not to pick at you, but it would be great if there were no more Nazi's… but it wouldn't in any way prevent us from learning about them.

in other words, as a biblical Christian i believe others wont be saved eternally if they arent Christian… yet we can still learn about other religions much in the way that we learn about ancient cultures now.

Brawrg.

In the end I went to college and after declaring a minor in religion, I became a buddhist. I still have questions, and I find today many people write off religion as an outdated system by which to define moral and ethical values. I don’t think that’s it at all. I think most religion is based fundamentally on the desire to have a connection with the greater world.

That being said, there are many adherents to religion that do not see it that way, and continue to follow unquestioned tradition. It seems these are the people you came across, and that in your day-to-day life you are not exposed to the religious structure that defined so many.

I don’t know if you are better off than those raised in the church or not. You were certainly not subject to any of the confusing stories we were told were true, and you learned your morals and ethics and became a socially healthy person without religious guidance- which I do think is possible. Probably more possible for you than for many religiously oriented children.

I really don’t know what my point is here, except to say that religion, at least for me, is a viable thing, something that, through its origins, has taught me more about the world than anything else I have ever known. I accept that you do not want to change, but I think at least it would do some good to try and understand the religious lifestyle, if only so that you can relate to people outside your niche. Because while you do not practice it, religion is certainly still operating in the world.

My boyfriend is Hindu, and he and I have never run into any disagreements about religion–nor have our families. Thankfully, we all seem to preach respect and tolerance before we preach religion.

It was a matter of some contention in my family, as I was an acolyte at church since 3rd grade (carrying lights and crosses down the aisle during services) When I no longer believed, I resented my parents making me continue to acolyte.

We used to go to church a lot when I was young, now we go for Christmas and sometimes Easter. None of the rest of my siblings are very religious, and honestly, neither are my parents. They believe, but we’re no bible thumpers and they are very open minded to many ideas that most christians abhor.

I held off telling my friends for years, in fact, I’m pretty sure some of them still don’t know. There are a few of my friends that are very christian, and I respect that, I have no problem with people having something in their life that gives them comfort or hope. I’m not sure they would feel the same way. I sympathize with your predicament- I really could never date someone so close-mindedly religious.

My current boyfriend’s family is Irish and thus are pretty Catholic. I’m not sure if he’s told them I’m an Atheist but I’m kind of dreading the conversation. A bisexual Atheist? Blasphemy!

So I understand your situation. I’ve been questioned many times though I have yet to get into a serious debate about G-d. I’ve read many online though which are very interesting.