Yahoo 360 rehash: One more step to militant extreme atheism

This is one of my old posts on Yahoo 360. I thought I'd share it.

I am so sick of tip-toeing around fundamentalist Christians. I do my best to restrain myself when necessary.

Let's get one thing clear and out of the way: 360 is where I vent. I am actual quite polite and restrained in public. Here on 360 is where I can get things off my chest.

I have blogged earlier about one of my clients I drive around who is a fundamentalist Christian, at one point I just told her I was an atheist just to get it straight and that I don't believe what she believes. Nothing mean-spirited, as I said I can be very polite.

On more than one occasion I have told her that I don't want to talk about religion.

Here is what happened today. I pick her up at her house and the first thing she says when she gets into the van is "I spoke to Jesus and he wanted me to tell you that he loves you."

Exact words, no shit.

Sweet sentiment, but once again she crossed the line I had drawn. I don't want to talk about religion, not with the clients (especially her).

Again, I tell her, "I don't want to talk about religion."

After some chit-chat about the weather (saying god has blessed us with this beautiful day) she says, "Well something bad must have happened in your life..." (more jesus-speak, about how one day I will come to know "the truth")

So, I finally figure out that she thinks that I don't want to talk about religion because something bad happened in my life. NO!!!

Now, this woman is not senile or anything.

So I commence to tell her that the reason I don't want to talk about it is because this is my job and I don't want to talk about religion OR politics with the clientele.

Doesn't phase her one bit.

Now, more love of jesus-speak.

I bite my tongue. As much as I love to talk about religion, I can NOT with this woman...because she would not like to hear what I have to say and I know this...that is why I keep my trap shut and be as polite as possible (I am very good at that. I wouldn't be at this job for six years if I weren't).

Now, after clamming up for a moment. I know my ears are turning red because I really want to tell her what I REALLY think (but I can't and won't).

Somehow she gets to the assumption that I am unhappy.

Huh?

"What makes you think I'm unhappy?" I ask.

Puzzlement. I think that made her think that she REALLY doesn't know anything about me and my life so that was really a stupid assumption to make.

By the way...I am very happy with my life.

So. Flaws. In judgment. Stereotypical stereotyping of atheists. Because we don't have a god or Jesus in our lives there must be something wrong that went bad and we are unhappy.

Ya want to know what went wrong: FUCKING RELIGION!!! And people shoving it down my FUCKING throat!!! (I did say this is where I vent).

This is what grinds me. For some insane narcissistic reason Christians really REALLY think you need to get your life in order and follow Jesus.

My life IS in order. Thank you! I am perfectly content.

Now. Another thing popped into my head.

She asks, "Do you ever think about heaven and hell?"

"No. I don't believe in a heaven or hell."

I don't remember what came afterwards (more jesus-speak I'm sure).

Anyway, faith empowers people to justify the assumption that those without it are "lost" and needing of it. This in itself really pisses me. This assumption in itself reflects an opinion of the observer that my own beliefs (or disbelief) are inherently wrong and at worst perverse. That the way I choose to live my life is not in conformity to the "right" way to live. I live like anybody else out there.

Yes, yes. I know. The afterlife. What of it?

Everyone and every culture has a different interpretation of it. A complete set of confusing dilemmas. For this particular reason (among others) I choose to not believe because I don't need that kind of turmoil and worry in my life. I am too laid back to worry that much about a soul that may or may not exist.

Thank you for your time. I hope you read all of this.

Until next time, have a wonderful day.

Source: Yahoo! 360° - Politics :: Veganism :: Atheism - One more step to militant extreme atheism