General vent about being atheist in a very Christian community.
I feel like I constantly have to defend my atheism. I live in an area where most people go to church on Sunday, but that's the only day they practice their religion, yet they call themselves "devout." Nearly every day, situations come up where people say things to me like, "Don't you thank God for your (insert random thing here)?" No actually, I don't. Occasionally I feel pressured to simply say yes so I don't have to get into the following debate, but I also don't want to lie.
While I don't question anyone's reasonings to believe, they constantly question mine. Why? What happened? They always assume that some cataclysmic thing caused me to stop believing. Or they suggest churches to me, and invite me to their bible study group, as if that's going to make me change my mind. "Oh you just haven't found the right church family yet."
I certainly have found the right church family. None. Organized religion is the biggest crock of horse-dung I have ever seen in my life. They preach about morals and values yet don't follow them in their every day lives. Yet, when I mention I'm non-religious, I get questions like, "Without Jesus guiding you, how do you keep from killing everyone?" Seriously? Are you kidding me? Not believing doesn't make me a bad person or someone with zero moral compass. Honestly.
Since I am a woman of few words, I cut them short and tell them when I have some divine epiphany I'll get back to them.
I feel you there. I'm in a really religious city. All my co-workers are religous and so are the people in the community center. Most of our customers are as well. They come dressed up on Sundays, from church. All though we don't get but 3-4 church families now. I've not seen an atheist for 7 months now.
There are a very wide range of shared beliefs and different congregations. I was surprised to find a small fellowship of families that focuses on where we agree, not where we disagree. Wiccan, Humanist, and more. Some ritual, some discussion, outside speakers on various community issues,
So, yeah, there are groups out there where you will be comfortable.
think of all the other 4000 plus religions world wide that have also got it wrong, it sickens me that everyone who believes in their own religion claim to be the only true religion and pass the burden on "believe"
My response would be as follows.