You made note of this point but completely scooted by the fact that you feel bad about taking communion. Why is it an issue with you? If you don’t believe in God, it should not bother you to go eat a piece of bread in a ceremony that means nothing to you. I, along with many in this forum, do believe that that bread is the true presence of Christ with us each and every time we go to mass.
Actually the reason this is an issue with me is not simply out of love for my mother, but out of respect for the faith of others. I know that Catholics revere communion as Jesus - your god. A very important figure in your life. I also know that if I do not believe this as well, the Church teaches I should not take communion. I think I should respect that. There is no special difference between this and me going into a Buddhist temple and keeping silence during meditation. While I believe it is just a piece of bread, you have your beliefs and I should keep that in mind and respect that.
Is it the respect and love for Mother? More likely, right? This later reason is why I believe there is still God in you (I will explain this more below). You feel that natural law and it makes you uncomfortable when you receive communion while you are not in communion with Him.
Again, mistaken. I do not feel uncomfortable taking communion, but I think if the Church does not wish for me to take communion, I should not do so.
This country was founded by individuals who believed in Jesus Christ. It was a law then to teach children about God and Jesus. Education took second place in the survival of those times.
Here I am not quite sure if you are referring to the original English colonies or the United States. Perhaps in certain English colonies, it was law that people were to be educated in faith, and most likely education did not take second place, but fifth, or sixth, or not at all. Education was for the wealthy, and few had this opportunity.
In the United States, however, there was NEVER been a law to teach people about Jesus. Perhaps about god (since atheism barred many from participating in government and/or even holding a job, but even that is a bit of a stretch), and maybe in some more conservative areas, it was quite blasphemous and would be social suicide not to be Christian.
There is also a common misconception that America was founded by Christians. Don’t know how this one came about.
Anyways if you read some history, you’ll find that the majority of the men who founded the United States were Deists. They did not believe in Jesus. In fact, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration, rewrote the gospels, removing any supernatural aspects (i.e. claims to divinity, miracles). He went even further than this and took out anything he believed to be a misinterpretation. The book is called The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, in case you wanted to look it up or read it.
Good deeds don’t always have good outcomes, and bad deeds sometimes are not brought to justice.
As for the good sows good and evil sows evil, I will not argue that. It is a religious and philosophical viewpoint that all do not share, and that is quite all right. I was pointing out something I try to live by.
Your individual decision to turn away from God may not be “seriously detrimental to society,” but it is a problem when people see themselves as individuals. “What can I do, I am just one person?” You are part of a group, and groups of people have much more power with responsibility, and as more and more turn away from God, the fabric unravels more. I was part of that group, but now I praise the Lord for my salvation, and I try to give it back to others as I have had it done to me.
I don’t see myself as “turning away from god”. I see myself as breaking away the chains of god and religion. I see atheism as a liberating part of my life. Not because I can do what I want without fear of hell, or because I don’t (well, someday won’t) have to go to church on Sundays, or because I don’t pray; because I realize I have even more responsibility to do good to my fellow man. If all we have is now, I’m certainly not going to waste my time on this earth. I’m going to do all I can to make it a better place, not just for myself or my family, but for everyone else.
I agree, as a group of people grows so does their responsibility. Like when Republicans were voted to office in 2000 and 2004, they had a great duty and responsibility to their country and their people. Like the Democrats in office today, they too have the same huge responsibility, if not a bigger one considering the worsening state of the world and our country.
Atheists are aware of their growing weight and influence on society. While it can be difficult to be an outspoken atheist due to the amount of negative connotation the word and person has been given by religions, we continue to raise awareness and do good in society. Such organizations as the American Humanist Association are doing good in our world.
Atheism, or “turning away from god” as you see it, is not a bad thing.
