Rusting Car Bumper

You should ask them how can we get along in spite of those differences.

Those differences shouldn't make anything but trivial differences in the important relationships with family and friends.

If someone *wants* to make them out as important them you have something to work with. Aks, "Why it is that you insist that others believe as you do?" or "Why is it, that since people have all sorts of differing beliefs about things, that you pick those one category, non-belief, to pick upon?" The purpose of asking such questions is to try to get to ground where it is undestood that these issues shouldn't affect your friendship with others.

DC

Belem

The problem is that they are not trying to convince me that they are right. I just know that I have better arguments to destroy their beliefs.
I have done that, and I have seen how sad and intimidated they feel about it.
That does not make me happy, at all.

It is something that it´s making me look bad. So, I think that it is better to let them believe what they think is true, even though it seems to me that they are deluded.

Belem

The Other Michael

Hi Belem,

YOU are not hurting their feelings by not believing in their fables.

It looks to me like those people are having their feelings hurt because you won't let them run your life.

Be strong,
Michael

Toto

Belem - you could start a thread in Secular Lifestyle and Support on how to deal with this problem. It's not one with an easy solution, but someone may have some ideas.

Dark Jedi

My response to this common gem (or variants thereof):

"If I profess no belief in your superhero, why would I fear your supervillian?"

[ December 24, 2002: Message edited by: Dark Jedi ]</p>

TerriNPA

I don't usually spout my nonbeliefs (especially here in this place ugh) unless I'm asked about it, or someone sends me gawdspam, or if I find out someone I know or work with is athiest/agnostic/etc...

I have lots of friends who are either atheist, agnostic, or pagan, so I am perfectly at ease around them

And so far ::knock on wood:: I've not yet had a conversation face to face with someone debating my nonbelief, I prefer online where I have plenty o' tools to use

southernhybrid

My family and friends, a few of my neighbors and most of my former coworkers know. I currently only work one or two days a week and the subject has rarely come up, except one time when I told my boss I didn't believe and she made no comment one way or the other. If it comes up, I tell. If not, I don't mention it. It's never been a big problem, not even here in the Bible Belt. I've gotten a little good natured teasing from a few of the godly and one or two reactions. Those reactions were from people that I didn't like so I sort of enjoyed them.

The older I get, the less important an individual's beliefs are to me. In no way would I ever be tempted to be an atheist evangelist. Growing up in a Xian evangelist home left me with strong anti-evangelist feelings.

TerryTryon

Whenever the topic of religion, politics, or sexuality come up, I announce before I say anything else, "Well, I am a gay atheist anarchist, and I think that . . ." Let it all hang out. I get into some very stimulating conversation with other folk who are either gay, atheist, or anarchist, but most others are intimidated by my outspoken evil.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have marked our house and don't stop here anymore. The Mormon missionaries are fobidden to contact me, because I was excommunicated from the LDS church, (Gay atheist anarchists are not welcome there.) Sometimes a stray Baptist preacher comes around, but they never come back.

Fundamentalists are the most annoying because they usually want to talk about evolution, a subject they think they know well, but it's usually like me attempting to argue with Steven W. Hawking about quantum mechanics. I used to bang on the table in total frustration, but, now, I let them think they win by forfeit.

I work in a prison where it is against policy to denigrate another's religion. I know it's going to get me fired one of these days, but I am addicted to seeing Christians cover their ears with their hands and say, "No, no, no." Besides, what the hell is a gay atheist anarchist doing working in a prison, anyway?

Belem

Thanks Toto

I haven´t checked all the sections in Infidels. I will go there.

Belem

Melusina

Sweet! Can I steal that?