(February 8, 2016 at 7:21 pm)KevinM1 Wrote: Thinking that god is behind every little coincidence is typical theist thinking. Really, our brains are wired to try to find patterns in things, even if no pattern actually exists (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia). It's an evolutionary trait, one that helped us when we were a species lost in the wilds with not much more than our brains and fists to survive with. Theists twist these kinds of things as 'proof' of a god, when it's really nothing more than our minds utilizing that ancient tool set in a modern setting.
I gather that your parents are very religious. Between family, school, friends, etc., you're going to have a difficult time. The thing about cults is that they welcome everyone, they just don't like it when they leave. So, try to be as prepared as you can with peer pressure and dirty 'tough love' tactics that theists always try to employ when their youth try to actually think clearly and experience reality. And by peer pressure, I mean slander, bullying, guilt trips, disowning, etc. etc. I'm sure other members here can fill in more, given what some of them have gone through at the hands of their loved ones. And even though they've rationalized that they do it out of love/fear of/for you, it's still really shitty behavior for them to do. Never forget that.
So, yeah... just try to stay strong and think logically. It'll be hard, given how much woo you've apparently had to deal with growing up, but thinking clearly and rationally becomes easier with time. Beyond that, good luck, and we'll be here if you need to talk.
My Mom is like super religious. My dad is kinda. He could change faith with enough convincing. I'm homeschooled and I've lost a lot of friends. So it's all family all day. I go for walks often to escape them and I stay up all night to avoid them and have peace of mind at the house. I always wake up at 4 in the morning to relax, play games, and chil out. When my parents get home I do my school work in hopes they will leave me alone under the belief that bothering me will ruin my concentration. I utilize any tactic I can to escape the doubt (thanks OCD) and it can and can not work well.
