To theists

[Catholic_Lady]

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The belief is non-existent outside of the believers' minds. Belief defines them, both in action and in thought. I think it important to aknowledge this.

They may not be 'the ones at fault', but they are at fault nevertheless. Choosing to pretend it is not so won't resolve a thing. If you don't confront stupid beliefs they will end up consuming you.

I never judge a person without knowing them. I only judge them based on what I know about them, and only about that.

Confronting beliefs doesn't involve hating on the believer and thereby alienating them, instead it helps to calmly discuss things. Let's say CL is hiding her true self, what do you propose we do about it?

I know you mean well, but please don't suggest that I'm "hiding my true self"... whatever that means.

This is particularly frustrating for me because I've been extremely open about myself... using a real picture of me as the avatar, offering my facebook account information for anyone here who wants to be friends, and probably giving away more aspects of my personal life than I should. The vulnerability doesn't come without some sort of emotional attachment. I feel like ever since I got here I've had to try really hard to prove all sorts of things to you guys... first that I'm not here to convert anyone, and now, that I'm actually the person I'm acting as on here. I'm not trying to paint this as any sort of "persecution" or anything, and I understand why you guys are skeptical of theists on here due to past experiences. But it may be better to try to be a little more open minded about a new person who comes in here with a clean slate and not to make assumptions about them without good reason.

I try not to let things people say on here bother me, but it becomes difficult to do when something I value so much (being open and honest about who I am) is something I'm being accused of lying about, without facts to back up such accusations.