(July 29, 2015 at 6:43 pm)Alex K Wrote: Oh, you completely misunderstood me. I'm not saying that believers in an afterlife care less about their loved ones. I'm talking about those who do not care about the truth concerning an afterlife.
Then who exactly are we talking about? Hypothetical theists? Theists who believe out of fear rather than "true faith"? I didn't mean to strawman but I wasn't clear on your point. It's been awhile since I was really into debating the subject, so I'm probably out of practice with recognizing the core of an argument.
And are you disagreeing with my point about being okay with the idea of a theist who genuinely believes -- not just a secular, casual theist who doesn't really care, but still affiliates themselves with *insert religious affiliation* just because they were raised that way and don't give the idea too much thought -- being comforted by their religion? I'd still think their beliefs were as ridiculous as Tom Cruise believing in Xenu, but I'm just saying that I don't care to take away something that gets them through their lives with a minimum of misery.
(July 29, 2015 at 6:50 pm)Pyrrho Wrote: I have found that it is best to avoid relationships with people who have idiotic beliefs whenever reasonably possible. So I do avoid relationships with theists, though not completely and absolutely, as that is not practically possible.
Typically, theists do not value atheists very much. Atheists are one of the most hated groups in America. (Source 1 and source 2.) Who needs "friends" who are prejudiced against one?
I definitely don't advertise my atheism in general, since it's produced plenty of annoying conversations with theists, but for the most part it doesn't go beyond a few awkward mini debates. If asked I'll tell the truth, but until then I guess I keep it on the down low for the sake of peace. But for the most part I still value those relationships, just as I value my relationships with people who I disagree with on politics.
I think it's short-sighted to avoid theist relationships TBH. Theism doesn't necessarily make somebody a bad friend, anymore than atheism necessarily makes someone a good friend. I'd take an anti-abortionist who was a loyal friend over an atheist who was a dick any day of the week.
