A question for non-theist UU's. (hell, attend, church, atheist)

[Nanda]

Why join and attend a church if you don't believe in god? I mean absolutely no disrespect, I just don't really understand. I'm guessing I'm going to get answers similar to the question "Why join a religious forum if you're an atheist," which I know we're all sick of hearing, but I don't know, I thought maybe you could give me a little insight. Personally, I'd rather sleep in, but that's just me.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Nanda

Why join and attend a church if you don't believe in god? I mean absolutely no disrespect, I just don't really understand.

I asked the same question a long time ago and never did get a satisfactory response. Maybe you'll be luckier.

I'm guessing I'm going to get answers similar to the question "Why join a religious forum if you're an atheist," which I know we're all sick of hearing...

Uh... well, yes, I've wondered about that, too. A number of the atheists here on RF are here solely to tell theists how gullible and naive they are. Others, like you, Sunstone, Robtex, and Kungfuzed, don't seem to have that agenda. So what does an atheist with no ax to grind find in a religion forum to make him want to stick around?

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by SHEILA E.

Why care? You may not understand but who cares, Thank GOODNESS for U/U...hehehe

I don't know...Curious nature? I'm not trying to be accusatory or anything, I'm just honestly curious about things I don't understand.

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Uh... well, yes, I've wondered about that, too. A number of the atheists here on RF are here solely to tell theists how gullible and naive they are. Others, like you, Sunstone, Robtex, and Kungfuzed, don't seem to have that agenda. So what does an atheist with no ax to grind find in a religion forum to make him want to stick around?

You know, my answer to Sheila's question fits nicely here, too. Curious nature, I guess. Wanting to know more about things I don't understand. Plus, how constructive is it to hold a viewpoint if you never try to challenge it?

[Katzpur]

*** MOD POST ***

Let's stick to the topic and remember the no proselytizing rule, please.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by nutshell

Then why are you here?

To learn and benefit from what is being said.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Nanda

Curious nature, I guess. Wanting to know more about things I don't understand. Plus, how constructive is it to hold a viewpoint if you never try to challenge it?

A couple of quick questions, if they're not too far off topic... Were you raised in a religious family? Have you always been an atheist?

[rojse]

I am an aetheist, and I am not here merely to try and convert religious people to aetheism, or some other such silliness.

I think there is more to religion than what I see. Most people are religious, and merely to dismiss their beliefs without questioning mine does them a complete disservice. I don't experience what they do, so I do not think that God exists, from my experiences.

I am here to see how ideas, logic and reasoning work in religion. I want to know how different people can see different meanings from the same books, and even kill eachother over what to me seems like minor differences.

I do not attend any church, not even for Christmas or Easter. I would only attend should there be a non-religious reason for attending, such as a funeral or a wedding. Would be interested to know why people who don't believe in God do attend outside of those reasons.

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

A couple of quick questions, if they're not too far off topic... Were you raised in a religious family? Have you always been an atheist?

I don't mind answering if nobody else minds...
No, I was not raised in a religious family. My parents were both raised Catholic, but rejected it as young adults - I'm pretty sure they're both agnostic/soft atheists - their approach to religion is more "no, thank you, we're all set" then "blar! Evil institution!" I wasn't raised an atheist, either, really. My siblings and I were left to make up our own minds. To their credit, my parents were always supportive of our forays into religion - I was a Baptist for a few years as a tween, and my sister is currently following some kind of pagan/nature religion of her own making. The only thing they'd ever stress was that we didn't go into things blindly - that we research first and really think things through. After Christianity didn't work out, I was an agnostic for many years, then an agnostic leaning toward atheism, and now i'm somewhere in the soft, chewy center between soft and strong atheism.