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Morally Depraved because I came out Atheist

Whenever I come out Atheist .. they assume I must have no ethics or morals whatsoever and that I am willing to do just about anything --- like lie, cheat and steal.

Anyone else have this happen to them?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on June 29, 2012 at 8:22am

Thank you Joseph! I will go and look at your blog posts. I'm so glad this has been an informative discussion for everyone. I've learned a lot myself.

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Permalink Reply by James M. Martin on July 3, 2012 at 5:11pm

What's wrong with lying, cheating, and stealing. Some Christians do.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on July 4, 2012 at 6:15pm

That's true Write4U we don't have the convenient out that xtians have. I do try to live by the golden rule. I enjoy helping others.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 3, 2012 at 9:26pm

A man`s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death. Albert Einstein

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Permalink Reply by Jason Deano on August 4, 2012 at 1:51am

I have not only been the "wild child", but know a LOT of the secrets of my sphere of influence so they would not dare be foolish enough to suggest that to me!! lol There have been a dozen other "going to hell" scenarios if I did not change my wicked ways.

I was asked the other day if being an atheist meant that I was a devil worshiper. When I explained my position on atheism and what led me to being an atheist, the lady said, "wow, that sounds a lot like my 9 year old daughter". She has been polite and asked me a dozen really great questions in a very non offensive way. Not what is typical for sure!

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 4, 2012 at 9:23am

Hey Jason! Yes I have also been asked if I am a Satanist.
Very good that you get to explain your Atheism to that lady and she is polite about it.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Eppers on August 4, 2012 at 8:07am

The bible is proof that man is inherently good. Christians are disobeying their gods word on a daily basis. Why? Because they know that stoning an adulterer is morally corrupt. The same with all of the other "laws" and "commandments" that their god decrees. Killing homosexuals, Atheists, etc. So the next time that a Christian confronts you about morals, ask them why they are not following their gods laws. If they say it is because of state law, then you look them in the eye and ask them "Would you really kill someone because it says so in the bible?" The fact that society has chosen its own laws based on human morals and not the bible is proof positive that we do use the bible as our moral compass. We, and that includes Christians, actually reject god when it comes to morals.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 22, 2012 at 10:51pm

Thank you Michael I will ask them why they aren't following their own laws and stoning all the adulterers.

Yes I understand that the laws of the bible are immoral - teaching killing others who don't agree with you and so on and so forth.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 16, 2012 at 8:37pm

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-wealth-reduces...

How Wealth Reduces Compassion
As riches grow, empathy for others seems to decline

By Daisy Grewal

Who is more likely to lie, cheat, and steal—the poor person or the rich one? It’s temping to think that the wealthier you are, the more likely you are to act fairly. After all, if you already have enough for yourself, it’s easier to think about what others may need. But research suggests the opposite is true: as people climb the social ladder, their compassionate feelings towards other people decline.

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Permalink Reply by Thinking Sapien on August 17, 2012 at 6:03am

With respect to morals I've found that I have to gradually let the person know where I stand. Many people including myself were trained in the churches that we grew up in to associate "atheist" with people that believed there was God but wanted to plot against him and his followers.

I've had more success with a gradual coming out.; let the person get to know me and then letting them know that I find more and more to be questionable. Unfortunately that's not always easy to do here in the bible belt where Yahweh get's worked into every conversation.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 22, 2012 at 10:49pm

Thank you Thinking Sapien - and yes that's not always easy to do.

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Permalink Reply by EJN on March 3, 2013 at 10:17am

It's rather annoying, but I will be talking with a girl, and she will be very obviously into me. Then when I say I am an agnostic-atheist -- baaaam. All interest is gone. Maybe that has something to do with this? Idk what it is, but I am rarely forward about it anymore.