I just think of the countless indigenous peoples of America forced into boarding schools. Made to change their beautiful names. Forced to dress according to the schools rules, instead of in their native garb. Abused in every way including religious abuse. They had their own spiritual practice. They were robbed of it. It just sickens me.
Exactly! I respect the Christians’ right to hold their views, and in our country at least, they should respect my right to hold my own (atheist) beliefs instead of forcing me to participate in their cultish rituals.
It's particularly mean spirited when they try to make children participate in their prayer. They shouldn't be asking questions about your child's faith. That's just wrong.
They do ask those questions of boy scouts. And their parents. They put me on the spot when I was the religious one of the family. Our kids quit, wanting to spend free time with Dad at what I called Church of the Seahawks.
I called it that when a nosy concerned women of America ask why they weren't at church with me. She hadn't heard of that church. Her husband and other men around her were laughing. They caught on right away. I kept the husband and quit church.
Mrs. S: I don’t know you, but I love you like a sister. Thank you for posting - you gave me a good laugh. Love your spirit & spunkiness. You are a Great wife & mom.
I always tried to respect whatever culture I was visiting when I was in their place of worship, as a guest. Then I realized Christians were not respecting others. It was in my face ALL THE TIME. I applaud your writings on the subject. It gives me courage to push back when things like this happen.
Thank you. That is what we were taught in Girl Scouts. For one badge, we visited various churches. Catholic girls had us to their church, but they wouldn't go to others, dropped out soon after.
Thanks William. Isn't it scary how often we have to navigate troubled waters. One second you're eating pasta, the next you're trying to figure out how to stop somebody from indoctrinating your daughter with misogynistic lies.
I grew up Mormon. It was like I had no choice about it at all. But when I started asking questions and the answers didn't make any sense.....that's when it hit me. Then I changed my whole outlook and became Atheist ⚛️. I have never looked back.
I tend to refer to myself as agnostic. As long as people aren't involved and telling me what to do, I am content to acknowledge we don't know the whole truth about the universe. I'm always suspicious of those who claim to speak for the divine.
Thank you! I, too, have felt at a loss to know how to tactfully but forcefully shut that assumed common belief down.
You want to pray to your God? Fine and dandy. But do not assume everyone in the room agrees. That is coercion and is done to make those who don't buy-in to theology feel less-than and embarrassed to believe "differently."
Bravo. I'm sick of having this shoved down my throat when I have seen more hypocrisy from so called religious people. The religious right (not all there are good Christians out there) seem to be holyer than thou. And they do the exact things they preach against. In my opinion money isn't the root of all evil....religion has a big part also.
In my state along with many others it is a law to have posters with in God we trust and a picture of the American flag, in public schools. So last week when I was dropping off my daughter's lunch after she had forgotten it I saw the poster and it got me all angry and worked up again. This brainwashed country loves to shove God down your throat. I read an article that said it was meant to inspire patriotism.
Yeah, I know what you mean. It is blatantly unconstitutional, and they didn't start putting "God" on our money until the KKK had a huge influence in Congress. This is one of the problems we have to push back on. Thanks for the comment!
I once put "Matthew 6:5" on bumper stickers as a subtle way of telling Christians to STFU.
When someone asks to lead a prayer, I try to respond with "Wait, which god are we praying to? I usually favor Sekhmet. Otherwise, how about a moment of Buddhist silence?"
I am often mistaken as an atheist. Turns out I'm a pantheist.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
=-=-=
Currently, the leading churches that do NOT ordain women are the Southern Baptists, Catholics, and alas, the Eastern Orthodox who IMO are on other fronts fairly enlightened. Some subdivisions of other mainstream denominations will not ordain women, and they are usually the same ways who do not admit LGBTQ. The Episcopal church DID elect a woman as its Presiding Bishop (i.e. head of church the USA) in 2006, Katherine Schori. She had a previous career in oceanography.
Strictly speaking an accomodationist reading of the First Amendment allows prayer in public spaces, as long as it is easy for multiple religions to roll with it. Many city halls I know will open city council sessions with a prayer, but it will sometimes be offered by a rabbi, other times by an Imam, and/or by Christian clergy from a wide range of denominations. Generally, words endorsing specific doctrines of said religions are not used.
I fully agree with your remarks. Our kid graduated from high school 25 years ago and I objected to all these speakers of prayer from one evangelical denomination, far from my own religion, and certainly different for other families. The public principal just looked at me, without any understanding whatsoever.
On a side note, there was a Pope Joan in theiddle ages, and apparently a handful of other women popes as well. A female with a master's degree in Catholic theology told me so. Suppression of knowledge is dangerous. It makes us think we're the only ones. Celtic church was more equitable, but the Roman boys played tricks and voted early, changing the rules and the game.
I just think of the countless indigenous peoples of America forced into boarding schools. Made to change their beautiful names. Forced to dress according to the schools rules, instead of in their native garb. Abused in every way including religious abuse. They had their own spiritual practice. They were robbed of it. It just sickens me.
And that's another history we don't teach.
Exactly! I respect the Christians’ right to hold their views, and in our country at least, they should respect my right to hold my own (atheist) beliefs instead of forcing me to participate in their cultish rituals.
It's particularly mean spirited when they try to make children participate in their prayer. They shouldn't be asking questions about your child's faith. That's just wrong.
They do ask those questions of boy scouts. And their parents. They put me on the spot when I was the religious one of the family. Our kids quit, wanting to spend free time with Dad at what I called Church of the Seahawks.
I called it that when a nosy concerned women of America ask why they weren't at church with me. She hadn't heard of that church. Her husband and other men around her were laughing. They caught on right away. I kept the husband and quit church.
Mrs. S: I don’t know you, but I love you like a sister. Thank you for posting - you gave me a good laugh. Love your spirit & spunkiness. You are a Great wife & mom.
Why, thank you, Renee! ☺️
I always tried to respect whatever culture I was visiting when I was in their place of worship, as a guest. Then I realized Christians were not respecting others. It was in my face ALL THE TIME. I applaud your writings on the subject. It gives me courage to push back when things like this happen.
Thank you so much Diane!
I have been screamed at for saying "Happy holidays". The first time it happened, I was confused because "Happy holidays" was just a kind thing to say.
Yes, people get so hostile about that!
Thank you. That is what we were taught in Girl Scouts. For one badge, we visited various churches. Catholic girls had us to their church, but they wouldn't go to others, dropped out soon after.
The coaches do this at school and I hate it. Luckily my daughter is now graduated. But this whole forcing your beliefs on others is complete bull💩
Yes, and it's designed to exclude kids who don't belong to that religion. It's really a hostile act.
Well said.
Thanks William. Isn't it scary how often we have to navigate troubled waters. One second you're eating pasta, the next you're trying to figure out how to stop somebody from indoctrinating your daughter with misogynistic lies.
LOL that's amerikkka for you.
I grew up Mormon. It was like I had no choice about it at all. But when I started asking questions and the answers didn't make any sense.....that's when it hit me. Then I changed my whole outlook and became Atheist ⚛️. I have never looked back.
I tend to refer to myself as agnostic. As long as people aren't involved and telling me what to do, I am content to acknowledge we don't know the whole truth about the universe. I'm always suspicious of those who claim to speak for the divine.
You are exactly right!! Very well spoken!!
Thank you!
Thank you! I, too, have felt at a loss to know how to tactfully but forcefully shut that assumed common belief down.
You want to pray to your God? Fine and dandy. But do not assume everyone in the room agrees. That is coercion and is done to make those who don't buy-in to theology feel less-than and embarrassed to believe "differently."
Bravo. I'm sick of having this shoved down my throat when I have seen more hypocrisy from so called religious people. The religious right (not all there are good Christians out there) seem to be holyer than thou. And they do the exact things they preach against. In my opinion money isn't the root of all evil....religion has a big part also.
Try living being a minority in a Muslim country with daily call to prayer!
In my state along with many others it is a law to have posters with in God we trust and a picture of the American flag, in public schools. So last week when I was dropping off my daughter's lunch after she had forgotten it I saw the poster and it got me all angry and worked up again. This brainwashed country loves to shove God down your throat. I read an article that said it was meant to inspire patriotism.
Yeah, I know what you mean. It is blatantly unconstitutional, and they didn't start putting "God" on our money until the KKK had a huge influence in Congress. This is one of the problems we have to push back on. Thanks for the comment!
(Strands to applaud speaker) BRAVO! 👏
I once put "Matthew 6:5" on bumper stickers as a subtle way of telling Christians to STFU.
When someone asks to lead a prayer, I try to respond with "Wait, which god are we praying to? I usually favor Sekhmet. Otherwise, how about a moment of Buddhist silence?"
I am often mistaken as an atheist. Turns out I'm a pantheist.
Matthew 6:
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
=-=-=
Currently, the leading churches that do NOT ordain women are the Southern Baptists, Catholics, and alas, the Eastern Orthodox who IMO are on other fronts fairly enlightened. Some subdivisions of other mainstream denominations will not ordain women, and they are usually the same ways who do not admit LGBTQ. The Episcopal church DID elect a woman as its Presiding Bishop (i.e. head of church the USA) in 2006, Katherine Schori. She had a previous career in oceanography.
https://ecwo.org/wp-content/uploads/ninja-forms/21/ens_092314_jeffertsSchori.jpg
=-=-=
Strictly speaking an accomodationist reading of the First Amendment allows prayer in public spaces, as long as it is easy for multiple religions to roll with it. Many city halls I know will open city council sessions with a prayer, but it will sometimes be offered by a rabbi, other times by an Imam, and/or by Christian clergy from a wide range of denominations. Generally, words endorsing specific doctrines of said religions are not used.
I fully agree with your remarks. Our kid graduated from high school 25 years ago and I objected to all these speakers of prayer from one evangelical denomination, far from my own religion, and certainly different for other families. The public principal just looked at me, without any understanding whatsoever.
On a side note, there was a Pope Joan in theiddle ages, and apparently a handful of other women popes as well. A female with a master's degree in Catholic theology told me so. Suppression of knowledge is dangerous. It makes us think we're the only ones. Celtic church was more equitable, but the Roman boys played tricks and voted early, changing the rules and the game.
Brilliant Walter. And true.