tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051910413872751516.post4663764526693852452..comments2023-09-06T01:31:38.653-07:00Comments on Comics, Beer, and Shakespeare: I'm a cowardLance Christian Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14662783824480475026noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051910413872751516.post-78822755419327035902009-05-26T14:27:43.265-07:002009-05-26T14:27:43.265-07:00The best advice I got on this topic was to let you...The best advice I got on this topic was to let your family (or friends) lead the discussion. People will tell you how much they want to know. Most of them won't want to know much.<br /><br />When you think about it, there's really only one reason to have that conversation with your parents. Your mom and dad are not interested an honest dialogue on ontology. They're more worried about you going to hell, and any attempt to broach the subject is really only gong to be self serving. Not many people actually expect to persuade a family member into atheism, but we all secretly hope that our family members say something like, "I love you just the way you are, Christian or not." But, the conversation is more than likely to fall flat on its face.<br /><br />My advice to a young deconvert would be to take their new intellectual leap and be an adult about it. Realize that they've made a personal journey and to ask themselves what they hope to accomplish by proclaiming their stance as an atheist to their mother (time and time again). Remember to find the virtues in religious traditions and teachings. There's a reason whole cultures were built around these systems of belief. And of course, answer questions honestly but don't expect a miracle from your family. ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913380772514874237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051910413872751516.post-19013178398443861732009-05-19T05:56:00.000-07:002009-05-19T05:56:00.000-07:00Lance, I said I wasn't going to comment on that su...Lance, I said I wasn't going to comment on that subject anymore, but I am doing it anyway. The reason you are such a free thinker is because you come from a long line of free thinkers. If your father and I would have become members of any religious organisation we wouldn't be who we are, and we would have been like the parents of the student you mentioned. <br />Some people need the community that a religion offers like others need a sports club, or a fraternity, sorority etc. Your father and I knew enough people like that and never wanted that for ourselves. My parents allowed us to make up our own minds. I am the only one of eight children who believes in the Christian God. My grandmother was very religious, some of her nine children became religious fanatics, others agnostic, others indifferent. Think for yourself, don't believe what we or others tell you without question, that is what we taught you and your sisters, and it worked. I am proud of you.Ingridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16588436275275795373noreply@blogger.com