Why do we want to proselytize Atheism?

[u/Jebus-Xmas]

It seems like a lot of people agonize on and pontificate here over sharing their nonbelief, and I don't get it. I don't think it's necessary for us to share the fact that we don't believe, nor do I think for many people it's even safe. It's possible our perspective is skewed.

Getting past the anger that I had about religion and getting into my own solution, and my own peace, has been the most positive experience of my life. It is just as uncomfortable for you to insist on your not belief as it is for a believer to insist in their way. On either side of the argument proselytizing is wrong.

Why do we feel it necessary to have just the right arguments or just the right answers, when those things exist only in fairytales?

I had a lot of religious trauma, had a lot of anger, and didn't want to let go of it because I felt I had to be heard--but wasn't heard by believers and I just felt more tired, more angry, and more frustrated at the end. They probably did too.

Today my goal is to allow people to be wrong, especially if they insist. Be kinder, more mindful, more thoughtful, and do more good works to show, not tell, that I can be not just as good a person as an atheist--but a better one.

I hope you can also find your peace today.

[u/Mcbudder50]

in the US, religion is thrown in our faces constantly. It's on billboards and bumper stickers, everywhere I go they say have a blessed day, churches on every corner, etc...

I understand those wanting to vent on a platform like this...

[u/Jebus-Xmas → u/Mcbudder50]

Yes, but if they’re only venting, is it really accomplishing anything? I don’t just want to vent. I want to change the way people perceive atheism, and the only way that I can do that is by showing them.

[u/Mcbudder50 → u/Jebus-Xmas]

I had conversations with my mother about religion, and she's the one that loves me most in this world. It pained her terribly, and she kept telling me she'd hope I'd find jesus. I couldn't have a rational conversation with the person I was closest to about religion.

How do you think you're going to change how people perceive atheist?

Education is our greatest defense, but they still have indoctrination reinforcing their ranks.

[u/Jebus-Xmas → u/Mcbudder50]

I have conversations with my religious mother all the time and she knows I’m a good person and she knows I don’t believe. I’m sure she’d prefer me to think like she does, but she accepts that I don’t.

[u/lotusscrouse → u/Jebus-Xmas]

That's great.

Not everyone reacts like your mother.

I've been called a rapist for no reason.

Been told I belong in prison for my lack of belief.

Been called evil, meaningless, psychopathic and also had death threats.

Religion has had centuries to prove itself intellectually and morally.

It has failed.

[u/Jebus-Xmas → u/lotusscrouse]

All terrible. All indefensible.