X-post from R/T: What it's Like to be an Atheist (if anyone really cares)

[beam me up scottie]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x239996

Maybe a newbie or two will learn something but I'm not holding my breath...

[meeshrox]

1. newbie here...

thanks for that...would not have found it just browsing around...

I still haven't been able to decide what I am yet: atheist, agnostic, freethinker...really, just a Saganist for now. I guess they all fit me!

I still cannot tell my family about my lack of faith in the supernatural...my mother would have a heart attack, literally. She's been insistent that I go to church and get baptized so that she can "see me" when I die. It's all bullshit to me, but I would rather not deal with it. I've been "faithless" for almost a decade. I've recently been posting and reading in the atheists/agnostics and skepticism/science boards and it helps me with my vision of humanity and goodness.

Thanks again!

[lazarus]

2. I may be able to help

It really boils down to a binary question: Do you believe in any sort of god? If yes, you're a theist/deist, if no, you're an atheist. Welcome, and enjoy the snacks.

Don't get confused by the believers' mumbo-jumbo about fundamentalist atheists and crap like that. An atheist is simply one who does not believe.

Agnostic simply describes how you do/do not believe. Agnostic literally means "without knowledge". You can be an agnostic Christian. That's simply someone who believes, but acknowledges there is no way to prove the existence of God.

Good luck with your family. My daughter finally summoned up the courage to tell her fundie mom she's an atheist a couple of months ago. I've only told the parts of my family that have any need to know, but I'm fairly sure they all know by now.

[realisticphish]

3. +1

[realisticphish]

4. for me

I avoid labels. Yeah, I am an atheist. I am also agnostic. I am a non-believer. A heretic. Or a heathen.

There is a spectrum of belief, but there is also a real dividing line: belief, yes or no.

[beam me up scottie]

5. Wow, thank you.

I really didn't expect such a positive result, even in this group (we're all pretty jaded).

Welcome to DU and the Evil Atheist Group, we've already shipped your rubber chicken and badge, you should receive them shortly.

:hi:

[Soylent Brice]

6. well that's bullshit. i never got mine in the mail. another example of our lack of organization.

how can we go about subjugating the religious zealot hordes with our plan to overthrow all world governments if we can't organize a mailer incentive?

sheesh.

[beam me up scottie]

7. Dammit!

Must be labor problems at the rubber chicken factory again. Last time they substituted bibles for the chickens.

I'll send a squad from the Evil Atheist militia to deal with them...