OK, I'm working my way through the system since registering two hours ago. I've already stirred the authorities by trespassing where novices may not go. Of course, that's why I'm an atheist. I like to think out of the box and challenge my religious friends; but, I have no need to destroy their superstitious fantasies, etc.
Confession #1: I like to sing and you all know Steve Martin's satire about no songs for atheists. Well, I sing in a Methodist Church as the "Designated Atheist" and it keeps my aging tenor voice from dropping into bass territory. I also attend the Sunday School Class so I can question every dogma with whatever logical question I can muster. The reward is when I miss a class, the group all begs me to come back because they're bored! What fun!
This is post #1. 9 more to full membership.
Any atheist in the "Designated" classification like me?
Hi chic
You didn't trespass it's just we've had a rather odd day with as many members sign up today as have joined in the last month. Probably the Easter effect or just a random cluster. You just fell foul of my evolved pattern matching brain.
I don't think I've ever come across a designated atheist before. Having been a never-theist (rather than an ex-theist) I've never been to church except when taken by my mum.
Thanks for making the effort to sign up and join in.
Welcome to HAF. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F2922%2Fcheersi.gif&hash=d22c932723fd55512134b1ae98b018246ccbb424)
Regards
Chris
Notes for new members.
The Rules. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1522.0)
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" (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php#2) 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? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5133.0)
10 Things About Yourself (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=4940.0)
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=8215.0)
Photography (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=7607.0)
Non-religious pet peeves (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=6917.0)
Pets...what do you have? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=7.0)
Favorite Song, with video (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=8830.0)
How to tell your family you are an atheist. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5111.0)*
"Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5631.0)*
*You will need 10 posts before you can add a post to this thread, but you can read it at any time.
Welcome!
You sound interesting already, hope you stick around! ;D
Welcome Chic!
I'm new here, too, having registered at 1:30 a.m. (EDT) today. (See "Hello From a New Member.") This is my 3rd post, so I'm also counting down until released from the Padawan Learner status.
"Designated atheist," eh? Must be the Reformed Methodist congregation.
See you around the forum, Chic.
Invictus
Quote from: chic on April 08, 2012, 10:53:51 PMI also attend the Sunday School Class so I can question every dogma with whatever logical question I can muster. The reward is when I miss a class, the group all begs me to come back because they're bored! What fun!
Any atheist in the "Designated" classification like me?
I got kicked out of Sunday school for that kind of behavior, that was OK though, a reward in my view.
Welcome.
Welcome to the forum! You're doing just fine!
A warm welcome to HAF, Chic! Glad to meet you! :)
Singing's a lot of fun. One name that comes to mind for specifically atheist music though would be Dan Barker. It's part comedy, part commentary, very catchy, good stuff.
See you around the forums!
Good Morning, Invictus!
I joined HAF yesterday and appreciated your welcome post.
I'm 72 and retired as you and your wife. My wife likes her job so she continues part time.
That gives me more time to figure out how to send a post the next day! LOL I was more adroit with tech a few years ago but I continue to challenge myself to stay current in this evolving culture.
Atheism is on the move. It may be like the Enlightenment period when Reason took a turn at removing religion but failed to have much effect. Of course statistics from surveys indicate some changes in church attendance.
What news or activities are you following in retirement?
Good Morning xSilverPhinx!
Thank you for your interesting post. :D I find when someone finds me interesting, I find them interesting too. It a very interesting phenomenon. I hope to get to know more about your ideas and the fun things on HAF.
Have a great day, this is post #4 in the march to fulfillment.
Amicale,
Thank you for referring Dan Barker's name! I will search for his music. I hope you get to see this post. I'm still confused on "reply."
Looking forward to Post #11!
Welcome chic!
Quote from: chic on April 09, 2012, 02:30:25 PM
Amicale,
Thank you for referring Dan Barker's name! I will search for his music. I hope you get to see this post. I'm still confused on "reply."
Looking forward to Post #11!
I can definitely see it, you're doing great! And you're welcome. Dan Barker and his wife, Annie Laurie Gaylor, run the Freedom from Religion Foundation, so they may have CDs or mp3s for sale somewhere, whichever you prefer. :)
I like to sing too! My husband finds it odd that I always sing along in Hebrew during his family's seders. I am an atheist and wasn't raised Jewish, so to his mind he can't figure out why I would bother singing along. I just like to sing, and it's easy to separate myself from the meanings of the words since they are in Hebrew. Most of it is just nonsense syllables to my uneducated ear.
Anyway, welcome! You're well on your way now, only 3 more posts to full membership!
Quote from: Ali on April 09, 2012, 04:56:01 PM
I like to sing too! My husband finds it odd that I always sing along in Hebrew during his family's seders. I am an atheist and wasn't raised Jewish, so to his mind he can't figure out why I would bother singing along. I just like to sing, and it's easy to separate myself from the meanings of the words since they are in Hebrew. Most of it is just nonsense syllables to my uneducated ear.
Anyway, welcome! You're well on your way now, only 3 more posts to full membership!
Thanks Ali,
I've done a lot of acting in the last 20 years and every role I played was nothing but an impersonation of some character created by some playwright [who may have seen himself/herself as a God]; however, I was NEVER the character in, what, in truth or reality? So when I sing, as I will Sunday, April 22, "I walked today were Jesus walked" in English, I will be thinking about the notes, the rests, singing loud or soft, etc., you know what I mean. But I am not imaging I'm in Judea on some expensive travel vacation to the Middle East. And the congregation has to think "He doesn't believe that but so what!" I wish the words were Aramaic like yours are Hebrew. LOL
Quote from: chic on April 08, 2012, 10:53:51 PM
OK, I'm working my way through the system since registering two hours ago. I've already stirred the authorities by trespassing where novices may not go. Of course, that's why I'm an atheist. I like to think out of the box and challenge my religious friends; but, I have no need to destroy their superstitious fantasies, etc.
Confession #1: I like to sing and you all know Steve Martin's satire about no songs for atheists. Well, I sing in a Methodist Church as the "Designated Atheist" and it keeps my aging tenor voice from dropping into bass territory. I also attend the Sunday School Class so I can question every dogma with whatever logical question I can muster. The reward is when I miss a class, the group all begs me to come back because they're bored! What fun!
This is post #1. 9 more to full membership.
Any atheist in the "Designated" classification like me?
Welcome to the forum. I have never heard Steve Martin's no songs for Atheists. I shall have to head over to youtube now.
hell yea having fun.