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Old 07-09-2008, 07:17 AM   #53 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
Christianity is not pantheism. God resides within people according to most Christian doctrines, but god doesn't reside in all things or even all living things.
Yes, I think most Christian doctrines would see this as akin to idolatry. But what Christians think of atheists might be worse, so what's an atheist to do when at a Christian dinner table? Pretend to be what they aren't so as not to offend? It depends on the atheist.

As a humanist, I'm inclined to "pray" along in respect of others' beliefs and practices. I look at praying as a metaphoric philosophical exercise. Looking at the "blessing" of food and abundance isn't much of a stretch for atheists to participate in. To sit out of this practice implies you are ungrateful for these things—that you are ungrateful to your host(s). What is the value in that?
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