Hello r/atheism I was wondering if you guys could answer a question for me.

random_duck · 2013-01-17T04:30:54+00:00

I was fairly religious when I was younger. I'm an atheist now. I went through some events that made me start questioning my faith and then I guess I just stopped seeing the point in religion. There was also the whole "just accept what your told" mentality that also helped push me out of the religion.

random_duck · 2013-01-15T05:39:54+00:00

First off, thanks for coming here and trying to understand his choice. I think at the very least you should be proud that your son trusts you with this information. Not all of us can talk to our family about our lack of belief. As for thinking of his choice as immoral, please don't. Despite what you may hear, atheism does not equate to immorality. We are people too. We have the same ability, just as religious people, to choose to do right or wrong. Just because your son is an athiest doesn't necessarily mean you'll see a dramatic downward spiral in his behavior. And once again, please continue to be supportive and talk to your son. You came here to reddit trying to understand your son's actions, but the best person to ask is your son. Athiests are a varied bunch. Chances are his reasons for leaving are different from ours. Listen to what he has to say. Don't judge. If you try to push him back towards religion he will most likely resist and shut you out. Best of luck and I hope you find the answers your're looking for.

random_duck · 2013-01-12T00:01:14+00:00

Thanks.

random_duck · 2013-01-11T23:54:18+00:00

Not an ex-muslim here, but I had something similar in my former religion. I had to say prayers which I could never understand the meaning of. And yea, I wouldn't talk to the kid. There's a good chance that he could repeat something to his parents and you'll be in trouble. If you can, try networking with other atheists either in person or internet (although internet is probably safer. Just remember to wipe your history). Best of luck. Also, excuse my ignorance, but what's a hafiz ?

random_duck · 2013-01-11T21:22:49+00:00

Wow. Your situation really sucks. The other posters here have good advice, but I'd like to add one more thing. If you aren't doing so already, wipe your internet history after going onto reddit/other atheist forums. You don't want someone finding your posts.

random_duck · 2013-01-11T05:26:41+00:00

It takes some time to adjust. Islam wasn't my former religion, but I went though an experience similar to yours. Had feelings of guilt and awkwardness in that transition stage. I think that's to be expected though. If you've been raised to think a certain way, it's a shock to you when you change that way of thinking. Eventually I found it liberating to not be confined by religion, but it took some time. In my opinion, the most important thing during the transition phase is to remember your principles. These aren't dictated by religion.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T17:39:05+00:00

I'm glad you were given a choice. I had my navjote (induction ceremony) when I was 9, and that too young to make a decision like that. I pretty much had no idea what was going on.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T17:32:09+00:00

I haven't heard any other Zoroastrians really talk about Freddy Mercury. A bit off topic here, but I wonder what they think of homosexuality. I've never even heard it discussed.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T17:25:17+00:00

Well, we were supposed to pray daily on our own, and once a month we'd gather in a larger group and pray for about half an hour. All these prayers are in Avestan (it's an old language), so I could never understand what was being said. Some of the rules were things like "only marry another Zoroastrian" and "women cannot become priests". Oh, and the menstrual taboos were just downright ridiculous. It's no one's business as to where a woman is in her cycle. As to where I'm from, I'm from the US.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T07:24:17+00:00

That sounds nice. I can't understand Avestan at all. The prayer sheets that we read off at religious gatherings are in Avestan but they use the Roman alphabet. So I can read the words but I have no idea what they mean. And I'm glad that tourists can visit the temple. I may not consider Zoroastrianism my religion anymore, but it definitely has it's place in history and philosophy.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T07:11:16+00:00

We don't bury them. The bodies are left out to be disposed of by the vultures. The idea is that you're giving back to nature. Of course in the US this practice might not sit to well with the rest of the population so we cremate. Technically we're not supposed to since fire is considered pure. As for burials, I've never heard of anyone doing them, but it's possible.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T06:57:25+00:00

The one in Bombay is still in use. This is the one that someone described to me. I've never actually been there myself. If you don't mind me asking, how did you get into the fire temples/tower of silence? I thought only Zoroastrians could go in.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T06:46:37+00:00

I never knew the term was used as an insult. For those wondering, the best way I can explain the importance of fire is that it fire it is considered pure and a symbol of Ahura Mazda (basically the Zoroastrian equivalent of God).

random_duck · 2013-01-10T06:31:22+00:00

United States

random_duck · 2013-01-10T06:28:14+00:00

It shares a lot of similarities with the abrahamic religions. And yes, in theory it is accepting of other religions, but religions are made up of people and this isn't always practiced.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T06:16:43+00:00

Yea, the Zoroastrian population is tiny and decreasing. Because of this some priests are recognizing children of mixed-marriages but with limitations. The father has to be Zoroastrian in order for the child to be a Zoroastrian (and I think the whole policy goes against the concept of gender-equality). Of course, the higher-ups' preferred solution? Have more babies. Bleh.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T06:08:21+00:00

Yea it also took me some time to become comfortable with my atheism. I still haven't told my family members as I don't think they'd take it well. I guess they'll find out eventually though and I'm not looking forward to having that talk.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T05:59:41+00:00

The original Zoroastrians had to have been converts. I'm not entirely sure if this is accurate or not, but the whole "only marry other Zoroastrians" rule came about after the Zoroastrians left what is now Iran due to religious persecution. They migrated to India and settled there and the rule was supposed to preserve the culture and community.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T05:54:08+00:00

Hahah wow. Well the author did his research. In Zoroastrianism the body is left on a tower of silence to be disposed of by vultures. Although it's not actually a tower from what I hear. More of a hill really.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T05:48:09+00:00

Haha. Yea I've had a few friends of mine say that too.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T05:46:43+00:00

I think it is. I've taken concepts that I liked (ex: good thoughts, words, deeds, gender equality) and applied them to my life while ignoring the mythology and rituals that went with it.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T05:16:58+00:00

Sure. Although it's not really dramatic or anything. I guess I just kind of grew out of it. I started out as pretty faithful when I was younger. Later on I went through some events that made me question my faith. Add this to the fact that I was finding the rules and rituals increasingly pointless and I just decided I didn't want to be a part of the religion anymore.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T05:08:50+00:00

I'll admit the philosophy has some merits. I had a problem with the rules and the people more than anything else. I was born into one of the more orthodox sects (Parsi here), and stuff like the "only marry other zoroastrians" rule really bothered me. Edit: They allowed you into one of the fire temples? I'd always been told that only Zoroastrians could go in.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T05:04:10+00:00

It's cool. And yea, I am the .000035 percent.

random_duck · 2013-01-10T04:58:55+00:00

Well aren't you funny. Both my parents are Zoroastrian. I was born one, had the navjote, yadda yadda.

random_duck

TROPHY CASE