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ChefDylan · 10-11-2007, 09:31 PM

When I was young my step-father was killed in an auto accident by a drunk driver. Paul was a good man. He had just become a father to my little brother Michael. My parents had an argument and he went to cool off with a drive. His toyota was smashed between a cadillac and a van driven by a 4 time convicted drunk driver.

Following this my mother filled the house with books about death and dying. I read many of them because I too was troubled with where my dad was and why he wasnt coming back. I was 9.

At my father's funeral two of his brothers showed up drunk, having driven themselves to the service. My mother was.....unpleased. For the next hour she listened to a catholic priest explain to her how all this was part of "God's Plan" and how we all had to surrender to his will and that he was a kind and loving god who had....blah blah blah. I think you can all fill in the blanks.

That day my mother became an Athiest. She refused to believe in a god who could take a father from his son. She tried for several years to find a god she could find solace and comfort in. She never did. My mother is an Athiest and a well educated and reasoned woman. I am a Buddhist and we discuss theology on occasion.

this is her side: atheism is not, for her, an easy choice. She is not angry at any religion, tho in my opinion this would be an easy call for her to make. She believes in herself. Without ever having read Ayn Rand she shares many of her ideals. She believes in the grace we all have within ourselves. The ability we have to be good people. Good not in the "Holy" sense but in the sense that we excell and create and lead our lives without crediting any god or gods with our achievements but not using him as a crutch or excuse when things go badly.

I think Atheism is a positive choice for her and fits well into her lifestyle. My mother never has been or will be "rich" or independantly wealthy. She prefers to stand on her own two feet. I admire my mother for who she is and what she has done with her life.

10-11-2007, 09:31 PM	#332 (permalink)
ChefDylan Upright Location: Salem, AR	Growing up with an Atheist When I was young my step-father was killed in an auto accident by a drunk driver. Paul was a good man. He had just become a father to my little brother Michael. My parents had an argument and he went to cool off with a drive. His toyota was smashed between a cadillac and a van driven by a 4 time convicted drunk driver. Following this my mother filled the house with books about death and dying. I read many of them because I too was troubled with where my dad was and why he wasnt coming back. I was 9. At my father's funeral two of his brothers showed up drunk, having driven themselves to the service. My mother was.....unpleased. For the next hour she listened to a catholic priest explain to her how all this was part of "God's Plan" and how we all had to surrender to his will and that he was a kind and loving god who had....blah blah blah. I think you can all fill in the blanks. That day my mother became an Athiest. She refused to believe in a god who could take a father from his son. She tried for several years to find a god she could find solace and comfort in. She never did. My mother is an Athiest and a well educated and reasoned woman. I am a Buddhist and we discuss theology on occasion. this is her side: atheism is not, for her, an easy choice. She is not angry at any religion, tho in my opinion this would be an easy call for her to make. She believes in herself. Without ever having read Ayn Rand she shares many of her ideals. She believes in the grace we all have within ourselves. The ability we have to be good people. Good not in the "Holy" sense but in the sense that we excell and create and lead our lives without crediting any god or gods with our achievements but not using him as a crutch or excuse when things go badly. I think Atheism is a positive choice for her and fits well into her lifestyle. My mother never has been or will be "rich" or independantly wealthy. She prefers to stand on her own two feet. I admire my mother for who she is and what she has done with her life. __________________ Duct Tape is like The Force...... There is a Dark Side, a Light Side and it holds the Universe together! Last edited by ChefDylan; 10-11-2007 at 09:35 PM..