(July 10, 2010 at 6:19 pm)drakeeeeeeee Wrote: My question is this... what are we atheists fighting for? I mean, I definitely think the world would be a better place without religion, but if being an atheist separates me from my family... is it worth it? I mean, I could still be an atheist inside, but lie to everyone... or is that even worth it?
Basically I just need to know that other atheists out there have been hurt badly by their family as well... and I need to hear from other atheists that I am doing some good, at least in the long run, by standing for my (lack of) beliefs... even to my family.
Thank you.
People fear what they do not understand and many who tightly hold their beliefs don't understand how or why someone wouldn't share them, especially when their beliefs seem so very tangible to them.
If I have to give you any advice whatsoever, however, it's that lying to yourself and your family isn't the way to fix anything. If your shared belief with them is a lie, then whatever relatoinship you have with your family will be based on that lie and NO relationship ever lasts on lies, especially when it so profoundly affects your family.
I'm some anonymous shmuck on the internet giving advice, and to the effect that it's worth, were I in your shoes, I would remove whatever hold up you have against talking about your position on religion. Your family apparently is treating you very different because of it and that's not fair to you. Your family deserves to know who you are and what you do and do not believe in.
