Hello from an atheist with questions

[HopscotchGirl]

Hello! I signed up awhile ago, then forgot why I signed up here. But, I figure i can at least go ahead and do this and maybe get answers.

I am an atheist, yes. I don't believe in any God, or a Satan. (Satanism is a religion. Atheism is an absence of religion. big difference.) But, I do not mind being around religious people, I have friends of all kinds, minus satanists and wiccans, just cause I have never met anyone under either. I'm very happy with myself the way I am. Even though I'm atheist, I was raised by Christian parents. Just some of my likes are sewing, video games, reading articles, and drawing. There's really nothing I don't like, maybe guys who ask me out knowing I'm happily taken, smoking, and drinking.

I was raised believing I do not need plastic surgery or anything, and that I was perfect the way I was made because I was told we are made in His image and that because God is perfect, so am I. I wasn't under heavy religious influence, my parents just always told me what they thought, steering me into my own path. Think of them as my training wheels, They're there on their own, and they helped me learn and go after what I believed. (That goes for more than just religion, though.)

Simply, I am one with open arms. I don't turn down anyone over anything. I make friends with all kinds; other atheists, anyone of any religion, color, race, gender, gays, and straights.

My only thought on religion is, I don't need it. But I respect others, because I know religion is a big part of some lives, and if it gets you through your day, good for you.

But I browsed a bit and I got some questions. I really like learning how other people think. Since Christianity and Atheism are decently opposite, I would like some answers, to understand why you think the way you do, why you believe in what you believe. Because unless I honestly believed too, I could never fully understand, but I just want to be able to at least grasp it around my brain a little bit. I love understanding people different from me. Since this is your forum, maybe you guys can answer.

You say stuff, like gothic people deserved to be raped, yet you got pictures from photoshoots. I can understand if you're uncomfortable with tattoos, piercings, etc., I personally do not like gauged ears, they smell awful and look awful, and never can be revered without surgery. But photoshoots, they were... I guess I'd say they were mostly playing dress-up! And nothing more. Wearing fishnet tights and such, most gothic people don't wear that every day. Infact, I have a gothic friend who goes to Church every sunday. Gothic is not a religion, more like... a lifestyle. There's goths who are jewish, christian, everything. Also, is it fair to you if they think you need to be raped for believing in God? No. No one deserves even a paper cut for being themselves.

I also saw something about "beating the gay out of your child". It was some post on a mother asking if it was right to do that to her son. It made me sad a mother was upset about her own son trusting her enough to tell her something so personal. I know the Bible says something against homosexuality. But you are attracted to what you are attracted to. And going back to me "you are perfect because God made you and God is perfect" excerpt from above, doesn't that make gay men perfect too? Personally, I'm straight, and I'm OK with gay people. They are human just like me. So long as they don't keep asking me out, or anything of that sort, I'm alright. And even if that happens, I only get upset with that persons' ability to not get the hint; not the gay community as a whole.

I think I remember someone telling me God hates those who don't believe in Him. If that was true, would God make nonbelievers, if He only wanted, well, believers? Sure, some kids stray from what their parents want for them, but that doesn't mean their parents stop loving them. Honestly, this paragraph is more on the logical side, and since I'm not God, I can't really say what he would do. All I really know from stereotypes is Christianity hates Logic.

But that brings up probably the only thing about Christianity that bothers me; how you seem to think you know what God would want, what He likes, what He thinks about something. You are not God, stop saying you know what He likes and what He thinks about things.

I think the only question left I can think of is, why do you seem like you feel the need to "save" people? When it looks like, from the outside, you want people more thinking like you. If we all thought the same, the world would really be boring. I understand on things like, wanting truly evil people to, well, not think evil. But wanting everyone thinking the same way? It just sounds so... boring. I guess that's a plus on Christianity though, if I remember right, there's lots of branches. I guess they're called sects? different sects of Christianity. I don't really know any of them, I just know there's more than in any other religion. Thumbs up on the diversity there.

This is an introduction with questions and what i think about some things, and even though I don't think my stay will be too long here, I hope this was at least in the right place. If not, feel free to move it, I don't own this forum. I can at least follow the rules. It would really help me out if Someone could answer a few of these questions, and maybe give some insight.

All I ask if please don't push your religion onto me, you don't want me pushing my absence of it onto you. Please be respectful in all your replies, not to just me, but everyone. I also hope this post doesn't enrage anyone, it wasn't made to do that.

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

tl;dr

First of all, this is NOT a debate forum. Please read THIS thread before making an even bigger fool of yourself.

Secondly, while the internets might seem to be "free" to you, this particular corner of the internets is a privately owned Christian forum. The rights you have on this forum are listed HERE. Please contact a Pastor if you feel that any of your rights have been violated.

Finally, your unsaved opinions or tantrums are not even slightly of interest to us. We follow the Holy Word of God TO THE LETTER, and make no apologies for that. One of the most important commandments in the Bible tells us to avoid unsaved scum such as yourself. You wandered in here uninvited, and unwelcome.

I will pray that the Holy Spirit enter you and chase the demons out of your rectum and let Jesus fill you with His Grace. If you use your God-given free will to reject Christ and His temporary death on the cross for my sins, then you are sending yourself to hellfire.

[HopscotchGirl]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

I wasn't really looking fora debate. I only had some questions about Christianity, I thought this would be a good place to get answers. I don't really have any questions on the religion itself, bout about the people who follow it.

You saying "TL;DR" tells me that the thought of me being atheist means you will not even bother to read what I say, even thought I took the time to read plenty of posts by people with religion. That is quite unkind, something I wouldn't expect from a Pastor.

Yes, I did post my opinions. But I read opinions of people here. And I respect what they think, I'm asking why do they think that way.

I looked at one of the links you sent to me. Q: Would you allow ramps and a crippled section in your fellowship hall? This only makes me think even more some cannot accept those who are different. This is incredibly rude. Another thing I wouldn't have expect from this religion, excluding someone because of something so small as this. Though some I did agree with, such as the gang one bringing in guns and such. Though that should be nothing more than over safety of others, which some places need more of.

Even though your reply was quite rude, this is only the internet. I will not reject you for being you over the internet, nor in person. I don't think I was rude in my post, and got rudeness back, which only puts me away from Christianity further. If I had gotten kind answers, I thought maybe I would give religion a try, maybe. I would have least understood more, and would have been less confused.

[Nobar King]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

This isn't summer camp, dear. Do you think if I joined your pokemon forum and started preaching the Word that I would get a different kind of response?

[HopscotchGirl]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

This isn't summer camp, dear. Do you think if I joined your pokemon forum and started preaching the Word that I would get a different kind of response?

Well, I wouldn't know how to find and go to a summer camp, would I? Besides, it isn't summer anymore. I know where some churches are, but I'm much more clear on asking questions when I write them out. And with such a large community here, I figured I could get plenty of good answers.

[Nobar King]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

All the answers to your questions can be found in the Bible. You don't have one of those, do you?

[HopscotchGirl]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

All the answers to your questions can be found in the Bible. You don't have one of those, do you?

I don't, actually. I've been to churches a few times, and flipped through one when i could, but I've never sat down and read the whole thing.

I'm not really questioning the religion itself. Or at least, I didn't mean to come off doing that. I'm asking why you have these opinons on things, thinking it's ok to beat your son for being gay or thinking people deserve rape. The Bible won't answer those questions.

[Twisted Focus]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

If you have doubts make sure you get the truth to both sides of the argument. Don't go blindly into either side of it, you will not end up happy.

[HopscotchGirl]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

If you have doubts make sure you get the truth to both sides of the argument. Don't go blindly into either side of it, you will not end up happy.

That's actually very good advice. I'll have to remember this one. Thanks.

I hope I wasn't going "blindly" by asking questions here. I just have some questions about the people here, now my question is why a pastor gave me such a rude reply, and used a phrase coined by trolls, when even in the email it was clear this place doesn't like trolls.

[Twisted Focus]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

I'm like you. I call myself an atheist but I came here to hear from true straight up Christians what it's really like to believe. Not sure. No disrespect to any members and users but I felt as though you came off a bit hostile. Me and HopScotch came for information... Real information, we aren't here to troll (at least I'm not)

[HopscotchGirl]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

I'm like you. I call myself an atheist but I came here to hear from true straight up Christians what it's really like to believe. Not sure. No disrespect to any members and users but I felt as though you came off a bit hostile. Me and HopScotch came for information... Real information, we aren't here to troll (at least I'm not)

Thank you for understanding! Some people came off a bit mean, and hypocritical just a tad bit, when all I want is answers on the people, not the religion.

[Twisted Focus]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

I understand also. I don't blame them, it's like an atheist screaming at a creationist or believer. We cannot hold each other to different standards by our beliefs. Back on topic! Nice to meet you miss HopScotch, any questions please let me know!

[HopscotchGirl]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

I understand also. I don't blame them, it's like an atheist screaming at a creationist or believer. We cannot hold each other to different standards by our beliefs. Back on topic! Nice to meet you miss HopScotch, any questions please let me know!

I was really hoping I wasn't coming off as screaming at them over their personal beliefs. They can believe hamsters are little bits of Jesus for all I know and care, and I wouldn't be insulting them over it, yet I ask a few questions, and I get rude tones from a few people.

[Gabriel Reproba]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

Simply, I am one with open arms.

And there is a major difference between a TrueChristian™ and the unsaved like you. The Bible tells us to stay away from the unsaved, not to have "open arms." (Scripture supporting this is linked to above.) Have you read the Bible?

I don't turn down anyone over anything.

Good to know that if a pedophile asks you to help in the rape of children you wouldn't turn him down.

My only thought on religion is, I don't need it.

If you keep up this attitude, you will soon have a new "only thought about religion." That only thought will occur to you as you fall into the eternal lake of fire that is Hell and that ONLY THOUGHT will be something like "Ahhhhhh!!!!!! ARGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHGURGLE!!!!!!"

[I]f it gets you through your day, good for you.

I take offense at your compariing the Holy Word of Jesus Christ to crack. The WORD OF GOD is NOT something to "get you through the day." It is the ONLY way to GET YOU THROUGH ETERNITY.

...I just want to be able to at least grasp it around my brain a little bit.

Well stop it. The word of the Lord is not something that you use your brain to find. It is there in the BIBLE in BLACK AND WHITE. Read it. Do it. End of story.

Gothic is not a religion, more like... a lifestyle.

Just like homersexuality is a deathstyle.

Also, is it fair to you if they think you need to be raped for believing in God?

I didn't think that up, God did. If God didn't say that those were the rules, I would be horrified at the idea that people should be raped and killed for the simplest transgressions. But as a Christian who accepts the HOLY BIBLE as the true and accurate word of GOD, I accept it without question. THAT is what being a TrueChristian™ is all about.

No one deserves even a paper cut for being themselves.

Please cite scripture to me that refers to paper cuts. I don't recall any passage that uses such a punishment, but I am open to havign my memory refreshed. most of the punishments are death, rape, slavery, dismemberment, or even genocide...but no paper cuts. I mean, think about it. How would the threat of a paper cut stop someone from raping any hottie they saw?

I know the Bible says something against homosexuality.

SOMETHING?

1. Genesis 19 God condemns all homosexual behavior.
2. Leviticus 18:22 God condemns all homosexual behavior.
3. Leviticus 20:13 God condemns all homosexual behavior.
4. Romans 1:26-27 God condemns all homosexual behavior.
5. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 God condemns all homosexual behavior. It also points out that homos will go to hell unless they are saved, at which time they become heterosexuals.
6. 1 Timothy 1:9-10 God condemns all homosexual behavior.
7. Jude 1:7 God condemns all homosexual behavior. It also points out that homos will go to hell.
   
   Want me to go on? OK!
8. Genesis 1:28 says sex is only for one man married to one woman.
9. Genesis 2:18 says God created humans for marriage and that he intends that to be one man married to one wife.
10. Genesis 2:23-24 says God created marriage only between one man and one women.
11. Genesis 9:20-29 is where Ham sees his father's (Noah's) tallywhacker and instead of covering it up or gouging his eyes out, he runs to tell his brothers. When Noah awakes, he curses all of Ham's descendants. (This is why the blacks are black to this day, by the way. They are all "Cursed Children of Ham. Don't believe me, I just gave you the scripture, go read it!)
12. Deuteronomy 23:17 calls for exile of homosexuals from Israel.
13. 1 Kings 14:24, 15:12 & 22:46 calls for exile of homosexuals from Israel.
14. 2 Kings 23:7 calls for exile of homosexuals from Israel.
15. Judges 19:14-29 God condemns homosexual behavior
16. Matthew 19:4-5 God approves of marriage only between one man and one women.
17. Matthew 19:10-12 is where God gives only some Christian the ability to remain single. In describing who can remain single, Jesus talks about 3 types of eunuchs:
    1. those born with malformed testicles
    2. those surgically castrated
    3. those who "have made themselves eunuchs." (Ouch!)
    
    

Go and look them all up. They are all there and I probably missed a few since I haven't completed my Theocentric Sexuality course yet.

Once you have read them all, let me know if this is an example of when a document "says something" about a matter. Proclaiming that the Bible "says something" about homosexuality is like saying that On The Origins of Species "says something" about evolution Satan!

"you are perfect because God made you and God is perfect" excerpt from above, doesn't that make gay men perfect too?

He did make them perfect. They then CHOSE to turn away from God and become homersexuals. However they remain perfect in one respect: They are PERFECT examples of someone who is hell-bound.

I only get upset with that persons' ability to not get the hint

Tip: Hit them over the head with the KJV1611 and see if they "get the hint."

I think I remember someone telling me God hates those who don't believe in Him. If that was true, would God make nonbelievers, if He only wanted, well, believers?

He made us all believers. Down in your heathen heart, you too believe in God. You just hate him. Unfortunately for you, God also blessed us with Free Will, so you can choose not to hate him. You chose...poorly.

Sure, some kids stray from what their parents want for them, but that doesn't mean their parents stop loving them.

No, it means that their parents should drag them to the city gates and the whole city should stone the child to death:

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21

Clear enough?

All I really know from stereotypes is Christianity hates Logic.

SHOUT GLORY! You got one right!

But that brings up probably the only thing about Christianity that bothers me; how you seem to think you know what God would want, what He likes, what He thinks about something. You are not God, stop saying you know what He likes and what He thinks about things.

I know because God gave me an instruction manual: The King James Bible. It tells me that God Hates Fags, That God LOVES the smell of burnt offerings, and how I can be saved (Namely, by following the word of the Bible to the T.)

How are you still confused about how we know what God likes? HE TOLD US!

I think the only question left I can think of is, why do you seem like you feel the need to "save" people? When it looks like, from the outside, you want people more thinking like you. If we all thought the same, the world would really be boring.

I don't think having the whole world ending up in Heaven would be in any way boring. That YOU think that is just another sign of your pact with SATAN.

But wanting everyone thinking the same way? It just sounds so... boring.

I don't want everyone to think the same way on everything. I just know that God told us what to think in several key areas. What type of pie is your favorite is up to you, as long as it doesn't contain any shrimp (God hates shrimp. Leviticus 11:9-12.) and so long as you didn't do any work on the Sabbath to produce the pie (Leviticus 23:3) and, of course, so long as you don't wear an apron of mixed fibers when you make the pie for your husband (Leviticus 19:19). Other than that, enjoy your pie!

I guess that's a plus on Christianity though, if I remember right, there's lots of branches.

Have you not been listening to a thing I have said? There is ONE branch of True Christians™: Those that follow the word of GOD to the letter. All those hippy dippy Christian-lite people who just point to John 3:16 and say "God Is Love and that is all that matters" are LYING TO THEMSELVES! They might as well take an exacto-knife to their Bible and cut out the inconvenient parts. Oh wait, THEY DID.

All I ask if please don't push your religion onto me,

Sorry, but God tells us to do so and we love God.

I also hope this post doesn't enrage anyone, it wasn't made to do that.

The only person you have enraged is Jesus. Or maybe you just made him cry a little...on the inside.

[Levi Jones]

Re: Hello from an atheist with questions

I'm asking why you have these opinons on things, thinking it's ok to beat your son for being gay or thinking people deserve rape. The Bible won't answer those questions.

Sigh...


What the Bible says about Rape Deuteronomy 22:23-29

If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.
But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

Gay people.
Leviticus 20:13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Romans 1:26-27, 32
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
People who condone homosexuality.
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Discipline of children.
Proverbs 13:24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The final discipline of an unruly child.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.



You see, the Bible holds the answers to all of life's questions.