Looking for some tolerant friends.

[Crimsonredgal]

Hi,
I'm Ellen and I wanted to get to know some other agnostics or even atheists. I'm feeling like a bit of an outcast because most of my friends/family members that I love are religious or at least spiritual. I feel a lot of pressure from them to believe in god. I can't see a good reason to. My mother was a strict catholic and I know enough about believing in god to make my own decision. They just don't understand. They claim that I'd be less depressed and my life would go more smoothly with God. Whenever I ask for advice that's usually the response I get. I wish they'd just say "I don't know" if they're just going to tell me to have faith and my life will improve because of it.
Religious persons seem to constantly bring up God. I'm tired of defending myself for not believing in a god there is no proof of. I don't want to talk about it. Why do most religious people get irritated with a non-beliver but not a believer of a different religion? Religion is dragging me down.
I just want some atheist/agnostic friends.
Hoping for friendly responses,
Ellen

[LegendarySandwich]

Welcome.

This is advice that Christians often give to other Christians to convert non-believers, but I believe it works for atheists too -- be a good person. Be happy, joyful, fulfilled, all without belief in a deity. Hopefully, your family and friends will eventually see by their experiences with you that atheists aren't bad or depressed people and are just like them.

Of course, if you really are depressed, then that advice is worthless.

[Tank]

Hi

So let's not talk about mythology and the roll gods have played in the development in human society. Let's talk about.... go on....  you choose!

Welcome to Happy Atheists, where you don't have to discuss *** if you don't want too!  

Regards
Chris

[JoeBobSmith]

:yay: :bananacolor:  :bananacolor:  :yay:  

[Guardian85]

Welcome to the forum. We promise not to throw "the good book" at you!

If your family and friends are trying to convert you, quote some of the nastier parts of the bible and ask them if they really believe that bulls**t is good.

[hackenslash]

Welcome.

Interestingly, the one thing that those who advocate the claim that religious people are less likely to be depressed always overlook is that those who don't believe are continually surrounding by the religious telling them how bad they are for not believing, because these studies are always conducted in believing nations by believers.

A case of inherent confirmation bias, if you ask me.

[Asmodean]

Looking for some tolerant friends.

HOW tolerant..? Can they, for instance, dislike mosquitos, South Pole, the Iranian ayatollahs (Or... Whatever), religious fundamentalists who are NOT Iranian whatevers, horses, jellyfish, roaches, diehard feminists, diehard anti-feminists, poachers, drug traffikers, Elvis, brain-sucking aliens, kids, Bush and Swedish dance music and still be tolerant? Can they? Can they?!?!  

[LARA]

Hi, Crimsonredgal/Ellen.  This is a nice place, only intolerant of people who really want to push their religion.     And even those are usually given a fair shake.

I grew up with a Catholic mom, too.  Raised in parochial school, that sort of thing, but she lost trust in the church so thankfully attendance wasn't foisted onto me.

[Crimsonredgal]

Looking for some tolerant friends.

HOW tolerant..? Can they, for instance, dislike mosquitos, South Pole, the Iranian ayatollahs (Or... Whatever), religious fundamentalists who are NOT Iranian whatevers, horses, jellyfish, roaches, diehard feminists, diehard anti-feminists, poachers, drug traffikers, Elvis, brain-sucking aliens, kids, Bush and Swedish dance music and still be tolerant? Can they? Can they?!?!  

Lol, Yes. That's fine by me.

[Crimsonredgal]

Welcome to the forum. We promise not to throw "the good book" at you!

If your family and friends are trying to convert you, quote some of the nastier parts of the bible and ask them if they really believe that bulls**t is good.

Thank you, much.
I would, but I do love these people....... and they don't take it well. They're hypocrites. I know they're only trying to help me out.

[Crimsonredgal]

Hi

So let's not talk about mythology and the roll gods have played in the development in human society. Let's talk about.... go on....  you choose!

Welcome to Happy Atheists, where you don't have to discuss *** if you don't want too!  

Regards
Chris

Okay! How's the week going for everyone?

[terranus]

Ellen,

I suffered from chronic depression for quite a while. But believe it or not, that depression is what led me to where I am now. My belief is that, in life, the most important thing is having a good time. Life is too short not to. You have to live in the moment - not in the past or the future. And if religion is getting in your way of doing so - then to hell with it, and anyone else who stands in your way of happiness. It is this philosophy which brought me out of depression, and helped me discover who I truly am - a happy, non-empathetic, slightly insane atheist.  

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

Bonvenon al la Forumo!
[spoiler:1gfvfkl6]Welcome to the Forum![/spoiler:1gfvfkl6]

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome Ellen!

I think that if people start to want to convert you, bring on the tough questions. I'd bet they'd stop.

You could try and pose those questions in a respectful way since they're people you love but (as non confrontational as possible, though the subject itself is confrontational enough) don't let them keep trying to carry on doing what they're doing at the expense of your happiness and well-being.

[proudfootz]

Tolerance is a good thing - a true sign of friendship is being loved inspite of one's minor faults.

Family should follow that golden rule, too.

If they'd want to be respected and loved for who they are, they need to give that as well.

Hope you find the support you need!

[YaarghMatey487]

Heh. At least they know. In a conversation having nothing to do with me, my mother told me she was glad neither of her children turned out to be atheists. If we had, she would have no choice but to disown us- seriously. It's definitely nice to have people you can talk to though. Even if you're talking about your favorite movie or band it's a relief to not have that awkward veil hanging over the entire conversation.