First, I like crosses. I know, torture instrument and all, but I think they're pretty. I would wear them if it didn't automatically brand me a Christian.
I'm pretty soft spoken around these issues with my family. I don't really make a big deal out of Christmas or Easter, I just abstain from certain aspects.
When I first became an atheist I got a necklace from my Godmother that was religious in nature. I didn't make a fuss because I don't think she knew.
However, If I got religious paraphernalia from someone who knows what my beliefs were and ignored it the way your aunt did, I would probably give it back saying something like "I'm sorry, but I do not believe in God so please give it someone who would appreciate it". I would even make it a public thing to embarrass them for completely disrespecting me when I've been good enough not to do the same to them. I'm usually good about gifts, nodding and smiling if you have one or don't like it. But what your aunt did flies in the face of respect so I tend to reciprocate how people treat me.
I'm pretty soft spoken around these issues with my family. I don't really make a big deal out of Christmas or Easter, I just abstain from certain aspects.
When I first became an atheist I got a necklace from my Godmother that was religious in nature. I didn't make a fuss because I don't think she knew.
However, If I got religious paraphernalia from someone who knows what my beliefs were and ignored it the way your aunt did, I would probably give it back saying something like "I'm sorry, but I do not believe in God so please give it someone who would appreciate it". I would even make it a public thing to embarrass them for completely disrespecting me when I've been good enough not to do the same to them. I'm usually good about gifts, nodding and smiling if you have one or don't like it. But what your aunt did flies in the face of respect so I tend to reciprocate how people treat me.
"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." Benjamin Franklin
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