Knock knock knockin’ on hell’s door*
NS December 7th, 2008
It’s no secret that I’m an atheist. I don’t have a problem with other people believing but I just….don’t. As long as we keep our views in our personal lives and out of legislation, it’s all good. Unfortunately, there are a lot of religious zealots out there trying to force their beliefs onto my body, home, social status, health and ability to choose what’s right for me and my family. It’s infuriating, sad and annoying, to say the very least. There are a number of topics I could discuss in relation to religion, science and seperation of church and state but I wouldn’t be saying anything new. Besides, there are other people out there saying it a whole lot better than I ever could.
Lately, I’ve been seeking out like-minded atheist bloggers and have come across some of the following sites which I think are fantastic. Have a read (or a watch, in some cases).
Rational Moms
The Friendly Atheist
and this smart, articulate young woman’s YouTube channel, where she explores issues of religion and atheism as a former Mormon
A couple of her clips that I liked:
Do you have any atheism or skeptic-type links to share that you think I’d like?
*As I wrote this post, there was a knock on my door. For the first time in the 14 months we have lived in this house, I found myself being proferred literature on Jesus Christ as my personal saviour and asked if I would like to discuss my salvation. What are the chances?!
- I Bitch Therefore I Am , Miscellaneous Missives
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Thanks for those links, I really like Science Based Parenting!
Always seemed that when I was at the lowest points in my life, the J.W. “miraculously” knocked on my door. They were always polite and usually only took about 3 minutes of my time. Somehow I always felt better. Coinsidence or Intervention? I don’t know what it is like not to believe, and I know I am not a very good example of someone who does. I feel it takes more effort to believe that not. Differences are what makes the world go round.
Great links! I love gogreen18′s videos, very clever, thanks for sharing.
Recently Erik has spotted the “Campus Crusade for Christ” with a booth set up in the science and engineering buildings of his university, and were talking about how offensive this is and how would they like it if we set up a booth extolling evolution in their church? Yeah, exactly, that would never happen without all hell breaking loose.
Back when I lived in Austin, I used to *love* watching this cable access show.
http://www.atheist-experience.com/
These brave men and women fielded calls from TEXANS yelling at them on a weekly basis. I loved it; I couldn’t get enough. I miss Austin, a brilliant blue oasis in a red desert.
we get the witnesses every few weeks. it’s hard because i’m always cognizant that my ILs are JW. so i try to make j answer the door
Might I also suggest a book? I just picked up Richard Dawkins’ “The God Delusion” and can’t put it down.
Well, I’m a Christian and I’m not like some of the stereotypical so called “Christians” you see out there. Every belief system has an mean and aggressive side and it’s not limited to just us.
Some might call me delusional. So what. Last I checked, having a belief system was a right and I’ll defend it for anyone out there, atheists included. I also support gay rights, equal rights, separation of church and state, and abortion (which is sanctioned in a passage of the bible, you know). Another thing, I believe in evolution (GASP!). I just think there’s a bouncer manning the door.
I know plenty of Christians who share the same views I do. We’re out there, but I we don’t often see atheists coming round to be our friends. I hate when people are so judgmental like that. ;-P
I think there will always be elements in any social grouping, be it football supporters (Soccer fans for US readers), animal rights supporters, religions or, dare I say it, bloggers who perceive that their beliefs about their chosen subject are the most accurate, pure and to be emulated. There will always be football fans (“OUR team is the greatest”) who want to bring back standing on the terraces and a ‘proper’ leather ball or as “Plane Stupid” have shown this week the ‘proper’ way to resist a proposed airport expansion is to invade an airport and disrupt the flights.
On a larger scale each country has its own extremes and in my opinion the mutawaeen* of the Saudi “Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice” should never be acceptable in England so I’d hate for someone to be patrolling the streets to arrest those who might bashfully knock on my door to offer me some religious tract or sing religious songs on the High Street, or conversely make it compulsory for people to do either. If even Richard Dawkins sings Chirstmas carols and says “I like the idea of the vicar turning up to the village cricket match” then perhaps there shoud be space for a little cultural religion, if only as a recognition that we don’t have to endure even greater extremes.
As the quote attributed to Voltaire goes:
“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
A bit extreme in itself I’d say but not a bad place to start.
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The members of the commission did not allow female student to leave their school when it caught on fire because they were not wearing abbaya (a garment that entirely covers women’s entire body); they even prevented the firefighters from doing their job. As a result, 15 girls perished.
I’m an ex-fundimentalist Christian turned atheist. When I “deconverted” I spent a lot of time searching the internet for information on others who were undergoing a similar experience. I liked “http://www.thehappyheretic.com/” and “Exchristian.org” in particular.
Thanks for the links – great stuff!
A Free Man: You’re welcome!
the bad aunt: I agree about differences making the world go round, and especially that it’s harder to believe than to not. I respect the faith that others have and admire their tenacity in keeping hold of it. And you *are* a good example, whether you think you are or not.
Chloe: Yeah, some groups can be a bit hypocritical that way. This particular group may have just been trying to reach as many students as they could and figured those in the science fields were the least likely to be believers. I suppose it makes sense to set up camp where your ‘target audience’ is though I can see why it would be annoying to see on your way to class.
I do have ‘The God Delusion’ but haven’t got round to reading it yet. Will try to get to it sometime next year!
andrea: I will check out the link, thanks. They must be mighty brave to host that show in Texas!
Jen: The question is, does J ever let them know that he used to be one of them? I’d love to hear that conversation!
Tabitha: I never meant to imply that I think ALL Christians proselytize or that they’re all ‘bad’. Like I said in the post, I don’t have a problem at all with people believing in their deity of choice and practicing their religion peacefully, whatever that may be. The only thing I don’t like is when one religion tries to dictate law or refute science in a secular society. In the US and the UK, that just happens to be the Christians. I’d feel the same about Muslims if I lived in Turkey and they were trying to force religious doctrine onto me. I don’t think you’re ‘delusional’ either and I’m sorry if you felt that I was saying that because it was not my intention at all.
Brinkster: I don’t have a problem with ‘cultural religion’ either. I someitmes call myself a ‘cultural Christian’ because I do celebrate some Christian holidays merely out of tradition and I rather enjoy them. I wouldn’t want anyone’s special religious holidays or ability to practice religion taken away. I just want it to remain a personal thing that stays in the home and the church and out of the buildings where laws are made and enforced. I didn’t mind the JW knocking on my door and offering me literature because they were very nice when I politely declined to discuss it. I just found it funny that they happened to knock while I was writing a post on atheism.
Ruth: How fascinating! I’m always curious about those who go from being very strong believers to atheists, or vice versa. Thanks for the links, I’ll have a look-see.