Being demonized as an atheist

Many of us have had the experience of being demonized as atheists. Personally I've had people assume I worship Satan, that I "hate" Christians and want to destroy religion in America, I've been told things like "Oh so that explains why you're so angry and sad." Of course I was neither. I've seen Christians demonstrate utter confusion as they try to figure out how I could possess moral and ethical judgement without a religious framework to guide my decisions. Most confusing to me is how I've noticed many Christians will be unable to grasp the fact that I have no deity-based belief system at all. They will try to rationalize that I must "believe in something" and that non-belief is still some kind of belief. I would like to be able to figure out where this comes from. I'm always especially confused why someone would think I believe in an evil spirit world (Satan) when I believe in no spirit world at all.

A christian might say the satan is the reason you do not believe. They believe satan has a way af making you like this without you even knowing it. Remember the saying that satans greatest trick was convincing everyone that he doesn't exist. I do not readily admit my non-beleif system to anyone who I think would give me a hard time. I just do not care all that much if people I do not know think that about me. Their narrowness and limited thinking abilites are of little concern to me. Being an Atheist does not define me or explain who I am as a person. So, in most circles, it holds no relevance. Every now and then I will mention it to someone to see the surprise. There is a really nice guy I work with who is a JW. I did tell him so I could see the look on his face. He treats me no differently now than he did before. To understand why christians think the way they do, you either have to have once been christian(which I was) or been exposed in heavy doses.

It's interesting that many people view atheists as either satan worshippers, or "disillusioned with events in their lives" and the role "god" played in it. I'm a hospice nurse, so I attend the deaths of many people. There's a lot of prayin' goin' on, and because I recognize that the family needs to hold on to whatever shred of reasoning behind their loss, I simply step out of the room while they're thanking "god" for how good he's been to them, and how wonderful he is for taking away the loved one's pain. That sh** just blows me away. I'm sometimes questioned by famiy members as to why I leave the room. I figure, they're already stressed enough without having to try to figure out why I don't believe as they do. I usually say, "I'm giving your family time alone." That by-and-large does it for most people, but on occasion, someone will question a bit deeper and I never lie. I simply say, "I'm not a Christian." Of course, that answer is NEVER good enough. I refuse to debate or defend my lack of religion with anyone; I have the right, just as they do, to believe in nothing. I refuse to engage; and people ultimately give up. Sucks to be them... I'm sure I can count on them praying for my lost soul... My best friend is as Christian as they come. She believes that though I don't believe in "god", I must be spiritually centered. Because I'm a decent, moral, loving, giving person, atheisism just doesn't compute with her. She has to believe that there is 'something' that makes me the person I am. She's right, there is something: ME, genes, history, life! We agree to disagree, and it causes no tension in our relationship, it's just a part of our friendship that simply is. As someone else said, or Atheism does not define us; it's simply a part of who we are. Some people have more energy to debate and discuss it, but ultimately, just as we don't try to change the Christians to Atheists, they have no right to try to save our souls and attempt to convince us of the inaccuracy of our thought processes. Jessica

You do as I do---I refuse to engage. No matter how hard somebody tries to bait me, I never bite. I will insist over and over that I hope they find happiness in the manner they've chosen to live their life, please grant me the same respect. It is the perfect response, the only real response you need, to that attitude that I am misguided or lost or "risking" my "eternal soul." And you know what. I really mean it! I LIVE by my priniciples! I really do want people to live however they chose! Something we really need in this country is for more people to figure out that how someone else lives does not have any effect on you! When I hear Christians say they are "in a battle for souls" I have to admit it makes my skin crawl. Why can't they just LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE!!!!!!

hey Dona, that's an easy one. they can't leave people alone because they want to "save" us. from what i haven't a clue, but "save" us they must. you know why.......jaysus told them to!