As for me, I never converted to atheism. I have been an atheist my whole
life even though from about the ages of twelve to eighteen I thought I
was an agnostic. My atheism requires no reinforcement. It does require,
though, a lot of defense against religionists who think they have to
harass me into converting to their brand of lunacy.
On 8/1/2017 7:17 PM, Miriam Vieni wrote:
Abby,
I think that there are different kinds of atheists. I am a quiet atheist. I don't need to
convince anyone to think as I do. But one could say that I converted because I grew up in
a world where it was assumed that everyone was an adherent of one religion or another. My
family was Jewish, not religious, but nevertheless, they did celebrate the high holy
holidays. While I was growing up, in high school, and then in college, I read a lot of
history and there was this wonderful two year course in college called Contemporary
Civilization which was history plus a study of the thinking that went on in each period
that we were studying. And I think it was then that I came to specific conclusions about
what I thought about myself in relation to God and religion. So that's sort of a
conversion to atheism, I think. But some people move from one orientation to another like
Carl moving from Evangelical Christianity to NFB to his version of Socialism and his
"Agnosticism". And I think that kind of movement is much more earthshaking or
traumatic so it requires a lot of reinforcement. I just did this quiet, personal thing. I
never had to proclaim it, and I always responded positively to all the positive aspects
that are present in various religious traditions, like The Catholic Workers' Movement and
the American Friends, and the Jewish emphasis on learning and social justice.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Abby Vincent
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 6:15 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: [blind-democracy]
Yes, and that's why I've been silent. My religious beliefs are part of my
identity, my culture. I choose not to defend them or say why they are
reasonable. This is true of other aspects of my culture. I once had a working
class friend whose parents threw her out of the house when she turned 18. She
was offended by my father continuing to send me money from beyond the grave.
I find it strange that some of you consider yourselves converts to atheism. If
you don't hold a belief in God, then God isn't a part of your life, just like
Valentines Day isn't a part of mine.
Abby
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob Evans
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 8:40 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: [blind-democracy]
I agree with you but I refuse your claim that I am disrespectful toward Jews
and Christians. I criticise ignorance of people not their beliefs.
I hope you get this.
You may add to your suggestions not to assume things about people we don't know.
On 8/1/17, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Please everybody, take all personal attacks, arguments regarding
religion, and posts from other lists, off Blind Democracy. I, and I'm
sure other people, am skipping all emails with the name, Bob Evans, or
Mustafa, and with any subject lines regarding religion. If Mustafa is
disrespectful toward Christians and Jews, so are our non believing
list members who feel impelled to repeat over and over again their
reasons for thinking that religion is nonsense, and that all believers
are stupid and ignorant. One's religious identity is part of one's
personal identity. When, in the guise of intellectual discussion, you
attack an individual's religious belief, it feels to that person like
a personal attack. For people on the political left, who see
themselves as defenders of humanity and civil liberties, these attacks
on other people's beliefs are unforgiveable. And it is unnecessary to
fight back with stronger or nastier language, when one feels attacked.
That's precisely what Mr. Trump does. Sometimes, silence is the better
part of valor.
Miriam