Godless Living in America: Godless Life in a Religious Society
Godless Americans are like other people in America: they grow up, date, get married, raise children, celebrate holidays, and all the other things which religious theists do. Godless Americans simply do it without the structures provided by religion or theism. For many religious theists, this may seem impossible; for godless Americans, it's normal life. Some can experience difficulty, though, because so much of American society is set up to privilege religious beliefs and religious behavior.
Atheism and Family: Questions about Atheism and Atheists
All sorts of difficult situations can arise which can make relations between atheist and theist family memberrs very difficult. If you find yourself in such situations, you have to proceed carefully because a wrong move can damage your relationship with your family for years, if not decades. There is probably no one 'best' way to act, in particular because each situation is as different as each family; nevertheless, below are some common problems and some possible responses.
All sorts of difficult situations can arise which can make relations between atheist and theist family memberrs very difficult. If you find yourself in such situations, you have to proceed carefully because a wrong move can damage your relationship with your family for years, if not decades. There is probably no one 'best' way to act, in particular because each situation is as different as each family; nevertheless, below are some common problems and some possible responses.
Atheists and Weddings: Questions, Conflicts, Advice
Atheists are human too, and so of course atheists are just as likely as anyone else to participate in many of the common social experiences which mark a society. One of them is, of course, weddings - both their own and the weddings of friends and relatives. Unfortunately, wedding ceremonies are commonly religious in nature - what is an irreligious atheist to do?
Atheists are human too, and so of course atheists are just as likely as anyone else to participate in many of the common social experiences which mark a society. One of them is, of course, weddings - both their own and the weddings of friends and relatives. Unfortunately, wedding ceremonies are commonly religious in nature - what is an irreligious atheist to do?
Atheists and Marriage: Questions, Problems, Conflicts
Marriage is a very important and intimate relationship - but can marriages between atheists and theists work? What problems face atheists when married to religious spouses? How about when your in-laws are devoutly religious as well? What happens when your spouse grows more religious over time, or you more atheistic?
Marriage is a very important and intimate relationship - but can marriages between atheists and theists work? What problems face atheists when married to religious spouses? How about when your in-laws are devoutly religious as well? What happens when your spouse grows more religious over time, or you more atheistic?
Atheism and Children: Questions about Atheism and Atheists
Of all of the problems that atheists might experience with their families, those involving their own children are perhaps among the most emotional and difficult to resolve. Many people honestly believe that children require religion and God in order to be raised morally and properly - so if atheist parents don't offer that, they will feel compelled to intervene and replace what they believe the parents are failing provide.
Of all of the problems that atheists might experience with their families, those involving their own children are perhaps among the most emotional and difficult to resolve. Many people honestly believe that children require religion and God in order to be raised morally and properly - so if atheist parents don't offer that, they will feel compelled to intervene and replace what they believe the parents are failing provide.
Atheists and Religious Ceremonies: Issues, Problems, and Questions
There are a lot of questions people have regarding the relationship between atheism and ceremonies. They are often difficult questions to answer because of the various functions which ceremonies have. Some ceremonies are important rituals, integral to religious tradition and doctrine. Others, however, are mere social customs which people observe out of courtesy and without any intention or purpose beyond that.
There are a lot of questions people have regarding the relationship between atheism and ceremonies. They are often difficult questions to answer because of the various functions which ceremonies have. Some ceremonies are important rituals, integral to religious tradition and doctrine. Others, however, are mere social customs which people observe out of courtesy and without any intention or purpose beyond that.
America’s Godless Public Schools: Value of a Godless Education, Godless Schools
One of the preeminent battlegrounds for the Christian Right's war on modernity is America's secular public school system. The Christian Right cannot stand the fact that instead of infusing the entire curriculum with their brand of conservative Christian principles, the government maintains a neutral stance on religion with a secular system. The godlessness of America's public schools is an advantage, not a defect. Public schools should be secular, not extensions of religious institutions.
One of the preeminent battlegrounds for the Christian Right's war on modernity is America's secular public school system. The Christian Right cannot stand the fact that instead of infusing the entire curriculum with their brand of conservative Christian principles, the government maintains a neutral stance on religion with a secular system. The godlessness of America's public schools is an advantage, not a defect. Public schools should be secular, not extensions of religious institutions.
Can Godless Atheists Be Patriotic? Can Godless Atheists Be Good Citizens?
It's impossible to address whether godless atheists can be patriotic Americans without first addressing what might constitute American patriotism in the first place. Too many act like being patriotic requires blind, unswerving allegiance to whatever America's leaders tell them to do or believe. Under such a definition, few thinking Americans could be patriotic. A better conception of patriotism would encompass more of what America should and should not stand for.
It's impossible to address whether godless atheists can be patriotic Americans without first addressing what might constitute American patriotism in the first place. Too many act like being patriotic requires blind, unswerving allegiance to whatever America's leaders tell them to do or believe. Under such a definition, few thinking Americans could be patriotic. A better conception of patriotism would encompass more of what America should and should not stand for.
Godless Marriage: Making Marriage Work Without Gods or Religion
For many in modern American, religion and theism are central features not just in their lives as individuals, but also in their relationships with other people - and this is especially true with their most intimate relationships, such as marriage. It's common for people to regard their religion as a binding force in their marriage, something without which marriage wouldn't be possible. Just because marriage is a religious rite for some, though, doesn't mean it is necessary to all marriages.
For many in modern American, religion and theism are central features not just in their lives as individuals, but also in their relationships with other people - and this is especially true with their most intimate relationships, such as marriage. It's common for people to regard their religion as a binding force in their marriage, something without which marriage wouldn't be possible. Just because marriage is a religious rite for some, though, doesn't mean it is necessary to all marriages.