I was told again I didn't "seem" like an atheist...

[WillParkinson]

I'm too helpful. Too cheerful. There's no way that I couldn't believe in something.

If I drank I'd believe I'd have another beer, but guess that's out the window, too.

[goddess40]

1. You do realize that Christian's have cornered the market on values

We heathens don't have any values because we don't believe in anything.

[YankeyMCC]

2. I've gotten that a few times

several people are shocked because I seem to 'level-headed' or similar reaction to finding out how librel my politics are. It boggles the mind of many that a serious, moral person can be a damn pinko-liberal lol

I get it in a different form from my family too. "You're a good person you can't be an atheist." or some variation of that...at least I used to, I think my insitance on them acknowledging the fact of my atheism may have removed the idea from their minds that 'i'm a good person' although I still do all the other 'good things' in life. :shrug:

[Warpy]

3. "Gee, you don't look Jewish!"

It's on a par with that one.

I always ask them what they think atheists are supposed to be like and promise to do better next time.

[Deep13]

4. Apparently, I have cut myself off from all human warmth and compassion.

So says my mother who believes in astrology, new age crap and bits of Catholicism. I still don't know that the fuck that has to do with declining to believe in god.

[sarcasmo]

5. Whoever told you that was talking down to you in their own way.

[cosmik debris]

6. And I would reply to them:

"You are not nearly as hateful, vicious, bigoted, egotistical, and scary as the Christians I usually deal with."

[frogmarch]

7. Oh, good one!

I'm going to use it from now on whenever I hear the "You're too kind to be an atheist" bit. Thanks!

[yellerpup]

8. I remember the first time I saw Madelyn Murray O'Hare on TV.

I found myself agreeing with every point she made, but she was so disagreeable and argumentative while making her points that I had a hard time identifying with the cause. Since she was the spokesperson, or at least the public face of atheism for many years, I think that's probably how people got the impression that atheists were a sour, hateful group. Don't get me wrong, I thought she was funny, but if you weren't already a non-believer, she could seem caustic.

[Seldona]

9. Not me.

I think the idea that athiests are bad comes from CHRISTIANS. Not from someone who was sick of taking the religious whacko's shit and had a bad attitude. Republicans would have never would have won any office if that were the case.

I am with the Richard Dawkins school of thought on religion. It does not 'deserve' respect. I am sick of people who claim to KNOW something based on faith. Guess what? They are delusional, and to pretend any different is dangerous. To make policy based on it is lunacy.

It's like the court system automatically assuming police officers are telling the truth, even in the face of everwhelming evidence. You can't question their beliefs, it would shatter their world view.

Besides sadly I believe many of the people most deeply involved in religion are trying to cope with some inner part of themselves they hate, and really do need that strict moral code. Often times that fails.

It is beyond most christians I talk with that I can be a great parent because I am an athiest. They have said it to me! They fail to believe humans can actually have a set of moral values without some scary father figure threatening to throw you into an eternal pit of fire. But always remember, he loves you!

[Deep13]

10. possible response: "Really? How many atheists do you know?"

"Here's a hint. You know more than you think you do.