Freethought & Rationalism Archive

johngalt · 08-10-2003, 03:26 PM

Just a little nervous and all, because 99.9% of the people are theists. Have a question too, how do you tell your roommate you are an atheist without them getting offended or some junk like that?

The Other Michael · 08-10-2003, 03:59 PM

You could always try the "mind your own business" line if they ask questions that aren't their business.

cheers,
Michael

notMichaelJackson · 08-10-2003, 05:01 PM

Simple answer: Lie.

Pretend to be a liberal Christian. That should be enough to keep the theists off your back.

southernhybrid · 08-10-2003, 05:01 PM

Starting college makes almost everyone nervous. I'll bet in time that you'll discover that there are fewer than 99.9% theists at your school. College is a time when a lot of people decovert. I attended a fundy college during my freshman year and that's when I deconverted. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Let people get to know you and then ease into discussions about your atheism. I think you'll find that some of your fellow students will be interested and even supportive of your views. Those who are intolerant will be impressed with all the tolerance and class that you have.

Stand up for yourself without being too aggressive. Don't let theists badger or intimidate you. You are not rude for wanting to share your worldview with friends just like they like to cram theirs down your throat... er I mean share theirs with you. That's what college is for. I really hope you will enjoy the experience.

spacedOut · 08-10-2003, 07:06 PM

Don't worry about the Christians.

They'll be to drunk to care what your theological preferences are...

Roland98 · 08-10-2003, 07:43 PM

Curious, is this a private Christian college, or simply a private college? If it's the latter, waaay less than 99.9% will be Christian, I guarantee. If it's the former, I still think you'll find other atheists--or at least, more liberal Christians, who are more likely to accept your atheistic POV.

Crouton · 08-11-2003, 01:15 PM

My experience was that anti-atheism was strongest when I was a child in public grade school. By the time I got to college (private), it was only discussed when I brought it up. I've lived in Massachusetts and Washington DC, so keep this in mind as less liberal places are often less tolerant. That said, unless you're going to a school with a strong religious bent, belief might not even come up. I'll pray for you. Just kidding.

Crouton

Defiant Heretic · 08-11-2003, 10:20 PM

If you don't want to discuss it, don't bring it up. If someone else brings it up, tell the truth. If they keep pestering you about it, either argue the case yourself or refer them here.

johngalt · 08-12-2003, 02:30 PM

Thanx for the support all. I guess it is normal to be a little nervous, but i look forward to it. I am going to be majoring in Philosophy

, so that will help argue the case.

fried beef sandwich · 08-14-2003, 04:40 AM

Oh, shitdawg! If you're gonna be surrounded by Philosophy majors (and you're not going to some whack job school like Liberty University), you're going to be meeting a TON of atheistic people. Or, at least, Pre-Atheists, as I likes t'call 'em. Nothing like a little bit of logic....

Dealing w/ a theistic roommate? Well... in my experience, it all boils down to the same issues that plague non-theistic roommates. For example, if you're not comfortable with him holding prayer meetings in your dorm room, you can easily tell him on non-religious grounds "I need to use the room, scheduling, etc." Your concerns and preferences are just as valid as his objections of "no sex EVER in our room. Not even cuddling" - it's all a matter of navigating and coexisting peacefully.

08-10-2003, 03:26 PM	#1
johngalt Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 204	Atheist going to private college Just a little nervous and all, because 99.9% of the people are theists. Have a question too, how do you tell your roommate you are an atheist without them getting offended or some junk like that?

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08-10-2003, 03:59 PM	#2
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	You could always try the "mind your own business" line if they ask questions that aren't their business. cheers, Michael

08-10-2003, 05:01 PM	#3
notMichaelJackson Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IL Posts: 552	Simple answer: Lie. Pretend to be a liberal Christian. That should be enough to keep the theists off your back.

08-10-2003, 05:01 PM	#4
southernhybrid Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: heavenly Georgia Posts: 3,862	Starting college makes almost everyone nervous. I'll bet in time that you'll discover that there are fewer than 99.9% theists at your school. College is a time when a lot of people decovert. I attended a fundy college during my freshman year and that's when I deconverted. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Let people get to know you and then ease into discussions about your atheism. I think you'll find that some of your fellow students will be interested and even supportive of your views. Those who are intolerant will be impressed with all the tolerance and class that you have. Stand up for yourself without being too aggressive. Don't let theists badger or intimidate you. You are not rude for wanting to share your worldview with friends just like they like to cram theirs down your throat... er I mean share theirs with you. That's what college is for. I really hope you will enjoy the experience.

08-10-2003, 07:06 PM	#5
spacedOut Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 104	Don't worry about the Christians. They'll be to drunk to care what your theological preferences are...

08-10-2003, 07:43 PM	#6
Roland98 Contributor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gilead Posts: 11,186	Curious, is this a private Christian college, or simply a private college? If it's the latter, waaay less than 99.9% will be Christian, I guarantee. If it's the former, I still think you'll find other atheists--or at least, more liberal Christians, who are more likely to accept your atheistic POV.

08-11-2003, 01:15 PM	#7
Crouton Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 22	My experience was that anti-atheism was strongest when I was a child in public grade school. By the time I got to college (private), it was only discussed when I brought it up. I've lived in Massachusetts and Washington DC, so keep this in mind as less liberal places are often less tolerant. That said, unless you're going to a school with a strong religious bent, belief might not even come up. I'll pray for you. Just kidding. Crouton

08-11-2003, 10:20 PM	#8
Defiant Heretic Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,288	If you don't want to discuss it, don't bring it up. If someone else brings it up, tell the truth. If they keep pestering you about it, either argue the case yourself or refer them here.

08-12-2003, 02:30 PM	#9
johngalt Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 204	Thanx for the support all. I guess it is normal to be a little nervous, but i look forward to it. I am going to be majoring in Philosophy , so that will help argue the case.

08-14-2003, 04:40 AM	#10
fried beef sandwich Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,156	Oh, shitdawg! If you're gonna be surrounded by Philosophy majors (and you're not going to some whack job school like Liberty University), you're going to be meeting a TON of atheistic people. Or, at least, Pre-Atheists, as I likes t'call 'em. Nothing like a little bit of logic.... Dealing w/ a theistic roommate? Well... in my experience, it all boils down to the same issues that plague non-theistic roommates. For example, if you're not comfortable with him holding prayer meetings in your dorm room, you can easily tell him on non-religious grounds "I need to use the room, scheduling, etc." Your concerns and preferences are just as valid as his objections of "no sex EVER in our room. Not even cuddling" - it's all a matter of navigating and coexisting peacefully.

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