Hello, everyone! ~chuff

[chuff]

Hello, HAF.

My name's chuff, and I'm an eighteen-year-old American who's rather new to this whole thing. I've been thinking on my own for quite some time, but I've only recently shed the restraints of a strict religious worldview that is supposed to make my choices for me (as if we do not shape our worldview by our choices...)!

This may sound heretical to some of you (no pun intended), but I don't consider myself an atheist at the moment. I don't think the label suits me very well.

But anyway, thanks for having me here, I like what I've seen so far and will be happy to contribute long into the future.

[Whitney]

Hi Chuff, welcome to the forum.  As for what to call yourself, there is no need to rush into picking a labels.

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum. To echo our founder's comment, a label is not something I would get too wrapped up in. I use various things to define my beliefs, from Naturalist, to Skeptic, to Atheist, or areligious.

Don't worry about it, and enjoy the forum!  

[BadPoison]

Welcome to the forum. To echo our founder's comment, a label is not something I would get too wrapped up in. I use various things to define my beliefs, from Naturalist, to Skeptic, to Atheist, or areligious.

Don't worry about it, and enjoy the forum!  

Agreed! Its the fact that you're not currently wrapping yourself in religion, and are able to think yourself that makes you a skeptic, and free-thinker. Welcome to a secular forum, for secular discussion. I myself am new to this forum, and have thus far enjoyed my time in discourse here. I think you'll soon echo my thoughts that there are many interesting people to talk about whatever is on your mind here. Enjoy your stay.

-BP

[Squid]

Welcome chuff.

[Kyuuketsuki]

Personally I do not think you have a choice in labels, an atheist does not accept current claims to deity so, if you don't believe in deity you are an atheist but no matter ... welcome to the forum anyway

Kyu

[oldschooldoc]

I second Kyu, a label isn't something you choose. Although, you can choose to pick a synonym that lacks the connotations of said label. Either way, welcome.

[chuff]

Thank you all! I feel quite welcome.

The reason I don't want to accept the label of "atheist" yet is that I'm still in christian education, a christian home, etc. No need to scare the loving parents that are paying for my education out of their knickers.

Plus that term, to me, has some connotations of anger and bitterness.

However, I for one would MUCH rather spend an hour with the wittily cynical Christopher Hitchens than a week with a bubbly pastor's wife.

[BadPoison]

However, I for one would MUCH rather spend an hour with the wittily cynical Christopher Hitchens than a week with a bubbly pastor's wife.

This depends on how cute said pastor's wife is, how much she likes wine coolers, and how hard she likes to...


Well - who am I kidding, it's a pastor's wife, right?  

[curiosityandthecat]

Plus that term, to me, has some connotations of anger and bitterness.

Only because those opposed to our non-belief have made it that way. Atheist just describes what you believe (or, more appropriately, don't), not what kind of person you are. Look at all us... we're Happy!  

Coming out of the atheistic closet is difficult, especially when everyone around you would begin to despise you merely because you're not lying to them anymore. It's an odd position.

[BadPoison]

Coming out of the atheistic closet is difficult, especially when everyone around you would begin to despise you merely because you're not lying to them anymore. It's an odd position.

Definitely. I've been a declared atheist really for only a year now (though I was a skeptic for probably the 3 years prior and an agnostic) -- my friends all know of my atheism- but I haven't really brought it up with my ultra conservative Christian parents. They definitely have an idea though - but I think they avoid certain topics because they just don't want to hear me state anything blasphemous.
It's definitely weird.

[chuff]

Plus that term, to me, has some connotations of anger and bitterness.

Only because those opposed to our non-belief have made it that way. Atheist just describes what you believe (or, more appropriately, don't), not what kind of person you are. Look at all us... we're Happy!  

Coming out of the atheistic closet is difficult, especially when everyone around you would begin to despise you merely because you're not lying to them anymore. It's an odd position.

It stems from their intercourse with atheists, which inevitably consists of them thrusting their beliefs on the atheist and the atheist politely refusing, and then the religionist becomes more and more aggressive until the atheist tires of it and heightens his refusal... then the religionist returns to his church/synagogue/monastery/mosque/coven and tells of how bitter and rude the atheist was (leaving out the part where he impolitely insisted on changing the other person's lifestyle, choices, attitudes and personality).

[curiosityandthecat]

It stems from their intercourse with atheists, which inevitably consists of them thrusting their beliefs on the atheist and the atheist politely refusing, and then the religionist becomes more and more aggressive until the atheist tires of it and heightens his refusal... then the religionist returns to his church/synagogue/monastery/mosque/coven and tells of how bitter and rude the atheist was (leaving out the part where he impolitely insisted on changing the other person's lifestyle, choices, attitudes and personality).

Basically.  

[chuff]

It stems from their intercourse with atheists, which inevitably consists of them thrusting their beliefs on the atheist and the atheist politely refusing, and then the religionist becomes more and more aggressive until the atheist tires of it and heightens his refusal... then the religionist returns to his church/synagogue/monastery/mosque/coven and tells of how bitter and rude the atheist was (leaving out the part where he impolitely insisted on changing the other person's lifestyle, choices, attitudes and personality).

Basically.  

My sister says "Maybe sometime you should have a look at the atheists on YouTube other than the well-spoken British ones. Usually they're just people angry at their parents."

[DennisK]

Good to have you, Chuff.  Kick off your shoes and get comfy.