<p>^ I disagree since isn't Atheism simply lack of religion? Atheists don't believe in a deity, but they don't have to belive in Science or Evolution or anything (although they can). Atheism is simply absence from religious belief. </p>
<p>I'm an Agnostic and have been one since I was like 13, when I really started thinking about things. I grew up in a fundamentalist Islamic household. My reason and sense of logic tells me there is no man in the sky controlling everything, but I wish there was so bad...I wish the myth of heaven and hell was real. In my head, I like to think there is a God (call it God, Dio, Jesus, Allah, Yahweh whatever you want) but that god isn't irrational like i've been taught.</p>
<p>"^ I disagree since isn't Atheism simply lack of religion? Atheists don't believe in a deity, but they don't have to belive in Science or Evolution or anything (although they can). Atheism is simply absence from religious belief."</p>
<p>I was just stating an example of why atheism is is completely different from religion and why it is not a religion in itself. Personally for me, the strongest arguments for the non-existence of a god come from observations and facts provided to us by science. But I agree that there are other motivations to not be religious including philosophical beliefs and (im)plausibility of the events described in scripture (ex. noah's ark, parting of red sea, etc.).</p>
<p>^ Even though I'm not religious, I have to admit that Noah's Ark can explain why certain species no longer exist (Unicorns, dragons, etc) - because Noah couldn't get those critters on the Ark in time.</p>
<p>I remember my dad telling me about Noah's Ark, when I was like 7, and even then I was like, "Wait, Daddy, how could he possibly fit all the animals in the world on the boat? Why didn't he and all the people simply leave the place of the flood and go somewhere else? Why didn't he just send the animals off to a place where it wasn't flooding so they could stay alive instead of cramming them onto a boat?"</p>
<p>"Because, little Molly, it was God's plan...." LMAO. Good one, dad.</p>
<p>I think that taking ANY religious text literally is the height of folly. Who knows how much stuff has been changed in the hundreds of years since this stuff was originally written? No, I think that religious texts are better used as guides where one should try and interpret things more figuratively and use one's brain. This is why I see no conflict between science and faith; they don't necessarily have to be opposing forces. In fact, together, science and faith can be very constructive.</p>
<p>As for organized religion, there's way too much dogma. I'd say that I can respect religion, but I am more partial to individual spirituality, if that makes sense. I think that there is a higher power out there, but I certainly don't believe in the crazy God that seems to be espoused by mainstream monotheistic religions. Eastern, philosophical thought is more my cup of tea. I mean, Hinduism even has sects that are atheist! I think that philosophy is infinitely better than extremely strict doctrine.</p>
<p>And in the end, I don't even think the existence of God is really relevant to daily life (though I will say that faith can be an incredible source of strength). Does there really need to be a God for one to behave morally and ethically? Just be a good person, and everything will sort itself out for the better.</p>
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<p>Just so that I can be somewhat more relevant to the original topic, here's some advice for the OP.</p>
<p>Yes, you should tell your mother at some point. But that point may not necessarily be now. When you are able and ready to deal with the possible consequences of divulging your lack of faith to your mother, do so. Telling her right now has a chance of totally messing up your life and putting you in a dangerous position. It may seem slightly unethical, but material consequences are more relevant, especially when considering the state of the economy. In any case, I would advise you to wait anyways; it looks like you recently made this choice in your life, and you should wait a bit and deliberate before immediately rushing out and announcing it to everyone. There's no reason for you to have to put yourself on display to everyone. Faith (or lack thereof) is an intensely personal decision, so don't feel bad if you don't want to say anything. I'd suggest you put your Facebook religious views to something like "I believe in science!" or "open-minded"; slightly ambiguous statements are best if you really want to put something.</p>
<p>Well my gf feels that if I delay telling her, I'm only making the pain larger in the long run.</p>
<p>And plus she has this argument about sustaining lies to a sustain the lie that is religion. And if I lie to my loved ones about the hard truth, how does that reflect on me?</p>
<p>^ do you tell your mom if you and your gf have sex? if you lie? if you sin? if you do anything against christianity? no? then I don't see why you have to share every detail with her.</p>
<p>You're gf is being kind of unreasonable imo - tell her unless she's willing to pay for college, it's none of her business...just my advice.</p>
<p>you don't have to lie, you just don't have to tell them either. It's not like I have ever come out to my entire family and said, "Oh hai guyz, btw, I don't believe in god!" My mom knows because she found out, but otherwise... what business is it of theirs anyway? I don't go around nosing into their beliefs, so why should they have tabs on mine?</p>
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It's not like I have ever come out to my entire family and said, "Oh hai guyz, btw, I don't believe in god!" My mom knows because she found out, but otherwise... what business is it of theirs anyway? I don't go around nosing into their beliefs, so why should they have tabs on mine?
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<p>If you don't believe in God, fundamentally, you are an atheist... not an agnostic as you claimed to be. Agnostics don't know if God exists or not.</p>
<p>Well, I kind of alternate between "F--- god and religion and all this stupid bs!" (which is definitely atheistic) and "well, there might be one out there, I dunno. But I don't really care either way." (which would be agnostic) </p>
<p>I realize my statement before is worded weirdly, sorry, but what I was trying to say was, my family doesn't really understand anything but Christianity so even if I told them, "I don't believe in YOUR god" (aka I decided to convert to Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, etc) to them it would mean, TO THEM, "I don't believe in God" period. The OP's mom is probably similar.</p>
<p>Pick up a copy of today's issue of USA Today. The American decline in faith is the cover story. America's devout haven't managed to pass it along to their children.</p>
<p>"Pick up a copy of today's issue of USA Today. The American decline in faith is the cover story. America's devout haven't managed to pass it along to their children. "</p>
<p>Chalk it up to youthful rebellion and defiance, perhaps? I don't know if America is heading in Europe's direction with regards to religion. I have a hunch many so-called atheists today will return to a religion later in their lives. I could be wrong(and given my track record, most likely am).</p>
<p>funny thing is, if you were really a atheist you would be dead already. so stop the scam. If you really are a atheist then there is zero reason to live, so kill yourself.</p>
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funny thing is, if you were really a atheist you would be dead already. so stop the scam. If you really are a atheist then there is zero reason to live, so kill yourself.
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<p>I really hope you were being sarcastic...
Are you seriously telling people what to do with their lives? That's pretty harsh and is a reason why some don't like religion. Some people like to push their views on others and it's just annoying. Atheists and believers alike.</p>