Does anyone feel so suffocated by a deist society, it feels suffocating? I wish I had people to talk to HERE, but there aren't. I am having a full on panic attack, and I just wish I could be some place other than here. I wish I were someone else, where it was ok to be me. Socialist atheist in the bible belt isn't ok.
I swear I'm being held an inch under water, so close... I just need one breath of air, but I can't reach. People shouldn't have to feel this way. Someone say something. Tell me I'm a reactionary asshole, tell me I am the new voice of reason; I don't care. Someone atheist interact with me, please.
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I know that was a double entendre.. I don't care
Kenny? Is that you?
*****UPDATE*****
No, you don't seem like a troll.
Hello! How may I interact with you?
Welcome, Mat. I'm sorry you're having a rough go of it right now.
Tell us about yourself.
I jumped the gun, didn't I?
Remember that you are not alone. Just take a deep breath and try and relax. When you have calmed yourself, make it your job to find like minded people. It will be hard for sure, but it can be done. I have lived in the bible belt for a long time now and have found no one close that shares my views on religion or politics, and yes it is frustrating. I am not discouraged. I plod on and live my life best I can.
I live in the bible belt / tornado alley also. I am insulated from the din of praise and prayer due to being a natural introvert. I socialize online . However it would be nice to eventually join up with a small group that meets for support. Mat : Continue to post and discuss here on AR. This is a diverse bunch . We debate and discuss among ourselves. Occasionally a Bible or Koran thumper attempts to challenge our skills in argument and the fun begins.
Google local groups + humanists, skeptics, freethinkiers, secularists and atheists. That usually gets you the nearest local group of non-believers. (Secular groups sometimes have religious members, of course). Some Quaker groups welcome non-believers in the USA and I think all Quakers do so in the UK. Good luck and there are several online groups apart from our horrible lot :-)
I grew up in a small rural town, so while not in the Bible belt, still very Christian. My "friends" were taught not to associate with atheists so when I was in middle school/ junior high, a lot of them abandoned me after they realized they couldn't convert me. It's tough, but you keep chugging along, and you get through. Things get better once you can find the right people c: online forums like this are great for that, so keep in touch!
Hey, take a calm, deep breath. It is going to be okay. There are people for you to talk to, including me. I'm always up for a conversation with someone else who shares my values. I do feel that deist societies tend to "rule" the country, so to speak, however sometimes people are too afraid to face the probability that when you die, you cease to exist. I recently told my family I am an atheist and I had to explain it to them that I do not hate god or them. People believe what they have to believe, but as a blunt individual, I do feel that people need to stop and face the idea that an afterlife most likely doesn't exist otherwise they can be trapped in their own delusions.Once again, if you ever would like to chat about anything, message me. :)
It's very strange suddenly having a different paradigm for what happens after death. It's stranger still having a different source of moral guidance, ethics, civility, and the rest. A lot of us have gone through the same thing and come up still breathing. Take the word of a Sailor, you'll swim through. Just rebuild your skin. It's going to feel thin for a bit, as even the best-intentioned well-wishing seems like a slap in the face. It's hard suddenly seeing smiling faces differently, as if everyone's held a mask in front of you your whole life. Fret not. 99% of those people aren't actually holding a mask, they're just not aware they're wearing one. People are still good, just misguided.