Comments on: Oh, I’m Not Religious… http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: hmmm... http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-605570 hmmm... Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:13:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-605570 @ Lexi So does this mean you have intercourse with god? Because that is generally an important part of a relationship. Unless of course you are in fact Christian, because they don't believe in sex before marriage right? Oh wait, you're not religious, you just have a relationship with god, so intercourse is ok... @ Lexi
So does this mean you have intercourse with god? Because that is generally an important part of a relationship. Unless of course you are in fact Christian, because they don’t believe in sex before marriage right? Oh wait, you’re not religious, you just have a relationship with god, so intercourse is ok…

]]> By: Lexi Lanai http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-557171 Lexi Lanai Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:55:06 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-557171 LOL @ Kent: Depends what you talk to your girlfriend about! ;) LOL @ Kent: Depends what you talk to your girlfriend about! ;)

]]> By: Kent http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-555342 Kent Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:12:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-555342 @Lexi: You talk to God just like I talk to my girlfriend on the phone? @Lexi: You talk to God just like I talk to my girlfriend on the phone?

]]> By: Lexi Lanai http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-554664 Lexi Lanai Sun, 26 Sep 2010 01:27:37 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-554664 I'm probably not going to get a popular response for this since I'm not a friendly atheist, let alone an atheist. I think you're missing the whole point about "relationship". Christianity is a religion meaning it's a belief like hinduism or islam or catholic, etc and if you are a Christian, you have a set way of thinking, acting, believing, etc. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER RELIGION. But when people say they aren't "religious" they're saying that their connection with God has nothing to do with ritualistic stuff, it's purely a "relationship" which won't make sense to athiests because if you don't believe in God to begin with, to you, we don't have a relationship with anyone! So, you can't convince some who knows that God exists that they don't have a relationship with "nothing". So you see it as "religious". But let me pose this question to you. You probably have a girlfriend who you are in "relationship" with, right? If you worship the ground she walks on, is willing to do ANYTHING for her because she's so darn beautiful AND if who you are is wrapped up in who she is, than congrats! You're in a religion! Yes, I said "Religion!" . :) But to you, it's absurd for me to say that. She's just your girlfriend after all. I mean, I go to 'church' God's house! :) Well, you probably go to her house on occasion, right? I pray to God, not the 'religious' "Our Father..." no, it's straight talk, just like you talk to your girlfriend on the phone...Granted, if she's smart, you even go to her for counsel, direction and advice - I do the same thing too...with God of course! So, having a relationship is different than religion, if you see it that way. If you still don't, than it's only right to say that everyone in the world who is in a relationship, is "religious". Which isn't bad because relationships are AMAZING!!! Bottom line, God is real, that is my conviction and the conviction of many others. I'm not trying to convince YOU that God is real; I'm saying that we have a real relationship with our God...call it "religion" or "relationship" it's still a "relationship!". And yes, if you don't have a girlfriend, may I suggest asking God for one? He's the best matchmaker I know! ;) I’m probably not going to get a popular response for this since I’m not a friendly atheist, let alone an atheist.

I think you’re missing the whole point about “relationship”. Christianity is a religion meaning it’s a belief like hinduism or islam or catholic, etc and if you are a Christian, you have a set way of thinking, acting, believing, etc. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER RELIGION. But when people say they aren’t “religious” they’re saying that their connection with God has nothing to do with ritualistic stuff, it’s purely a “relationship”

which won’t make sense to athiests because if you don’t believe in God to begin with, to you, we don’t have a relationship with anyone! So, you can’t convince some who knows that God exists that they don’t have a relationship with “nothing”. So you see it as “religious”.

But let me pose this question to you. You probably have a girlfriend who you are in “relationship” with, right? If you worship the ground she walks on, is willing to do ANYTHING for her because she’s so darn beautiful AND if who you are is wrapped up in who she is, than congrats! You’re in a religion! Yes, I said “Religion!” . :) But to you, it’s absurd for me to say that. She’s just your girlfriend after all. I mean, I go to ‘church’ God’s house! :) Well, you probably go to her house on occasion, right? I pray to God, not the ‘religious’ “Our Father…” no, it’s straight talk, just like you talk to your girlfriend on the phone…Granted, if she’s smart, you even go to her for counsel, direction and advice – I do the same thing too…with God of course!

So, having a relationship is different than religion, if you see it that way. If you still don’t, than it’s only right to say that everyone in the world who is in a relationship, is “religious”. Which isn’t bad because relationships are AMAZING!!!

Bottom line, God is real, that is my conviction and the conviction of many others. I’m not trying to convince YOU that God is real; I’m saying that we have a real relationship with our God…call it “religion” or “relationship” it’s still a “relationship!”.

And yes, if you don’t have a girlfriend, may I suggest asking God for one? He’s the best matchmaker I know! ;)

]]> By: Roark http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-505204 Roark Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:06:12 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-505204 You dont seem like that nice of an atheist You dont seem like that nice of an atheist

]]> By: Helives http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-493773 Helives Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:39:11 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-493773 To the world, you look like a saint when you do good deeds, right? well, no one is perfect except God. In Christianity, we accept God as our savior, and strive to be like Him. Jesus did good deeds. Not because he would get the love of the world, but so others could see that he was God's son. In this way of thinking, there were also many Christian Martyrs. Does every Christian have the Bravery to be sacrificed for God? no. But does that mean they do not have Faith? of course not. Not everyone is perfect. we all have tempers and make mistakes, but God still forgives. the point is, it doesn't matter if you have been a saint in the world's eyes, or have done all the good deeds you can do. The perfection and forgiveness comes from faith in God. To the world, you look like a saint when you do good deeds, right? well, no one is perfect except God. In Christianity, we accept God as our savior, and strive to be like Him. Jesus did good deeds. Not because he would get the love of the world, but so others could see that he was God’s son. In this way of thinking, there were also many Christian Martyrs. Does every Christian have the Bravery to be sacrificed for God? no. But does that mean they do not have Faith? of course not. Not everyone is perfect. we all have tempers and make mistakes, but God still forgives.
the point is, it doesn’t matter if you have been a saint in the world’s eyes, or have done all the good deeds you can do. The perfection and forgiveness comes from faith in God.

]]> By: Helives http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-493763 Helives Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:19:13 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-493763 Its true, some Christians do say such things, and such things can be confusing for an atheist. However, when we say we are not "religious" we do not mean we do not have a relationship with God, on the contrary we are saying there is no middle man (such as a priest or of the like) and also when we say this we mean we do not go by old rituals, such as in the old testament. when Jesus died, his blood was used to forgive all of our sins and his willing sacrifice gave us all a chance to have a relationship with Him, not through a priest. (and yes, I am a Christian) Its true, some Christians do say such things, and such things can be confusing for an atheist. However, when we say we are not “religious” we do not mean we do not have a relationship with God, on the contrary we are saying there is no middle man (such as a priest or of the like) and also when we say this we mean we do not go by old rituals, such as in the old testament. when Jesus died, his blood was used to forgive all of our sins and his willing sacrifice gave us all a chance to have a relationship with Him, not through a priest.
(and yes, I am a Christian)

]]> By: PsiCop http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-434387 PsiCop Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:22:11 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-434387 I also dislike the contention of many that they are "spiritual but not religious." Without exception, such people meet standard dictionary definitions of "religious" ... <i>even if</i> they'd prefer it were not the case. I also agree that it's even worse when a fundamentalist Christian says, "I'm not religious, but I have a 'relationship' with God/Jesus." That too is disingenuous; having a "relationship" with a deity is, by definition, a "religious" act. It's time for people to just stop misrepresenting themselves. I get that they'd like to disassociate themselves from all the negative connotations of the words "religion" and "religious," but that desire does not entitle them to lie about themselves. Just once, I'd like a little honesty from people. I also dislike the contention of many that they are “spiritual but not religious.” Without exception, such people meet standard dictionary definitions of “religious” … even if they’d prefer it were not the case.

I also agree that it’s even worse when a fundamentalist Christian says, “I’m not religious, but I have a ‘relationship’ with God/Jesus.” That too is disingenuous; having a “relationship” with a deity is, by definition, a “religious” act.

It’s time for people to just stop misrepresenting themselves. I get that they’d like to disassociate themselves from all the negative connotations of the words “religion” and “religious,” but that desire does not entitle them to lie about themselves. Just once, I’d like a little honesty from people.

]]> By: NoEasyAnswers http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-280293 NoEasyAnswers Sun, 08 Mar 2009 06:01:15 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-280293 I do disagree to an extent... I think specially with Eastern religions there can be a difference. I consider myself Jain but I'm not religious; I believe in the principles of ahimsa, anekantavada, etc, but I don't believe in the spiritual part of Jainism. In a sense, I follow the philosophy of Jainism, which is as much a part of the religion as the spiritual is. I'm not less of a Jain because I don't believe in the spiritual... I think I'm more Jain then some I know who believe in the spiritual. . I'm Jain, but I'm not religious. I do disagree to an extent… I think specially with Eastern religions there can be a difference. I consider myself Jain but I’m not religious; I believe in the principles of ahimsa, anekantavada, etc, but I don’t believe in the spiritual part of Jainism. In a sense, I follow the philosophy of Jainism, which is as much a part of the religion as the spiritual is. I’m not less of a Jain because I don’t believe in the spiritual… I think I’m more Jain then some I know who believe in the spiritual. . I’m Jain, but I’m not religious.

]]> By: Seth http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-243937 Seth Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:39:03 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/31/oh-im-not-religious/#comment-243937 I have some sympathy for people who don't want to identify themselves with the horrible things religion has done, but can't let go of their own religion. I can't really blame them for trying to find some way to express their religious feelings without mainstream religion. However, people like a former friend who say things like "I'm not into religion. I'm into reality- and that just happens to include Jesus dying on the cross," sound more like the sort of people this article is about. I have some sympathy for people who don’t want to identify themselves with the horrible things religion has done, but can’t let go of their own religion. I can’t really blame them for trying to find some way to express their religious feelings without mainstream religion.

However, people like a former friend who say things like “I’m not into religion. I’m into reality- and that just happens to include Jesus dying on the cross,” sound more like the sort of people this article is about.

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