what should i do?

[pompey_spud]

Ok at my school, every friday mornin everyone goes to the towns church for a service. However i am an extreme aetheist, and believe all the stuff about religion causing problems etc (DONT flame me for this, my opinion). Normally i sit there respectfully, twiddling my thumbs, but recently our old good Rev retired and we have the most preachy, self righteous arse in the history of ever as our new 'un.

 

Each week, i now have to grit my teeth as he screams that me and 90% of the school are going to hell for not going to the Eucharist (sp?) on lunchtimes and that we arent all confirmed (as most boarders are) or baptised.

 

This is really pissing me off as i am a fairly proud person and hate to just sit there taking it.

 

Should i refuse to go to church anymore? Or what?

 

What would any of you do in the same situation?

[Nadril]

Just uh.. don't go.

 

 

 

I don't know your age though, and if your just a kid just go to it, it's not going to kill you.

[deloriagod]

I believe in agnosticism so I'd be in about the same position as you. I don't think there's any reason for him to tell you you're going to hell, since there is no proof of what religion, if any, is right. I suppose if I was you.. When he's telling you you're going to hell, just stand up, say "F* you" in a calm and collected voice, and walk out. Though if you're not the kind of person who doesn't mind getting into some trouble you could always you walk up to him and ask him to prove that you're going to hell and he's not. Ask him to prove that his religion is the right one. Personally I'd be all for the first idea..

 

 

 

One thing I forgot to mention.. I don't know about you but I love to learn about different religions so I can have a serious and intelligent conversation with others. So if you decide to stay, just tune him out when he starts going off about you going to hell..

[Fadfdfd]

I believe in agnosticism so I'd be in about the same position as you. I don't think there's any reason for him to tell you you're going to hell, since there is no proof of what religion, if any, is right. I suppose if I was you.. When he's telling you you're going to hell, just stand up, say "F* you" in a calm and collected voice, and walk out. Though if you're not the kind of person who doesn't mind getting into some trouble you could always you walk up to him and ask him to prove that you're going to hell and he's not. Ask him to prove that his religion is the right one. Personally I'd be all for the first idea..

 

 

 

One thing I forgot to mention.. I don't know about you but I love to learn about different religions so I can have a serious and intelligent conversation with others. So if you decide to stay, just tune him out when he starts going off about you going to hell..

 

LOL. I just started cracking up IRL

[Nadril]

I believe in agnosticism so I'd be in about the same position as you. I don't think there's any reason for him to tell you you're going to hell, since there is no proof of what religion, if any, is right. I suppose if I was you.. When he's telling you you're going to hell, just stand up, say "F* you" in a calm and collected voice, and walk out. Though if you're not the kind of person who doesn't mind getting into some trouble you could always you walk up to him and ask him to prove that you're going to hell and he's not. Ask him to prove that his religion is the right one. Personally I'd be all for the first idea..

 

 

 

One thing I forgot to mention.. I don't know about you but I love to learn about different religions so I can have a serious and intelligent conversation with others. So if you decide to stay, just tune him out when he starts going off about you going to hell..

 

 

 

I don't think there is any reason to act like that, even if you don't belive him. (i'm not really on one side of religion, somewhat in the middle.). If your young, like in middle school or begining high school, just stay. It's probaly best if you at least learn about it a bit so you can be a bit more open minded. If he starts getting too preachy, than yeah, tune him out.

 

 

 

 

 

However, I don't know if you can even do this. I mean, there have been some strict rulings with religion in school, this doesn't seem like something they could make you go to.

[Ape]

Personally, I am also a non-believer of religion. You could just stand up and say "I'm a Jahova's Whitness" and walk out. I think that would top anything.

 

 

 

-Mitch-

[knives669]

Just politely refuse to go. I know you don't want to look like a douchebag, but if it's bothering you that much, have a talk with whoever is in charge of these church trips.

[BlueLancer]

You don't have to listen to anything some fanatic guy has to say, at least nobody can force you to. Just take your MP3 and listen to some Vader or Dimmu Borgir out of spite, if he yells at you for doing so, follow the advice above by deloriagod. Personally I think it's ridiculous to "suck it up", it's your life and if you're not even religious, you don't have to spend 2 hours of your life examining the length of your thumbnails. Remember which millennia we live in.

[Viktorkrum77]

I'm in your position. I'm an Athiest, but sometimes I'm obligated to go to church to serve, and acolyte before I was confirmed.

 

 

 

I just take it, I tend to be pretty good by now at masquerading my personality. (I'd say 3 quarters of the people who know me think I'm someone else, including close relatives) I'd suggest the same, just pretend it's a play, and act how they'd like you to act, every now and then you can say things to yourself, of course, not out loud lol.

[Greatsilverwyrm]

Do the school officials force you to go? If so, that's pretty messed-up.

 

 

 

Go to your parents about it, talk to the school officials. Ask them if you could simply go to the library or do some independant study when the rest of the school goes to church.

 

 

 

If they flat-out refuse to work with you, you really could have a case. Find a lawyer who will represent you pro-bono.

 

 

 

EDIT:

 

Oh, wait.. are you in a private school? If you are, there's less you can do.. certainly not pursue legal action. The most you could do in that case would be to talk to the officials.. if that doesn't work and it still really bothers you, maybe ask your parents to go to a different school.

 

That's if you're in a private school.

[Viktorkrum77]

Do the school officials force you to go? If so, that's pretty messed-up.

 

 

 

Go to your parents about it, talk to the school officials. Ask them if you could simply go to the library or do some independant study when the rest of the school goes to church.

 

 

 

If they flat-out refuse to work with you, you really could have a case. Find a lawyer who will represent you pro-bono.

 

 

 

EDIT:

 

Oh, wait.. are you in a private school? If you are, there's less you can do.. certainly not pursue legal action. The most you could do in that case would be to talk to the officials.. if that doesn't work and it still really bothers you, maybe ask your parents to go to a different school.

 

That's if you're in a private school.

 

 

 

Yea, in peroekiol (sp?) schools it's a requirment.

[Zonorhc]

If you have no other option but to go, stand up during a preacy Bible reading and just say, calmly yet loudly, "Prove it."

 

 

 

Before he can answer, continue with, "Oh, wait, I remember now. It's true because the Bible is the word of God, and we know that God exists because the Bible says so."

 

 

 

Once he's sufficiently indignant, calmly walk out.

 

 

 

Freedom of speech and religion is one thing, but when you try to force it upon others, that's a whole new ball game. If nothing else, you could make a complaint on charges of verbal assault.

 

 

 

Now that I think about it, I would love to attend those services. Once he gets all preachy about morality, point him to Genesis 19:30-38.

[Viktorkrum77]

If you have no other option but to go, stand up during a preacy Bible reading and just say, calmly yet loudly, "Prove it."

 

 

 

Before he can answer, continue with, "Oh, wait, I remember now. It's true because the Bible is the word of God, and we know that God exists because the Bible says so."

 

 

 

Once he's sufficiently indignant, calmly walk out.

 

 

 

Freedom of speech and religion is one thing, but when you try to force it upon others, that's a whole new ball game. If nothing else, you could make a complaint on charges of verbal assault.

 

 

 

Now that I think about it, I would love to attend those services. Once he gets all preachy about morality, point him to Genesis 19:30-38.

 

 

 

Genesis 19: 32: 'And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth', this seemed the only tid bit that made sense to what you were saying, please explain?

[Giordano]

Refuse to go. If you are very strong with your believes of aetheist(ism?) then dont go:even if your mother says to go, Dont go if you're firm about your opinions. That what I'll do. Last place you'll be seeing me, is inside a Church.

[BlueLancer]

If you have no other option but to go, stand up during a preacy Bible reading and just say, calmly yet loudly, "Prove it."

 

 

 

Before he can answer, continue with, "Oh, wait, I remember now. It's true because the Bible is the word of God, and we know that God exists because the Bible says so."

 

 

 

Once he's sufficiently indignant, calmly walk out.

 

 

 

Freedom of speech and religion is one thing, but when you try to force it upon others, that's a whole new ball game. If nothing else, you could make a complaint on charges of verbal assault.

 

 

 

Now that I think about it, I would love to attend those services. Once he gets all preachy about morality, point him to Genesis 19:30-38.

 

 

 

Genesis 19: 32: 'And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth', this seemed the only tid bit that made sense to what you were saying, please explain?

 

 

 

You probably have a kids censored learn-abc Bible, the real one talks about two women on incest and making your own father drunk so that you can 'preserve his seed'. This is from my hard copy one, might vary from one publication to another:

 

 

 

 

Come, our father shall drink wine, and we shall sleep with him, that we may preserve a seed of our father.

 

 

 

I'm not a religious nut, I own all the major holy books and other spiritual books as well. They're interesting to read sometimes, but as Zonorhc pointed out I wouldn't necessarily even want my own child to read some of the stuff (the example above isn't even nearly as bad as some of the stuff in the Bible)

[Viktorkrum77]

If you have no other option but to go, stand up during a preacy Bible reading and just say, calmly yet loudly, "Prove it."

 

 

 

Before he can answer, continue with, "Oh, wait, I remember now. It's true because the Bible is the word of God, and we know that God exists because the Bible says so."

 

 

 

Once he's sufficiently indignant, calmly walk out.

 

 

 

Freedom of speech and religion is one thing, but when you try to force it upon others, that's a whole new ball game. If nothing else, you could make a complaint on charges of verbal assault.

 

 

 

Now that I think about it, I would love to attend those services. Once he gets all preachy about morality, point him to Genesis 19:30-38.

 

 

 

Genesis 19: 32: 'And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth', this seemed the only tid bit that made sense to what you were saying, please explain?

 

 

 

You probably have a kids censored learn-abc Bible, the real one talks about two women on incest and making your own father drunk so that you can 'preserve his seed'. This is from my hard copy one, might vary from one publication to another:

 

 

 

 

Come, our father shall drink wine, and we shall sleep with him, that we may preserve a seed of our father.

 

 

 

I'm not a religious nut, I own all the major holy books and other spiritual books as well. They're interesting to read sometimes, but as Zonorhc pointed out I wouldn't necessarily even want my own child to read some of the stuff (the example above isn't even nearly as bad as some of the stuff in the Bible)

 

 

 

Lol, I judt used the internet, Google FTW!! \ Yea, they did talk about the seed. Also, the Bible is kind of crued to woman, I leanred that at Church last week. I'd call it rather sexist IMHO.

[Zonorhc]

Now, don't get me wrong - I think the Bible has some decent moral ideas within it.

 

 

 

It's just that I can't take an overly self-righteous religion like Catholicism (which I assume you're having problems with, what with the baptisms and other miscellaneous rituals) when the book it places the core of its beliefs in advocates incest, genocide, violence against women, women as sex slaves, infidelity, abuse of alcohol and intolerance towards homosexuals all in the one chapter.

[logic-is-overrated]

He's a preacher...at church...who's preaching. Seem's pretty normal to me.

[Zonorhc]

He's a preacher...at church...who's preaching. Seem's pretty normal to me.

 

However, it seems that he's performing his services for a group who are apparently not all of the same faith as he is, and who are otherwise there only because they are compelled to, from what I can see.

 

 

 

The problem isn't that he's preaching for his faith, but that he's verbally abusing other people for theirs.

 

 

 

Fundies like that are what cause wars to start.

[pompey_spud]

k out of the replies i have drawn up the following answers, which should narrows my options down

 

1.) yes it is a public school (its a private school, but in britain we call em public :-s )

 

2.) my parents are both aethiests too, but they dont feel as strongly about it, they just tell me that itll all be over in a year

 

3.) i am fairly senior at my school. in in 5th form, or year 11, and we're doing our GCSEs this year

 

4.) I would talk to the headmaster and deputy etc but theyre ultra bible-bashers too. The deputy head wont let his kids read harry potter coz of the witchcraft (swear on my life, true story)

 

5.)I dont mind getting told of but i dont wanna stand up in the middle of church and swear at the Rev for no just reason. ALL the pupils and ALL the teachers are there so id be making a bit of an arse of myself if i did

[knives669]

Hmmm... Maybe you should try talking to your parents a little more about it? See if they can't talk to the school officials about it? Basically if they just say,"That's not the way we do things in our household." Then you might have a possibility of getting out of it.

 

 

 

Either that, you can just sit there and listen to the guy preach. Maybe you could bring a book to church? Read? Try to get ahead or catch up on your studies while he's preaching?

 

 

 

I honestly don't like to go to church, because I have the same problem as you. I always find that not only the preacher, but the people who attend the church to be too condescending and preachy myself. And I'm not Christian. But, I go out of respect to my friends who are, and sometimes to my family who are. I sit there and listen to what the preacher has to say, and I find it interesting. It can be a good learning opportunity about other points of view. However, I only go once in a blue moon and you go every week. So, I can see how you would be fed up with it.

[yeah_you_are]

Hey man im a christain but I strongly oppose forcing religion down peoples throats. Do they have a right to pose there opinion? Yes. Do they have the right to cram there opinion down your throat? No. Your justified in not aprreciating what he did. Unfortunatley too many people try to be hipocritical crazy preachers who try to put on a show by saying everyone else is a sinner. I gotta say im with you on this one.

[Astralinre]

Lol, I judt used the internet, Google FTW!! \ Yea, they did talk about the seed. Also, the Bible is kind of crued to woman, I leanred that at Church last week. I'd call it rather sexist IMHO.

 

 

 

And yet the Judeo-Christian teachings highly esteem women. Genesis says that woman is a blessing from God, Song of Solomon is a love song, and Paul tells husbands to love their wives as themselves. To call the Bible sexist is to ignore half the picture.

 

 

 

Fundies like that are what cause wars to start.

 

 

 

And bashing fundamentalists for practicing their beliefs puts you on the exact same level as them.

 

 

 

To the Topic Starter: If your parents are sending you to a private school, they're probably doing so for a reason. Respect them, respect your teachers, respect the preacher, and just deal with what you're supposed to do.

[malo2]

 

 

 

Fundies like that are what cause wars to start.

 

 

 

And bashing fundamentalists for practicing their beliefs puts you on the exact same level as them.

He didn't bash anything, he just said how it usually is.

[darkmage099]

Lol, I judt used the internet, Google FTW!! \ Yea, they did talk about the seed. Also, the Bible is kind of crued to woman, I leanred that at Church last week. I'd call it rather sexist IMHO.

 

 

 

And yet the Judeo-Christian teachings highly esteem women. Genesis says that woman is a blessing from God, Song of Solomon is a love song, and Paul tells husbands to love their wives as themselves. To call the Bible sexist is to ignore half the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right...Doesn't it say that women were created for (maybe from?) men? Which means they are inferior.

 

 

 

This made me laugh. I don't know if it's true or not. I haven't read the Bible

 

 

 

Bible: "Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones." (Psalm 137, 137:9)