Atheists & Agnostics

PassingFair

(22,437 posts)

24. I raised two daughters without supernatural beliefs...

Fri Sep 14, 2018, 07:59 AM

Sep 2018

We went to a wedding recently in a small town with four churches and no shops or evident industries. We had a great discussion about church membership and identification in small towns. I am lucky to have been able to raise them in a prosperous suburb with good secular schools, but they understand the forced tribal mentality that some people have had to grow up with. Apart from a few isolated incidents, they’ve never faced ostracism for our non-beliefs.

Hang in there, the people who truly view you as an individual will be there for you and the rest can go to (their) hell!

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I'm a former staunch Christian who now is agnostic. [View all] Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 OP

If you're agnostic, you haven't quite given up hope. Croney Sep 2018 #1

Lol...how did you get ok with the idea that this life is all we get. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #2

I had no choice. It was like getting OK with the idea Croney Sep 2018 #3

I admire and envy your attitude. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #5

This message was self-deleted by its author Eliot Rosewater Oct 2018 #50

Consider this; A HERETIC I AM Sep 2018 #19

Hmmm...I may reconsider where I want my ashes spread. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #20

Heretic, this is where I am too. AllyCat Sep 2018 #21

"Star Stuff" Quote is from Carl Sagan...his mentor Thunderbeast Sep 2018 #37

However the network of matter and energy Voltaire2 Dec 2018 #59

Raised Catholic in the North with the same assumptions of always worshipping an imaginary being Farmer-Rick Sep 2018 #4

Why give up hope? Raven123 Sep 2018 #6

agree with you. I have felt several ghosts/spirits over the years. Whether or not there demigoddess Sep 2018 #36

Grew up Presbyterian and was once very active in the church... Freedomofspeech Sep 2018 #7

don't look at it handmade34 Sep 2018 #8

I have a buddy that changed that last line to read: Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #9

I am an agnostic who doesn't want to give up hope either marylandblue Sep 2018 #10

Congratulations for making the transition from a subjective based worldview ladjf Sep 2018 #11

You sound like the National Geographic Channel...lol. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #12

Good for you. progressoid Sep 2018 #13

The worst part is reaction from family and close friends. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #14

Yeah, I just keep it to my self mostly. progressoid Sep 2018 #15

They never ask you why because they're afraid you may give them a good answer. defacto7 Sep 2018 #16

You got that right. They'Re scared. lindysalsagal Oct 2018 #53

I am an Atheist, have been one since I was a child. Mr.Bill Sep 2018 #17

Great perspective. Well stated. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #18

It's all about acceptance for me. PassingFair Sep 2018 #22

I've basically been ostracized by many former loved ones. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #23

I raised two daughters without supernatural beliefs... PassingFair Sep 2018 #24

"forced tribal mentality" - Good one! keithbvadu2 Sep 2018 #28

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2018 #25

I tried to believe MaryMagdaline Sep 2018 #26

My current favorite quote TwistOneUp Sep 2018 #27

How big do you perceive the universe to be? Moostache Sep 2018 #29

I often wonder how many billions of people have lived throughout time. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #30

It certainly is... Moostache Sep 2018 #31

I actually am willing to hold out the possibility that we are alone in the universe. StevieM Sep 2018 #47

I believe that there is no life after death. I'm completely comfortable with this concept. We all Cousin Dupree Sep 2018 #32

yup TallMike Dec 2018 #55

Here is how I see it The Genealogist Sep 2018 #33

Great attitude. Well stated. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #34

Agreed. The end isn't a bad thing, entirely. I don't want eternity. lindysalsagal Oct 2018 #54

I was raised Catholic,, and attended church for years...no longer. I find religions to be c-rational Sep 2018 #35

Independent, Fundamental, bible-believing baptist OriginalGeek Sep 2018 #38

People who supposedly have had near death experiences fascinate me Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #39

It's a junction of the way the brain works and images are delivered: Mild stroke victims lindysalsagal Sep 2018 #44

Ah! TallMike Dec 2018 #56

Stepping out of the woodwork to comment Freelancer Sep 2018 #40

Very true. And we are just one of billions of other life forms. Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #41

Try watching this... NeoGreen Sep 2018 #42

Thankyou. lindysalsagal Sep 2018 #43

Cool video thanx Funtatlaguy Sep 2018 #45

kurzgesagt is such a great channel. This one has absolutely beautiful animation. Oneironaut Sep 2018 #46

When I finally understood that there really was no gods or the fantasy afterlife rurallib Sep 2018 #48

Consider your path God given? troyanos Oct 2018 #49

Uh no... uriel1972 Dec 2018 #57

me too! Not a dilemma - I am happy to find out whatever happens - something, or nothing. NRaleighLiberal Oct 2018 #51

Same here, it's been a difficult road... chia Oct 2018 #52

a great book... defacto7 Dec 2018 #58