If asked, I sometimes say atheist or humanist. As atheist, I do have beliefs. I believe in things that can be proven to exist by using my 5 senses and the scientific method.
I don't know if the 5 senses will cover "compassion", of the world and everything and 'everybody' in it, quadruped or two-legged with feathers, even. "Humanist" does enter into it. Big 'yes'!
Considering that there are many Theistic beliefs, I think Ex-Theist would be a more appropriate expression.
I prefer non-theist or nonbeliever . I never had any affiliation with christianity or any other religion.
Ex-Gullible is more accurate. There are also ex-Muslim atheists, etc.
Brilliant! As always.
@EyesThatSmile You flatter me, you charmer you!
I have been so damned "gullible"- I like that "ex-gullible"-- that fits.
For me, the term "ex-Christian" means the person used to be active in professing the Christian religion, and had a sudden or gradual break away from that. In my case, I was raised to be Christian, but it never really took, I kind of doubted the whole thing, though I really did try to believe. Because I never really felt strongly as a Christian, but I do feel strongly about my atheism, I believe straight out Atheist of Agnostic fits me better than ex-anything.
It doesn’t apply to all of us as we are not all ex Christians…or in my case ex anything as I’ve never had a religion. If you like the expression and it fits how you think of yourself then you should use it.
An ex-christian can adopt other religions, so ex-christian does not describe atheist.
Sheeesh. I agree with you on something.
@Mooolah Perhaps there is hope for you yet.
@Alienbeing Hope is preparation for bring disappointed.
@Mooolah Only for people with a negitive attitude.
Ask a Christian theist if there was ever a flood that covered the whole world and the indoctrinated will say, "Yes." Their known-world would be just a small patch of land bordering the east Mediterranean.
Ask them if the Earth was ever 'a ball of fire'- and their probable answer would be, "No." After the big bang, the Earth was a ball of fire for billions of years. Oh damn; I forgot; "the Earth was created in seven days!"
I find arguing with a theist about as interesting as arguing with a four-year-old about why and how Donald Duck speaks.
@creative51 Yep!
Many self described atheists have never been Christian. I have never in my life had any theistic beliefs, Christian or otherwise. I personally prefer the term non-theist for myself.
Why would you believe that the the term " ex- Christian" tells the entire story? Aren't you pre-supposing way too much?
I think that she is only proposing to use it for herself.
@Fernapple Yes. Using it for myself. I am not just an atheist…I have overcome Christian brainwashing. I appreciate that I have learned the theology behind the Bible, if only for social information, but otherwise the transition from Christian to non-Christian can be a difficult, guilt-ridden one. I am happy to say I am ex-Christian. Free thought/will is a wonderful thing.
@EyesThatSmile I am very glad you have found happiness, may it long continue.
@EyesThatSmile To my 'eternal' shame and humiliation, I was in my early 30s when I got a 'bit' of education, and a 'touch' of reality. And that's the whole point; it only takes a "bit and a touch". ANYONE should be able to figure that all religion is a load of bull shit.
Who cares about religion anyway? It is boring buffoonery.
I never believed.... (Great parents).... so, i have no clue what it feels to become without faith in fairy tales.....
BUT:::: i do know what it is to become red-pilled... A life-long democrat wakens to reality....
Wokeism reinforces my objections to religions...
What if you're an ex-something else than Christian. I prefer Godfree or a term that's trying to replace Atheist A Bright. [the-brights.net]
Is bright just another way of say Atheist? Brights are naturalist?
@creative51 I did read some at the site. Bright is another way of saying Atheist. Bright's are naturalist.
@xenoview Bright believe in a naturalistic world view. They are not naturalists. People who believe in a supernatural world or called 'supers.'
@JackPedigo If you believe in a naturalist world view, then that makes you a naturalist.
Really nice to see a post from you! I agree it’s a good description in one word, and perhaps less threatening to a theist?
Muslims, Jews, Scientologists, etc. can all be ex-christians. "Atheist" declares the most important piece of information (as far as I'm concerned), so that's what I'll stick with. I guess if you wanted the most accurate information, you could state you're an ex-christian atheist...
Labels, labels, labels, I hate labels.
Hmmm…what do you call that?
Labels are words which can be negative or positive. Whether we like it or not words do shape our culture and how we view the world.
@JackPedigo I still hate labels and don't give a fuck about them, do you have a problem with that?