gods. I do not call myself an atheist as that almost suggests an organized group, much the same as religions. I just consider myself a non-believer. I don't share this with many people since most people around here are affiliated with a church and firmly believe that those who do not believe are immoral, evil persons who should be avoided.

[ellenfl]

2. that last paragraph says it all. eom

[frebrd]

3. K&R n/t

[Kurmudgeon]

4. Bad things happen to everyone, you're subject to this world while you are in it.

I've lost loved ones as well. If you've never truly knew and considered God's Law or Christ's Words, then you never really had faith to begin with. Notice I haven't referred to anything else in Leviticus or elsewhere.
Humans are mortal, things happen, sad to say but true. Pardon me, I am not trying to be trite.
The Bible is more than one book, if you read ancient Jewish history, remember that Christ himself said He came back because the people of those times were "stiff necked" and unwilling to change their ways. Be sure you have things in context before you just throw it all away with an excuse.
I don't know who the "She" is you refer to, but please excuse her awkward attempt at condolences.
And I'm very sorry for your loss as well.