Ever Feel Guilty?

[Mudhammam]

I've discussed religion (or lack of) with plenty of people IRL. A lot of people, after talking to me, say something like "I'm starting to question things now" or "I've never thought of it like that!", etc.

I don't actively TRY to "deconvert" people, but might be doing it anyway. My thing is I sometimes feel like I'm pulling people from their ignorant bliss. And I usually feel a little bad about it. Like...it's hard to describe. I'm glad they're finally thinking for themselves, but sad because I'm kind of forcing them to doubt what they've held to be true their whole lives. I went through it, and I know it can be rough.

I feel like a lot of the people I talk to aren't well prepared and don't really know how to debate, so I also feel kind of condescending when I try to explain my atheism. Not ALL the time, but with my mom for example. She's always been religious, and in the month since I "came out", she told me she doesn't know what to believe anymore. I'm happy...but kind of sad that she's sad. Or something.

Do you guys ever have any reservations when you effectively "un-indoctrinate" someone?

I thought this was going to be about feeling guilt in general, in which yes, it would be sociopathic not to when the situations demand it.

Indoctrinating someone is not that situation. Sometimes I wonder if I have really lost that evangelical edge the Christians instilled in me because I feel it is almost my duty to myself and mankind to do everything I can to plant the seeds that may lead to a person's indoctrination. It's probably in a way like saving someone, redeeming them, helping them to be able to experience the one real life they will ever have for what it truly is--heinous and terrifying and beautiful and amazing (all largely depending on us as individuals and as a group) all at the same time.


What a person believes matters. Religion poisons everything.
Sorry but that felt bold.