Atheism

[Jimbouk]

Hi,

Some of you may be Christians, some may be atheists but for the atheists out there, how do you deal with the predominant  religion in the Philippines? (e.g. making excuses for not going to church, refusing to take part in praying etc.)

Jimbouk

Edited June 24, 2019 by Old55
Replaced pervasive with predominant

[Gary D]

Like most places now the proportion of the population that actually go to church is quite small. Apart from a couple if weddings/ christenings and a funeral I've not been to church there in 25 years.

[Old55]

Jim your post is provocative bordering a troll. What exactly is the point of your question?

[Mike J]

3 hours ago, Jimbouk said:

Some of you may be Christians, some may be atheists but for the atheists out there, how do you deal with the predominant  religion in the Philippines? (e.g. making excuses for not going to church, refusing to take part in praying etc.)

No need for excuses, it will not be an issue unless you make it an issue.  

[Nickleback99]

Now there’s a “loaded” subject!  I simply don’t go for most part, and if I bow my head, eyes open, it’s simply out of respect for another’s faith or beliefs. I did agree and participate in my children’s baptisms and will leave to them to decide their own beliefs later.  I’ve been at plenty of Fil-Am gatherings, where there’s always a blessing given before chow, and noticed a lot of Filipinas not bowing nor closing eyes, deliberately, which told me a lot.  My Asawa is very much a non-participant in the church itself and often questions its policies, as she feels it does not help lift others Out of poverty, and she Knows poverty having grown up in Tondo, and later Bagong Silang. That all said, I have little faith in Man either, as seems we are pretty adept at doing a lot of bad things around the world regardless of beliefs or faiths. Maybe John Lennon has a good idea in this song, although not realistic, at least to me.  Peace.  

[Snowy79]

I'm pretty up front about not being religious.  If they don't like it they can pray for my forgiveness 

I think it's like a lot of countries now where they play lip service to it.  They've had it drilled into them about religion but like rules and laws here most just say they are to fit in with the crowd.  

I have some seriously religious friends and they respect my disbelief and I respect their faith, I've never once felt rejected for being a humanist. 

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I simply tell them I have no imaginary friends and will not go.  They think all foreigners are crazy anyway - may as well let them think it. :) 

The only place it has ever been questioned is at government offices. When I fill out a form, check "other" and write in "none".  It confuses them ha ha

[Mark Berkowitz]

I'm a bit surprised that we can discuss religion on this forum.

[BrettGC]

I go with the Angry Midget every now and then - It's an hour every couple of weeks and makes her happy.  Besides, the local bishop here does the Sunday night mass and when he gives his homily he's so out of touch with reality it's a bit of a comedy show which provides some amusement - Despite herself, AM sometimes chuckles along with me. 

1 hour ago, Snowy79 said:

I have some seriously religious friends and they respect my disbelief and I respect their faith, I've never once felt rejected for being a humanist. 

I'm in the same boat Snowy. 

Edited June 25, 2019 by BrettGC

[GeoffH]

I'm not Catholic (I'm Presbyterian although non-practising) and SWMBO is Catholic like the majority of Filipinos and she and her family attend church maybe 2 weeks in 4.  They don't mind if I go or if I don't go, sometimes I'll go when they go to the shrine because we make a trip out of it and do something else afterwards.  I don't bother going to the local Parish church though.

If you politely decline to go then after a while they won't ask you, and you don't have to pray, just sit quietly while they do and don't disrespect their religion.  It's really not a big deal Jimbouk, you're overthinking it, if you don't make an issue of it then they won't.

Just don't expect them to change, it's their religion and their country.

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by GeoffH