(July 27, 2016 at 8:15 pm)Atheist_BG Wrote:(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'm a Type 3 atheist - a combination of Type 1 and Type 2. I have 3 believing friends - one is a christian and the other 2 are muslims. They don't give a shit I'm an atheist and don't feel the need to convert me and I don't feel the need to convert them, so we get along just fine with them.
I'd have to go with this answer too. I'm dating a Christian and I'm not trying to convert him in any way. I've also fallen in love with his very Christian family. As long as others don't do anything to make me uncomfortable about how they use their beliefs, it never really bothers me. However, I am also very aware of religious people who are potentially causing me harm. There's the obvious harm I see from politicians in my own country who want to make my existence illegal as well as the more violent behaviors I see overseas. Even more closely, my own parents want nothing to do with me anymore simply because who I am is against their religious beliefs. I'm also aware that if I went near most churches I'd likely receive a fair share of harassment. I don't take belief like that lightly.
