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Angie
New Member
USA
2 Posts |
 Posted - 08/28/2003 : 18:13:14
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How does one "come out" about relgious beliefs? For as long as I can remember, I've never believed, yet, whenever asked, I'm always very vague. Living in the south, most of my co-workers are quite religous (wearing crosses, praying before meals, attending church multiple times a week, etc). If they knew my beliefs, I think they would be shocked! On the one hand, it's a lot easier just to not say what I really believe (basically lie, although that may be too strong of a word because I've never been directly asked if I believe in god and I'm not sure how I would respond if I were), but on the other, I would like to let others know that I don't believe. I think if I were thinking about my career, certainly being vocally oppossed to organized religion would be a bad thing...but at the same time, how am I true to myself? Any ideas? Angie
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
 Posted - 08/28/2003 : 23:56:55 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Angie
Any ideas?
Angie,
Not everyone has to know your business, do they? If it stops people from 'looking at you funny', why tell more than you have to? You don't have to lie though. I tell people with whom I probably won't have a long term friendship or relationship that I'm not very religious, which doesn't necessarily mean I don't believe (they can think what they want). Depends on the person and situation though or my mood. Why get into a debate when you don't have to? It's not really being dishonest to not say everything, is it?
But seriously, Atheist United has something on their web site that might help you.
http://www.atheists.org/comingout
Being from the South, you must know about being polite. Sometimes that's the better part of......causing worse problems.
Right place, right time.....you'll find it, you'll know.
Well, maybe that didn't help, but I tried.
PS. I just read what they said on that link above. Hum! Sounds a little militant, if ya ask me but hey! What do you expect from Madelyns' organization? They almost sound similar to the religious right but in the antithesis in how they want people to act. Well, maybe the page will help anyway. |
| Edited by - Snake on 08/29/2003 00:33:08 |
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Angie
New Member
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2003 : 17:19:01 [Permalink]
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Thanks for the link, Snake. Interesting reading....not sure I quite agree with everything (I hardly feel that I'm living in an unhealthy, self-isolation, but who knows, maybe I'm just too delusional to notice!)
Yeah, you're right that my co-workers don't need to know...but heck, most of my friends don't know either. And while I'm pretty sure my mother does know, we never talk about it because I think it's upsetting to her and I don't really have any reason to shove it down her throat (and she doesn't shove religion down mine). Mostly, I just don't like the idea of debating it. If I could tell someone and have them accept it, I think I would, but most of the time it's not worth starting this huge discussion that no one is ever going to "win."
Thanks again!
Angie |
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Renae
SFN Regular
543 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2003 : 17:48:34 [Permalink]
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Hi Angie,
I live in a liberal west coast city, and I still get treated like an animal in a zoo sometimes when I mention I'm agnostic. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. 
How I tell people or respond to questions depends on whom I'm dealing with. Sometimes, I say nothing. More often, though, I say something like: "You know, religion really isn't my thing. I'm skeptical about a lot of things. I respect your beliefs, though."
I'm not out to 'convert' anybody to agnosticism, or to talk anybody out of their beliefs in God or anything else (except maybe out of Republicanism, ). I'll debate with someone who argues with me, but it doesn't feel polite or respectful to me, personally, to instigate it.
I believe in skepticism very strongly, but I also believe in treating others with kindness and respect. So I strive for a balance.
I hope the above doesn't sound too Pollyanna. 
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mr. who
New Member
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2003 : 12:26:02 [Permalink]
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Try saying I believe in Life,love,and happiness it Works!!!
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Mr. Blue |
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