Outing onesself as atheis; family issues

[Trina]

Thanks for the good input - and the giggles, as I can always use those!

I'll think over your ideas and see how I can apply the ones that I'm comfortable with.

These few relatives are a bit annoying at times - last year we had a reunion, and it featured a) a prayer or two (okay, I wasn't paying much attention), b) their family minister stopping-by (luckily he wasn't much of a problem) and c) an achingly sincere inquiry from my aunt (in private) as to whether I was making it to church often.

I don't have my own transportation and depend on rides from my brother, so am not able to completely leave at will (being on disability sucks). Though I am the only tobacco fiend in the family and go out to smoke on a fairly regular basis, so I can always fume both literally and figuratively at the same time!

[MilesTailsPrower]

I've recently gotten tired of keeping my mouth shut, while people are making religious comments (very noticeable on FB, though I'm a member of many atheist groups there). So I've begun 'outing' myself recently. My comments on the topic are largely 'invisible,' it seems. I suppose a lot of people don't know what to say. I have had some support. If anyone gives me trouble, I'll just block them.

I'm not actively arguing with people expressing their beliefs, in most cases. Although, for instance, if I see a msg about the Pledge of Allegiance and its supposedly Christian history, I'll post a link on a separate message to some factual data that debunks it.

Fortunately, my 'real life' friends are cool. I weeded-out the extremists several years ago, and plan to keep it that way.

My brother and sister aren't an issue; he's an atheist, and she's mild Christian but highly tolerant.

I've decided, for now at least, *not* to tell my elderly, religious but well-meaning aunt. I don't want the poor thing worrying about my 'eternal soul,' and of course she's not going to change from her belief system.

Less clear is some cousins that I see a few times a year. They're nearing 70 years old themselves, and seem in heavy denial of reality (i.e. they're devout Christians). The woman would probably handle it, but her husband, I think, would be likely to barrage me with 'inspirational materials' in hopes of converting me. It wouldn't change my mind, but would be highly annoying. Frankly, I'm inclined to deal with them as with my aunt, though it's rather distasteful.

Feedback? Thanks in advance!

I argue with 14 year old kids on facebook

[The Grand Nudger]

I'm sure you'll work it out. Things could be worse. Every family has quirks yes?

[Violet]

So there I am in the 'today's posts' page, and I see 'outing onesself'. I don't pay attention to the last half of it, i'm all like "imma check this thread out."

And then imagine my disappointment with the next words being 'as atheist; family issues'

Come on trans and genderQ... come to the bloody forum. I'm all alone here!

Welcome, Trina...

[MilesTailsPrower]

You can blame that on yourself Sae, just imagine one up and there you go, you made a transgender friend

I even made my own up, except he doesn't talk to me, he talks to the neighbor boy across the street

[Violet]

You can blame that on yourself Sae, just imagine one up and there you go, you made a transgender friend

We'll see how imaginary they are on the 31st of august... at 19:00

I even made my own up, except he doesn't talk to me, he talks to the neighbor boy across the street

PLease tell me 'he' is a transman and you aren't saddling a transwoman with that? You never know what nonsense kids these days are going to spout

[MilesTailsPrower]

It really takes that long to imagine someone up? It comes naturally for me :p

Calm down Sae, who said anything about an imaginary transwomen?

This about sums it up for me

[Violet]

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