Rickccccc

The God Delusion

Posted on 07/24/08, 07:12 am

Hi,
Just to say that I've read this book now. It was enjoyable all Dawkins lost me a few times. Yes, it was dry at times; it would have helped if he'd remembered to tie what he saying in to what he was saying before sometimes.

Anyway, worth a read.

I'm at a conference in Nova Scotia, and the night before last at a big meal a sister (of religion) was asked to say grace, and everyone stood. I was horrified, but did what I normally do in those circumstances: quietly watched and looked about me, while they got on with it. I also stood, but I was annoyed to be giving overt support like that. What do you think?

Rick

• Reply #1 08/08/08  5:02pm
  
  hlks
  I would have done the same..stood, but kept my head up and eyes open.
• Reply #2 08/09/08  2:21am
  
  Rickccccc
  Well, there was a sequel to that. It occurred to me that what was unacceptable was the fact that there was an assumption that everybody would join in. In other words, it didn't bother me if others said grace, but there was no justification for asking me to take part, so that having to/being expected to stand was unreasonable. (It would have been different if I'd be asked to a church wedding, say, and accepted the invitation; then standing would have been appropriate -- it would have been their turf.)
  
  It so happened we went on a conference trip to a Highland Village, where a church has been transported from across the bay, and we were due to have a ceilidh there, listening to some songs and music. Fine, I thought, but my mental ears pricked up. Anyway, any potential dangers of being hijacked by anyone wanting to slip in a prayer passed when it was mentioned that the church had not been reconsecrated!
  
  But then at the banquet at the end of the conference, the same game of standing for grace was played -- so I remained seated this time. Funnily enough, no parts of my body fell off. The woman next to me said, 'So you're not a church-goer then?' So I explained that I didn't mind anyone saying grace, but I didn't think they should expect me to take part. I had an opportunity to talk to her again, and we were talking about Dawkin's book. It seems she was steeped in the fallacy that religion and 'religious people' deserve a reverence not accorded to the rest of us. And I think it's a problem for many. It is easy to explain it away as 'being polite' and so on, when we acquiesce to religion's impositions - beyond the realm of freedom of faith - on us. Instead, it may simply reinforce the image of religion as being unquestionable and unaccountable, and so the notion of an omnipotence ...
  
  All the best, hlks,
  
  Rick
• Reply #3 08/17/08  12:05am
  
  NormLNorma
  Rick, I do have a comment but that will have to wait for later. Just for now you reminded me of when my mother was a young girl in Canada, they lived in the country for a couple of years where there was only one school, a Catholic one taught by nuns. My mother as I knew her was somewhat religious but we never were brought up in a stick household, she was not Catholic though. So when she went to that school she told me her mother told her, learn and do her lessons but don't pray with the nuns or I guess listen to what they said about Christ.
  The point is, we do what we have to at the time but in our minds we know who we are. As much as I hate to say this, sometimes we have to play the game, to avoid ineffective confrontation. Those people are not going to understand. They are just as committed to their beliefs as we are.
  BTW, you did the right thing the 2nd time, at least until you talked with her after, haha.
  N.
• Reply #4 09/09/08  2:13am
  
  briannassun...
  standing up is courteous... and doesnt make the situation uncomfortable.. when i was in highschool and forced to say the pledge of allegiance (very communist) but anyways i would just stand up from my desk// but would not sing/say it nor would i put my hand over my chest as if its supposed to represent something..
  
  since alot of people are uncomfortable around me (atheist) ill stand or ill leave the table especially during thanksgiving :]
• Reply #5 09/10/08  4:04am
  
  Rickccccc
  I take your point, Briannassun, but if the situation is not predetermined to be Christian or anything, isn't it being discourteous to assume everyone will want to follow you when stand up to say your prayer?
• Reply #6 09/16/08  10:04pm
  
  GeocacherNY
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngM... some youtube presence
• Reply #7 09/17/08  12:44am
  
  GeocacherNY
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZ... another good one
• Reply #8 10/08/08  3:52am
  
  GeocacherNY
  Ok, I guess this group is dead too. Going to unsubscribe.
  
  http://dailystrength.org/groups/at... this is nearly dead too
  
  http://dailystrength.org/groups/re... is another good one, soon to be dead
• Reply #9 10/08/08  2:46pm
  
  Rickccccc
  Not quite dead. But, at the moment, even if someone posts a comment or their view or experience -- I've not looked at the sites you posted, I'm afraid -- it takes me an age to get to the site as I don't have access to broadband at the moment, just dial-up. So, small beer from me, at any rate.
  Rick
  
  
• Reply #10 10/08/08  7:10pm
  
  NormLNorma
  There's no time to post or read or do everything all the time. I figure it's here is someone needs to say something ... whenever!
  There are so many on line discussion groups that I guess people are posting there instead or as well. I am on others, so don't have time for all. This one is directed to atheists who are also having other problems too which is why they joined Daily Strength in the 1st place.
  For example: Talking to your doctor about your personal philosophy. That was important to me, for my doctor to know I'm an atheist. So I thought others might have like to talk about it too.
  So, the group is not dead, just waiting.
  : )
  

Non religious, logical rational thought as a way to solve or cope with problems.