Many people are hesitant to identify as atheists because of the social stigma they may face, making it hard to pinpoint connections and differences among this group.
I have the opposite problem. I’m a complete atheist, but having been a devout Christian for 35 years I don’t want to explain it to anyone, or Cthulhu forbid, present them an opportunity to get that free toaster by advertising my availability for conversion, so I just don’t.
But I can’t stop the horrified sneer. I’ve tried. But what they talk about, what they preach, what they insist is Christianity, is anything but. I mean, I know this distinction is just mythology vs. mythology to a number of folks here (and with exceptionally good reason, lol) but having been an actual scholar of it, it’s literally revolting.
It’s not just that the Christians of antiquity would be horrified and repulsed, it’s also that the Christians of just forty years ago would be repulsed. I don’t even give a shit anymore, it’s not real, but jesus fucking christ get your lies straight, people.
So whether I’m an atheist or I’m a Christian, they all hate me: if I speak in Christian I end up poking holes in the bullshit without even meaning to just by referring to the classic belief system once known as Christianity, but if I don’t speak then I’m not openly agreeing with them (they sure as fuck know Matthew 12:30/Luke 11:23) and they take that shit very personally: either way I’m automatically outgrouped.
Which may not actually be a problem, now that I think about it: they’re self-selecting out. Okay, never mind.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, lol.
@ChunkMcHorkle@Lanky_Pomegranate530
35 years of faith must have been brutal mentally.
I’m Aussie so religion is not much of an issue here but I deal with it by separating the person from the faith if possible.
Belief is not a choice & I’m not convinced by biblical evidence. Feigning belief would not fool God if he exists.
My christian friends agree to disagree & we move on to other topics. I will not be the angry atheist they need me to be to reinforce their negative opinion of atheists.
You were a christian scholar? Mind if I ask what sort of things you were interested in, when you were researching? I’m always curious about what the real intellectual types are pondering in their beliefs or church history.
I have the opposite problem. I’m a complete atheist, but having been a devout Christian for 35 years I don’t want to explain it to anyone, or Cthulhu forbid, present them an opportunity to get that free toaster by advertising my availability for conversion, so I just don’t.
But I can’t stop the horrified sneer. I’ve tried. But what they talk about, what they preach, what they insist is Christianity, is anything but. I mean, I know this distinction is just mythology vs. mythology to a number of folks here (and with exceptionally good reason, lol) but having been an actual scholar of it, it’s literally revolting.
It’s not just that the Christians of antiquity would be horrified and repulsed, it’s also that the Christians of just forty years ago would be repulsed. I don’t even give a shit anymore, it’s not real, but jesus fucking christ get your lies straight, people.
So whether I’m an atheist or I’m a Christian, they all hate me: if I speak in Christian I end up poking holes in the bullshit without even meaning to just by referring to the classic belief system once known as Christianity, but if I don’t speak then I’m not openly agreeing with them (they sure as fuck know Matthew 12:30/Luke 11:23) and they take that shit very personally: either way I’m automatically outgrouped.
Which may not actually be a problem, now that I think about it: they’re self-selecting out. Okay, never mind. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, lol.
@ChunkMcHorkle @Lanky_Pomegranate530
35 years of faith must have been brutal mentally.
I’m Aussie so religion is not much of an issue here but I deal with it by separating the person from the faith if possible.
Belief is not a choice & I’m not convinced by biblical evidence. Feigning belief would not fool God if he exists.
My christian friends agree to disagree & we move on to other topics. I will not be the angry atheist they need me to be to reinforce their negative opinion of atheists.
You were a christian scholar? Mind if I ask what sort of things you were interested in, when you were researching? I’m always curious about what the real intellectual types are pondering in their beliefs or church history.
With no offense taken but with respect to this community, I’m going to decline to answer.