No knowledge of religions.

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I have not been brought up with any religion whatsoever. I have never read religious texts like the bible, the torah, the koran etcetera. Half of the time I don't even know or recognize the tales and names that are being mentioned in these religious scriptures. My mother's family has not been religious for generations. My father was a Nigerian catholic but since I haven't seen him since I was four years old I don't know a thing about his religion either. The only thing I know is that he joined some other Nigerian christian church later in life.

I could not be bothered to learn anything about religions as an adult because I was (and am) simply not interested and a total non believer. I have a very limited knowledge of the Old Testament and that's about it. I am not aquainted with the New Testament. Holland is a pretty secular country so I am not an exception to the rule here, but I wonder what it is like in other parts of the world. I find it hard to relate to people who are very religious because they have never been in my immediate environment when I grew up. I stil think they are from a different world or something and I don't see myself getting close to them in any way, eventhough don't dislike them ofcourse.

Are there more people here who know next to nothing about religions?

I was brought up with an absence of religious teaching as well. My mother was Church of England, but totally lapsed and I don't think my father had any affiliations (although, I didn't grow up with him.)
I am sometimes amused by how seriously religious groups can take their literature. It seems archaic to me.

So why do you want to believe now?

Did I mention that I want to become a believer?
I don't think so wizamagog. I can't, not even if I wanted to.

Last edited by pokerface on 02 Aug 2013, 8:30 am, edited 2 times in total.

I'm through with religions because I know too much about them.

Sometimes, I wish that I'd never read any "Holy" writings or met a religious person.

You who know not these things are better off than I.

I have a similar non religious background. My grandfather seems to have been religious in his youth, but when WW I came around he was so disgusted with the mindless slaughter that he joined the socialist revolution (Jelles Troelstra). He never went near a church after that.

What I find difficult to get it across to foreigners not familiar with Dutch seuclarism is that I have no concept of religion or gods and that I can´t really call myself an atheist for that reason. It´s simply meaningless to me. When I got older, I did read the Bible, but to me it's just as fictional as other stories from ancient times like the Gilgamesh epic or the Iliad and Odyssee.

I grew up without being exposed to religion except what I saw on tv.

I know nearly nothing about religion.

My mother belives in a sort of God, but not the God of the Church.
She things that God is the energy around us that created the universe but doesn't believe in any God of any religion, and thinks that the God she describes can't get into people's lives.

My father is an atheist.

I have an aunt who's very Christian but I don't like talking about God with her because each time she tries to convert me.
I also have a Christian friend but she is not very much and doesn't try to convert me.

In elementary school I had to do religious education but I was easily bored doing the lesson and never followed the lessons, so I could learn nearly nothing from it.

I could say I know the basic things about Christianity, Islamism and Buddhism and more things about ancient polytheistic religions (like the Egyptian, Mayan and Aztech ones) because I think they are more interesting.

I am an agnostic, because I don't have any proof that God exists, or doesn't exist, yet.

Why do religious people react so disappointed when they find out that you are not religious and don't know much about religions in general? It is almost like they feel rejected when they find out. I don't reject anyone, I'm simply telling the truth. My mother has always been anti religion (a bit too anti if I am honest) and as a result of that I didn't gain much knowledge of religions as a kid. Because of the developments in science over hundreds of years, especially during the last centuries I find it impossible to believe in a god. I don't see the difference between ancient peoples who believed in the Thundergod Thor, Zeus and Apollo, the spirits of their forefathers and the present day monotheistic God. It is all the same to me.

I do respect relgious people and I am aware of the fact that a religion offers people a great deal of support during their lifetime. I will never disregard their religion or try to alter their belief system, so why is it so difficult for religious people to return the favour and show some respect for the fact that religion does not play a role of importance in the lives of atheists and agnostics.

Last edited by pokerface on 04 Aug 2013, 11:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

Because it means to them that you are an "outsider", which is another way of saying that you are a "damned sinner" - they're disappointed because they believe (e.g., their religion teaches) that only their religion will bring you closer to God and "save" you from your sins, and if you don't believe as they do, then you are going to Hell.

Isn't religion wonderful? ... not ...

They may also feel that you are judging them. I generally don't express my religious views unless specifically asked as it is awkward to tell someone who believes in something that you don't agree. Especially when it must be something that is important to their identity. Best to avoid these conversations. I have a friend who I've know for over 10 years now; she is United Church and against abortion. She brought it up once when a friend of her daughter's had one. I steered right clear of that. I value our friendship too much to get into arguments about such things.

I think it has to do with an inability to tolerate ambiguity. Not all religious people are disappointed when confronted with a non religious person, but those who aren't and can accept it are almost always from liberal and mainstream forms of their religion.

I once had a very interesting conversation with an American Jehovah's witness over the internet. I made a casual remark that implied evolution. She took exception and proceded with the usual creationist baloney. I have no interest in arguing for evolution. It's a fact, and arguing about it is as senseless to me as argueing about whether the Earth is flat or spherical. It's spherical, and that's that. Instead I told her that I am a biologist and why I am a biologist. I told her I like the unsolved questions of science, as any scientist does. It's the most attractive feature of science. To explore the unknown, to discover what the world has to show us. I said I would be bored to tears and probably drop into major depression if I couldn't learn something new. I don't want answers, I want questions.

Then she quietly admitted that she was incapable of living with such uncertainty. Very brave of her. Many do not have that kind of courage and will reject anyone that they perceive as a threat to their (constructed) absolute worldview.

If you are an ethical and upright person then you haven't missed anything important.

ruveyn

One [believing - not for me to define what] mother - oner unbelieving [antagonistic] father.

A lot of reading of all kinds including [sacred] texts. No useful [religious] instruction / explanation, no [hard or soft sell] evangelism of any flavor.

A significant camel's back triggering into [belief/understanding].

If you keep eyes open data find you.

I'm surprised to hear you say that. You seemed to be quite comfortable with your beliefs. You can change your
current situation to be more to your liking, can you not?

In any case, I wish you well.