Hesistant about Skepticism

[Matthew]

Have any of you been hesistant about sharing your skepticism with a Christian? It seems to me that the vast majority of Christians I have ever encountered can't seem to tolerate skepticism. It seems as though so many of them think that it's all about interior motives and it amazes me how many Christians will jump at the opportunity to play "spiritual psychiatrist" so they can help cure your skepticism and get you set on a "relationship" with Christ.

Has anyone encountered this kind of problem? If so, are you hesistant in explaining your skepticism?

Matthew

[Cloud_Walker]

I never have a problem with them. I actually look for opportunities to inform them that I don't subsribe to fairy tales (that's why I'm here :grin:). I am perfectly confident in my atheism.

(gotta love them TJ quotes)

[rach12]

Have any of you been hesistant about sharing your skepticism with a Christian? It seems to me that the vast majority of Christians I have ever encountered can't seem to tolerate skepticism. It seems as though so many of them think that it's all about interior motives and it amazes me how many Christians will jump at the opportunity to play "spiritual psychiatrist" so they can help cure your skepticism and get you set on a "relationship" with Christ.

Has anyone encountered this kind of problem? If so, are you hesistant in explaining your skepticism?

Matthew
For the very reasons you've stated and a few others, yes, I'm rather hesitant to share my beliefs.

My close friends either don't care what my religious stance is or they already know and so don't bother asking. It's family members and brief acquaintances who are generally much more nosy and fearful for my soul.

The other day I had to agree to read up on Scientology in order to get a relative to shut the hell up. He's a good kid, but he's been in and out of jail for most of his life - and he's just found Spirituality (he's forced to go to AA some narcotics anonymous meetings)...<sigh>

It was impossible for him to understand how I could have my beliefs and his opinion was that I must not have read enough about Scientology because if I did, I would be interested - being a scientist and all. :ahem:

I do have some anxiety about my son starting school. Kids just love to spread the word to their friends and I'm worried what will happen when they find out we're not Christians.

[yuzuha]

Well, yes.
Naturally, few of us would enjoy being "swarmed" by the occasional border-line psychotic fanatic, however I did rather enjoy discussing theology at one time.... you see, I used to know a Jesuit nun, a couple of guys who were working to become Baptist ministers, a self-made preacher (this guy wouldn't even shave because he said there was a prohibition against it in the bible), a satanist (in the old-school "anti-christian" sense) and a catholic nun. And, we spent many an enjoyable hour sitting over snacks debating theology. Though, having such good debate partners rather spoiled me on "run of the mill" discussions with average lay persons.

Alas, I burned out on such debates 30 years ago, and now, aside from the occasional interesting philosophical quiestion, I generally find such "discussions" both tedious and pointless.

[EvoUK]

Never had any problems with my atheism, and I'm not really in the closet about it- I'll tell anyone if it ever came up. It just doesn't.

Perhaps it's a british thing, it's just we don't seem to take religion that seriously anymore- outside of religious fanatics and other such loonies.

[Gilgaron]

Have any of you been hesistant about sharing your skepticism with a Christian? It seems to me that the vast majority of Christians I have ever encountered can't seem to tolerate skepticism. It seems as though so many of them think that it's all about interior motives and it amazes me how many Christians will jump at the opportunity to play "spiritual psychiatrist" so they can help cure your skepticism and get you set on a "relationship" with Christ.

Has anyone encountered this kind of problem? If so, are you hesistant in explaining your skepticism?

Matthew

My best friend since grade 4 is a devout Christian. We get along just fine apart from some occasional political arguments due to my being more of a libertarian and he being a social conservative.

[bandecoot]

Have any of you been hesistant about sharing your skepticism with a Christian? It seems to me that the vast majority of Christians I have ever encountered can't seem to tolerate skepticism. It seems as though so many of them think that it's all about interior motives and it amazes me how many Christians will jump at the opportunity to play "spiritual psychiatrist" so they can help cure your skepticism and get you set on a "relationship" with Christ.

Has anyone encountered this kind of problem? If so, are you hesistant in explaining your skepticism?

Matthew
I dont go out of my way in day to day life to say I am an ath, why would I? Noone would care. But as EvoUK says its probably a bit different here in Australia or Britain. Online, well thats my choice is it not? I can turn the computer off anytime I like. Or just play a game .....

My wife works with an American girl in her office and she has some real horror stories to tell about Christianity from an American agnostics perspective. If you are in the US, being a bit quiet might be the course of wisdom.

[Ryokan]

I dont go out of my way in day to day life to say I am an ath, why would I? Noone would care. But as EvoUK says its probably a bit different here in Australia or Britain. Online, well thats my choice is it not? I can turn the computer off anytime I like. Or just play a game .....

My wife works with an American girl in her office and she has some real horror stories to tell about Christianity from an American agnostics perspective. If you are in the US, being a bit quiet might be the course of wisdom.
As an American agnostic, I am open with my point of view. I don't go telling everyone I meet, hey, I'm agnostic,yo! BEcause they don't care and its not their business. But if I am asked, I'll be honest. Most people aren't rude, just confused. In the US, being religious is the default position. Or at least faking it. Being "spiritual" is the default.

[EvoUK]

In the US, being religious is the default position.

Yes, for such an advanced country, it certainly is very religiously backward. I'm constantly depressed by speaking to some of them online. This place is like a car crash to me, I have a morbid fascination with what "they" are up to now...


Although saying that, Australia isn't a particularly religious country over all (I'd say), but they have vomited out the huge abortion that is AiG... :lol:

[Ryokan]

Yes, for such an advanced country, it certainly is very religiously backward. I'm constantly depressed by speaking to some of them online. This place is like a car crash to me, I have a morbid fascination with what "they" are up to now...
Its a strange dicotomy, isn't it? But we are beter engineers than scientist, which may be the difference. And we import scientists.


Although saying that, Australia isn't a particularly religious country over all (I'd say), but they have vomited out the huge abortion that is AiG... :lol:
AiG is Australian?!? I demand a state apology!

[EvoUK]

Its a strange dicotomy, isn't it? But we are beter engineers than scientist, which may be the difference. And we import scientists.

Ah yes, the american anti-intellectualism- started with Ronald Reagan I believe...

This goes from anti-rationalism (being rational is cold- lacking in sensitivity- and amoral- not different enough from immoral- both of which are considered a "bad" thing), anti-elitism or unreflective instrumentalism. The latter (I love using big words- and yes I did have to look that one up) meaning that unless something has immediate practical worth, it's pointless. We can see this every day, especially in the ESCR threads... :tongue:

Oh dear- I promise I didn't mean to derail the thread into an anti-american rant... :teeth:


AiG is Australian?!? I demand a state apology!

:lol:

[Ryokan]

Ah yes, the american anti-intellectualism- started with Ronald Reagan I believe...[/QUOTE} Maybe. I think its root is really in Vietnam and Watergate. These two events crushed America's confidence, and forced us to ask unpleasant questions about ourselves and our leaders. Ulitmately, we decided to affirm our old ideals, irregardless of the situation of the world, as a way to deal with it.
[QUOTE]
This goes from anti-rationalism (being rational is cold- lacking in sensitivity- and amoral- not different enough from immoral- both of which are considered a "bad" thing), anti-elitism or unreflective instrumentalism. The latter (I love using big words- and yes I did have to look that one up) meaning that unless something has immediate practical worth, it's pointless. I agree. But similiar trends can be found in Europe, which has very strong anti-technological trends, like its opposition to GM food, that really make no sense to me either.
We can see this every day, especially in the ESCR threads... :tongue:

Oh dear- I promise I didn't mean to derail the thread into an anti-american rant... :teeth:



:lol:Well, I love my country, and I think in alot of ways we are a leader, and a good example to follow. But these are valid criticism. Fortunately, good people are fighting the fight here, and as can be evidence by Frist flip on ESCR, and Bushes slow warming up to climate change, we do the right thing in the end. As your former PM Churchill pointed out, we have never been happy to do this until we've exhausted every other option.

[EvoUK]

Ulitmately, we decided to affirm our old ideals, irregardless of the situation of the world, as a way to deal with it.

:lol:


I agree. But similiar trends can be found in Europe, which has very strong anti-technological trends, like its opposition to GM food, that really make no sense to me either.

Oh god yes, the anti-GM food thing did my nut as well. I blame the farmers. Bloomin' tractor drivers... *mumble grumble*


Well, I love my country, and I think in alot of ways we are a leader, and a good example to follow. But these are valid criticism. Fortunately, good people are fighting the fight here, and as can be evidence by Frist flip on ESCR, and Bushes slow warming up to climate change, we do the right thing in the end. As your former PM Churchill pointed out, we have never been happy to do this until we've exhausted every other option.

Heh, don't get me wrong, I love your country too- I have my critiques about both our countries in fact- ask my mates, I bend their ears about it regularly!

And, as for my fave Churchill quote:

"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly."

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/winston_churchill.html

[Ryokan]

:lol:
OOPS!



Oh god yes, the anti-GM food thing did my nut as well. I blame the farmers. Bloomin' tractor drivers... *mumble grumble* Farmers are a small group of people that have a whole lot of money handled to them, it seems to me.




Heh, don't get me wrong, I love your country too- I have my critiques about both our countries in fact- ask my mates, I bend their ears about it regularly!
Unfortunately, there are problems where ever you go. At least you have good beer. American beer is horrible, and its so expensive to drink imports. Its $9.00 for a 6 pack of Guiness Extra stout at the grocery, for cryin out loud!

And, as for my fave Churchill quote:

"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly."

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/winston_churchill.htmlChurchill was a great man, and a funny man, but he was NOT a polite man.

[Ruth]

This place is like a car crash to me, I have a morbid fascination with what "they" are up to now... :lol: Man, I'll have to remember that one. Thanks.
Sharing your doubts with xians makes some of them mad. They take it as a personal attack. Declare you're an atheist and see the attitude you get from them. You'll see hate in their faces. :glare: I see it every time I wear my "Darwin" t-shirt in public.

[EvoUK]

Ah, the Darwin fishes...

You should see the hag it caused in an atheist forum I visit, Darwin fish stories come up regularly. Even on another site there is a column about a guy and his woeful Darwin fish story (Here (http://www.alabamaatheist.org/awareness/questions/employeelounge.htm)). It really hammered home to me how such a well accepted concept still has such hostility towards it in the US- prior to reading about it I had no idea!

[Ruth]

They attack it like a terrier on a rat. :lol: What forum is that?

[EvoUK]

Internet infidels. I usually go there for a breath of fresh air after this place. This isn't the most backwards of fundie sites out there, but it still has its moments and I have to talk to like minded people for the sake of my sanity.

You know how it is... :wink:

[Jme]

I'm pretty open with my atheism - family and friends know and there are no problems. Though it is a bit strange at giftmas with the family get together (none are fundies).

It's the same with people I meet, if belief comes up I'll not hide it. But then I live in london so it's not a strange thing.

[rach12]

... giftmas...


:lol: Love it!

[Gilgaron]

Working in a lab, my Christian coworkers are all TEs, AFAIK. Certainly religious talk never becomes contentious as in the linked article... poor fellow.

[Jme]

:lol: Love it!

Wish I could have thought it up on my own - but sadly got it from II.




Working in a lab, my Christian coworkers are all TEs, AFAIK. Certainly religious talk never becomes contentious as in the linked article... poor fellow.

I know quite a few muslims at work (production lab, biological stuff) and all of them think that evolution is crap. I haven't had the chance to discuss why as it's never come up again.

Then again one or two of them are only on the fringe of sanity, nice people though. I can remember a strange day when one brought up his belief of the HIV plot (the whites weapon against africa) and all the evil messages hidden in songs. :ahem:

[rach12]

Working in a lab, my Christian coworkers are all TEs, AFAIK. Certainly religious talk never becomes contentious as in the linked article... poor fellow.
I would never expect anything to happen like in the linked article either, we're all pretty easy going.

I work in research and the few people with whom I've had religious discussions are either agnostic, atheist, non-religious, or very liberal Christians. We don't ask such personal questions of our co-workers, but you can tell by their answers how religious they are.

[bandecoot]

Yes, for such an advanced country, it certainly is very religiously backward. I'm constantly depressed by speaking to some of them online. This place is like a car crash to me, I have a morbid fascination with what "they" are up to now...


Although saying that, Australia isn't a particularly religious country over all (I'd say), but they have vomited out the huge abortion that is AiG... :lol:


Hey dont Blame me for THAT! Ken Ham had to go to the US to really make it big.
He left J Sarfati in Charge of the Brisbane office, which was the original one. Queensland is the most backward state in Australia.

[Ruth]

EvoUK wrote...
You know how it is... Yeah Infidelguy here.... for the same reasons.

[Gilgaron]

I know quite a few muslims at work (production lab, biological stuff) and all of them think that evolution is crap. I haven't had the chance to discuss why as it's never come up again.

I don't know any muslims well, so I don't know how prevalent that is. They'd probably be similar to creationist Christians, but that's just a hunch.


Then again one or two of them are only on the fringe of sanity, nice people though. I can remember a strange day when one brought up his belief of the HIV plot (the whites weapon against africa) and all the evil messages hidden in songs. :ahem:

That would be mildly concerning...

[Gilgaron]

I would never expect anything to happen like in the linked article either, we're all pretty easy going.

I work in research and the few people with whom I've had religious discussions are either agnostic, atheist, non-religious, or very liberal Christians. We don't ask such personal questions of our co-workers, but you can tell by their answers how religious they are.

There was one of my former coworkers who enjoyed talking about religion with myself and another coworker of ours who was Christian conversationally. I think I may have helped the former resolve a problem of faith he was having about evolution and Christianity. After explaining how different Christians and other theists reconciled the ideas, he seemed more comfortable about his faith. I'm not sure what my more devout coworker thinks about evolution. Another fellow always would get flustered if he walked into one of our religious conversations and ask us to stop actually reversed and brought it up the other day, and we had a long discussion about a wide variety of views.

It's all very relaxed, though, certainly nothing contentious.

[Seasanctuary]

Has anyone encountered this kind of problem? If so, are you hesistant in explaining your skepticism?

I'm quite open to explaining as long as someone else initiates the topic. A lot of folks are happy with their faith and I see no point in disturbing that. However, if they come to an Apologetics forum -- like Tweb -- or invite me to their college youth group to speak about Atheism/Agnosticism -- as I did last year -- I'm not hesitant in doing so because I know that those involved are also interested in having that kind of conversation.

I've not had anyone flip out on me, but I'm so laid back that anyone would look pretty silly doing so.

[Mentalist]

I have no problem sharing my beliefs with my friends, or anyone else I might meet if they ask unless it is clear they are a "religous salesperson".

Religous peope are a minority where I am in England, while I'd say a fairly large proportion of people would say they believe in "something" (usually worded similarly to that and usually amounts the possibility of a creator before the big bang). Some of these people would call themselves Christians if asked (often I believe they say this because they have been brought up in a Christian society and feel they have values similar to Christian teachings), few have beliefs that would fit them into any religious cult that I'm aware of. I've never knowingly met anyone who believes in literal creation as in Genesis, or Noah's flood and only a couple of my friends believe in Jesus being God. I don't know of anyone who attends church on any kind of regular basis.

I have discussed my beliefs with some of the few religous friends I have and none have tried to "convert" me, and nor have I made any effort to dissuade from from their beliefs. One of my Islamic friends did ask me once whether I felt empty, confused or lost without the notion of a God/creator but she seemed entirely satisfied when I told her I felt none of those things. I believe most people in England assume athiesm unless given a reason to think otherwise. Apart from nut-jobs on the street and where I have entered into conversation with religous friends I can't think of anyone whom has ever asked me about my religous beliefs but I would be quite willing to share if someone did ask me.