Pretending to Believe

JMAnon · #1 08-29-2007, 07:31 PM

Shouldn't a rationally self-interested atheist pretend to be religious? Church is a great place to socialize and network. It is unquestionably easier to get along in our society and to influence other people if you pretend to agree with their kooky beliefs about what happened 2000 years ago. And, of course, most people treat out-of-the-closet atheists as either monsters or misguided souls in need of saving, either of which is quite annoying and impractical. I suppose a better strategy might be to hold out and until a particularly useful (i.e., rich, attractive, your boss, a big client, etc.) zealot comes along and let him or her "save" you.

Since athiests don't believe in god, they shouldn't be bothered by thoughts of sacrilege when lying to priests, taking communion as a non-believer, etc. And because there is no god, ultimate objective morality doesn't exist. So why not fake it and have more friends and an easier life?

chezlaw · #2 08-29-2007, 07:38 PM

There's a limit to how much drivel you can sit through wiothout shouting out 'buttocks'.

Funerals obviously, the odd weddings and christening maybe, but there are limits to how far you can push sane human beings.

colin

ZeeJustin · #3 08-29-2007, 08:02 PM

I'll probably never let my grandmother know that I'm atheist, but for the most part, I see very little reason to lie. Actually, if my grandmother asked me straight out, I would tell her the truth.

I'm lucky enough to have a life filled with intelligent people/friends, many of which are atheist, and those that aren't are at the very least understanding.

I doubt I could ever become extremely close to someone that wasn't at the very least agnostic and/or anti-organized religion.

wtfsvi · #4 08-29-2007, 08:34 PM

Most people feel good when they are honest. And most people feel better when they spend their time with people that think like they do. Also atheists feel that they are smarter than religious people, and people like to show off that they are smart.

foal · #5 08-29-2007, 09:24 PM

If you're open about your beliefs you'll attract more like-minded people who may make for better company.

van_exel_fan · #6 08-29-2007, 10:00 PM

I don't run around screaming that I am an atheist. But I have been to church and it was very difficult for me to look evangelicals in the eye and feel anything other than sorry for them...

TimM · #7 08-29-2007, 10:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
There's a limit to how much drivel you can sit through wiothout shouting out 'buttocks'.

Funerals obviously, the odd weddings and christening maybe, but there are limits to how far you can push sane human beings.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. And still I hate the feeling of hypocrisy being at these events, and it doesn't help that half the time you get to hear some donk speak about how he feels sorry for non-believers.

Leaky Eye · #8 08-29-2007, 10:35 PM

Nobody bothers me about being an athiest, and I don't have any real need to network and socialize within the church. I have enough friends and contacts, and because I don't pretend to be christian they are self-selected to not have a problem with it.

Maybe if I got into politics I would be born again so anything they dig up in my past can be washed away as pre-jesus me.

ZeeJustin · #9 08-29-2007, 10:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe if I got into politics I would be born again so anything they dig up in my past can be washed away as pre-jesus me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Brilliant. I wish I would have thought of that when... you know. Is it too late?

knowledgeORbust · #10 08-29-2007, 11:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe if I got into politics I would be born again so anything they dig up in my past can be washed away as pre-jesus me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Brilliant. I wish I would have thought of that when... you know. Is it too late?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's never too late. You were LOST and now YOU ARE FOUND! Halleluiah brother!!