Atheist or Agnostic?

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I know, I know, you're never supposed to talk about religion or politics, right....

I'm really not trying to start a religious debate, but just get a sense of where people are at. I'm a first year student and an atheist, yet all my fellow students and the nurses I'm meeting are believers.

If and when I become an atheist nurse, am I going to find myself a fish out of water?

Hmmm . . .interesting conversation.

Regarding "epileptics" . .I became a Christian when I was 28 but didn't have my first seizure until I was 46. I don't feel more "religious". ;)

Also, "Drama Queens" come in all walks of life and it probably isn't fair to blame religion or God for that. My own mom is the world's greatest Drama Queen and is a non-believer. In fact her life is based on her favorite saying "Circumstances alter all cases". I was raised with no real foundation of truth about anything. Your mom would probably have been a Drama Queen regardless.

I think there is alot of scientific evidence for some kind of "force" if you will. Something besides chance designed DNA, at least in my opinion. I actually became a more committed Christian after taking science classes in preparation for nursing school, especially Micro, which I loved. (I went back to school in my late 30's - my prior major was Social Work).

I love the Christian writer C.S. Lewis, no slacker in the intelligence game. And Phillip Yancey too. Anne Lamott. Donald Miller.

Many Christian people study history, science, math, english - and find their foundation not in emotion. Or fear. Certainly faith.

I was fearful as a teen wondering about whether there was a God and a hell. But it was not fear that led me to God but acceptance and love from Christian people. I was attracted to the unconditional love and grace. I was attracted to the idea that I could find it in my heart to forgive.

My oldest son attends a Christian university and is a strong believer. My #2 son believes but does not want to go to church or make God a priority in his life - too busy testing the waters with alcohol and partying. My 16 year old daughter is searching - she would probably say she is agnostic. My 4 year old is a believer at the 4 year old stage and he warms my heart with his interesting questions about God. My older kids were at his stage at one time. They all have to find their own way now. So will he.

I'm grateful every day that someone reached out to me with love when I was going through a gut-wrenching time. I'm grateful for the wonderful word grace.

I was a non-believer before so I do remember my feeling about those wacky "born-again" people. I looked at them with disdain. So, I've been on both sides of the coin too.

I judged them. Which was wrong . . .

steph

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I do think that some people have an outright genetic predisposition towards religiosity. Have you read about how epileptics average higher levels of religiosity than the regular population? Something about temporal lobe activity.

I've never heard this before, but my aunt has had severe epilepsy since she was 12 and she is definitely one religious zealot. She believes that anyone who believes something different than her is a blasphemer. This info gives me more things to ponder....:idea:

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I've never heard this before, but my aunt has had severe epilepsy since she was 12 and she is definitely one religious zealot. She believes that anyone who believes something different than her is a blasphemer. This info gives me more things to ponder....:idea:

There is a definate link between epilepsy and religiosity. I think it's important to note that a higher group average of religiosity with epileptics does not necessarily explain or predict an individual epileptic's religiosity. I worded that very messy, I hope it makes sense.

I know a woman who suddenly became epileptic in her 20's. Before it was well controlled with medication, she would go to the local shopping center and scream Bible verses and "repent" to the crowds. She got arrested a few times. Once her epilepsy was controlled she never did such things again.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

American attitudes toward atheists and agnostics:

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/255008.htm

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
I used to believe in God. I was raised in a christian home. I went to church on Sundays. Throughout my life, I have encountered many negative situations. And through all this, I have not once ever felt the presence of the Lord. I have not seen or met the Lord. I am a very concrete person in that I want proof. I am glad that you feel the presence of the Lord in your life. I read the paper and watch the news and I see and hear what is going on in our world. And much of what is going on has alot to do with religion. The middle east is a good example of this. If you look back on history, many wars have been about religous differences. I have a great deal of respect for those people that practice their religion, 7 days a week. Because we do not believe, does not mean that we are not good people or that we are not spiritual. This is why I don't walk away when being asked to pray. Afterall, it is about the patient and his or her comfort while in my care. When I take care of a patient, I become a part of his or her support system. If me standing silently in prayer, holding hands, honestly being a part of his/her recovery or death, then that is what I do. Like I stated in an earlier post, I am agnostic. Maybe one day I will feel the presence of the Lord and will take my life in a different direction. But for now, in my job, I will continue to care and comfort my patient, no matter what it takes. That is one reason I became a nurse in the first place.

I am sure you are a good nurse & I did not make the statement to offend anyone. I find that it seems it is ok not to believe...but if you do you are often labeled a fanatic or religious nut. This is not pointed toward you....It was just so odd that this discussion came up. I got home from church last night...went to allnurses & this was the first post I saw. The sermon fresh on my mind....was about those that do not believe & how they strive so hard to prove there is no God. I also hope it does not offend you when I say...I will pray that the Lord will take you in a different direction & you will feel his presence. I wish you only the best!

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I ...went to allnurses & this was the first post I saw. The sermon fresh on my mind....was about those that do not believe & how they strive so hard to prove there is no God.

crb,

I mean what I am about say with absolutely no antagonism. I mention this because it's sometimes hard to judge intent on the internet. It is impossible to prove a negative. It is impossible to prove that something does not exist. Concurrently, agnostics or atheists say it is impossible to prove that God does exist. Frankly, I see far more Christians striving to prove what they think than agnostics or atheists.

It is my observation that it is generally socially acceptable for the religious to be vocal about what their faith means to them. It is not socially acceptable for the secular to do what I did a few posts back; to describe how leaving faith has benefited them.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Hmmm . . .interesting conversation.

I think there is alot of scientific evidence for some kind of "force" if you will. Something besides chance designed DNA, at least in my opinion. I actually became a more committed Christian after taking science classes in preparation for nursing school, especially Micro, which I loved. (I went back to school in my late 30's - my prior major was Social Work).

I was a non-believer before so I do remember my feeling about those wacky "born-again" people. I looked at them with disdain. So, I've been on both sides of the coin too.

I judged them. Which was wrong . . .

steph

Post shortened for brevity. It is indeed wrong for non-believers to judge believers so harshly. I know when I'm judged by Christians I do tend to give it right back, and that's wrong. I do try in my interactions on this bb to be more matter of fact than judgemental, but it isn't easy.

My experience with science was just the opposite of yours. My first major was business and I took Astronomy I & II for for lab sciences, it was all about physics, the "billions and billions stars and galaxies" which shook up my view as earth as the center of the God-created universe and my thoughts at this vast crazy wonderful universe was "the garden of eden, the snake, the apple"........hmmmm. I really don't know. For a while after those courses I was probably more athesist that I've ever been.

After that, through some life changing events I became a born again Bible-believing Christian, for many years.

After studying A&P and Micro, again, my thoughts were more like "hmmm......healed the sick........died and rose again.........Satan, heaven and hell???".

It's interesting that as wonderfully made as the world and universe is made, with DNA and all the unanswered questions, how everything coincidentally happened to create this world and our place in it, that it slowly began a journey for me away from the Christian Biblical view.

The one thing that it did do for me was teach me life begins at conception and changed my view of a persons right to terminate that life prior to leaving the womb.

Am I convinced there isn't a "creator" or a "light" or a "power greater than my self?", no I certainly am not. Am I a Christian? Nope. This is a direct result of me learning and studying the world around me. There's always been a hunger for that in me, and the hunger stays.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
crb,

I mean what I am about say with absolutely no antagonism. I mention this because it's sometimes hard to judge intent on the internet. It is impossible to prove a negative. It is impossible to prove that something does not exist. Concurrently, agnostics or atheists say it is impossible to prove that God does exist. Frankly, I see far more Christians striving to prove what they think than agnostics or atheists.

It is my observation that it is generally socially acceptable for the religious to be vocal about what their faith means to them. It is not socially acceptable for the secular to do what I did a few posts back; to describe how leaving faith has benefited them.

I know what you mean about being able to judge intent. No offense taken. I guess it depends which side of the fence your on....my observations are exactly the opposite of yours. Good Luck to you.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Post shortened for brevity. It is indeed wrong for non-believers to judge believers so harshly. I know when I'm judged by Christians I do tend to give it right back, and that's wrong. I do try in my interactions on this bb to be more matter of fact than judgemental, but it isn't easy.

Tweety,

Did you see Angels in America? If so, do you recall the character played by Meryl Streep, "Mother ---". I forgot the character's entire name. I'm referring to the Mormon mother who surprisingly turned out to be a good friend to the two gay men. I like to remember her character, as a nudge to never assume and judge. People can surprise.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Tweety,

Did you see Angels in America? If so, do you recall the character played by Meryl Streep, "Mother ---". I forgot the character's entire name. I'm referring to the Mormon mother who surprisingly turned out to be a good friend to the two gay men. I like to remember her character, as a nudge to never assume and judge. People can surprise.

Yes, it's so easy to judge someone's insides by their outsides.

I remember that character well. Her character's development was amazing.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
It is my observation that it is generally socially acceptable for the religious to be vocal about what their faith means to them. It is not socially acceptable for the secular to do what I did a few posts back; to describe how leaving faith has benefited them.
*Nods head in agreement*

And trust me folks, America is a very liberal country in that respects. The middle and far easts are a lot more conservative - especially when it comes to ambivalence over religion and god.

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evryone has experienced doubt..

i believe that reading about a 'survey [junk science], stating that only people who believe in God are too stupid to pass sat tests and that praying is harmful to your health, is just a way to pat yourself on the back and saying 'gee i am so much smarter than those people

i have know people who believed and were really bad people but i have know believers whose faith just shone with a light in their face...believing in God will not save you...Satan met God face to face.

each person much decide what they are going to believe and if you think that your belief or non-belief makes you smarter or better than someone else you are on an ego trip

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