I need help dealing with new age crap...

[meowmeow]

Hello everyone

I’m tired of feeling inferior to some “enlightened” people so easily. I try to reason with myself but it seems to be rooted quite deeply in my system.

I have this friend, each time she hesitates between 2 self-help books (usually some crap about your spirit animal or angel therapy… blah blah bullshit!) she asks her cat!!! ASKS HER CAT!!!!! And … if the cat looks at one of the books first she buys that one!
But the best part is : if I make fun of it, she calmly states that she knows I would see it that way, because I’m such a rational person!
And I know that I will never be capable of seeing things her way but I still feel a bit sorry for myself for missing these things out and being so down to earth…

I’m sick with myself! I don’t know what to do! I’m tired of feeling like a stupid animal or a cave woman each bloody time!

I had similar feelings when I was younger, with a lesbian friend (who made me feel like a simple minded fool who didn’t have the brains and guts to see sex was something else with women) and a vegetarian friend (who made me feel like a bloodthirsty uncivilized carnivore).

But then I grew up… I still like meat and men (without the guilt... feels proud…)! And my lesbian friend found herself a nice girlfriend and feels a lot better about herself and we are best of friends again…

But I can’t seem to manage the “lack of spiritual needs” complex… Any help?

… goes to sulk in her cave…

Meow…

[LEDO]

She has a system that works for her. What's your problem? I use a coin toss because I don't trust my cats' judgement. They lick their butt.

[Eilonnwy]

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is ignore people when they do things like this. Makes life easier. I have to deal with my "psychic" sister. It's much worse than asking a cat. Sometimes when I would feed my cat I would show them the can and feed them whichever they chose first. I know my cat has no idea what is in each can and that the choice is random, but it made me feel connected with my cat and it was fun. Something like having a cat help choose a book is relatively harmless. I'm actually more concerned about her reading self help books.

People believe in things because they have been convinced one way or another, and people tend to be passionate in their beliefs because it can define who we are. Some people don't know how to respect other people's beliefs but still argue the points without coming off insulting. I struggle with it myself with my atheism. No one's perfect.

There are certain things that are not worth arguing. I like to argue here and quibble over points because other people are here to do just that. Not so much with family and friends. It's hard to have the same arguments without someone getting pissed off.

It can be frustrating watching people do silly things, but we are not them and we need to respect that. If they don't want to argue the point, then it's better to just leave it.

[Purple Rabbit]

Hello everyone

I’m tired of feeling inferior to some “enlightened” people so easily. I try to reason with myself but it seems to be rooted quite deeply in my system.

I have this friend, each time she hesitates between 2 self-help books (usually some crap about your spirit animal or angel therapy… blah blah bullshit!) she asks her cat!!! ASKS HER CAT!!!!! And … if the cat looks at one of the books first she buys that one!
But the best part is : if I make fun of it, she calmly states that she knows I would see it that way, because I’m such a rational person!
And I know that I will never be capable of seeing things her way but I still feel a bit sorry for myself for missing these things out and being so down to earth…

I’m sick with myself! I don’t know what to do! I’m tired of feeling like a stupid animal or a cave woman each bloody time!

I had similar feelings when I was younger, with a lesbian friend (who made me feel like a simple minded fool who didn’t have the brains and guts to see sex was something else with women) and a vegetarian friend (who made me feel like a bloodthirsty uncivilized carnivore).

But then I grew up… I still like meat and men (without the guilt... feels proud…)! And my lesbian friend found herself a nice girlfriend and feels a lot better about herself and we are best of friends again…

But I can’t seem to manage the “lack of spiritual needs” complex… Any help?

… goes to sulk in her cave…

Meow…

You seem to have a natural talent...scepticism. Simply nourish it, feed it with literature, science, art...and in time you will be able to state clearly your own point of view and you won't feel the urge to grow blind faith in pseudocrap trying to feel what your friends feel. It will be better than that.

[meowmeow]

She has a system that works for her. What's your problem? I use a coin toss because I don't trust my cats' judgement. They lick their butt.

thanks for your replies it gives me something to think about...

I would like to make a correction though :

- I didn't really make fun of my friend I just can't bring myself to look enthusiastic about some of the new age crap and that is enough for me to feel I'm missing something out

and that is my biggest problem : I would like to be able to be a skeptic WITOUT FEELING BAD ABOUT IT...

( but then I would also like to smoke and NOT GET CANCER, and ...)

... will have consult my therapist I think


meow ..."shrugs"

[LEDO]

Ever play OUIJA borad with someone who thinks your not moving the cursor? It is alot of fun.

[Eilonnwy]

If you want to be a skeptic without feeling bad, read up on it. Understand not only how to be a skeptic but how to try to explain things without offending. Learn different skeptics tools of thinking. Also, maybe reach out to other skeptics. There is a huge online community of skeptics, this is one place where you will find some. I don't know where you live but there might be a skeptical community in your area. Here in Boston I'm a member of the Boston Atheists and the Boston Area Skeptics, and there is a podcast called "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe". It's really well done and sometimes it's nice to hear people talking about news and current events in terms you can agree with.

[Kyuuketsuki]

Ever play OUIJA borad with someone who thinks your not moving the cursor? It is alot of fun.

That's CRUEL ...

..

..

..

... funny but still cruel

Kyu

[Rockthatpiano06]

I agree with Eilonnwy. I live with an extreme theist and when I get frustrated because she's being rediculous, I talk to my other friends who are atheists or come on here! It helps alot believe me