Had a very awkward religious debate with my dad. I remember when I was younger, we'd watch the news or something and he would tell me his opinion and I would believe like the divine word. Eventually I formed my own opinions and realized how out of touch he is. We'd eventually sit around the tv, watch the news and have political debates. He came home and made some comment about me being a "non-believer", and we had a awkwardly heated argument, where I poked fun at his warped views. He eventually sunk into "I'm right, jesus loves me." I explained to him the best I could why I don't believe, and I swear he must have prior to tonight thought I was atheist to be cool or something. I can hear him explaining to my younger brothers how I'm confused, and I know they're eating up.
/livejournal
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"Moris should be here soon to rub it in my face..." -Pizza
Despite what the religious crazies blather on about, atheists are in good company. It's a shame that company apparently can't include your own family.
In America, atheists are probably THE most popularly rejected minority. I've hidden my religious views from my family for fear of awkward and pointless conversations. It's clear to all that I am not a man of God, but I'm pretty sure my mom, at least, is afraid of the word "atheist".
he is overzealous about his disbelief in a deity. such a choice of belief mirrors the zeal with which a jesus-freak professes his/her views
I don't see anything wrong in being forthright and assertive about one's disbelief. As an atheist, I do not criticize the faithful for their passion or their energy but for their faith -- for their blind belief in something for which they have no evidence, to which will accept no evidence to the contrary, and for which they have no good reason whatsoever to believe. As long as your dad doesn't claim that he knows there is no God with the same confidence that Christians claim their God because they "know in [their] hearts" that this is true, then I don't understand your criticism.
I don't see anything wrong in being forthright and assertive about one's disbelief. As an atheist, I do not criticize the faithful for their passion or their energy but for their faith -- for their blind belief in something for which they have no evidence, to which will accept no evidence to the contrary, and for which they have no good reason whatsoever to believe. As long as your dad doesn't claim that he knows there is no God with the same confidence that Christians claim their God because they "know in [their] hearts" that this is true, then I don't understand your criticism.
i respect his beliefs, but i don't respect his disrespect for others' beliefs. he is quite intolerant of dissenting opinions on pretty much every topic.
