The concept of herd mentality

[DramaQueen]

I don't think he's religious, just spiritual (no ridiculing please)

[ShaMan]

As a religious person, you should know that going in, and respect it for what it is.

Your views have always seemed reasonable to me, but I had no idea you're not an atheist. I thought you were spiritual, but an atheist. Learn something new everyday.

This is my idea of a reasoned response. rather than saying "ShaMan" is a (fill in the blank) because he's different than us, you've taken the time to be considerate and to address me as your equal - respect. I am not a 'religious person' - I abhor religion and what it does to people and communities. I did briefly identify as an atheist, but that was an error.

I am a shaman, and I will be that again from now on, rather than what I have been - a fake.

[bennyboy]

Hmmmm. . . why does ShaMan, a person with 2000 posts and a 43 reputation, have a line through his name? Did I miss something, or did he go off and rage in another thread or something?

[Whateverist]

Calling out the stereotypical behaviors you don't like is something many of us do. But there is no reason to completely lose all perspective, nor the sense of humor that permits.

Rather than choose between total conformity and a righteousness nazi, you might just try being yourself. Point out what you don't think is fair play or decent when you see it, laugh along with an insightful (if dark) joke when you get it but never forget that we're all multi-facetted. You don't need to grandstand in order to risk being a little disliked or disrespected. Let the chips fall as they may but you don't have throw them into the gutter and then claim everyone else made you do it. There is a great distance between being authentic and being a lout.