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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 7:51 am
(This post was last modified: November 29, 2011 at 7:56 am by Justtristo.)
(November 28, 2011 at 9:30 pm)belphegor Wrote: i disagree. part of being an adult means you can share conflicting ideas with other adults and not go ape shit. i have plenty of religious people in my life that, while disagree with my stance, tolerate and respect my opinion and me as a person. i think the OP's goal is to get these people to tolerate his views without pissing them off.
You described very well what I want to achieve, if it is possible. Because I don't feel my present approach (being absolutely silent about my beliefs or lack therefore) is found wanting.
However in my opinion the Minimalist plus Norfolk and Chance are right to an extent that some people (including I am afraid who I would count as friends) are truly offended even if you say your an atheist in the most sugar coated language. They are the ones who have a lack of maturity and only being mature (as you define it) will only go so far.
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 10:31 am
(November 28, 2011 at 8:51 am)Justtristo Wrote: I have been grappling with this for a while. Namely how do you tell people that you an atheist without unnecessarily off putting them.
Since I know many Christians (even fundamentalist ones) in my life who are frankly better human beings than I am. I suppose I would be upfront and say I am an atheist, however in particular Australians done like blunt people very much.
Maybe some people can help me on how to say to people you are an atheist, without being too blunt or trigger an emotional reaction in them.
Don't. Religion is a matter you discuss with family and a potential spouse (and internet message boards) exclusively. It doesn't belong in any other realm.
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 10:33 am
It's an issue that doesn't belong in any realm. Sadly, people like yourselves can't accept that, and so here we are.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 10:50 am
(November 29, 2011 at 10:31 am)TheReal Wrote: Don't. Religion is a matter you discuss with family and a potential spouse (and internet message boards) exclusively. It doesn't belong in any other realm.
Too bad the religious bring it into every realm. It has to get said.
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 10:51 am
(This post was last modified: November 29, 2011 at 10:53 am by Voltair.)
I tell people straight that I am an atheist. When they ask why I tell them that I investigated it etc. I haven't had one get real pissy with me yet so right now it is working. Granted this has mostly been at the Christian college I attend but I think as long as you keep your cool no matter what a lot of fights will be avoided. I actually approach people and tell them because I am interested in spreading what I have found to be most likely true. I am interested in de-converting theists.
Sometimes though... I think it is better to just keep your mouth shut if its going to cause more trouble for you than its worth.
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 10:53 am
(This post was last modified: November 29, 2011 at 10:56 am by The Grand Nudger.)
Ah, the sort of calculus the faithful never have to consider. That's an issue, isn't it?
Tell you what, plant yourself into the very middle of a large crowd of people at any run of the mill social gathering. At a random point-
:Throw your hands in the air with a smile and say "praise jesus!"
:Throw your hands in the air with a smile and say "god doesn't exist!"
Hmn, wonder which is going to get you the most negative response?
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 10:56 am
(This post was last modified: November 29, 2011 at 11:00 am by Voltair.)
Well I am not going to hide my atheism except in certain situations where it is potentially a very bad idea for people to know. I am not interested in potentially putting myself in hostile situations in EXTREMELY conservative areas of the country.
For the most part though I go out of my way to tell people because I am interested in their de-conversion/strengthening my own position. It helps that I was a Christian before so I remember how my mind worked in the past and it helps me understand the people I am talking to more.
In the run of the mill I agree people would get pissy. I prefer to approach people one on one. Sure I could yell into a crowd but I am also interested in effectiveness. One on one discussions is where its at for me. The faithful would have to do that kind of calculus if they were in a situation where most people didn't believe what they did. In the USA they definitely have the home-field advantage.
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 11:48 am
(November 29, 2011 at 10:51 am)Voltair Wrote: I tell people straight that I am an atheist. When they ask why I tell them that I investigated it etc. I haven't had one get real pissy with me yet so right now it is working. Granted this has mostly been at the Christian college I attend but I think as long as you keep your cool no matter what a lot of fights will be avoided. I actually approach people and tell them because I am interested in spreading what I have found to be most likely true. I am interested in de-converting theists.
Sometimes though... I think it is better to just keep your mouth shut if its going to cause more trouble for you than its worth.
Sounds like you have a lot of friends.
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 11:49 am
Actually, I'm not sure how you extrapolated that opinion at all.
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RE: How do you tell people you are an atheist
November 29, 2011 at 11:57 am
It has nothing to do with having a lot of friends. It has to do with how you approach people and how you react to them. Walking up to someone and telling them they suck generally won't create good conversation.
I am not sure how you gathered that I had a lot of friends from my post either.
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