RE: Why Atheism Scares People

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RE: Why Atheism Scares People - 5/15/2012 9:12:39 AM

SternSkipper

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quote:

I do believe that people (a vast majority of people) need religion. I think religion provides people with a way to make sense of the world, prevents them from having to deal with too much ambiguity, and placates fear about both existence and the after-life. And for many, if they need religion to deal with those issues, they simply can't fathom how I could exist without the same need. So their conclusion is that, well obviously something is deeply wrong with her.

Well ... that was pretty brave coming up for air in such verbosity. Cool. I understand completely that manner of thinking. I don't think there's a need to feel (at least not here.. since we are all fucked up past repair in one form or another) that a "mix of horror, disgust, pity and fear" HAS to be the uniform response. Course, I don't live where you do. So I sure can't second guess.
But I would say that I think there are a lot of people like me, who were raised heavily catholic and have evolved this manner of looking at our Christianity that is decidedly different that I read in people's descriptions.
For instance, the more I think about Christ, the more I think of him as a person, and the more I think about my christianity as a philosophy as opposed to an unwavering set of beliefs in something supernatural. I guess I look at him and his life as a set of lessons in how to conduct one's life more than anything. My sister, who has been decidedly more traditional describes it like "you have created a jesus for yourself who's more like Santa Claus". And I don't yet know how much I agree or disagree with that. I see a lot of his principles as a guide. And that's sort of where it stands with me.
I often hear 'christian guilt' associated with charitable conduct (which is NOT necessarily giving handouts because we feel bad for what we have). I volunteer with my son some really cold nights helping get homeless people to hop in a van and consent to be taken to Pine Street Inn (an not that much maybe two times a year... cause that's what's needed). Those people have issues and they need to be offered the choice in very basic terms.
And I almost want to PUKE when I see the simplicity of his philosophy used as a stick to beat people with. And it sure has.
And I experience more disgust than ever of late with statements, so-called Christians make when supporting their modality of materialistic behavior.
I understand that it's harder to live a 'simple life' free of material things these days. But that doesn't mean the race for the greatest wealth is in any way right. And throwing a fucking cross on it makes it no less ugly.
So back to the original point. When I look at you, I see a person with what looks like a well formed conscience guiding her. And not much else.

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