‘Coming Out in America’ is a new film about atheists coming out

Article from the Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/atheism-in-las-vegas/coming-out-america-is-a-new-film-about-atheists-coming-out

I am aware that many people have problems with friends family and peers when it comes to announcing that they have no belief in a deity, I personally didn’t, maybe because I’m a Brit and it’s no big deal over hear, most people are indifferent when it comes to religious preference or the lack thereof.

I know this is not the case for many, especially those who come from areas of the globe where it can affect your chances of employment or where your running for public office, even where your children can be accepted in schools.

The latter is still the case here in the UK where we have many faith schools who teach crap instead of fact, but eyebrows would be raised here if you were refused a job,( unless it was deacon of the local church,) on the grounds of having no religion, and to mention God of any type in a political speech just gives the impression that your a bit wet.

I’m sure the experiences of others here will be much different from my own, are things getting easier for the non-believer on a daily basis or are things getting harder?

It’s very difficult for me. My family on both sides are almost entirely Christians in some form or another,(except my wife and 3 kids) very conservative socially and politically, and by and large not very deep thinking nor open minded people.

I rarely state or talk about my non-belief. I am just sort of ‘there’ They all pretty much know what I think, because they have seen the books on my shelves, and they have never heard me say anything about God or Jesus, but it is kind of the 100 pound gorilla in the room that we don’t discuss.

I guess that is why I spend some time here. At least I can find conversation with people with whom I agree.

And even where I work, for Boeing in Southern California, there is very little discussions from anybody about atheism or non-belief. It is a very conservative district. There are several Ministers in my work group actually, and the feelings from most of the people lean towards being religious or just not saying anything negative about it.

Kind of weird actually, and sad, in this day and age.

However I do think this has been an advantage for me in finding my non-belief philosophies in life because I see constantly how believers think and act both overtly and behind the scenes. I hear the bigotted hateful comments and discussions that are privately made, as they seem to forget I am there at times, or they don’t care. I have been around many, many more Christians in my life than Atheists, so i do know what and how the average Christian thinks, regardless of how they portray themselves at times, here and elsewhere.

I suppose I can thank Christianity and it’s converts for making me an Atheist.

eudemonia - 09 October 2011 05:45 AM

And even where I work, for Boeing in Southern California, there is very little discussions from anybody about atheism or non-belief. It is a very conservative district. There are several Ministers in my work group actually, and the feelings from most of the people lean towards being religious or just not saying anything negative about it.

Kind of weird actually, and sad, in this day and age.

 

Do you think if you were more vocal about it that it would block your chances of promotion in any way?

Good question MARTIN and I am not sure about that. If I was very unfiltered about my non-belief it is probable that I would be less liked and respected.

But I am only a bargaining unit employee and not in a position to be promoted anyway, although my wife is. However, she is a quiet, respectful, sympathizing Atheist as well. She has in past voiced her non-belief ideas to her co-workers, and set them agast! haha Has not hurt her professionally so far.

If atheists used their so-called “reason” they would understand that dismissing a deity because of the actions of people in some religion is like dismissing sports because players strike out and teams lose. The existence of God is a deeper truth than any organization or individual person can claim authority over or manifest perfectly.

What is perfectly clear to me is that atheists who ridicule Christianity have only an experience of Protestant believers, who, by the way, differ from Catholics in one very important way—Protestants teach that God is known by faith alone, while Catholics teach that God can be known with complete certitude by the use of one’s REASON.

Protestants are know by their emotional belief and distrust in their intellects.

Catholics are known by their ritual belief and intellectual commitment.

Protestants have a limited history with a propensity to newfangled versions of their religion.

Catholics have a 2000-year-old history with an iron-clad grip on tradition.

So if you want to dismiss the existence of God based upon religious teachings or the thoughts of believers, then you should, in all honesty, look at the whole picture that religions paint, especially when Christianity (which claims that God became a human being) is involved.

To proclaim your atheism is the product of deep thought and courageous effort, when it is simply quickly arrived at and ignorantly built upon, is to lie to yourself and others.

It is written: The whole universe proclaims God’s glory. And it is this Biblical verse that the RCC uses in defense of its theology of rational knowledge for the existence of God. So why is it that atheists ignore this religious teaching or, more importantly, not even know about it when they proclaim that science has given us reasons that God does not exist and religions teach nonsense?

Last night I heard Bill Maher ridicule the Bible because it was written by ancient men who did not understand “the atom”. Huh? Now we know that reality is built upon particles so small that we have to humbly admit that what we see is limited and a convenient illusion…a gift, really. And this should dismiss all thoughts about a greater being than ourselves putting into place a wondrous reality? No, it shouldn’t, as my signature expresses.

TheBrotherMario - 09 October 2011 07:22 AM

... dismissing a deity because of the actions of people in some religion is like dismissing sports because players strike out and teams lose.

Just thought I’d make a note here, because I happened to spot something Mario Brother posted that’s actually rational, even reasonable since I edited out the three-year-old sticking his chest out in defiance of the world pretext.

That’s a first for me. Just thought it worth noting.

TheBrotherMario - 09 October 2011 07:22 AM

Catholics have a 2000-year-old history with an iron-clad grip on tradition.

. . .

Last night I heard Bill Maher ridicule the Bible because it was written by ancient men who did not understand “the atom”. Huh? Now we know that reality is built upon particles so small that we have to humbly admit that what we see is limited and a convenient illusion…a gift, really. And this should dismiss all thoughts about a greater being than ourselves putting into place a wondrous reality? No, it shouldn’t, as my signature expresses.

Looking upwards to deities is in fact prehistorically wise, Mario. Our brains managed to grow to accommodate words and sentences and all that such newness entailed, and even today, the process seems far from complete. New circumstances at interplay with our newly transformed brains brought about an apparently necessary mental enslavement to gods people imagined and continue to imagine. Nothing about it makes sense except that it was and remains a reaction of our recently-enhanced brains. We’ve barely begun to figure things out, but at least without imagined deities, we’re on our way somewhere. Goddard only knows how long we’ll be able to stay in the game.

SkepticX - 09 October 2011 08:01 AM

TheBrotherMario - 09 October 2011 07:22 AM

... dismissing a deity because of the actions of people in some religion is like dismissing sports because players strike out and teams lose.

Just thought I’d make a note here, because I happened to spot something Mario Brother posted that’s actually rational, even reasonable since I edited out the three-year-old sticking his chest out in defiance of the world pretext.

That’s a first for me. Just thought it worth noting.

Of course that nothing to do with the truth of the religion and at what point can you dismiss it without all the hand-waving?

I struggled for years to find something worth clinging to within christianity. Since my entire family and childhood circle of friends were churchgoers. I had nothing whatsoever to gain and everything to lose by admitting that I had no faith. And, eventually, no wish to acquire faith. Well, I had one thing to gain, the relief of not struggling with a double life.

I still dialogue with christians regularly in the effort to find common ground. But it’s an undeniable fact that many people close to me have felt personally betrayed by my coming out.

Brick Bungalow - 09 October 2011 09:09 AM

... But it’s an undeniable fact that many people close to me have felt personally betrayed by my coming out.

I had a similar reaction from a bloke I worked with who believed he had a spirit or angel who guided him in life, I didn’t attack his delusion in any way at all but when he asked if I had ever seen a ghost, I had to say no I didn’t believe. It was like I had called him a mad man. I had to switch off after the first five minutes of his rant.

Why should a lack of belief have such a direct impact on another in that way, you don’t get that when you say you prefer The Beatles to The Stones.

GAD - 09 October 2011 08:22 AM

Of course that nothing to do with the truth of the religion and at what point can you dismiss it without all the hand-waving?

?

Personally I have not known any non-believer to arrive at that conclusion based on the actions of believers.

TheBrotherMario - 09 October 2011 07:22 AM

It is written: The whole universe proclaims God’s glory. And it is this Biblical verse that the RCC uses in defense of its theology of rational knowledge for the existence of God. So why is it that atheists ignore this religious teaching or, more importantly, not even know about it when they proclaim that science has given us reasons that God does not exist and religions teach nonsense?

Atheists, in general, see the universe as one.  Theists or deists see it as two.  Since atheists see the universe as one, they would consider it impolite for that One to proclaim its own glory.  Atheists don’t see nature, reality, or the universe as a braggart.

braggart  n  a loud arrogant boaster (Webster)

eudemonia - 10 October 2011 06:44 AM

Personally I have not known any non-believer to arrive at that conclusion based on the actions of believers.

It happens every time someone cites hypocrisy as the reason they find Christianity repugnant (or reject it in whatever terms) rather than the church or organized religion and such. A lot of people do make such distinctions, but a lot don’t. It always stands out when they don’t, particularly when they make it pretty clear the error is actually precisely what they mean.

I take no issue whatsoever with anyone’s personal convictions or values. Not my business until you ask me directly. I don’t even really care whether your a hypocrite or a liar in the recital of your chosen profession. I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt and consider people to be generally good until proven wrong. But I can mind my business about it.

The only objection I make, ever, is to claims of authority and discretion over my movements based on convictions that you refuse to explain in terms I can understand or appreciate. Most notably those of a supernatural religious nature. I’m perfectly happy to leave you alone and even respect and recreate with you. So long as that consideration is mutual. But it isn’t. Religion intrudes upon the lives, livelihoods and intimate moments of all persons whether they welcome the intrusion or not. It maligns the character of anyone who passively neglects to participate. It constructs elaborate and egregious double standards to shield itself from any and all disagreement. There are certainly decent and noble religious people to be found. But religion as a logic construct and social invention has an inoperable tumor. The world is coming to discover this in our time. Many will suffer for it but the facts are on record. The train has left the station.

Just a quick observation—

This is the reason that so many conservative presidents are in office. Religion controls a vast majority in America, politically, economically and socially. Atheistic activism is the only way that true separation from church and state will become possible. Just the idea that this documentary is being made is a step in the right direction. Wars being fought by leaders whom consult imaginary friends in the sky has got to come to an end. (I wish i could put it more delicate but lets be real here) Education MUST be advanced through science.

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