Please hear me out.

[elshiva]

Sorry that I offended anyone by saying that I was an atheist. I respect you members of the clergy here. Please do not take any of my comments as disrespect. I think I lost the best friend I have ever had because I said something stupid. I am a loser. sorry.

[lavenderdiva]

1. I don't know what you said-

however, I do know that you are not a loser, elshiva. We've all said things that we regretted later. We, as Christians, believe in the power of forgiveness. I think one of the hardest things to do however, is to forgive yourself.

I don't know about your situation, but you will be in my prayers. I'm sending you light and love-- :hug:

[elshiva]

6. Dear lavenderdiva,

Thanks for your support. It means a lot. Sometimes it difficult to be an atheist, but I find it freeing. I respect whatever beliefs you have because that is what you are, and whatever you are that is what I like.

Good health,
elshiva

[Critters2]

2. It's fine that you're an atheist. One cannot be made to believe something

they simply don't believe (I keep trying to explain this to an Evangelical friend who worries about my lack of belief in a personal devil). Nor can anyone be talked out of something they sincerely believe. The problem in relations between atheists and believers, at least here on DU, is a lack of respect. Atheists, well, a good many of them. feel a need to belittle believers, to refer to sincere beliefs as nothing more than coping devices or something we just need to get by. Actually, my faith does NOT make my life easier. In positing the existence of a loving God, I am left to figure out the problem of evil, the relationship of science to faith, a good many other questions that would be easier answered by simply declaring there is no God. That seems, to me, the easy way out. Grappling with the questions is a bigger challenge. But I digress.

If believers and non-believers would REALLY be respectful of one another, there'd be no need for apologies. A wise man once suggested we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Or as we used to say in Campfire Girls, "Want a friend? Be a friend."

You're free to say you're an atheist. You're free to be an atheist. The key to keeping Christians and others as friends is to be respectful.

Off to do a funeral! (Who does funerals for atheists, btw?)

[elshiva]

5. How did the funeral go?

I don't know who does funerals for atheists. I think there must be some kind of memorial service, though.

Thanks. As an atheist, I will respect other people's beliefs.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. I wasn't offended either

Only you know what the right path is for you.

[Kajsa]

4. No offense taken, elshiva.

You have as much a right to atheism
as I have to Christianity.

How we treat each other is what counts.

As far as I know, you have always been civil
and polite.

:D :pals:

[Dinger]

7. Hi elshiva

You are not a loser. You are a special person who is loved by many.

Dinger

:hug: