Is it 'dangerous' to self identify as an Atheist?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Elveera on August 15, 2011 at 12:50pm

Couldn't resist coming back - Paul, you're too amusing!

"the links you provided are irrelevant to my initial comment because they post dated it" - appears that you are struggling with technology (does it really make sense to use that as way of invalidating an opposing viewpoint? Such a Fox News thing to do!), all the more reason to have empathy for others who self-admittedly have the same problem.

I do not think asking if you, like your fiancee, are born again, especially considering the opposition with which you approach the issue at hand is mind boggling.  And the only ambiguity I am seeing is that of your stance on the issue at hand .... You know - the question that started this thread ...  And let me assure you that my comprehension is just fine, as I am able to refer to an article and take information from it, as opposed to needing specific quotes - what I referred to earlier as spoonfeeding ...

Permalink Reply by Paul Howard on August 15, 2011 at 1:33pm

It is somewhat refreshing that you can recognize humor, Elveera.  But do your REALLY "take informaion" from an article without knowing either the author or any factual basis for it.  Though I would not describe the initial post on this forum as 'an article'.

Permalink Reply by Paul Howard on August 15, 2011 at 2:22pm

For my part this exchange IS about the initial post -- and then continued along with your attacks.  Further, although I saw a reference to someone not knowing how to post links  I did not comment on that.

I can't help thinking that perhaps you are a bit of a bully yourself.  I suspect that you are one of those people who never let up and continually look for the 'got you'.

Does your family see you that way?

 

If this is the way a 'counselor' acts I tend to feel  that the counselor needs counseling. 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Elveera on August 15, 2011 at 2:31pm

I find it necessary to adjust my behaviors/responses to my "audience" on a daily basis.  Are you hurt because I didn't treat you like one of my students?  And if kindness it is you seek, do offer some too (re: your first comment in this thread).  When I made a claim that your statements were unkind, your response was (and let me paraphrase from memory, yes - I'm failing to dig for evidence) that you were after raw facts.  When I went with that, you play hurt now.... Suggestion, do test for validity before bringing up a point - that is your own advice, isn't it? 

Susan was first to spot your tendency to bully and I wholeheartedly agree with her.  Maybe it is something to consider, self-reflect upon, ponder over.  I am here to have adult interactions and not counsel.  If counseling is what you seek, be more explicit.

Permalink Reply by Michael on August 15, 2011 at 2:49pm

What is that first url, that first bit of comment, the first statement, the first unkindness, the first hurt, the first validity, the first point, the first advice, the first raw fact again?  Unkindness is rude, not kind.  Why should anyone be unkind?  Elvira can rip your head off old man, why should she not?

 

 

Permalink Reply by Elveera on August 15, 2011 at 2:56pm

:)  Thanks for the vote of confidence, Michael!  ;)  So what do you think/What has been your experience in coming out of the closet as an atheist/non-believer/non-myth-promoter?

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on August 15, 2011 at 6:05pm

Well, that was interesting.  Thanks, Elveera.  To avoid future confrontations, I'll just be more careful with my posts.  To get back to the topic, I think I have a heightened sense of danger because of my personal experience with my mother.  Some years ago, my mother was involved with an exorcism group.  One day she told me that she could tell if someone was possessed by Satan by looking in their eyes.  Then she looked in my eyes and said she wanted to exorcise me.  I said, "what are you doing with that knife?"  She said she used it to stab the demons as they came out of people.  Well, I wouldn't allow a religious nut case with a knife around me and my children, so we were estranged for many years.   She has since mellowed, and she hasn't killed anyone yet, so I reinstated our relationship and came out as an atheist to her.  She took it well, she said she always suspected it, and she's not doing exorcisms any more.  But I don't trust the uber religious, and I wouldn't feel comfortable self identifying as an atheist to just any one of them.  There's just a frisson of danger about it for me.

Permalink Reply by Elveera on August 15, 2011 at 7:43pm

I don't think you should have to be any more careful than on an average day - you are appropriate and share your thoughts - as far as I understand it, that's what this place is for [if it turns to be a place of self-discovery, nothing bad about that either ;)].  I see what you are saying though, especially as far as the close people whose opinions differ are concerned.  I too am estranged from my mother – she is highly illogical (religion being a strong influence, getting stronger as she gets older) and demanding of everyone around to think as she does; anything out of the boundaries that she establishes is out of the question.  The only way to deal with it, I found, was to find myself outside of the boundaries of her reach altogether, and it’s worked well so far.  I’m considering that with time it may change, but not for a while.  While she’s in whatever state of mind that she is in, I’m at a point where I have little patience for irrational, mystical, magical, mythical or whatever other than the logical. 

And I wholeheartedly agree with you that caution must be applied when coming out, weighing all pros and cons and potential consequences – short- and long-term.  But, at the same time having no outlet for the frustration building up over time due to all the fairy-tale influences all around is much to deal with.  For that very reason, places like this one, meet-ups and such, where you can speak out freely are so pleasant.  Possibly that is why I am somewhat sensitive to anyone who is antagonistic for no good reason - enough of that from the theists!  I am all for a discourse and varied opinions, when done apropriately (by that I mean that no one should be made to feel uncomfortable to freely share, especially when what they are sharing is perfectly relevant :).

Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on August 15, 2011 at 8:09pm

Oh my, Cheryl! That was scary just reading about your mom.

Permalink Reply by Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:45am

What is done appropriately, what's that mean, what's that about.  Appropriate.  What's going on with that frazzled word.  Self-identify.  Dangerous.  Madness.  No one knows particularly what they're talking about, but we speak, that is our way, we ensue idiocies and join horns, and pray the day thine kingdom has come...Wouldn't it be horrible to not be an atheist then have somebody accusing you, identifying you as an atheist.

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