Girlfriend is religious, I'm atheist.. Can this work?

Stuff said:
We sin in this way and others (drink alcohol, etc) on a fairly regular basis. This is another of my points! Surely you cant just pick and choose which and when the 'rules' apply?! :confused:
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Of course you can. Religion is irrational, so rational concepts such as consistency are irrelevant. It's always possible to rationalise any inconsistency away if someone pushes you on it, or to just ignore them. Any decent person has to do that with Christianity because there's some truly foul stuff in it. Every Christian I have ever met treats their religion as pick 'n' mix, even the really devout ones.

Bear in mind that your hypothetical children would be unlikely to make the same pick 'n' mix as your girlfriend. It's likely that they will be more radical because children are easier to condition than adults and lack the experience and maturity to temper it. Even if the conditioning doesn't go very far, how would they deal with, for example, being taught to believe that you are bad and wrong and will be tortured for eternity? Inner conflict there.
 
Freefaller said:
I see it as a belief in the concept of disbelief towards deity. It's still a belief structure. You believe there is no God, or you deny all existence of any form of religion.

You may disagree, but hardline atheists are just as extreme and blind as evangelistic Jehovah Witnesses. Open mindedness is far more natural behaviour in my opinion. Agnosticism is far more rational a stand point, and far less myopic.
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I'm an agnostic atheist. They're positions on different ideas, not different positions on the same idea.

There are many atheists who do not believe in the non-existence of all deities, so your view of atheism is clearly incorrect.
 
I was reading something about categorizing agnostic atheism the other morning and decided it fitted my "beliefs" perfectly.
 
I once faked my beliefs when I was in a relationship with a protestant Christian, it made life so much easier in some respects but I was always concious that I was living a partial lie, and whenever she made reference to "our beliefs" I always felt a pang of guilt.

I don't recommend that. Honesty is the best policy.
 
The__Malteser said:
I do think the Roman Catholic morals (no stealing, love your neighbor etc.) are good, but I don't believe the church thing.
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Yeah and don't forget love the neighbours kids, like a lot of roman Catholic priests have



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Always amazes me when people brand themselves as atheist as I often feel people do it to try and stand out and be 'different' or to try and appear more interesting in some way. Are you really an atheist as in it is something you truly believe, will stand up and argue your point for or do you just pay no interest to any religion at all? I guess technically I could be classed as atheist but that would mean I at least consider the options and I don't even think about it full stop. Which in turn means what other people believe doesn't even enter my subconscious as it goes by unnoticed.
 
FeFiDoh said:
Always amazes me when people brand themselves as atheist as I often feel people do it to try and stand out and be 'different' or to try and appear more interesting in some way.
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Brand? People don't go around announcing to the world that they consider themselves to be atheist.

I'd say it's interesting that you feel such people discuss their view to be different and more interesting, but I think it's more the case that you don't understand other peoples reasoning therefore it must be 'cause they want to be cool.
 
There's a lot of crap in this thread.

It's about respect. I read a lot of I'm an atheist, I don't believe, I won't go to church, she has to accept my views. What about accepting her views are just as valid as yours, no one needs to change, just cut her a little slack.

If you're an atheist what are you going to catch if you do hold her hand and go to church now and again? Think of it as supporting her, respecting her and seeing something new now and again.

Look I'm not saying go very week, just be polite, respectful and not act like a spoilt whiny kid; it's a big old world and there's no RIGHT. dogmatic atheists are as bad as dogmatic Christians.

I'm saying this as an atheist/somewhat spiritual non Christian who's been married to a somewhat practicing catholic/orthodox Christian for 10 years.
 
Angilion said:
I'm an agnostic atheist. They're positions on different ideas, not different positions on the same idea.

There are many atheists who do not believe in the non-existence of all deities, so your view of atheism is clearly incorrect.
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Well could it be that also the views on non atheists is also wildly incorrect?
 
Salsa said:
Yep you are right, that story is in the bible. Do you want a medal? I don't see what point you are trying to make with it.

Its not as if we see thousands of people sacrificing their firstborn sons in the name of their religion, and I think even the halfwit stoner in my RE class managed to figure out the point of that particular story, even if he did not believe in it. Yet you imply that the OP's Mrs would try and sacrifice their child? Come on even for your fundamentalist atheist views that's a little tenuous.

You always start banging on about proof in these sorts of threads too. The whole point of religion is that people who ascribe to a religious belief system do so on faith and to have faith as far as I understand it you don't need proof.

What you are unable or unwilling get you head around is that believing in something without proof is ok. Just because someone doesn't feel the need to be able to prove every single thing in the world around them shouldn't get you so worked up. Its their choice, not yours and I don't see anything wrong with that.

Notice here I am talking about choice. Despite my own lack of faith I think religion is perfectly ok to be taught as long as the choice to believe or not, a very personal choice, is given. Pressure to decide one way or the other is counterproductive. I am glad I was brought up with that choice because it taught me that religion is not something to fear or run away from despite it not being something I ascribe to.

I don't know whether this is a bid to try to further rationalise the world around you, a way to rage against the machine or whatever but for some reason every time this type of thread crops up, you seem desperate to disprove, shout down and generally belittle people who do have faith.

I was not commenting on your ignorance of the bible or any other religious texts, you can read and its not as if a book published in 484 languages is hard to find. It is this superior and scornful tone with which you use to try and belittle others in this sort of thread which displays your ignorance.

/Salsa
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Knew not all people here are stupid :D:D
ShakenNstirred said:
Yeah and don't forget love the neighbours kids, like a lot of roman Catholic priests have



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I quote myself

Who said molesting a choir boy is good?! He OBVIOUSLY has his MORALS ****ed up, as one of my morals is not taking advantage of young people. And even more so, not involving them in anything sexual at such a young age.
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It is relevant here too.

There's a lot of crap in this thread.

It's about respect. I read a lot of I'm an atheist, I don't believe, I won't go to church, she has to accept my views. What about accepting her views are just as valid as yours, no one needs to change, just cut her a little slack.

If you're an atheist what are you going to catch if you do hold her hand and go to church now and again? Think of it as supporting her, respecting her and seeing something new now and again.

Look I'm not saying go very week, just be polite, respectful and not act like a spoilt whiny kid; it's a big old world and there's no RIGHT. dogmatic atheists are as bad as dogmatic Christians.

I'm saying this as an atheist/somewhat spiritual non Christian who's been married to a somewhat practicing catholic/orthodox Christian for 10 years.
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While I agree, I don't see it absolutely necessary for him to go to church . I do agree with your reasoning, but then again, I feel that he shouldn't always go if he doesn't feel like (because he doesn't believe.)

@OP Also, be careful that woman are crazy. Although she might agree that you will raise them in a two religion (or one religion, and one lack of) she may change her mind once you do have your kid.
 
Abooie said:
There's a lot of crap in this thread.

It's about respect. I read a lot of I'm an atheist, I don't believe, I won't go to church, she has to accept my views. What about accepting her views are just as valid as yours, no one needs to change, just cut her a little slack.

If you're an atheist what are you going to catch if you do hold her hand and go to church now and again? Think of it as supporting her, respecting her and seeing something new now and again.

Look I'm not saying go very week, just be polite, respectful and not act like a spoilt whiny kid; it's a big old world and there's no RIGHT. dogmatic atheists are as bad as dogmatic Christians.

I'm saying this as an atheist/somewhat spiritual non Christian who's been married to a somewhat practicing catholic/orthodox Christian for 10 years.
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Because for a lot of the people here HAVE to make a point about being anti religion and like to shun it as much as possible with aggressive behaviour to establish their superiority.

You're quite right, it is all about a bit of give and take, a bit of mutual respect. It shouldn't be the be all and end all - many people have different views and opinions. Life, humanity, general good behaviour is about accepting other people's opinions and ways, whilst not feeling obligated to ram down your opposing views as the correct ones and accepting people's right to believe whatever they want without being castigated for it.
 
Dump the fundie nutjob, find a woman who isn't looking to brainwash her children.

I'm pretty much happy to accept a persons views but when they begin damaging another human being then I cannot abide.

You could strike a happy medium, you will teach him about Catholicism and Christianity, but you will also teach him about Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Islam, Hinduism, Scientology and the church of the flying spaghetti monster and school him in science and reality. If she refuses she's a hypocrite, teach your kids and let them make their own mind up is about all I've got to keep both of you happy.
 
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My mother is religious, my dad isn't.
I got kicked out of Sunday school at 4 because I kept asking questions and wanted logical/rational answers that were never given and frustrated the staff.
My secondary school was a Christian school, but some of the brothers actually enjoyed the healthy debate I brought to the RE lessons as opposed to just lapping it all up. Having to go to Mass sucked though.
 
acme15 said:
I once faked my beliefs when I was in a relationship with a protestant Christian, it made life so much easier in some respects but I was always concious that I was living a partial lie, and whenever she made reference to "our beliefs" I always felt a pang of guilt.
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That's the religion starting to take hold. :p
 
I don't understand why religious beliefs are deserving of respect. Fine, they're her beliefs, and command respect on that level, but it's not like you'd be supporting her if she was a member of the KKK.
 
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