(July 11, 2016 at 4:12 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: Of course I can.  Most of my friends are believers of one sort or another.

Boru

Do you ever discuss religion with them?

Here a hint.

If you're going to fight over things like religion, then they probably aren't true friends to start with.

First group definitely, not sure what things are like in other countries, but talking about religion usually only happens in Churches, Mosques or in pubs 20 minute before closing where I am.

By that I mean, it doesn't really come up in conversation.

(July 11, 2016 at 1:02 am)Detachable Wrote: Though I guess not everyone here is an atheist, I am. I'm finding it harder and harder to remain friends with believers.
This question is directed at other atheists. So, if you reply, please state first whether or not you are an atheist. If an atheist, please also state if you are a Type 1 or Type 2 atheist, as defined below. :-)
Question:
As an atheist, do you find you are still able to be friends with believers?
What I've found is that there are 2 basic types of atheists:
1) Simply don't believe in god, but don't mind if others do
2) Don't believe in god because they think it's a dangerous fairytale

I am in the second group. My hunch is that people in the first group can still be friends with believers. 
So, more specifically: If you are a 'Type 2 atheist,' are you still able to be friends with believers? If so, doesn't it cause significant 'cognitive dissonance' (mental confusion/stress)?
Thx, D

I can't have dumb people for friends, unfortunately. At most, I'm going to be polite with them and everything, but I choose my friends very carefully, and I have 0 reason to befriend someone who is fucking batshit crazy and believes in gods and shit.

Define friend.

Most of the xtians I am around are more like acquaintances. We have our interaction and then part. Rarely does religion come up so it does not create an issue.

But my best friend is my catholic wife. Well maybe second best. Not sure what religion Nico and Lexy are. My guess would be foodians. I often see them genuflect to steak.

Everyone's delusional in some sense. So long as they are entertaining to talk to, I'm fine.

If they want to convert me, I'd dump them-- not because the attempt to convert is that bothersome, but because that's so unoriginally, stereotypical X-tian: I don't have time to befriend an entire clone army.

(July 11, 2016 at 7:55 am)mh.brewer Wrote: Define friend.

Most of the xtians I am around are more like acquaintances. We have our interaction and then part. Rarely does religion come up so it does not create an issue.

But my best friend is my catholic wife. Well maybe second best. Not sure what religion Nico and Lexy are. My guess would be foodians. I often see them genuflect to steak.

They'd almost for sure be brewerians.

I mean, I produce cheese from a refrigerator.  My dogs are SERIOUSLY impressed by that ability.  I mean. . . totally floored. I can see that they really, really admire me.

No i am not an atheist, and I have friends belonging to quite a few different religious backgrounds, but then again, they themselves don't care much about their own religions to let that be an issue.

I, and I believe most people here, pick friends based on their level of assholism instead of X-ism. Sure religious fanatics tend to be assholes, but so can atheists if they try to force their views on others without provocation.

(July 11, 2016 at 8:03 am)bennyboy Wrote: They'd almost for sure be brewerians.

I mean, I produce cheese from a refrigerator.  My dogs are SERIOUSLY impressed by that ability.  I mean. . . totally floored.  I can see that they really, really admire me.

I refuse to accept that kind of responsibility. Plus they do that for anyone that produces food. I am not unique.

I can even enjoy fucking Christians. Believe it or not, lots of religious people are perfectly capable of keeping their personal beliefs to themselves and not imposing them on other people or feel the need to convert others. This might make them fall into the No True Christian category for many, but I don't really give a fuck if they consider themselves Christian because that's where the majority of their beliefs align whilst updating them to fit modern standards.