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Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 4:35 pm
(This post was last modified: January 7, 2017 at 4:49 pm by Autolite.)
This is my first visit to your forum. I have been a full-hard-right Atheist for at least twenty five years but I would like to ask a question that I think only another Atheist might be able to help me with.
I've spent several years discussing religion both on and offline but I think I have reached a point of 'Atheist burn-out'. I don't think it would be a surprise to any Atheist here that such discussions rarely actually accomplish any tangible results reference changing the mind of a Theist and far more often than not usually only end up in generating a considerable amount of animosity between both parties.
I would like to know how you other Atheists deal with and view Theists?
It seems to bother me more and more that there are so many people who continue to buy into the B.S. that is Theism. I recently watched the 'Jesus Camp' documentary and found it unsettling and even a little depressing. How do you fellow Atheists reconcile the fact that most of the people that you know are basically mentally 'screwed-up'.
A few weeks ago a christian neighbour of mine made a religious comment so profoundly absurd and ridiculous that it almost sent me into shock. How do you cope knowing that many so people are this messed up? I sometimes feel like I'm trapped in some sort of surreal 'Twilight Zone' type of parallel universe that is controlled and run by total nut-cases...
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 4:43 pm
I usually make fun of them and their fairy tales. I regard them as objects for my own amusement.
You can't change the mind of someone who is determined to accept bullshit as reality. So give 'em hell.
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 4:50 pm
(January 7, 2017 at 4:35 pm)Autolite Wrote: I recently watched the 'Jesus Camp' documentary and found it unsettling and even a little depressing. How do you fellow Atheists reconcile the fact that most of the people that you know are basically mentally 'screwed-up'.
The Jesus Camp presents as negative a selection as it gets. Not every theist is a nutter and most people I know aren't mentally screwed up.
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Welcome.
If their fantasy delusions make them happy I don't care, as long as they don't negatively impact my personal life.
I'm sorry that it is bothering you. Tell you what, I'll pray for you!
hehehehe
I don't have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem.
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 4:59 pm
(This post was last modified: January 7, 2017 at 5:47 pm by Autolite.)
@ abaris
Well Theists believe in an all powerful, all knowing, magical flying man. To me this is just nuts, although being a 'shared' belief it does not meet the medical definition of a delusion. Does this not bother you???
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 5:06 pm
(January 7, 2017 at 4:59 pm)Autolite Wrote: @ abaris
Well Theists believe in an all powerful, all knowing, magical flying man. To me this is just nuts, although being a 'shared' belief it does not met the medical definition of a delusion. Does this not bother you???
Yeah, it's not a topic where I live, so no, most people I know aren't nutters. At least not for that reasons.
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 5:07 pm
@ Minimalist
"Give 'em hell" might not be the best approach for me. I'm talking about friends and neighbours, people I have to interact with and deal with on a daily basis. I tell only very few of them that I'm an Atheist...
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 5:27 pm
I used to have a friend in high school with bazaar sense of humor. I'd come to school after seeing something or hearing about something in the news I didn't like and he'd say, "Well, you know what the solution is?" I'd ask "What"? He'd say "Kill everyone and plant trees".
Truth is many people can suffer burnout after long periods. I post constantly and anyone here can tell you that. I don't see myself burning out at least not now. But some do, and the best way to prevent that on any issue, is to find balance. If you are burning out it doesn't mean you should stop forever, but take a break until you feel like you can come back to it, and then when you do, keep that balance.
I survive the nuts by discussing other things too, like sports and music, politics and often use humor too. I visit my mom 6 days a week, I am currently watching the playoffs in the background.
If you have not, it can help to actually seek local atheist groups near you to actually talk to in person. Knowing that you are not alone also reduces the stress of being surrounded.
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Autolite,
I understand what you are feeling and I share the concern in many ways. Of those Theists I have discussed religion with, they tend to get very offended when I make a very reasonable argument against their beliefs. I see this as a subconscious defensive reaction to an assault on what they hold as a relief to their fear of mortality. In my eyes, this is nothing more than lying to one's self, and ignoring the consequences of that lie.
How much further advanced would our species be without the Dark Ages and destruction of the library at Alexandria. Without that travesty my bet is in favor of our species being far more advanced, maybe even a space-faring one, by now. That, of course, still requires the absence of any remarkable theism since that time. The damage theism has done to our species in that regard, that view, is truly regrettable. Are we any better now, in terms of sky daddies, than we were then? The damage done by religion in total is very high, and I hope an end comes to the grip of mysticism before an end comes to our planet (from within or without).
Creationists are like Slinkys: It's hard not to giggle when they tumble down the stairs.
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RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 7, 2017 at 5:54 pm
(This post was last modified: January 7, 2017 at 6:14 pm by Autolite.)
Quote:I understand what you are feeling and I share the concern in many ways. Of those Theists I have discussed religion with, they tend to get very offended when I make a very reasonable argument against their beliefs.
Thanks for that. I was starting to think that I might be the only Atheist who was feeling that way. I think the Theists get really pissed at you when it starts making sense to them what you're saying...
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