I guess I should intro

[Monkeybuttorama]

Not much to say about myself.. I'm 30, female, raised without religion from age 5 (bible study before then which I sort of vaguely remember) raised by two "recovering Catholics" one of whom is no longer alive to ask, the other of whom has said straight out "I've been an atheist since I was a kid". I disowned my dad's family due to them expecting me to adhere to their religious beliefs, at least insofar as forgiving any trespass, which I am neither willing nor able to do. I did not know them until I was an adult, so it's no major loss. I choose my family and social ties; they are not chosen for me.

I will be finally graduating college soon, and have a peer group of like 4 people, including my partner. I don't live in a particularly religious area, nor does my subject field (science) leave room for a lot of theism, I'm just not social, and with the way I interact with people, it seems that religion turns people off to me (I'm very open and honest about my perceptions, and don't much care about disagreements re: religion, and this is apparently bad for a lot of people, who frequently perceive my non-acceptance of their position as a slight)

No kids, not married, and strictly opposed to doing either of those things. My partner and I are on the same page, but being male, he doesn't get as much grief about it as I do as a female.

Anyway, I'm here because while religion plays little part in my day-to-day life, it does impact it in very bizarre, and often very personal, ways sometimes, and I'm not always sure how to handle that. I also have a major drive to communicate my concerns for society re: religion, and there's really no one in my life with whom to do that, even though everyone I'm even sort of close with is non-religious. It's just not important to them, but it is to me.


*Edit for clarity*

[ignoramus]

Welcome matey ...from the big land down under! No, not that itty bitty land they call New Zealand.

Have fun here above all like the rest of us...
Check out the current toilet paper poo thread! It's the shit! Hehe

[Whateverist]

Welcome! I got to say if you could get past needing to call out religious people and fearing how what they believe will impact society .. I think you'd be a lot happier. I know, too much feedback where not asked for. But I guess I'm like you that way.

Seriously though I'm hoping you find some solace here. Try stuff out. Use us. Have fun.

[c172]

Welcome. 

I feel the same re: marriage and kids. Too in love with myself, I guess.

[Minimalist]

I was going to shorten your name to monkeybutt but that would be wrong.  I'll think of something.

Welcome to our little asylum.

[SteelCurtain]

We are a great community, if you like it here I'm sure you'll fit right in.

We even have a Slack chat! (shameless plug)

[Monkeybuttorama]

Welcome!  I got to say if you could get past needing to call out religious people and fearing how what they believe will impact society .. I think you'd be a lot happier.  I know, too much feedback where not asked for.  But I guess I'm like you that way.  

Seriously though I'm hope you find some solace here.  Try stuff out.  Use us.  Have fun.

I'm not sure I understand this... I mean I don't care what people actually believe, if it's private belief, but when they use it to influence/change legislation or curriculum... I'd be happier pretending it wasn't happening, even though it is? O.o

I mean I'm sure that's true, but I don't see how it's useful..? 

I'm guessing that's probably not what you meant? Please elaborate ^_^

---

I was going to shorten your name to monkeybutt but that would be wrong.  I'll think of something.

Welcome to our little asylum.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

This name is what google came up with for me, something like two decades ago when it was a just a wee bayyyyy-bee. If you can beat it, I'll probably start using it. ^_^

[Whateverist]

Welcome!  I got to say if you could get past needing to call out religious people and fearing how what they believe will impact society .. I think you'd be a lot happier.  I know, too much feedback where not asked for.  But I guess I'm like you that way.  

Seriously though I'm hope you find some solace here.  Try stuff out.  Use us.  Have fun.

I'm not sure I understand this... I mean I don't care what people actually believe, if it's private belief, but when they use it to influence/change legislation or curriculum... I'd be happier pretending it wasn't happening, even though it is? O.o

I mean I'm sure that's true, but I don't see how it's useful..? 

I'm guessing that's probably not what you meant? Please elaborate ^_^

Well obviously my attempt at mind reading (mind fucking?) did not work out too well.  If that is all you meant - never mind!  

I was picturing you developing a nervous twitch in one of your eyes and spontaneously yelling things at theists in the manner of someone with Turrets.  If you can look past this obvious faux pas I'll probably be less of an asshole next time.

[Monkeybuttorama]

I'm not sure I understand this... I mean I don't care what people actually believe, if it's private belief, but when they use it to influence/change legislation or curriculum... I'd be happier pretending it wasn't happening, even though it is? O.o

I mean I'm sure that's true, but I don't see how it's useful..? 

I'm guessing that's probably not what you meant? Please elaborate ^_^

Well obviously my attempt at mind reading (mind fucking?) did not work out too well.  If that is all you meant - never mind!  

I was picturing you developing a nervous twitch in one of your eyes and spontaneously yelling things at theists in the manner of someone with Turrets.  If you can look past this obvious faux pas I'll probably be less of an asshole next time.

Haha, no nothing like that. I'm not really in the sort of area where religion comes up in conversation all that often, other than when others bring it up and I say "not really interested, but if that's your thing, cool with me." And I sincerely mean it (whether they think that's the case or not). Not to say that doesn't lead to people trying to convert me to whatever, especially at bars (I'm from Wisconsin, it's only natural - bars outnumber churches in nearly every town so alcohol and football are our actual "religions") but I try not to be rude about it unless they get super-personal and/or won't drop it.

I get like that privately, but nobody knows about it but me ~_^

Just wanted to make sure we were communicating clearly; no hard feelings! I don't talk to people much, so I'm not the best at articulating my thoughts coherently.

---

Welcome. 

I feel the same re: marriage and kids. Too in love with myself, I guess.

I'm too in love with being independent and doing whatever I like with the short life I have. 

I wouldn't even have felt it was worth mentioning, if not for the social pressure I get from people (most of whom I don't even know) about how it's the only thing that will make my life complete.

[The Valkyrie]

Welcome aboard.

Ex Catholic here.