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so you are on the same page as fred phelps?

I'm an atheist, but I don't have as cynical view of the religious aspect of funerals as you. I don't think they're proselytizing or anything; if a person had religious beliefs, then it's only right for their funeral to reflect that. I've been to many funerals and I never felt as if the minister/priest was trying to promote the beliefs, but just to bring some perspective to the person's death in accordance with the beliefs of the dead person.

I would hope that atheist would be too "squeamish" to confront religious people at a funeral. It's extremely disrespectful. So what if they hold different views than you, the funeral isn't about what you believe, it's about what the person who died and their family believes.

Also, just because you're an atheist doesn't mean you have the right to confront religious people at every step; there is a place and time for intelligent debate, if that's what you're truly after. Confronting a grieving family at a funeral is not one of them, and doing so makes you look dumber than the people with the "stupid beliefs". I'd say having the audacity to be that cold hearted at that time and place is much more stupid than having a belief in God, not matter how much I think he doesn't exist.

Why is it bad for others to proselytize their beliefs but you feel your entitled to? And fyi no one if proselytizing anything at a religion, it's their faith and death and what come after is a part of that faith. Atheists are not "Obligated" to do anything. Don't pretend you have to spread your belief you want to. There is a difference.

And how does believing in a god "waste your life?" Have you no tolerance?

And leave it for some other time, if you must insult people's life choices.At least religious types are trying to comfort a grieving relative, you really are just trying to force a belief on people, at one of their worst times, Let the grieving grieve.

I'm not religious... I'm not atheist either though, i beleive in a higher power, but i don't believe i need an organized religion to tell me how to live. Either way, if i just lost a loved one, and you came along and disrespected me at the funeral, i would probably knock you out... atheists don't believe in a higher power, but you have no right to upset someone in their time of grief. I don't believe in funerals, but i've been to many because its a tradition that is very important to a lot of people. I think the whole funeral process is kind of a waist of time too, but some people need it inorder to move on. It doesn't hurt anyone, and if it makes them feel better then who cares.

It's an inappropriate time. One should pay their respects and offer their sympathies to the grieving and that's it.

Atheists are no more "obligated" to debate religion with theists than theists are with anyone else. Two wrongs don't make a right ring a bell?

If you came to my Mom's funeral and told me she wasted her life, I would have clocked you. My Mom did so much good for our community, our family and friends, and she is remembered with love by those whose lives she touched - whether there is an "afterlife" or not, her life certainly wasn't wasted.

Atheists do not have any "obligation", much less at somebody's funeral; that is not the time nor the place for such a debate and would be considered very disrespectful!

Also, just because you may believe they are wasting their lives, does not mean that they do; they believe you are wasting your's by not believing and therefore are probably going to burn in hell.

People need to learn to agree to disagree; everybody is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs, even if it's not yours!

I don't think that it is the duty of an atheist to convert others to atheism, just as it is not the duty of Christians to convert others to Christianity. So no, I don't think that atheists have the obligation or right to confront someone about religion at a place of mourning for the loss of a loved one. And I doubt anything that you could say to them would truly make them think about what you were saying anyways. Especially not in such a disrespectful manner.

They would be pointing out that EVERYONE has wasted their life. Not just the religous people. That would be really harsh.

"By the way, I know your grandma just died, but I wanted you to know it doesn't mean anything. Her life ended and it's over now, there is no afterlife, there is not meaning, just empty blackness. Oh, and your life will be totally meaningless too, so why not just die today?"

Do you really go through life thinking that this is all there is, that this is the best that it will ever be? What a dismal way to look at the world. I feel sorry for people that have no higher purpose in life, especially those that feel the need to piss on everyone elses higher purpose so that they can make the rest of the world as miserable as them.

Jesus loves you and I hope that one day you realize that.

You have a number of things wrong in your questian my dear. Atheists have no religion. Mt father was atheist, I am atheist. Before my father died at 94, I had a chat with him about any wishes he had for his funeral. I told him my sister would probably have a great christian sendoff for him. He said, let them do their thing, I have paid the mortitian for an unreligious funeral and that is what it will be. It was fine with him to be buried next to my mother. It was 20 below and snowing in Wisconsin and I stayed longer than the rest to thank my father for giveing me life and a happy journey in his next life. He believed in reincarnation the same as I.

A: Atheists are not obligated to do ANYTHING.

B: No, trying to convert someone who's grieving is just being an @ss. In effect, you're saying that it's perfectly fine for you to take advantage of someone's grief because you're an atheist. That's a piss-poor justification.

Sorry, but what makes you think that atheists lack empathy?

There is a time to debate and a time to hold one's tongue. Funerals definitely fall into the latter category.