"compassionate" Atheists...

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 9, 2014

First, atheism is a form of spirituality/belief system in a roundabout way. Atheist, agnostic, and religious posters of all types all have the right to post in this forum if they so choose.

Second, if you feel a post is offensive/bashing/against TOS, use the little triangle with the exclamation point in the lower left corner to report it. The mods will take it from there.

macawake, MSN · Mar 9, 2014

Am I the only one who is just stymied by atheists who come on this board and yell about how they don't need a deity in order to be caring and compassionate, but then appear to lurk for no other reason but to bash any post by a christian. I have even seen a "Guide" attack a poster for something that was not even said in their post. I have seen posts deleted and members warned for personal attacks and (what on other boards would be considered) trolling, but apparently those rules are not enforced on this particular board. This board is called "Nursing and SPIRITUALITY"!! If you have ap roblem with SPIRITUALITY then go somewhere else!!

I honestly haven’t noticed the yelling you refer to. I doubt that people lurk waiting to bash posts made by a Christian member.

What caught my attention about your post were the quotation marks you’ve used. Why do you feel the need to use “compassionate “, instead of compassionate when describing atheists?

I don’t have a problem with spirituality. My definition of the word is quite broad and I do believe that humans are spiritual beings, whether they are religious or not.

I’m not sure what you mean by bashing? Is it people disagreeing on something? Surely posters should have the right to disagree as long as we are respectful of one another?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 9, 2014

You might actually be the only one.

I find it interesting that you find the need to put quotes around "compassionate" -- as if atheists weren't able or likely to be compassionate. That, to me, suggests bashing atheists. Guides have a right to have and post their opinions, too, and the quotation remarks around the word "guides" suggests that you have a problem with that as well.

I suspect that you're a Christian -- maybe I'm wrong. But whether or not you are, you should know that there's more than one brand of spirituality, and Christianity is not the be all and end all.

I try to stay away from the "Nursing and Spirituality" forum because a lot of what is posted in the forum -- even by fellow Christians -- is offensive to me. But the quotation marks around the word compassionate when paired with the word atheist caught my attention. Sadly, I wasn't mistaken about the tone of the actual post.

NurseNightOwl, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2014

I try to stay away from the "Nursing and Spirituality" forum because a lot of what is posted in the forum -- even by fellow Christians -- is offensive to me.

YES!!!!!!!!

NurseDirtyBird · Mar 10, 2014

Clearly they don't enforce TOS pertaining to trolling as much as they should...this post is still up.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2014

There are people with strong religious convictions.....while these post are always polarizing...they can post here as well. They are in the appropriate forum.

What we need to remember is...while allnurses promotes a good debate responses need to be constructive and polite As pr the Terms of Service....

We ask members to please refrain from name-calling. This is divisive, rude, and derails the thread.
Our first priority is to the members that have come here because of the flame-free atmosphere we provide. There is a zero-tolerance policy here against personal attacks. We will not tolerate anyone insulting other's opinion nor name calling.
Our call is to be supportive, not divisive. Because of this, discrimination, racial vilification and offensive generalizations targeting people of other races, religions and/or nationalities will not be tolerated.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Mar 10, 2014

Last time I checked, the definition of "spirituality" is not "Christianity".

You are a poster with very few posts and very few likes starting a thread that is purposefully inflammatory. And after stirring the pot and receiving pretty much 100% disagreement, you run and hide without coming back to debate the topic you yourself started.

inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 10, 2014

The only reason I was brought to this post was the quotations aroundcompassionate.

Compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

No where in any definition I see does it require a deity or religious practice in order for this to be effective or a quality of nurse. We come into the field because we are called to, regardless of our religion. Understanding Atheism, and even other religions, is KEY to understanding how to provide the best care for friends, families, strangers, patients, etc.

Without this understanding and acceptance, intolerance and hatred grows. Which only ostracizes everyone here, in the workplace, and anywhere else they can feel tension. Hostile attitudes are toxic, be sure you aren't the one that's the problem.

mama.RN · Mar 10, 2014

Your post displays exactly the type of exclusionary attitude you profess to defend against. I am an atheist and am known for my compassion and empathy. I consider myself to be a spiritual person, but my definition of that has nothing to do with a deity of any kind. I sometimes discuss my views with people, but I respect that others have their beliefs and I expect them to respect that I have mine.

cardiacfreak, ADN · Mar 11, 2014

I am a Christian, and I don't believe that someone who does not believe in MY God cannot be compassionate. I think that being a Christian should make you more aware of loving others regardless of their beliefs in religion, God, sexual preference, etc...

Pulmonary · Mar 11, 2014

I have been working in patient care for almost 4 years now. I am an athiest and have recieved employee of the month, a role model employee award, and am consistently asked for in my work setting because of my compassionate mentality. Being an athiest has nothing to do with being a good or bad nurse. I do not bring my beliefs into the workplace, and if an individual finds comfort in God then so be it. It is none of our business, and our only job is to look after the well being of our patients. Period.