Hello HAF

[februarystars]

I just stumbled upon your forum today after feeling a little disconnected from "the world as I know it." I live in Southern Mississippi, and while I have met several other atheist/non-religious people, I don't have any friends who are non-Christian. I generally just avoid that area of conversation, and I'm pretty sure most people I know, even some of my closer friends, either don't know I'm atheist or think I'm just rebelling against the idea of religion but will come around eventually. I really admire the bravery of my gay friends for standing up and saying "Hey, I'm gay" in the face of bigotry, especially in such a conservative region, and yet I can't find the courage to say "Hey, I don't believe there is a some unseen higher power out there," because even my gay friends are Christians, and I don't want them to dislike me for my beliefs. Is that backwards? So I just don't talk about it, and for the most part that works fine.

But today I'm feeling particularly out of touch with everyone I know, I suppose just because it's on my mind, and I thought it might be helpful to get out here and connect with some like-minded people before I implode.

So, right â€" Hi, my name is Crystal, and I'm an atheist/realist/non-spiritualist/whatever you want to call it. I'm a graphic designer (well, I technically will be when I graduate this May) and illustrator, and I love modern art and mid-century design. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter, I love to cook, and I think Christian Bale is nature's most marvelous creation. It's great to meet you all!

[Cecilie]

Welcome to HAF, Crystal.

[Tank]

Hi Crystal

Welcome to HAF. Looks like you'll fit in just fine here.

Regards
Chris

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

[The Magic Pudding]

So, right â€" Hi, my name is Crystal, and I'm an atheist/realist/non-spiritualist/whatever you want to call it.

So you're not a Crystal with special powers, I don't suppose you can help me boost my midichlorian level then.
Ah well welcome anyway.

Oh and that damn Bale stole Geoffrey Rush's rightfull Academy award and the Joker would have won in a fair battle of wits.

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for that introduction. You will find a few other folks who feel a lot like you do and plenty of empathy here.

[Twentythree]

It is a little backwards and unfair. It is baffling how rigid people can be when it comes to their religion. That level of unflinching belief stands contrary to the very essence of the malleable brain that got us to this current level of advancement.  Perhaps unwavering religious faith was evolved, it gives the hopeless hope and the powerless power. Without the notion of the divine what would have prevented our early ancestors form becoming overwhelmed in the paradox of the unknown. So shrunken by fear and doubt that the perpetuation of the species would not have happened. Those with genes predisposed to self righteousness and comfort in faith would have lived longer happier lives, had more babies and passed on the genes that allowed people to find comfort in blind faith. Then as religion seated itself as a predominant feature of the wealthy and powerful cultural evolution would have put pressure on even the most skeptical to conform. And those able to see the power in religion would surely have used it to manipulate and control those with weaker constitutions. So I guess fair or unfair perhaps those “open-minded” friends of yours are just genetically unable and culturally unwilling to entertain your ideas on reality.

[Beachdragon]

Hello and welcome!

[Cecilie]

It is a little backwards and unfair. It is baffling how rigid people can be when it comes to their religion. That level of unflinching belief stands contrary to the very essence of the malleable brain that got us to this current level of advancement.  Perhaps unwavering religious faith was evolved, it gives the hopeless hope and the powerless power. Without the notion of the divine what would have prevented our early ancestors form becoming overwhelmed in the paradox of the unknown. So shrunken by fear and doubt that the perpetuation of the species would not have happened. Those with genes predisposed to self righteousness and comfort in faith would have lived longer happier lives, had more babies and passed on the genes that allowed people to find comfort in blind faith. Then as religion seated itself as a predominant feature of the wealthy and powerful cultural evolution would have put pressure on even the most skeptical to conform. And those able to see the power in religion would surely have used it to manipulate and control those with weaker constitutions. So I guess fair or unfair perhaps those “open-minded” friends of yours are just genetically unable and culturally unwilling to entertain your ideas on reality.

You didn't say welcome.

[Tank]

It is a little backwards and unfair. It is baffling how rigid people can be when it comes to their religion. That level of unflinching belief stands contrary to the very essence of the malleable brain that got us to this current level of advancement.  Perhaps unwavering religious faith was evolved, it gives the hopeless hope and the powerless power. Without the notion of the divine what would have prevented our early ancestors form becoming overwhelmed in the paradox of the unknown. So shrunken by fear and doubt that the perpetuation of the species would not have happened. Those with genes predisposed to self righteousness and comfort in faith would have lived longer happier lives, had more babies and passed on the genes that allowed people to find comfort in blind faith. Then as religion seated itself as a predominant feature of the wealthy and powerful cultural evolution would have put pressure on even the most skeptical to conform. And those able to see the power in religion would surely have used it to manipulate and control those with weaker constitutions. So I guess fair or unfair perhaps those “open-minded” friends of yours are just genetically unable and culturally unwilling to entertain your ideas on reality.

You didn't say welcome.

Try getting out of the other side of the bed tomorrow  

[Cecilie]

It is a little backwards and unfair. It is baffling how rigid people can be when it comes to their religion. That level of unflinching belief stands contrary to the very essence of the malleable brain that got us to this current level of advancement.  Perhaps unwavering religious faith was evolved, it gives the hopeless hope and the powerless power. Without the notion of the divine what would have prevented our early ancestors form becoming overwhelmed in the paradox of the unknown. So shrunken by fear and doubt that the perpetuation of the species would not have happened. Those with genes predisposed to self righteousness and comfort in faith would have lived longer happier lives, had more babies and passed on the genes that allowed people to find comfort in blind faith. Then as religion seated itself as a predominant feature of the wealthy and powerful cultural evolution would have put pressure on even the most skeptical to conform. And those able to see the power in religion would surely have used it to manipulate and control those with weaker constitutions. So I guess fair or unfair perhaps those “open-minded” friends of yours are just genetically unable and culturally unwilling to entertain your ideas on reality.

You didn't say welcome.

Try getting out of the other side of the bed tomorrow  

My bed is placed up against a wall.

[Tank]

You didn't say welcome.

Try getting out of the other side of the bed tomorrow  

[Cecilie]

Bugger! That's another good plan foiled by reality!  

Just you wait, Tank! When I move back to where I lived before, I can get up on the other side of the bed. Though it's still pretty close to the wall...

[Tank]

Bugger! That's another good plan foiled by reality!  :brick:  

[februarystars]

It is a little backwards and unfair. It is baffling how rigid people can be when it comes to their religion. That level of unflinching belief stands contrary to the very essence of the malleable brain that got us to this current level of advancement.  Perhaps unwavering religious faith was evolved, it gives the hopeless hope and the powerless power. Without the notion of the divine what would have prevented our early ancestors form becoming overwhelmed in the paradox of the unknown. So shrunken by fear and doubt that the perpetuation of the species would not have happened. Those with genes predisposed to self righteousness and comfort in faith would have lived longer happier lives, had more babies and passed on the genes that allowed people to find comfort in blind faith. Then as religion seated itself as a predominant feature of the wealthy and powerful cultural evolution would have put pressure on even the most skeptical to conform. And those able to see the power in religion would surely have used it to manipulate and control those with weaker constitutions. So I guess fair or unfair perhaps those “open-minded” friends of yours are just genetically unable and culturally unwilling to entertain your ideas on reality.

You didn't say welcome.

I forgive you Twentythree.  

I think any response at all is a perfectly good welcome, unless, of course, it is an unwelcoming response. Thanks guys!