Comment

Comment by aerie on September 2, 2010 at 6:47am

The idea being: god is our heavenly father, & other christians are our brothers & sisters in christ jesus, not sure why jesus wouldn't be our brother too, but the baptists secretly frown on 'downgrading' him to a mere brother....at least he's not widely referred to that way, but rather savior, the intercessor of our prayers to god the father, even a 'friend' at times (I never claimed any of it made sense but "what a friend we have in cheeses" is a parody of a popular baptist hymn). There's also "cheeses of nazareth" & somewhere on flickr someone drew some cheese laying on a cross & hysterically calls it "cheeses on the cross".

I may have heard one reference to jesus as brother in my indoctrination, but he's too important to their fairytale for him to be an 'equal' or 'lateral' to dirty, sinful humans! Despite being 'born' human & whatever the 'family tree' would/should show.

I never realized I had absorbed so much of that christian, baptist-bible-crap until I became an atheist & actually needed to call upon the 'facts' as xtians see them. Imagine my shock as a 'new creature in christ' when I realized church still sucked despite being 'born again'. I secretly hated church & 'preachin' as a xtian, & sunday school was just icky & horrible, esp as a child.

I guess I wasn't a 'true' christian, huh? *cue my eyes rolling*

Comment by Goz on September 2, 2010 at 5:45am

I've also heard "your family in christ"...Have no idea what that even means.
Yeah,I'd think family values would mean different things for different families as well.

Comment by aerie on September 2, 2010 at 2:45am

Maybe it's a southern expression, but never-the-less, it's just more meaningless, feel-good appeal to peoples' emotions of "home, acceptance, love, your family in Christ"; all of which, are lies.

I'm pretty sure it's in the same vein as "family values". I mean wtf does that really mean? Aren't family values different for each family? For example, my family did not value dogs in the house but my friend's family valued their dogs' presence in the bed w/ them. Silly I know, but so is their idealistic notion of xtian family values.

Or idk, maybe their family values are the same as their "patriotism"? You know: god 'n country, the flag, war, apple pie, fried chicken, baseball, sunday school, whoopin' the youngins (spare the rod & similar parenting skills), pick-up trucks, gun racks, racism...I digress.

It's just a phrase in 'christianese' similar to "I'll pray for you" ("you godless, headed-for-hell-anyway heathen").

Comment by Joseph P on September 2, 2010 at 12:54am

"Do you have a church home?" What does that even mean?

Comment by aerie on September 1, 2010 at 11:03pm

@Ronnie Swain: Welcome! I'm familiar w/ Monroe & have distant cousins there & in Charlotte & Mint Hill areas.

Non-believers are in all corners of the South, whether we're welcome by the religionistas or not! They need to figure out that a good conversation starter is NOT: "so what church do you go to?" or "do you have a church home?". It's amazing the level of religious presumption that exists in the south. If we protest too loudly they cry persecution but make no apologies for asking personal questions when they come to my door on Sat mornings! A huge sense of entitlement for the religious; I guess b/c they 'know god' it gives them license to ask intrusive, personal questions 'cuz they're in the bizness of 'saving souls''. It's similar to "lyin' for jesus". I call it being 'obnoxious for jesus'. The means justify the ends when done under the cover of jesus! *eye rolls*
End of my rant!

Comment by aerie on September 1, 2010 at 10:39pm

@Rich Lawrence: you wrote: "There are some very nasty theists around Winston and the surrounding areas." I couldn't have said it better myself & glad I'm not the only one aware of it. It's a struggle to keep from becoming bitter & I mulst remind myself that some of them are in my own family. A large part of western NC is the same w/ the exception of Asheville (a wonderful aberration of NC). Even Boone w/ AppState as a relatively lrg (~20,000 students), & seemingly diverse university is more religious than the average 'university town'. But it's growing fast so there's hope for it to be a 'little Asheville' yet!

Comment by aerie on September 1, 2010 at 10:26pm

I will keep the picnic in mind. I def need to get out of this place more often!

@Hemlock: I would love to escape this county on a wknd or two (even if only to Wilkes Co.) but I have commitments that keep me from doing it. Thanks for the invite!

@Joseph P: Thank you for putting my cowardice in perspective for me. I do feel guilty at times for not speaking up & for tolerating things like the principal at our HS handing out bibles to ea graduate; but you're right, those things are a risk for me right now. One day, when the girls are 'free of me' :) & my very-Christian mother has gone to her 'heaven', then I can be out & proud, regardless of the city in which I live!

Comment by Darrell on August 8, 2010 at 2:18pm

Third Annual

Regional Atheists Picnic

Sunday September 19, 2010

at Lake Julian Park in Asheville, NC

The success of this picnic depends on all of us
Sign-up on-line for what you will bring (food and supplies,alcohol not permitted ).
Examples (sodas, chips, cups, plates, prepared foods, grilling items).

Remember, we have a variety of people coming with a variety of tastes/dietary requirements (everything from Junk-food Junkie to Vegan)
The list is started in a sub-forum on the WNCAtheists Forum and can be accessed directly here: Regional Collaboration
(This list is only accessible through the direct link above,unless you are logged-in as a registered user, so use the link above if you are not registered.)

View Map


Directions:

From North of Asheville, take I-26 East to exit 37 (Long Shoals Rd.) Turn Left on Long Shoals Rd.

From South of Asheville, take I-26 West to exit 37 (Long Shoals Rd.) Turn Right on Long Shoals Rd.

From East of Asheville, take I-40 West to exit 46A (I-26 East). Follow I-26 to exit 37 (Long Shoals Rd.) Turn Left on Long Shoals Rd.

From West of Asheville, take I-40 East to exit 46A (I-26 East). Follow I-26 to exit 37 (Long Shoals Rd.) Turn Left on Long Shoals Rd.

The entrance to the park is @1.3 miles down on the right across from Overlook Rd.


We Plan to meet @12:00 at Picnic shelter #2 in the center of the park. and we've got the place until 7:30 PM.

Comment by Richard Lawrence on August 8, 2010 at 1:47pm

There are some very nasty theists around Winston and the surrounding areas. I am of the same mind as Darwin when in a situation such as this:

"I am a strong advocate for free thought on all subjects, yet it appears to me (whether rightly or wrongly) that direct arguments against Christianity & theism produce hardly any effect on the public; & freedom of thought is best promoted by the gradual illumination of mens' minds, which follow[s] from the advance of science."

Rich

Comment by Goz on August 8, 2010 at 11:21am

Not a cat person..have had rats for years and now have two house rabbits.

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