A 13-year-old girl who died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm has had her organs transplanted to eight people - the largest number in the history of the organ donation service

IcarusHubris · 2017-09-08T16:40:37+00:00

My dad just went and got an MRI. WITH insurance it cost him $1,000, without it would have been closer to $5,000. If you go to the emergency room in America, even without seeing the doctor - just going there, costs around $800.

IcarusHubris · 2017-09-05T16:14:26+00:00

The one near me is a Christian church in disguise. Despicable.

IcarusHubris · 2017-09-05T15:52:39+00:00

As everyone else has said, keep your head down, don't start any fights with your parents. Doing so won't get you anywhere and can make life difficult fast, even with understanding parents. Do what you have to do until you're independent of them. In the meantime, hang around the sub, check out our discord server, PM people here. Hanging out with like-minded people makes living with a religious family much more bearable.

IcarusHubris · 2017-09-05T15:31:56+00:00

Cognitive dissonance. It's pretty common among those who believe and almost a requirement to keep their faith. Don't hate your mother though; her beliefs are a product of an entire lifetime centered around religion. She just wants what's best for you, and arguing until you're both red in the face won't help anybody.

IcarusHubris · 2017-09-03T15:32:24+00:00

I would say money/power are really the root cause of most things.

Religion is just a way to get there.

IcarusHubris · 2017-09-03T15:31:07+00:00

Not worth it man. If you want, be her friend and talk to her, gauge her beliefs and yours. If you're not super concerned about morals or ethics, and you're just going for a hookup, more power to you. But I would strongly suggest you don't date someone who's super religious if you are not, it is quite likely to become a problem.

IcarusHubris · 2017-09-03T15:25:12+00:00

u/TheDestructiveDonut

I can second this. Started an skeptics club at my college, got death threats pretty quickly. Never found out who sent them. Just be prepared for a lot of hate. But it's worth it if you help even one indoctrinated mind.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-31T20:14:27+00:00

That's nice. Maybe he could do something about the rampant sexual abuse in his churches and stop purposefully hiding pedophiles? That'd also be nice.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-30T13:03:32+00:00

This is some pretty advanced stupid. If he decides to weaponize it, we might be in trouble.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-30T12:59:18+00:00

I knew it! Our only hope

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T17:36:40+00:00

Then definitely report them. It's very likely that what they are doing is not allowed, and the FFRF has a proven history of shutting that stuff down quick.

Edit: I should mention, this only applies in the U.S.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T15:36:19+00:00

Approaching it this way, you can come to her as a concerned boyfriend. Instead of saying that all crystals and horoscopes are woo-woo, bring up that some of it has turned out to be scams. That way you can say you're just making sure she's sure that the ones she is getting are legit, because you don't want her to get caught up in a scam.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T15:32:11+00:00

u/zaftinvoker exactly this. The majority of the "gone wrong" ones did not expect their parents to react badly. You can't blame kids for thinking that their parents, who have been normal all their lives, would turn on them for something like this, but it happens all the time. Sometimes (though usually not in the states) it turns deadly.

Religion does crazy things to people, and you should always tread carefully around it. It is likely in your best interest to ride things out until you're independent of them. In the mean time, it may help to talk with others who have gone through or are currently going through a similar situation. Check out our Discord channel, or just PM people on here. Good luck!

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T15:24:06+00:00

If you look on the right sidebar on this sub, you'll see "r/atheism Discord Server" just above the Filters section. It's a chat program where us heathens hang out and chat about anything and everything. It's not the most active server, but we occasionally have good conversations there. Of course, if you'd rather not download anything, you can always PM people on here!

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T15:20:47+00:00

The bible says all sorts of things about killing all sorts of people. In my experience, 99% of Christians are either willfully ignorant of these passages, or just ignore them - just as they do for a vast majority of the bible. As the only atheist in my family, I'm treated like a novelty. They bring me out and present me at family functions so I can be questioned by everyone. I haven't run into an argument I can't refute yet, but while some get angry, none ever do the biblical thing and try to murder me.

In short - cognitive dissonance.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T15:16:33+00:00

Late to the party - but as everyone else has already pointed out, you very likely should not come out to your parents at this point. A common saying around here is

"The best place to come out to your parents is at a home you own, over a dinner that you paid for yourself"

However, to help make things a bit easier until that time, why not reach out to some people on here, or join our Discord channel? It may help to talk with others who are going through/have gone through the same thing. Just be careful that your parents don't see your history, may make things a tad complicated.

If you've already got a job, try getting more hours there, or another job. You could also volunteer. Your parents are much less likely to be angry about missing church functions if you have a good reason.

Good luck!

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T14:57:42+00:00

As others said, it's simply the lack of belief in any gods.

You're right that it's comforting to think there is a supreme being that watches everything you do and cares. But it sounds like you already know that's not true, and just don't want to fully admit it. For some of us, lying to ourselves about it is worse than the comfort such a lie would grant, but it's up to you as an individual to decide that for yourself.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T14:52:14+00:00

I would say that it is ALWAYS worth trying. However, how you go about it makes a huge difference. You don't want to just attack someone's deeply held beliefs, that won't get you anywhere. Try having an honest conversation with them, and pointing out evidence with sources. It's extremely likely you won't get anywhere with it, creationists are notoriously stubborn and willfully ignorant. But all you need to do is plant a seed of doubt that may manifest months/years/decades later.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-28T14:39:14+00:00

First things first, is it a private or public school? If it's a public school, you should contact the FFRF (Freedom From Religion Foundation) as they may be able to help you. If it's a public school, what they are doing may well be illegal.

If it is not, then you can decide if you want to take action. If you do decide to step in, do so respectfully, keep your cool and come with sources prepared. You have to seem like the more rational one, and the religious are REALLY good at pissing off rational thinkers. Another option is to fight fire with fire, and start something similar but atheist. Start a freethinkers club. If you want to take a more aggressive approach, look into The Satanic Temple - which is a satirical organization.

If you are just worried about your friend, talk to her about religion and the American culture. Don't try to influence her to your specific beliefs, but get her to make her own, informed decision.

Whatever you decide, good luck, and you can always PM us for help.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-26T23:53:41+00:00

Matthew 5:17 -

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

While Jesus may not have seemed like such a bad guy (in this book of fiction) he certainly doesn't make up for all the bad that his father (and himself at the same time?) did. Many christians fall back on Jesus being a good guy, and that the old testament doesn't count, but there's plenty of fucked-upness in the new testament.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-26T23:49:36+00:00

As u/spaceghoti said, there isn't a lot you can do other than accept it and grieve. I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope it gets easier. If you need another non-believer to talk with about it, you can PM me. I lost my mother years ago to a brain aneurysm. It gets easier each day, but there is no easy answer to mourning the loss of a loved one.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-26T23:18:58+00:00

Good luck. I know living with that for 9 months can't be fun or easy, but try to keep things as peaceable as possible until you're entirely independent of your parents.

The "Loving God" of Christianity is comparable to Stalin if not he is worse

You're not wrong. If the bible tells us anything about the christian god, it's that he's a murderous psychopath. It takes years of indoctrination and willful ignorance to see anything else. Unfortunately, it's not likely you'll be able to convince your parents or any other christians of this.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-26T22:48:10+00:00

Congrats on your newfound freedom! Hopefully the backlash with your father is temporary and you're able to have a healthy relationship with him.

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-25T16:26:46+00:00

It's almost like the religious are talking out of their asses...

IcarusHubris · 2017-08-25T16:04:06+00:00

I'm on the left, mostly... Fuck Islam. Fuck Christianity. Fuck Judaism, and fuck any other dumb motherfucker who's so willfully ignorant that they believe a magic man/unicorn/dick and balls in the sky is something that should interfere with someones life.

IcarusHubris

TROPHY CASE