I don't have a problem being around religious gatherings, it's never really bothered me, at times I even find it humorous. Recently I was at my nephews baptism and was glad I was to be there for my brother. However his in laws didn't show up because they disagreed with the denomination of christianity my brother and his wife chose. So these sorts of things can apply even to the religious.

 

I have no problem attending such services for my friends and family (weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc.).

I merely stand or sit respectfully without participating in the prayer or ritual.

One thing that did kind of upset me... my father married his long-time girlfriend a few years ago.  It was a second marriage for both, so it was a small, informal service.  He wanted me to stand as his best man, but the priest would not allow it because I have never been baptized.  I thought that was rather petty and stupid.

When my wife's grandmother died recently, my wife was asked to deliver a eulogy as the oldest grandchild.  When she went to meet with the priest, he said the eulogy had to be about faith.  My wife said she was not comfortable writing a eulogy on that topic and wanted to speak about her grandmother's life and what she meant to her family.  The priest said that she couldn't... IT HAD TO BE ABOUT FAITH.  She refused to do the eulogy.  I thought that was kind of a bullshit thing to do... not allowing her to honor the memory of her grandmother in a way she deemed fit.

 

Well if that is all this thread is going to be about the god idea alone it may have to be moved to the Atheist vs. Theist section.

 



First you have to be careful using the term fundamental atheist. When you say the word fundamental you are suggesting a link to the fundamentalist movement within christians.

The only idea that any atheist is talking about is a lack of god belief and in most cases an atheist is atheist for positions and ideas outside of theologic ideas. That means other positions are not necessarily effected by being atheist.

Also there is no doctrine to be followed within the atheist community so there would be very little to be fundamental about. If you are going to use such terms you should probably define them or relate it to other terms such as strong or weak atheism.

As for the bit about not attending events or have obligations it would be the same as a christian being asked to attend or participate in a muslim or pagan activity. The same kind of social rules would apply so if you don't want to go you don't need to go and people shouldn't have bad feelings about it. If they do ask them how they would feel if asked them if they would like to participate in some thing like the blasphemy challenge.

 



My limit is pretty much within the law. The only time in which it my go outside of it is if they pass unconstitutional laws, but those should be few and far between. Although this idea of being prepared to openly oppose unconstitutional laws is not a reflection of my atheism, but more about my political and ethical views.

I doubt I would go door to door or anything, but I am not, by any means, afraid to talk about issues in public.

 



Yes, with little to no hesitation. Others also talk about how there is no reason for us to be the ones that must change, perhaps not even suggesting anyone must change.

 



I have attend funerals, but I would never pray or encourage the ideas I feel are false or unsupported. That would be like a doctor telling someone with cancer that everything is ok because they have a lucky shirt on. If I did something like that I would be telling them a lie and if I really care about the people involved I wouldn't do that to them, even if they are in pain. Would I make a scene and tell every one there that they are fools? No, not with a death.

The thing about a death is that it is probably too sensitive of an issue for people to deal with. After all death is one of the reasons people tend to follow a religion or let religion exist even if they do not follow it. If I felt that I could not stand the ideas or it would be too religious then I would simply not go or stay for the religious sections.

Weddings, funerals, Bar Mitzvahs if I were that close to any Jews...I have no problem attending these things.  Born'n'raised athiest, BTW.  But if the social gathering outweighs the religious component, I just view the religion as an unwelcome party-crasher.  Religion is just the annoying relative you have to invite because everybody will be angry with you if you don't.  I draw the line at purely religious ceremonies, though.  I have never and will never go to church on sunday just to hear what some chump with a frock says god has to say this week.

Kudos for the bride and groom for standing up for that in which they believe (or don't believe).

A big boo-hiss for the bride's parents for putting a damper on their daughter's big day.  An act like this could cause a rift within the family that will last a long, long time.  

When will parents learn that weddings are for the bride and groom, not the parents?