@Trudy: Thanks for stopping by!

@Ebby: It’s sad that the places where people once found comfort alienate them through the very unChristian practice of exclusion, no?

@Wicked Shawn: You. Daughter. Is. Awesome. Thatisall.

@Camille: Thanks for sharing and stopping by – glad I could prompt a giggle or two!!!

@Katrina: Thanks for a great read to share with my audience! Yeeha

Also, I tend to substitute ‘God’ for ‘Ra’ or ‘Goddess’ in my speech. As I fluctuate between atheist and agnostic, I feel better referring to the deity by a dead religion’s name or by a female title as ‘God’ has unfortunately become synonymous with ‘mindless sheep/lemmings’ in my mind. (And also, isn’t praying to a cross with or without a guy nailed to it idol worship? I could’ve sworn that was against the rules or something)

As a mom in a small town who doesn’t attend church and also allowed my children the freedom to decide whether they felt compelled toward a belief in a higher power (they did not), I am in a serious minority position locally, but I am never outwardly effected by it. My kids are only very occasionally questioned about it by their christian friends. We are comfortable with our decisions and positions, so we simply don’t allow people to put us in a defensive position.

My daughter also just successfully won an argument with one of her teachers, who planned to give her a 0 for class participation because she refused to participate in a prayer session they held for the Haitian earthquake victims, even though she offered suggestions of fundraising efforts as alternatives. With no assistance from me, she took the teacher to the principal’s office and they discussed seperation of church and state, forced prayer in school and how he was singling her out and possibly subjecting her to ridicule.

Majority or minority, quietly standing our ground, using our brains, living good lives and treating others and our world with respect is our best line of attack, as it always has been.

PS….I just shout “More, oh yes, more” but that’s just me.

It’s painfully frustrating that for most Americans being American and proud is necessarily linked with being Christian.

mommy wants vodka is my own personal jesus and i love this country. love it hard.

i think god is in the O so it still works to scream OHMYFUCKINGGOD!

ps: i loved the research indicating higher IQs are linked to aethists and liberals. you’d have to be a real dumbass to believe some of those tall tales organized religion feeds you.

@SkyddsDrake I can relate a lot to your story. I was also brought up Christian. I called myself one until high school, when I discovered other religions. After I got out of my blinders I’ve learned a lot, made mistakes, but I don’t fear them like I did when I was younger. I’ve learned to use them to make myself a better person. I’ve also learned to rely on myself, instead of some mysterious being that watches remotely from the sky. I feel much stronger for all of my experiences because of that.

To everyone – Thanks again for making me feel not so alone in the world! It’s nice to have a safe place to discuss ideas.

@Tammy – Yup. Growing up in Houston, I was subject to the Bible Belt. It’s an odd notch of humanity and one of the most hypocritical. And no – not everyone from the South is ignorant. But there is a stupidity that comes with lashing-out against those who don’t believe as you do. And as Ron White says, “You can’t fix stupid.”

@Martin – Thanks for drinking heavily Your words resonated with my audience and that’s something that a hate-mongering zealot’s words can never do…for anyone. Other than other zealots.

@Catherine – You’re reminding me of a phrase something like, “Once I thought I was wrong – but I was mistaken.” A common approach for the radical religious community. Join us and be saved. Opposed and be damned…as they could never, EVER be in error. Thanks for stopping by!

@Cherry – Thanks for the great link for our readership, and you can’t blame a girl for using a catchy post title, can ya? Always great to see you stop by.

@Megan – Isn’t it odd how people “find God” and then leave others behind? They were the same people they loved not so long ago, but now they’re unworthy as they haven’t followed the same path. But I guess it’s the same with people who cut-out an addiction cold-turkey. Some people can’t stand to be around those who indulge in the bliss of free thought unbound by myth. And there are those who choose not to believe who can’t be around those who do. Strange, but it does swing both ways.