What is wrong with people that think I want them to shove their religions down my throat?

I grew up in a very strict Southern Baptist home and was forced to go to church every Sunday and Wednesday whether I liked it or not. I had so many doubts about christianity my entire childhood. Every time I would go to the pastor or my dad they would tell me to not question God and to have faith? How can you have faith in something you can't understand. After I left my parent's home, I researched christianity a lot. I realized afterwards that there was no way for me to possibly consider myself a christian anymore. I tried to look into other religions but could never find one that worked for me. I have been an atheist for the past 4 years, but have only come out as one this year. I can't believe the way people freak out on me for believing the way I do.

How is it okay for someone to sit there and tell me that God is the only truth and there is none greater than He, but when its my turn to speak about how I believe in Karma and living in the right, I get told I am going to hell for not believing?

I am so sick of people in general.

speakout84

Just to let you know an Atheist is someone who believes in nothing. Karma goes along with Hinduism and Buddism. All you are stating is that you are denouncing your Christian past. I feel very sorry for you that you were forced to do things against your will. But what you must know is that had nothing to do with God, that was people doing that to you, PEOPLE forced you, PEOPLE crammed Jesus down your throat. Jesus never said he would enter your life through your throat, he said through your heart and you would have to let him in. So soften your heart and your mind forgive those who wronged you. I will pray for you.

margarita_momma

Oh...I am sooo sorry Mr or Mrs. Bible Thumper. I didn't know there were certain rules to being an Atheist. Do you really think I don't know where Karma originated? I believe in the meaning of Karma. Just because I don't believe in a God or Goddess doesn't mean I don't have morals. Please don't feel sorry for me or pray to your God for me. I REALLY don't want you too. Just because I had Jesus shoved down my throat as a child doesn't mean I turned a blind eye to the religion. I tried to believe in God. I tried to believe in Jesus and the Bible, but in my heart I couldn't. I have tried to study other religions but none of them felt right. Only after I completely gave up the search did I find true happiness. I do not hold any grudges towards my family for the way I was raised. I believe it was wrong that I wasn't given a choice but that only taught me to give my son and future children a chance to choose what they want to believe in when they get older. Everything happens for a reason.

margog85

YOU NEED TO ACCEPT JESUS NOW OR YOU WILL DIE A SINNER AND BURN IN HELL! JESUS IS YOUR ONLY HOPE, YOU ARE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS AND HOPELESS WITHOUT HIM! REPENT! REPENT! REPEEEENNNNNNTTTT!

haha, just kidding.

I know where you're coming from. I was raised Catholic- usually not as bad, because Catholics are more along the 'I go to church on sundays so I'm good, even though I slept through mass and gave some guy the finger pulling out of the parking lot' types of believers. But in my case, my mom has worked for the church since I was about 7 or 8, either in a church or as a theology teacher in a catholic school- so I was brought up to believe that if I didn't believe, something was wrong with me. Since she got a degree in theology and was also into the intellectual end of religion along with the experiential, it was okay to question things, but I had to always come back to church teachings and try my damnedest to align my beliefs with what the church teaches- but why, if I disagree?
When I came out of my own closet about three years ago (not the atheist one, the gay one) it caused such an uproar... my religious beliefs are pretty ambiguous to my family right now- I don't think they know much of where I stand in that arena. I figure that if they already think I'm burning in hell cause I'm a dyke, it may cause them to spring into a dangerous panic to know that I'm a dyke who doesn't believe in Jesus! I'll let the dust settle a bit before I bring that into the open- unless it comes up, in which case I have no intention of hiding anything either. But I'm letting them experience their disappointment in me in small, steady doses if possible.
But, over time, I've come to see how sad it is the way that so many Christians/Catholics think... if I am myself I am weak, but if I suppress myself to be who I'm told I should be... now that makes me strong and a warrior for Christ!
Come on now! Where's the logic in that?
Oh wait, logic isn't what I need... it's faith!
Which often just means 'I don't understand, but I need answers... so I must accept this since it's all I know'-
I used to try to 'straighten' my life out (pun intended!)- prayed, cried, pleaded with god, dated guys to try and do what's 'right' and then hoping the feelings would eventually come once I was in the situation... needless to say, it doesn't work. Ex-gays are just gays who can't take the pressure of those who disapprove, or who have been convinced that WHO THEY ARE is so disgusting (isn't that sad, for people who believe in a LOVING god?)... and they decide to stop being themselves to appease the church, their friends and family, and this oh-so-loving god who created them with an eternally damning defect. Is that love? From the church, friends, family, or god? I don't think so!
I'm not an atheist myself- I'm agnostic. I don't think we can ever really say with any certainty that there is or isn't a god, let alone know anything about him/her/it- people who attempt to do so and convince others of it always come across as being either arrogant or ignorant, in my opinion.
I am definitely a proponent of 'to each his own' and I believe what I believe, you believe what you believe, and we all can coexist, discuss, debate... but when it comes down to it, I don't desperately NEED you to agree with me.
I think THAT is more the sign of insecurity in your beliefs, more so than being upset and irritated by those who push their beliefs on you. What's with the desperate need for someone else to believe the same? Why are different beliefs such a threat? Why is doubt such a bad thing?
I don't know- as you said, your post was more of a way of venting your frustrations than an actual question. And I think my answer was more of my own venting than an actual answer.
Don't know if you'll get anything out of this... but I figured I'd post my thoughts.