Without wanting to put words in your mouth, your approach to life seems - to me - devoid of theism... hence atheist...
There are no initiation rites to perform, no oaths to declare, no funny hats or handshakes, no need for cross-dressing... it really is that simple
True! Though as I said, I am open to -believing-, or being convinced, at this point, I am living a fairly atheistic life.
It doesn't bother me to be considered an atheist, although I'm not one to go out and argue for the non existence of god as some do. As I said, 'non religious' is my preferred way to go, since, especially in religious areas, it leaves proselytizers of -both- sides confused and unsure how to approach me, which pleases me just fine. I hate being preached at, or having someone attempt to convert me to anything (Apparently being in the Army for any length of time teaches you to be a suspicious mule -- "You're saying that in a pretty loud voice, I don't think I wanna do whatever you're talking about. Hmph!").
Rikzilla! You really have made me blush, thank you for the nomination! I keep meaning to get around to reading that book, and just haven't. I've been nose deep in CJ Cherryh's most recent novels, and mentally tied up in that universe's thought processes.
Joobz-
I have noticed that, and that's why I had to reply again. It's very common among certain types of Evangelicals (not saying DOC is one) to pressure more on the emotion of a thing than the reality of it. He seems very tied up in the emotions of his belief, and that is what he is earnestly trying to impress upon us, especially those who are not adamantly and outspokenly opposed to his ideas.
I just don't think he has any idea that for some of us, we are taught, or have learned, to cut through the emotions--usually through bad experiences with certain churches, spouses, or....ahem...government institutions--and deal with the bare facts and make our judgment on that.
I believe this is why he becomes frustrated and goes in circles. His emotional reaction to God and Christianity is so intense, that like some autistic children, he cannot understand that -we don't feel the same way-.
He says he was an atheist, but I wonder if he was just a lapsed Christian. There is a difference, in gradation, not really in kind. When you're lapsed, you're still clinging to bits of the belief, and lapsed religious folks often go in cycles of attending church and not attending church, but never leaving the mental universe of 'God'.
When you've made the circuit into atheism or non-religion, I think that it is -intensely- harder to ever become religious/faithful again, as you have stepped into a mental universe where God either does not exist or does not apply, and the emotional circuits that 'God' or 'Jesus' used to trip just don't function anymore. Sort of like how since I got cable TV, I have no idea how to use an antenna anymore, even though I have the attachment space for antenna on my television.... It's there, I used to use it! But no function for it anymore, it might as well not exist.
But if there was a darn good show only available through the antenna, I'd be working out how to use it again.
