Happy Atheist Forum

I'm a disabled atheist.  I have lupus, fibromyalgia, ptsd, hypothyroid disease, fevers of unknown origin, a seizure disorder, and a brain tumor.  I'm basically a bloody mess barely hanging on.  I'd really like to find a support group to join that doesn't deluge me with religious gobble-de-gook the moment I join.  It's very discouraging when you have real world problems you seek solutions for or at least empathy over and you get - "hand your life over to Jesus" instead.  Not only that, but when you are expressing frustration over your government's refusal to classify you as disabled and you get told - "God works in mysterious ways" you kind of want to strangle someone.

I'm just looking for a secular support group for sick people, disabled people, or people with things to whine about.

This may seem like an odd idea, but maybe a private internet support group would be in order? I've battled an eating disorder since I was a young man and I have a heart deformation (coarctation of the aorta). I'd be more than willing to be involved in such a group.

Quote from: "Kylyssa"I'm a disabled atheist.  I have lupus, fibromyalgia, ptsd, hypothyroid disease, fevers of unknown origin, a seizure disorder, and a brain tumor.  I'm basically a bloody mess barely hanging on.  I'd really like to find a support group to join that doesn't deluge me with religious gobble-de-gook the moment I join.  It's very discouraging when you have real world problems you seek solutions for or at least empathy over and you get - "hand your life over to Jesus" instead.  Not only that, but when you are expressing frustration over your government's refusal to classify you as disabled and you get told - "God works in mysterious ways" you kind of want to strangle someone.

I'm just looking for a secular support group for sick people, disabled people, or people with things to whine about.

Man, you need House, M.D.!  

Well, wouldn't it be possible to basically have that here? The board allows for user groups, and I'm sure it'd be possible to have private parts of the board only certain members within certain groups would be allowed in. (I.e., you have to request permission from the boss lady or a mod, and have something like... more than 50 posts, or something.) I've kind of wanted something like that, too, for when there are things going on that I just need to talk about with people who I know won't judge me or try to get me to take a different path.

Just an idea.

Count me in!  I have some health issues, social issues, money issues, you name it!

We could call our group...That Atheist Bitch Group!

I'd be happy to create a secret area for people that want to discuss things away from public eyes.

Quote from: "laetusatheos"I'd be happy to create a secret area for people that want to discuss things away from public eyes.

So, how would that work, exactly? Would we PM you, or do the user group thing like I mentioned, or would there be a person in charge of that area, or what? I'm kind of excited.  

It would be user group based.  Someone will need to be in charge.  How about this, everyone who wants to be in the secret area can pm me (no fundies).  Once we get everyone in there, the members can vote on who gets to be the group leader (someone who can add more people in as the group votes to include them). That way it would be a user run group and you wouldn't have to ask me before letting others in.  Since it is a secret area, those who are in will remain a secret too...no special titles (we don't want to create jealously).

Should I create an announcement about group openings or just let those who bothered to read this thread get to be part of the group (you can vote other people in later)?

The only thing that I ask is that those in the private area do not talk about it in the main forum....think of it as fight club.  I've been on another forum that had an obvious private member group and those who were not in it came up with all sorts of crazy ideas and it caused disruption.   That said, it might be a good idea to edit out mention of the group in this thread once we have it up and running.

Wouldn't the user group be visible, though? Or is there a way to make it invisible in the user profile?

I'm not sure about the announcement... I think that the people who would be interested in something like that have most likely read this thread. I mean, rule number one is....  

I might be interested in this idea too. Paraplegic 25 years!

Quote from: "wheels5894"I might be interested in this idea too. Paraplegic 25 years!

Aah... wheels5894... wheelchair avatar...

I see what you did there.

Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"Wouldn't the user group be visible, though? Or is there a way to make it invisible in the user profile?

Well. You tell me.  I created a hidden group and a hidden forum.  Do you see either of them?  


Remember, pm me if you want to be added.

Quote from: "laetusatheos"Well. You tell me.  I created a hidden group and a hidden forum.  Do you see either of them?   ;)  

How are people who want to join such a group going to find out about it? Y'know, if it's hidden, and nobody talks about it?

Quote from: "Wechtlein Uns"How are people who want to join such a group going to find out about it? Y'know, if it's hidden, and nobody talks about it?

That is going to be determined by those who get in as the first members.

I'm not sure what we would want to do officially in the forum for something like this, but PMs are a good way to discuss things that you don't want others to see. Even better, there is already in existence, a very nice secular support group that I've mentioned several times here. It is another forum called "Godless Grief".

http://www.godlessgrief.com/phpbb/index ... d968bc45e9 (http://www.godlessgrief.com/phpbb/index.php?sid=345b5ff75e4e52ddeb045fd968bc45e9)

It's run by a really great lady, who is disabled. I am a member and moderator there as well.

If we do start a secret area, is it really a 'secret', or is it just a sort of 'rubber room' where everything in it stays in it?

The topic of this thread swerved sharply, and I don't mean to intrude (nor do I have use for an online support group at this point in my too busy life), but I have a suggestion about IRL support for non-theists. I have found the Unitarian Universalists in my burg to be most supportive and accommodating. There are several outspoken atheists, a few Pagans, a Wiccan or two...and a smattering of Abrahamic faiths. Sometimes they get a bit too deist for me, but I really like the attitude of service without dogma, society without conformity, exploration of spirit without coercion. I'm not at all sure other UU congregations are like this one, and I do have to avoid them at this time of year because it is so painful to watch them try to deal with christmas as inoffensively as possible. It takes time to get comfortable in a new society and lean of them when you need to. I have a feeling this group will be a better support for you since it is already so comfy.

I think it is a great idea even though I don't wish to join.