Is it a requirement to start your first message 'hello'?

[Tehay]

I've just joined this site to find only to that almost every article on the 'introductions' thread begins there article with hello. Is this just a formality or what?

But that's not what I really wanted to talk about. Where I live a large proportion of the population are atheists and its OK. Nobody sends you hate mail or says "how can you be happy without a god" or anything like that but reading other posts it looks like this is not the same everywhere. Are people really that against not believing in something in this day and age and if they are then how can they claim that they are happy?? ???

[Tank]

Hi Tehay

No hello is not a requirement  

Welcome to HAF

Regards
Chris

Notes for new members.
The Rules.

Users who comply with forum rules will graduate to full membership after 10 posts. Till that time your ability to post is limited to the "Getting to Know You" section of the forum. It is our hope that this small restriction improves the overall atmosphere of HAF.

Some threads you might find interesting.
Where did you get your username from?
10 Things About Yourself
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From
Photography
Non-religious pet peeves
How to tell your family you are an atheist.*

*You will need 10 posts before you can add a post to this thread, but you can read it at any time.

[staypuft]

But that's not what I really wanted to talk about. Where I live a large proportion of the population are atheists and its OK. Nobody sends you hate mail or says "how can you be happy without a god" or anything like that but reading other posts it looks like this is not the same everywhere. Are people really that against not believing in something in this day and age and if they are then how can they claim that they are happy?? ???

It may not be in your interest for instance if you're a teacher in a private school that values belief in God or Christianity to reveal you're atheist.  Atheism carries with it an almost "know-it-all" attitude in some cases in that how can somebody say there is no God, so some people look down on atheists for proclaiming their belief which in effect is nullifying other's beliefs.  But proclaiming that the tooth fairy isn't real isn't that bad.  However, nobody knows if there are not advanced forms of life other than humans for a fact, but atheists I would wager wouldn't have an interest in laying alms before said creatures.  My idea is that some people associate God with love or a being that is good or cares about people and wants a relationship with people.  That's great, but if an advanced being exists, he's certainly not all-powerful, but allusion to such a being is strong.  But other believers think God is a form of retribution for sins.  So what is there to believe?  I choose not to believe in an all-powerful God, which really can't exist I don't think, but I don't fault others or try to correct their belief because that's their choice.

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

No, saying hello is not a requirement, just nice

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, Tehay. I don't see any correlation between happiness/unhappiness and intolerance of non-believers. Looking back on history I imagine that some people were happiest when they were cutting down infidels; Christians vs. Muslims, vice versa, et cetera. We could discuss this in more depth when you've "graduated" beyond the Getting to Know You section.

I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here.

[kimberlyfaith81]

Hola! So as not to say hello.  I live in a small town in South Mississippi.  Bible Belt.  Everyone is a Christian (hyperbole of course, but close).  I am a nurse practitioner.  I am the daughter of intensely religious parents.  To tell people I am an atheist would destroy my practice.  And my parents would spend the rest of their lives on their knees praying for my delivery from Satan's hands.  A fate which I prefer to spare them.  If your life does not depend on the respect of others, you can be an atheist here.  If it does, better keep your mouth shut.  Thus, I found the forum. 

[Ecurb Noselrub]

Hello, and welcome.

[The Magic Pudding]

G'day Tehay.