Ten Things You Should Know About Atheists.

I'm posting this due to some major drama between my brother and sister-in-law and I. Apparently I cannot post anything on FB without it leading to a religious debate.
They ASSUMED wrongly about one of my posts.
It wasn't religious, it was political. Of course, some of the political stance on the issue I was addressing is rooted in religion, but mostly it was about the the politically fueled positions on this topic.

This was my FB post:
When you deny who you are, and how you truly feel in order to conform to a standard of 'rules' or 'conditions' laid out by any dogma you are lying to yourself and everyone around you. I'd rather be hated for who i am, than a sheep that blindly follows the herd while living in a private misery. I say this for myself, i say this for my friends who deal with something like this, and i say this for my friends that would rather follow the herd, so that they may understand me better. I'm not asking for pity, I'm not asking for acceptance, I'm sharing my truth. and know, if you're on my page, if you can read this, i love you....no matter who you are inside.


What i was talking about was people who deny Gays the same basic rights as Straights. Specifically the huge debate about Gay Marriage.
How some straights react with overly emotional political responses based in religions beliefs, instead of logical reasoning AND EMPATHY.

My post was about how some gays have a hard time dealing with the outside world because their INSIDE world is so fucked up. The phrase- "To thine own self be true", is what i was going for here. Some live in their own hell and misery because they'd rather conform and submit to political dogma, (or religious) than stand up for who they really are and possibly be bullied or hated for it.
It saddened me.


THE REASON i posted that on my FB page.
i saw a youtube video that someone posted about "former gays who had found their 'true' selves through "religious healing"". Or what i recognize as- brainwashing and conditioning.

it had NOTHING to do with my family, with my friends. But of course certain family members made it ALL about their "truth" (i.e. their god being the truth and everyone elses' opinion being a lie).

it was taken out of context and spun around the dance floor to the point where i actually have had to BLOCK certain people from viewing what i post on FB. SERIOUSLY!?
my second post was as follows:
Ever have something you wanted to say, but censored yourself cause you know darn well people will get their panties in a bunch over it? Basically it's something i don't believe, yet some insist on shoving in my face. Thanks for that....really. lovely of ya. smoochies


This wasn't about my earlier post at all, and had nothing to do with it! What it was about, was being able to post what i want w/out being lectured or yelled at because i *dared* to say something that didn't sit well with someone else. Apparently it's perfectly okay for them to vomit whatever the fuck they feel on their page, but i cannot on my own. because *I* am being disrespectful of THEM?

really? seriously?

so...you can preach at me...but i cannot feel how i feel in the open w/out you jumping my ass?

basically if i was to post-
"i have faith in myself, i have faith in my husband. that is my truth and it's beautiful"
I'd get a THOUSAND responses from religious family and friends that would make it all a religious battle instead of recognizing it for what it is. MY FEELINGS that i shared WITH YOU. not for you to hate on me, but for you to share in my joy!

They can post something like "My god is great, He gives me strength and lifts me up and it's beautiful"
and NO ONE WILL RESPOND NEGATIVELY! not even ME, even though i don't believe in that, nor feel that way. i respect their right to praise who they wish.

this is the hypocritical standards i was speaking of in my SECOND post. that i cannot say what i want because it always puts someones knickers in a bunch, but they can spout off whatever the FUCK they want w/out an regard to how OTHER PEOPLE feel about it.
it pisses me off. its the same as assuming that everyone around you believes the same thing you do.
which is WHAT CHRISTIANS DO!
that doesn't make them bad, or horrible, just insensitive to other people's beliefs. not everyone believes in *your* god. some people believe in a *different* god, or not ANY god at all.

learn to recognize that before you speak. it's just annoying. and completely stupid that they can jump my ass on a topic and call ME close minded and 'negative'. when they are the ones with tunnel vision with their own faith, not recognizing or accepting anything outside that little BOX they've created for themselves.

so for them i BLOCKED. now i can say whatever the FUCK i want, and know i wont be lectured about it.
you don't have to like what i say...trust me you've probably said some shit i don't like either...but show me ONE comment on your status where I've lectured your ass about your feelings? I've been SUPPORTIVE, no matter if the post is religiously geared or not.
cant say the same for you...which i find ironic...cause it ain't very Christ-like of you at all.

SO i will list 10 things you should KNOW about atheists so you "overly religious and wanna SHARE with everyone" peoples can understand some things about us.


1. your god is not the only god i dont believe in. your god is not the only god recognzied by people. when i say i dont believe in god, i mean i dont belive in ANY gods. i'm not singling yours out for special attention.

2. Do not assume that we have a negative outlook on life just because we don't believe what you do. i assure you, I'm quite happy.

3. DON'T tell me that you fear I'll go to hell. Is that suppose to scare me? We don't believe in it, it's just ridiculous to think that threat means much.

4. We have a moral compass, trust me we do. Just because it's not anchored in some religion doesn't mean it's not real and good.

5. We don't mind talking about religion with you, so long as you are respectful and understanding. If we are calmly discussing it, don't get all pissy when we don't agree w/what you have to say. (likewise if an atheist you're talking to is overly aggressive about it, just walk away, they aren't being anymore rational than a bible thumper would be).

6. There are more of us than you think. the 14% I've seen in certain chain letters (telling us to sit down and shut up no-less) is inaccurate. We are your neighbors, your friends, your teachers,  your bankers, your employees, your bus drivers etc. just respect people in general no matter their chosen path and you'll be great.

7. we are not all liberal, we are not all Democrat. Just like you, we have our own opinions about everything.

8. We do not hate you, your god, your faith, your chosen lifestyle. we just want to have the same freedom to chose what is best for US as you do for you.

9. We do not worship the devil. the devil is not a real person or thing to us...why would we worship something that is not real for us?

10. Don't assume to know how i feel inside. being "god-less" as you call it, doesn't make me a hollow person. Don't assume that, and i wont assume you're a blind sheep following aimlessly in your search for something that isn't real.


K, thanks bye.