RE: Question For Fellow Atheists...
January 8, 2017 at 11:18 pm
(This post was last modified: January 8, 2017 at 11:19 pm by Kernel Sohcahtoa.)
(January 7, 2017 at 4:35 pm)Autolite Wrote: This is my first visit to your forum. I have been a full-hard-right Atheist for at least twenty five years but I would like to ask a question that I think only another Atheist might be able to help me with.
I've spent several years discussing religion both on and offline but I think I have reached a point of 'Atheist burn-out'. I don't think it would be a surprise to any Atheist here that such discussions rarely actually accomplish any tangible results reference changing the mind of a Theist and far more often than not usually only end up in generating a considerable amount of animosity between both parties.
I would like to know how you other Atheists deal with and view Theists?
It seems to bother me more and more that there are so many people who continue to buy into the B.S. that is Theism. I recently watched the 'Jesus Camp' documentary and found it unsettling and even a little depressing. How do you fellow Atheists reconcile the fact that most of the people that you know are basically mentally 'screwed-up'.
A few weeks ago a christian neighbour of mine made a religious comment so profoundly absurd and ridiculous that it almost sent me into shock. How do you cope knowing that many so people are this messed up? I sometimes feel like I'm trapped in some sort of surreal 'Twilight Zone' type of parallel universe that is controlled and run by total nut-cases...
Thank you for creating this thread, Autolite; IMO, it is a very good one. Your op makes me think about the following quote from Inherit The Wind (1960)
Sarah Brady (In response to Matthew Brady's remark about building a monument to God for the people of Hillsboro): "...every man has to build his own monument. You can't do it for them, Matt. If you do, it becomes your monument, not theirs, and they'll topple it the minute they find a flaw in it."
As a result, when interacting with others who think differently than me, I like to remind myself that I do not have all of the answers and am uncertain about a great many things about that which we call reality. Thus, my uncertainty about reality is my own path; it is a way for me to be individually unique and build my own monument of understanding. Therefore, IMO, I must allow others to find their own paths, build their own monuments, and be who they are. Hence, based on my observations and experiences, I have found that the best that I can do is encourage people to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions.
With that said, thanks for creating this thread. I hope you enjoy your time here; IMO, this is a unique community, and it is a privilege to be a part of it. Live long and prosper, Autolite.
