Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brenda Voorhees on July 27, 2012 at 4:11pm

I have been having the same problem only the one who is posting such things are my own father. I have considered both un-friending him and/or opening a new page only I feel a lot of guilt about it and do not have other atheist friends.  I'm not overly sure what to do about this either. The acceptance of religious fanatacism here has made me extremely uneasy.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole D'Augereaux on July 27, 2012 at 4:44pm

It's scary, isn't it? I'm visiting my mother, and yesterday she was watching Good Morning America and they were talking about how positively the legalization of same-sex marriage has helped their local economy...at which point she muted the TV and started screaming, "THEN WHY DON'T WE JUST MAKE PROSTITUTION AND EVERYTHING ELSE IMMORAL LEGAL JUST TO HELP THE ECONOMY!!" Can you believe it? So I show her Leviticus and ask, "Why is nothing else in here still relevant? Why don't we stone people to death who work on the sabbath or not allow those with a defect in sight to take the "bread of God"? She has no answer. And I'm the one who deserves to burn for all eternity.

It's distressing that someone who is almost 60 years old can be so foolish. I just don't understand it. Marginalize them, ridicule them, take their rights away, what's next? Genocide? This brand of fanaticism is what makes me anti-theist. I just think it does more harm than good.

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Permalink Reply by EJN on July 27, 2012 at 4:25pm

I don't think you should feel bad about deleting people because of the stupid crap they post. I've deleted several people on that basis. Your facebook is for YOU. If people on there are causing you stress, just get rid of them. Sometimes Christians treat facebook like the next crusade, and you don't need to deal with that garbage. Here this is what I do; I decide who my friends list is for. Til this day I maintain my friends list is indeed for friends. Lol So when looking through my friends list if I see someone who I don't really consider to be a friend I get them out of there. I don't post on religious posts I disagree with, usually, however if they post on mine I am relentless. Sort of like that saying about bees, "if you don't bother them they won't bother you." I hope this helped, let me know.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole D'Augereaux on July 27, 2012 at 4:50pm

Touche. Thanks for the advice. :)

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Permalink Reply by Brenda Voorhees on July 27, 2012 at 5:57pm

I know I shouldn't feel guilty about deleting them from my friends. I think it has much more to do with the relationship itself then anything. If it was someone else then it wouldn't be as much of an issue. I've never been close to either of my parents, but have always desired to have a closer one with my father. It feels more like I would be giving up that relationship which is hard when I don't have a lot of other people. Its not something I want to dwell on too much. I'm sure i'll come to a conclusion. It's just something to think about since it has been bothering me.

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Permalink Reply by Brenda Voorhees on July 27, 2012 at 5:59pm

If you don't have a connection with these people, which is common on those types of sites, I would say just screw them and unfriend.

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Permalink Reply by Andy Reid on July 27, 2012 at 6:16pm

As far as I'm concerned, anything online is entertainment, including social networking. I have several fundamentalist people on mine. Then again, they know how I am. If I'm feeling a certain way, I'm not one to "be nice" and hide it. I hate the way people "fake" emotions or thoughts more than anything in the world. I'd say unfriend or ridicule. I pull stuff off of the "religion poisons everything" activity page. I post it. If it offends? Oh well. Don't send me all your "prayer, jesus, god and dogma" bullshit. I'm not ashamed of who I am or what I don't believe, just as they aren't ashamed of what they believe. But to say my pro-science propaganda is offensive and your jesus crap isn't? C'mon now. That's being a hypocrite. Just my opinion on the matter. Straight forward and without B/S. Have a lovely day :) 

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Permalink Reply by T.A.D. Tijerina on July 27, 2012 at 6:33pm

Go to "Home". Scroll over the post until a "V" arrow symbol in a box appears. Click. Click unsubscribe or "only important". I think that should do it. Try and see.

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Permalink Reply by Greg on July 27, 2012 at 7:59pm

I have been dealing with the same issue. I have several people from high school (30 years ago) who post religiously (religiously). I can't tell you exactly what it is but I have developed a rough formula for determining how much I can tolerate. The equation balances depth of friendship with religious postings. Like I say, I can't say where the threshold lies but at some point they've crossed the line. I've only unfriended one person but there are several who are on the line. I like reading their "normal" posts, about what's going on in their life. I grit my teeth when they get the urge to tell me how big a part Jesus or God is in their life. I suppose I shouldn't really hesitate to unfriend them, they've thrown up several posts that say they don't care who they offend. I should add that to the equation...whoops, new calculation indicate they're over the line. They're out of here.

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Permalink Reply by damian on July 27, 2012 at 9:39pm

I only joined facebook to find my missing cat, and now i don't use it. There was a facebook page for lost pets in my city. I don't like the way facebook looks. It's sort of scattered to me, and has no character. Well, i think i'd unfriend them. There's nothing there to hold on to; you won't change any minds. 

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Permalink Reply by Russell Christian on July 28, 2012 at 2:42am

You don't have to reply to them unless they really say something inflammatory like the guy who wanted to round up all gay people and put them in camps.  Something Like that I couldn't keep silent about.  My sister and her husband are both deeply religious and I get prayers and bible verses from them coming across my face book page all the time.  I usually just ignore it since they know I'm an atheist and those posts are more for their christian friends than for me.

I do make posts about religion on my facebook page from time to time although they aren't in response to messages I receive from others.  I'm an atheist and not ashamed to say it and when something happening in the world strikes my sensibilities I'll post something about it.  I was challenged on a post one time by my sister but after taking two shots at me and getting pretty well whipped in the ensuing debate she has left me alone on the subject of religion ever since.

So I guess my recommendation is be who you are.  If you feel like posting something with an atheist flavor, go ahead and do it.  You're an atheist after all and there's nothing wrong with that.  Don't set out to be offensive or confrontational, just post what you really think.  Be honest, straightforward and rational.  If someone does challenge what you say then respond to it in a lucid and fact based approach.  Don't get into name calling and all kinds of accusatory rhetoric, let them do that stuff while you maintain your dignity and composure.  If they can't refrain from being insulting then end the discussion and, if you really have to, block them.  To paraphrase the cinematic epic "Roadhouse" featuring film legend Patrick Swayze, "Be nice until it's time not to be nice."  Then be nice anyway.

Just remember that you won't change any minds no matter what you say or how you say it.  The main thing is to be honest.

And if you, or anyone else out there, wants another atheist friend send me a request.  Just look up my name, Russell Christian, on facebook.  I have the same avatar pic there that I do here.

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Permalink Reply by Nerdlass on July 28, 2012 at 6:13am

Sent you an add request, Russell. Thanks! :)

(I've had more drama with my brother misunderstanding or taking offense at things, usually not mine but our cousin's!! But yeah, I do about the same thing... Some things I filter for want of not offending family members. But if others post things, I will comment!!) Ignore the small stuff.

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