I've joined this forum for the like-minded people / for a bit of sanity

[city]

I get so frustrated after the occasional interaction with  a religious converter, because it's usually crazy making questioning of whether I know what's real (compared to the fictional fantasy thats been given to them instead of observed?) and it strikes a nerve because my closest family members have joined religion after being taken in by similar people whilst simultaneously refusing to hold a conversation with me about religion without getting upset. So these people, who spread their mental disease purposefully, frustrate me. I do not try to make changes to other people, but even if I did it would be impossible because of the rejection of objectively observing the situation, rejection of logic and fallacies. My upset comes from the barrier that is created.

I don't talk to my family about our different views in order to remain a family. When trying to be converted by people in the street or by those knocking at my door I explain the general gist of my atheist thoughts and they wander off having not converted me and I am left feeling upset and frustrated from the fallacies of the interaction, and the reminder that that stranger is more likely to hold a longer conversation with my closest loved ones than I would be, and that it's someone like that who taught them that "science isn't to be trusted" or that science is the word that belongs to scientists (anybody could work out and test science for themselves- it's not a belief, grr).

I feel sane and grounded and can see the logic in my own reasoning, but when people speak wistfully of religion and the entire universe that's made up in their head it's so baffling that I get baffled stupid. My stuttering because I'm speaking to an idiot makes them think I'm the idiot. I get upset that religious people think that I have no answer or that my thoughts and understanding aren't complete just because I was stunned by their illogical ungrounded "faith"

Before I give up on humanity altogether, I come on here. And see that not every one is living out a role in a fairy tale. It stops me from going completely frustratedly crazy.

[Baruch]

Being around various people is upsetting.  I hope that you find your community and peace.  There are many fairy tales ... like growing up to be an NBA player.  There is no reason to bet too frustrated or crazy about life.  Welcome.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

You might be well served to learn and master the fine art of telling people to go fuck themselves without actually telling them to go fuck themselves.
In the meantime welcome and its optional here as to whether you want to go fuck yourself or not.  Pictures are definitely not required. .

[city]

Thanks for the advice and the welcome!

[aitm]

welcome to our own little loony bin. We gots plenty of crazy folks here as well....why some even say old god don't exist...crazy bastards.

[kilodelta]

I normally don't talk to people about religion. But, I've been told that I'm not too approachable... I've never had a problem just saying "no thank you" to those that want to discuss Jesus with me. They just move on without any hassle.

I wish I could figure out how I'm not approachable... perhaps I have an evil eye.

[Mike Cl]

I get so frustrated after the occasional interaction with  a religious converter, because it's usually crazy making questioning of whether I know what's real (compared to the fictional fantasy thats been given to them instead of observed?) and it strikes a nerve because my closest family members have joined religion after being taken in by similar people whilst simultaneously refusing to hold a conversation with me about religion without getting upset. So these people, who spread their mental disease purposefully, frustrate me. I do not try to make changes to other people, but even if I did it would be impossible because of the rejection of objectively observing the situation, rejection of logic and fallacies. My upset comes from the barrier that is created.

I don't talk to my family about our different views in order to remain a family. When trying to be converted by people in the street or by those knocking at my door I explain the general gist of my atheist thoughts and they wander off having not converted me and I am left feeling upset and frustrated from the fallacies of the interaction, and the reminder that that stranger is more likely to hold a longer conversation with my closest loved ones than I would be, and that it's someone like that who taught them that "science isn't to be trusted" or that science is the word that belongs to scientists (anybody could work out and test science for themselves- it's not a belief, grr).

I feel sane and grounded and can see the logic in my own reasoning, but when people speak wistfully of religion and the entire universe that's made up in their head it's so baffling that I get baffled stupid. My stuttering because I'm speaking to an idiot makes them think I'm the idiot. I get upset that religious people think that I have no answer or that my thoughts and understanding aren't complete just because I was stunned by their illogical ungrounded "faith"

Before I give up on humanity altogether, I come on here. And see that not every one is living out a role in a fairy tale. It stops me from going completely frustratedly crazy.

Welcome to the land of those that think like you.  Most of us have had similar experiences. Hope you have a long a fruitful stay here.

[Solomon Zorn]

Welcome. I can relate to your dilemma. I get frustrated with the willful ignorance of the faithful. I can see where it could aggravate your stuttering too.

[Green Bottle]

Evening City an Welcome...

[city]

In my op I described feeling separated from theists because of the use of fallacies, misuse of 'logic', and the fact that I don't think they actually listen. There's a difference between listening to someone to understand what they're about as a person and allowing them a turn in the conversation to plan your next point regardless of what was actually said by them. I value the former, I think I would rather not have used the term 'idiotic' because it oversimplifies what I actually believe contributes to their beliefs. It also widens the barrier between me and them from my end even though I feel the barrier is created on their end. I've instigated conversations with my family members to understand what it means to see the world as a theist and compare this with my own feelings and experiences as there was a time I was more spiritual, superstitious and agnostic than the atheism i have now where I've learnt to distinguish fact from hopes and dreams.

The theists I've complained about were particularly annoying, but I've attended other talks and discussions with theists who have attempted to minimise their fallacies to describe what is going on for them; where I've listened to figure out where the line is between anybody and delusion (and between that and crazy).

Like most atheists, I have thought, contemplated and researched a lot about the subject. I am also a very emotive, intuitive person (and don't like how morality is trying to be claimed by theists).

I hope to discuss some of these issues at some point,  there are already threads up that relate and I will add to them or click like on posts that already accurately describe my own views. I think about what it is to be human, the psychology that has arisen from our evolutionary divergence, the "want" behind what it is to be alive (viruses as a state of in between, chemical reactions, no afterlife because already experienced death as what we had before we were born), beauty, love and purpose. Mystery and cognitive dissonance- I have this feeling that it's "weird" that I'm even alive or that existence even exists and I think the human awareness/ego joined with this is what gets soothed or comforted by the idea of religion and make somebody else's idea seem personal.

Even for something that's not real, I've spent this time thinking because religion has implications for society. As for me, I like appreciating nature (but am not very practical/outdoorsy), comedy (favourite is sarcasm, dry humour, social comentary), cleaning, studying, science, and I love spending time with people, friends and family, which is why I chose the username city.

[Baruch]

Being a good listener is harder to learn than being a good speaker.  It is still worth striving for however, as many biographies of famous people attest.

[Sal1981]

Yo.