Sure, but the fish is so good… 
Actually I primarily attend the one where tons of my friends are parishioners. They all know I’m not a Catholic, even though my son plays on a few of the Catholic sports teams. So it’s a complete non-issue.
I was just surprised at the implication that atheists were somehow barred from Lenten fish dinners, which seems completely antithetical to the whole point of them (and, honestly, the Church in general).
The worst thing is you can’t simply say “I’m an atheist, total nonbeliever” and get routine acceptance.
At best they’ll ask in disbelief 2-3 times to make sure I meant exactly what I said… nope, no god, no “higher power”, no “first mover”, no “cosmic intelligence.”
At worst (which is more often the case), they’ll want to debate me or convert me.
For me, the most frustrating aspect is realizing how much of society is based on this ludicrous fairy tale. And that many of the believing idiots think they are better than you for their belief. And - adding to my insecurity - is wondering why I lack the ability to perceive/delude myself into believing what such a clear majority of my species believes.
I do not WANT to think myself “better/more intelligent” than others. But when someone believes in something that has no rational basis, I find it hard NOT to think of them as deficient in some respect.
I’ve had some luck, when told by a believing girlfriend that Father Soandso would like to have a talk with me, assuring her that I have a much better shot at converting him to atheism than he has at converting me to Christianity.
Which is why I think that religion started out as a way of explaining things to children. It’s easier to answer, “Why?” with “God did it!”, than answering that you don’t know.
Then eventually you get a generation that grows up never being told that Santa isn’t real and expecting presents to appear under the tree every year. They go through all the motions expecting him to deliver, and start thinking they have done something wrong when he doesn’t.
Usually the first kid in an age group that discovered that Santa wasn’t real was reviled by the other kids when he let the truth out, same as theists revile atheists.
Agreed, whenever I have occasion to go to a church event, I do like the community aspect. There is something comforting about people getting together as a community, which seems to be more work for the atheist community to achieve.
For me it’s the feeling of helplessness watching public policy being dictated by the dogma of true believers (or, and I’m not sure if this is worse or not) performative acts to appease the true believers in their district. Not just the culture wars we’re watching play out now, but anywhere in the world where the judiciary and government run on their interpretation of scripture.
Christmas music.
Agreed. It does shatter any illusions about humanity to realize that so many are so stupid.
Actually I am banking on living again after I die, but God won’t be part of the equation, just physics.
If the universe is infinite in time and space, somewhere, sometime, an exact replication of my sub-atomic particles will pop back into existence (perhaps due to a vacuum fluctuation) and I will live again…maybe many times. Perhaps you will too. Just pray you don’t pop back into outer space, or onto a planet with giant spiders.
And, if there’s enough mass in the Universe, one day it will stop expanding and start contracting. At this point everything will run backwards. Effect will precede cause. You’ll be born an old geezer, then age into a baby, just like Benjamin Button.
So, start practicing walking and talking in reverse so you’ll be prepared for this event to occur. And it may take a few trillion years to happen, so bring along something good to read while you’re waiting.
…yeah, I know physics may not actually work this way, but it’s all I got.
Embrace the complete randomness of life and the chaotic nature of the universe and you’ll be fine.
I still adore Christmas and Christmas music never gets old for me. It’s just hard-coded into too many good memories, I think.
Oddly enough, I like quite a bit of Christmas music. I have several records that I inherited from my parents. There’s a lot of glurge on them, but a few are actually nice arrangements.
I mean, I like Rush, but I don’t believe in everything Neil Peart espoused, either.
Pretty much this.
On a more personal level, feigning interest when approached by believers. Especially when they are very polite, respectful, and sincere; I just can’t be rude to them. Talking about stuff like old people who walk up to you in parking lots to tell you about their upcoming Christian revival meeting or whatever. I don’t want to be mean to them, I listen to them and maybe chat a bit with them, like I would if they were in a band and handing out flyers for their show (do bands still do that?), but either way I really just want to put my groceries in the car and go home, y’know?
I’m atheist (though grew up Catholic) and I have been to many fish fries in my atheistic days, and they are just a fundraising social event and excuse to drink alcohol, play pull tabs and raffles, shoot the shit, and eat fish (some churches much better than others.) Ive never heard talk of religion in one. Just local gossip, sports, the usual bullshit you’d talk about at the bar. Nobody is checking for Catholic IDs, nobody is pitching you God. They just want their money. At least around here.
I still do volunteer work with a local parish as well, driving food to the elderly for a few hours a week. Nobody cares there, either.
Another thing, closely tied to the above, is that if something fucks you up for life…well, you’re fucked up for…life, eternity, everything.
Say some sicko kidnaps you right now and gouges out your eyes, hacks off all your limbs but you somehow survive. And let’s say you’re young, at age 20.
Well, sorry, but you’re in for a horrid 60 more years of life. You won’t ever walk or move, you’ll never see again, you’ll be nothing but the most pitiful of people - and there’s no Heaven, there’s no compensation, you’re just simply fucked.
As an atheist who was once a fervent believer, I find the hardest part to be the lack of community I experienced in my church, including very easy ways to volunteer and give back. Unlike the OP I did not find my childhood particularly great and I used religion as a refuge to cope with the trauma. I had in essence a second family, one that was supportive and recognized my strengths and good heart. It was a significant loss to me and I’ve never been able to find anything like it, even when I sought out Buddhist communities or UU churches, it’s just not the same.
I have to agree though that one of the worst things is watching authoritarian Christians take over the country and shove their horrible laws down my throat.
Y’all think you have it rough. Not only am I not religious, but I’m also not spiritual.
There are other places where people congregate and share a feeling of community. I have many friends at various bars, tavern, pubs, and breweries.
It’s not the same, and probably will never feel the same because I was a child and it filled a deep emotional need for parental love.
I have a writers group that is about the closest I’ve ever come, but it’s falling apart and I’m not sure it will ever be the same either.
I also have a close relationship with a Presbyterian minister, not sure how that happened but I kind of live vicariously through his community at times.
I’m currently seeking more community.