Eh. To each their own. I like having a space where we can discuss its faults and foibles without a bunch of people barging in and being all HOW DARE YOU.

Good point. Live and let live.

The greater question might be, why are you so angry about it?

Just as a Christian chat forum would no doubt have countless discussions of Christ, people here have found a safe place to openly air out their grievances or ideas with those who have similar beliefs; or lack of beliefs, depending on your definitions.

I live in Tennessee, also known as the bible belt. Religion is talked about in person and on social media pretty much everyday. It's annoying and sometimes I can't help but express how ignorant people are about it.

I don't believe in any mythical deities, but I enjoy discussing religions of the world as well as world history. Both topics are important parts of human culture.

There are many reasons people are easily upset when it comes to religion and the discussion of religion. It's a means to control the masses..which many find upsetting. The institution itself is a predatory means for a lot of pedofiles....and ignored for the most part. The churches are sitting on tax-free property, while the rest of us will never fully own our property due to yearly taxes having to be paid. I also feel that a lot of athiest/agnostic feel that they have to stay in the "closet" due to other people's judgment of the matter. I was told on a Sunday once that I was not to mow my lawn.....not sure who makes up these rules....lol

I think it is because of the fact that religious people feel the need to change us when we don't feel the need to change. For most of us, leaving religion WAS the change. People raise their hackles when they are constantly required to defend themselves.

Personally i have no interest - the folks who do stay on that tack seem to have been affected by specific experience and when i talk to them there is a good reason mostly. I.e. being beaten lots as a child by angry nuns ! Those fuckers beat beat people silly and locked em in cupboards.

Do you know how much Southern xians talk about religion? Take a step back and listen.

And now consider what it would be like for two atheists having an open discussion about religion in public. I've done it - it's not pretty. I've had families move away from me in a chik-fil-a if they overheard me mention I'm an atheist.

So this offers me the opportunity to discuss it openly.

How can we not discuss religion. I was brainwashed from the time I was an infant to believe the unbelievable. I was fed lies (even though my parents didn't know they were lies) all my young life. When I look back on it, I'm appalled and it makes me very sad.
The things religion does to people is unforgivable. When I found this group, it was a breath of fresh air. Give religion hell, I say. It deserves hell, it invented it!

As I watch atheists on the public, I get the idea that it’s more of an ideology—a direct response to religion. This is one of a few reasons I don’t use this term.

Totally agree, but this website is just asking for the militant type, and those that are just dying for attention, like vegans that are just dying to tell you that they are vegan. The whole idea of labelling ourselves is redundant. Why do you need a name for a negative? We don't call people who don't do art "non-artists", or someone who doesn't play sports an "unathlete".

I hope to become more and more free of religion, as the years since my de-conversion grow longer. But, I was deeply brain-washed, for one thing. I also have a lot of religious friends and family and struggle how to reconcile my love of truth and desire that everybody would be free from religion, with the need for healthy, happy, loving relationships and the knowledge that many people I know will likely never de-convert, no matter what anybody says or does. Discussion helps me work all that out.

She seems nice.

Is having a conversation about conversations about the topic much better?

Whatcha, whatcha, whatcha... wanna talk about?

I agree with your sentiment. We have an open field! Why run in circles?

I believe for the most part it's maybe the new guys like myself. The most obvious subject but, idk if it's the most appropriate for meeting people. It's my second day and I've noticed that too. Totally see where you're coming from.

I know right? I swear to God (eh? Lol) it's like all I did was trade one hate group for another

Becuase it is so intrusive on our lives. Between bad laws based on religious ideas and worse, politicians, we can't get away from it.

Obviously I can't speak for all atheists, but I know for me, as a Bible-Belt, Southern, Outspoken Atheist I am confronted with religion in damn near every facet of my life, every day. Religion - specifically dogmatic, evangelistic, aggressive xianity - is not only deep in the culture itself, it also permeates government from top to bottom. Atheists are openly, aggressively attacked and persecuted on a weekly - and sometimes daily - basis.

So often my discussions revolve around the latest way the powers-that-be are trying to fuck us. For instance, there is a strong push to allow private adoption agencies to turn down an otherwise highly qualified adoption applicant simply because they are atheist. No other reason.

And don't get me started about the fucking Trump Administration and how they're trying to fuck us seven ways from Sunday.

So yeah, I like to vent, to discuss it, and to figure out if - and now - I can do something to combat it.

If you want society to change, then get off your ass and work to change it.

When someones religious beliefs impact daily, others who don't hold those same beliefs, there is inevitably going to be bashing, and with good cause.
I believe that anyone should be free to worship who or whatever they want, whenever they want to do it. Right up to the point where it starts affecting others. That's the point when intervention is required. Stern intervention.

Indeed.

I've noticed that non-theists who live or are surrounded by overtly reglious tend to identify more strongly atheist and those who live in more liberal, non-reglious communities consider themselves more agnostic. Understandably so. There's an opposing magnetic response many of us feel towards religion and the religious proximity and involvement in our daily lives can produce that pushback.

I loved growing up attending church of England schools and ocassionally going to church. It was fun, lots of pretty songs and jolly people. I just never believed it...any of it. Neither did my parents, grandparents or just about anyone I know. Apart from a few friends who are Muslims and one lady at work who is Christian (swears like a trouper and downs pints like a thirsty miner!) I know no religious people at all. Its like being gay or wearing bikinis...just not for me. If it is for you...good luck to ya. (Just keep away from my kids!)

Whether or not one believes in a supernatural being, the subject is fascinating. All civilizations have produced a system of ethics, even if only to subjugate the masses. Religion is a way of organizing people into an ordered society. The different ways that religion serves to enhance or degrade a people is endlessly interesting.