New Atheist in the House

[Kris10]

Hello... I'm Kristen, 17, and.. I'm new here.  
I've been an atheist all my life, I guess it's just how I was raised. My parents never forced a religion on us (I remember them saying they didn't like going to church as children so they never made us go?) so we never decided to follow one. Been through it all. People asking why I don't go to church, why I don't believe in any kind of god, trying to convert me, saying they'll pray for me, etc.... And now, being in high school it's gotten pretty rough. While I do have a few (emphasis on the 'few') atheist friends, the number of theist people I know just gets higher and higher. Just today I was [figuratively] torn to pieces by a few Christians bashing me because of my beliefs. There have been times I'd get treated badly by a theist and a theist friend would come in neutral and then take their side without knowing what was going on. After what happened today I (maybe a little frantically...) came searching for a place for atheists, and I found this place.

I personally think it's terrible how atheists are treated, I read that we're the most distrusted people, even more distrusted than any minority in America? I find that really sad, just because we have a different belief than most people... Alright, I guess I'm done ranting now, hello people.

[Cecilie]

Hello Kristen. Very nice to meet you. I'm very sorry about your situation in school. However I can't really relate seeing as religion is not such a big deal where I live.

[_7654_]

First of all welcome
I don't envy you being thrust into a religious and proselytizing peer environment as an atheist. It can get hard sometimes, but there are some simple things you can do, mostly to yourself, to help your situation. Be careful.

[karadan]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like school is really sucky for many atheist people in the US. It is a real shame.

Just keep your head down and do your work. Before you know it, you will have graduated and the world will be your oyster. From what i hear, there are many very secular universities in the US. If uni isn't your thing, there are certainly many other (less fundie) places you can migrate to.

Good luck!  

[Tank]

Welcome aboard Kris

[The Black Jester]

A very hearty welcome to you, and I also offer my sympathies regarding your difficulties.  

This is a tough country in which to be an atheist, and 17 is a tough time all by itself, without the extra help from roving gangs of evangelists.  So much emphasis is placed on conformity by your peers during the teen years, they will seize on anything - any difference by which they may raise themselves through the condemnation of that difference.  Even a belief system which most of them, ironically, likely consider to be a system of "tolerance" and "peace."  

You might also try learning everything you can that bears on the matter - find out why you believe what you believe.  It will help you feel more comfortable in your own skin, and less prey to the (very often uninformed) opinions of others, if not less prey to their treatment of you.

[pinkocommie]

Welcome to the forum!  I hope you find some support here.  =D

[Kris10]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes, and kind and intelligent words.. this seems like a good place for me to be.

[elliebean]

Hello and welcome, Kristen!  

[xSilverPhinx]

:cool:

Where I live we don't have the sort of people you're going through, it's sort of hushed-up and sutil intolerance here, but still just as ignorant and narrow-minded as anywhere else, I think. If what's worth more to you is your enlightment rather than social acceptance by people who adhere to ridiculous beliefs, then stay firm in your beliefs and back them up with everything you value. You'll eventually reach some sort of harmony with either secular people as your close social circle or theists who don't bring the topic up and recognise that your beliefs are to be respected if they want you to respect theirs.

[Davin]

Welcome, please do enjoy your stay.