Happy Atheist Forum

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**CopyCat kicks in the door, stomps in loudly, throws his stuff in the corner, then ambles over to
the table to sit down throwing an evil glare left and right in anticipation of a charging theist**

Yeah yeah, I'm a atheist and I want you to know I'm not very happy about it...  
I liked it a lot better when I was young and dumb and my parents were shoving that Christian crap down my throat... I really liked all the fairy tail stories about the talking snake, giants, unicorns and dragons... And the best part was that heaven place where you go and get a set of wings and fly around in the clouds like a bird... But as I got a little older reality had to go and set in... So now I think when I die, that is it I just rot in the fricking ground... So pray tell what do I have to be happy about ???

Quote from: "CopyCat"So pray tell what do I have to be happy about ???

Uh, that no matter what, Jesus loves you?

Quote from: "CopyCat"So now I think when I die, that is it I just rot in the fricking ground... So pray tell what do I have to be happy about ???

...that you won't care?

Welcome, from one cat to another.  

Quote from: "CopyCat"I liked it a lot better when I was young and dumb

Didn't we all..?

Welcome to the forums.

I seem to remember you not liking cat food so here, have a beer in stead  :beer:

Quote from: "CopyCat"So pray tell what do I have to be happy about ???

Beer  

Well it sucks,and people aren't the nicest when you tell them that you don't believe.Infact some can be down right nasty.But you have your life now to be happy about.You are lucky to be alive given all the people who are never born,die very young or sit back thinking there is eternal life and you don't have to enjoy life now.You have your family to love,health,books,music,friends,nature,living without worrying about someone always watching over your shoulder.Having a moment of clarity when all seems good and calm.A hot shower on a cold day.Cold beer on a hot day.There are so many things to be happy about.Just look at the world around you.

When I was in college, I had a discussion about being Atheist with a friend of mine.  We discussed how it must be nice to be able to cast aside reason and to believe in all the nice superstitions about heaven and god looking after your well-being.  But I just couldn't force myself to believe such things.  No matter how much I could try, there would always be that knowledge that there is nothing that reasonably supports those superstitions.  Since that time, I have been through a number of harsh periods in life, but there was no supernatural belief I could turn to.  Reality is cold and harsh, and I have no sugar to coat that.

But the world of reality is often beautiful and awe inspiring, with lots of pleasant things to experience (like beer).  I'm generally happy about most things.  When shitty things happen, I just try to deal with it and move on to being happy again.  There is the Christian quote/prayer that is applicable ...

QuoteLord, give me the Strength to accept the things which I can’t change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to understand the difference between the two.

Sometimes religions do have some nuggets of wisdom regardless of the supernatural stuff.

Quote from: "crocofish"But the world of reality is often beautiful and awe inspiring, with lots of pleasant things to experience (like beer).  I'm generally happy about most things.  When shitty things happen, I just try to deal with it and move on to being happy again.  There is the Christian quote/prayer that is applicable ...

QuoteLord, give me the Strength to accept the things which I can’t change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to understand the difference between the two.

Sometimes religions do have some nuggets of wisdom regardless of the supernatural stuff.

I prefer the Desiderata, myself. Or a bit of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.

Quote from: "Max Ehrmann"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Quote from: "crocofish"

QuoteLord, give me the Strength to accept the things which I can’t change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to understand the difference between the two.

Sometimes religions do have some nuggets of wisdom regardless of the supernatural stuff.

I prefer this prayer....

QuoteGod grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not shoot,
The courage to shoot the things I can,
And the wisdom to hide the bodies.

But that's just me...  

Quote from: "copycat"So pray tell what do I have to be happy about ???

Be happy that you have the opportunity to live a life free of dogma and lies.  And be happy that you found this forum...we're awesome!

Welcome to the forum, copycat.

better/ more realistic words to live by:

Deteriorata
(National Lampoon)
(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Deteriorata, Deteriorata)

Go placidly amidst the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep. Rotate your tires. Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself; and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. Know what to kiss - and when. Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do. Wherever possible, put people on hold. Be comforted, that in the face of all irridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance.

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

Remember the Pueblo. Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate. Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI. Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you... That lemon on your left, for instance. Be assured that a walk through the seas of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet. Fall not in love, therefore, it will stick to your face. Gracefully surrender the things of youth: the birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan - and let not the sands of time get in your lunch. Hire people with hooks. For a good time, call 606-4311, ask for Ken. Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese. And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee.

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

Therefore, make peace with your god, whatever you perceive him to be: hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate. GIVE UP!

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

Touche, Marke. :devil: )

**CopyCat squint-eyed takes a good long look at all the peeps seated at the table with him and says**

Yes well thank you all for being here with me, it feels good to be among friends... You see where I live in the foothills of the blue ridge mountains of North Carolina there are no atheist... In fact I'm the only one I know, and I know a lot of people... After losing jobs, friends, and the acceptance of every relative I've ever told, I have learned to keep my beliefs to myself... So it really does feel good to be here with people that don't drink poison, talk in tongues, and handle rattlesnakes on the weekend... And a special thanks to Freethinker and Crocofish for pointing out the many things I do have to be happy about... Also I loved your video curiosityandthecat, it was pretty insightful... I hope to get back by here often to talk and listen to you guys... But most of my online time is spent doing administrator stuff on my own little web site that I won't mention, I'm not a spammer...
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Quote from: "CopyCat"drink poison

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But I like poison!  

Welcome, Cat... I don't need religion to be happy... I guess that's one way of looking at it.  It's sad that those people NEED religion to be happy, to be blind to reality, and ignore facts so readily available.  Be happy that you can think for yourself and don't need some ancient book to threaten you with hell if you don't behave, that you know how to behave DESPITE not having religion to make promises it can't keep.

Ooops... did I answer too seriously?  Sorry, been on vacation.  

Quote from: "CopyCat"**CopyCat squint-eyed takes a good long look at all the peeps seated at the table with him and says**

Yes well thank you all for being here with me, it feels good to be among friends... You see where I live in the foothills of the blue ridge mountains of North Carolina there are no atheist... In fact I'm the only one I know, and I know a lot of people... After losing jobs, friends, and the acceptance of every relative I've ever told, I have learned to keep my beliefs to myself... So it really does feel good to be here with people that don't drink poison, talk in tongues, and handle rattlesnakes on the weekend... And a special thanks to Freethinker and Crocofish for pointing out the many things I do have to be happy about... Also I loved your video curiosityandthecat, it was pretty insightful... I hope to get back by here often to talk and listen to you guys... But most of my online time is spent doing administrator stuff on my own little web site that I won't mention, I'm not a spammer...
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You lost your JOB for being an atheist??????

Quote from: "TheDutchAthiest"You lost your JOB for being an atheist??????

Yes I was laid off the day after confining in a fellow worker that I was in fact an atheist... It came out of the blue
after years with the company, they called it reduction of force... I later heard from another worker that it was
all the buzz that they had got rid of a atheist... But it worked out for the best, I have my own business now...

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Quote from: "CopyCat"

Quote from: "TheDutchAthiest"You lost your JOB for being an atheist??????

Yes I was laid off the day after confining in a fellow worker that I was in fact an atheist... It came out of the blue
after years with the company, they called it reduction of force... I later heard from another worker that it was
all the buzz that they had got rid of a atheist... But it worked out for the best, I have my own business now...

 :raised:

CC is not the first or last to be let go due to being atheist. A lot of people stay in the closet like being Jewish 30 years ago. I can be open about my lack of belief only because I work for a big Federal contract.

Of course there is ALWAYS a cover story...

Quote from: "Marke"CC is not the first or last to be let go due to being atheist. A lot of people stay in the closet like being Jewish 30 years ago. I can be open about my lack of belief only because I work for a big Federal contract.

Of course there is ALWAYS a cover story...

Best part about working for a state-funded university (especially a liberal one, at that).  

Just as you said you keep your atheism to yourself,so do others.I know how you feel,this site has been so refreshing.

Quote from: "afreethinker30"Just as you said you keep your atheism to yourself,so do others.I know how you feel,this site has been so refreshing.

this site sure did help me "come out of the atheist closet"

Quote from: "CopyCat"So it really does feel good to be here with people that don't drink poison, talk in tongues, and handle rattlesnakes on the weekend...

And yet being atheist makes you the freak....I'll never get it.

Welcome to the forum from one new person to anothe!