15 Day Atheist Challenge
Warning: I know I'm an idiot sometimes. I'm sure I'll sound like one a few times in this post. Don't like, don't read?
1. At what point did you know you were an atheist? Why did you become one, what were the factors leading up to the decision, if you weren’t always one?
I'm not sure I ever believed in God. At least, not seriously. I don't remember much of Hebrew school, as I was very young, but half our day was taught in Hebrew and there was mandatory temple every morning for an hour at least. I remember enjoying singing in the choir and thinking the Torah was pretty, but I was never into the actual religious aspects.
I've been an outspoken atheist for as long as I remember, I guess.
2. What religion did you grow up with? Did you have positive or negative experiences with religion?
My mom is Jewish, and my dad is... everything (loves Buddhism, has a yin-yang tattoo, semi-converted to Judaism when he married my mom), so I grew up Jewish. My dad's family, who I don't see often, is Christian, and my mother's family are all practicing Jews.
I went to a private Hebrew school from pre-school to 2nd grade, attended Sunday school until 4th grade, and went to a Jewish summer camp (Camp Ruach!) until 7th grade I think. I grew up at the Jewish Community Center- school, temple, swimming, camp, play. It was my second home. Absolutely no qualms about spending so much of my life there. I honestly don't remember much of the religious aspects of the JCC.
I like to say 'I'm Jewish for holidays." I love Jewish food, and I love being with my family, reading the prayers in Hebrew, singing the songs. I like the atmosphere. I leave out the cup for Elijah.. I don't actually expect him to come, I don't pray, etc.
3. Are you a more outspoken or more apathetic atheist? Why?
Absolutely outspoken. When people are ridiculous or I hear very conservative Christian radio, for example, I laugh, roll my eyes. There are some people I want to say stop praying and actually get off your ass and do something to change your situation! I love talking about God, and I actually can be very patient. I WANT to understand where people who believe in God are coming from. Last year, I had three friend talk to be about how they came to their beliefs for 2 hours. We had a very healthy debate about God. In the end, they all said I just haven't had my personal religious experience yet, so I wouldn't understand. That's cool.
4. Do you think religion is obsolete and should be wiped completely off the face of the Earth, or does some good come out of it?
Religion does more harm, it's more trouble than it's worth. I don't think religion should exist. We'd be better without it. Yes, for some people, religion provides them the strength they need to get through difficult emotional times, but I think it's more of the sense of community. It's a shame we need to rely on God sometimes to give to charity or do good things. We don't NEED religion. Just, do right. Be good. You don't need to rely on a story. (again, this is purely, purely my opinions)
5. Did you lose any friends because you decided to be an atheist? Did your family flip out?
My family did not flip out at all, no. My mom still believes in God I guess, but it's not really too big a deal. I just recently talked to my dad about this all, actually. He's a scientist, but I think he's an agnostic. I haven't lost friends, but I'm sure I've temporarily distanced myself from certain people because of my atheism. I know my opinion of a person definitely changes if I find out they believe in The Rapture or whatever the latest religious bs is.
6. How do you feel about so-called “militant atheists” such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris? More power to them. Spread the word. Freedom FROM religion. I love talking atheism. This isn't a non-issue. The religious people in power can infringe on peoples' rights, and I hate it.
7. Except for God, do you believe in anything supernatural or pseudoscientific? (Ghosts, alien abductions, spirits, souls, demons, psychics, magic, Harry Potter, etc.)
No. I used to believe in ghosts (I still can't quite explain a disappearing person incident from when I was 8..) and I love magic, but I know it's not real. Two years of JCC magic camp'll do that. ;]
8. What’s your political alignment? Does your atheism influence how you vote and how you feel on issues?
I am a liberal democrat. I would not to never vote for very 'God-y' people, but in modern America, that's nearly impossible. Every political figure 'Blesses America' or 'Thanks God,' yadda yadda yadda. We are not one country under God. This is ridiculous to me. We are one country, under the ozone layer.
I am very very pro-gay rights, equal marriage laws, etc. It makes me so, so sad when the LGBTQ community is attacked because of so-called religious values. I am also adamantly for a woman's right to choose. God doesn't influence my political beliefs.
9. Even though you’re an atheist, have you ever experienced a moment that could be called “religious?” Like an epiphany about the world or complete peace?
Hmm, I'm sure I've had many karma moments, or coincidences that may seem like fate. But I take them at face value.
10. Are you spiritual, or are your feet always on the ground?
I am not spiritual at all. I feel no need. I think that most of religion is fabricated. Yes, there are some essential morals everyone should learn, but no, praying doesn't do anything.
11. Do you have/plan on having a career in the sciences? Alternatively: which branch of science intrigues you most?
I love chemistry and physics. I like combines chemicals in beakers and creating.. different colors chemicals and smoke billowing out, that kind of stuff. But no, I want to be a German high school teacher :]
12. What happens when we die? Do you fear death?
When we die, our heart stops beating, our brain gets deprived of oxygen, our cells die, our body dies. We get buried in the ground in a coffin, and decompose. No awareness, no soul. That's it.
I don't fear not getting into heaven or hell, if that's what the question means, because I don't they exist. It's a load of malarkey. I fear pain though, so I guess I fear a painful death.
13. Would you ever date/marry somebody who follows a religion? Be honest.
I cannot marry someone who believes in God. It's too much of a fundamental difference between us. But if you let me be shallow for a second, I'd love to marry a Jewish boy, because I think Jewish men are very, very attractive. Case in point:
DAVID KRUMHOOOOLLLTTZZZZZ *___*
14. On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you with life at this moment, and why?
8. It's summer, I've got two jobs, so I'm making money. The bad people are getting out of my life, the great people are coming back in, life should be fun. I am working two jobs though, so that's a fair bit of stress (okay, a lot sometimes), and I'd love to lose some weight. But that's a goal then. Also, I hate hot weather, so that stinks a bit.
15. Recommend a book. :) (Doesn’t have to be relevant to atheism, just any good book.) I'm recommending a magazine. Read The Week. It's bite sized everything you need to know about everything. It's easy to read, weekly magazine, has every section: politics, national, global, news stories, best articles from the country and around the world, technology, business, art reviews, celebrity gossip, charity info, housing, and a sudoku. It cannot be beat. I, my family, and grandpa all subscribe. :]
1. At what point did you know you were an atheist? Why did you become one, what were the factors leading up to the decision, if you weren’t always one?
I'm not sure I ever believed in God. At least, not seriously. I don't remember much of Hebrew school, as I was very young, but half our day was taught in Hebrew and there was mandatory temple every morning for an hour at least. I remember enjoying singing in the choir and thinking the Torah was pretty, but I was never into the actual religious aspects.
I've been an outspoken atheist for as long as I remember, I guess.
2. What religion did you grow up with? Did you have positive or negative experiences with religion?
My mom is Jewish, and my dad is... everything (loves Buddhism, has a yin-yang tattoo, semi-converted to Judaism when he married my mom), so I grew up Jewish. My dad's family, who I don't see often, is Christian, and my mother's family are all practicing Jews.
I went to a private Hebrew school from pre-school to 2nd grade, attended Sunday school until 4th grade, and went to a Jewish summer camp (Camp Ruach!) until 7th grade I think. I grew up at the Jewish Community Center- school, temple, swimming, camp, play. It was my second home. Absolutely no qualms about spending so much of my life there. I honestly don't remember much of the religious aspects of the JCC.
I like to say 'I'm Jewish for holidays." I love Jewish food, and I love being with my family, reading the prayers in Hebrew, singing the songs. I like the atmosphere. I leave out the cup for Elijah.. I don't actually expect him to come, I don't pray, etc.
3. Are you a more outspoken or more apathetic atheist? Why?
Absolutely outspoken. When people are ridiculous or I hear very conservative Christian radio, for example, I laugh, roll my eyes. There are some people I want to say stop praying and actually get off your ass and do something to change your situation! I love talking about God, and I actually can be very patient. I WANT to understand where people who believe in God are coming from. Last year, I had three friend talk to be about how they came to their beliefs for 2 hours. We had a very healthy debate about God. In the end, they all said I just haven't had my personal religious experience yet, so I wouldn't understand. That's cool.
4. Do you think religion is obsolete and should be wiped completely off the face of the Earth, or does some good come out of it?
Religion does more harm, it's more trouble than it's worth. I don't think religion should exist. We'd be better without it. Yes, for some people, religion provides them the strength they need to get through difficult emotional times, but I think it's more of the sense of community. It's a shame we need to rely on God sometimes to give to charity or do good things. We don't NEED religion. Just, do right. Be good. You don't need to rely on a story. (again, this is purely, purely my opinions)
5. Did you lose any friends because you decided to be an atheist? Did your family flip out?
My family did not flip out at all, no. My mom still believes in God I guess, but it's not really too big a deal. I just recently talked to my dad about this all, actually. He's a scientist, but I think he's an agnostic. I haven't lost friends, but I'm sure I've temporarily distanced myself from certain people because of my atheism. I know my opinion of a person definitely changes if I find out they believe in The Rapture or whatever the latest religious bs is.
6. How do you feel about so-called “militant atheists” such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris? More power to them. Spread the word. Freedom FROM religion. I love talking atheism. This isn't a non-issue. The religious people in power can infringe on peoples' rights, and I hate it.
7. Except for God, do you believe in anything supernatural or pseudoscientific? (Ghosts, alien abductions, spirits, souls, demons, psychics, magic, Harry Potter, etc.)
No. I used to believe in ghosts (I still can't quite explain a disappearing person incident from when I was 8..) and I love magic, but I know it's not real. Two years of JCC magic camp'll do that. ;]
8. What’s your political alignment? Does your atheism influence how you vote and how you feel on issues?
I am a liberal democrat. I would not to never vote for very 'God-y' people, but in modern America, that's nearly impossible. Every political figure 'Blesses America' or 'Thanks God,' yadda yadda yadda. We are not one country under God. This is ridiculous to me. We are one country, under the ozone layer.
I am very very pro-gay rights, equal marriage laws, etc. It makes me so, so sad when the LGBTQ community is attacked because of so-called religious values. I am also adamantly for a woman's right to choose. God doesn't influence my political beliefs.
9. Even though you’re an atheist, have you ever experienced a moment that could be called “religious?” Like an epiphany about the world or complete peace?
Hmm, I'm sure I've had many karma moments, or coincidences that may seem like fate. But I take them at face value.
10. Are you spiritual, or are your feet always on the ground?
I am not spiritual at all. I feel no need. I think that most of religion is fabricated. Yes, there are some essential morals everyone should learn, but no, praying doesn't do anything.
11. Do you have/plan on having a career in the sciences? Alternatively: which branch of science intrigues you most?
I love chemistry and physics. I like combines chemicals in beakers and creating.. different colors chemicals and smoke billowing out, that kind of stuff. But no, I want to be a German high school teacher :]
12. What happens when we die? Do you fear death?
When we die, our heart stops beating, our brain gets deprived of oxygen, our cells die, our body dies. We get buried in the ground in a coffin, and decompose. No awareness, no soul. That's it.
I don't fear not getting into heaven or hell, if that's what the question means, because I don't they exist. It's a load of malarkey. I fear pain though, so I guess I fear a painful death.
13. Would you ever date/marry somebody who follows a religion? Be honest.
I cannot marry someone who believes in God. It's too much of a fundamental difference between us. But if you let me be shallow for a second, I'd love to marry a Jewish boy, because I think Jewish men are very, very attractive. Case in point:
DAVID KRUMHOOOOLLLTTZZZZZ *___*
14. On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you with life at this moment, and why?
8. It's summer, I've got two jobs, so I'm making money. The bad people are getting out of my life, the great people are coming back in, life should be fun. I am working two jobs though, so that's a fair bit of stress (okay, a lot sometimes), and I'd love to lose some weight. But that's a goal then. Also, I hate hot weather, so that stinks a bit.
15. Recommend a book. :) (Doesn’t have to be relevant to atheism, just any good book.) I'm recommending a magazine. Read The Week. It's bite sized everything you need to know about everything. It's easy to read, weekly magazine, has every section: politics, national, global, news stories, best articles from the country and around the world, technology, business, art reviews, celebrity gossip, charity info, housing, and a sudoku. It cannot be beat. I, my family, and grandpa all subscribe. :]