Losing Friends Over Religion

Brianne Bilyeu, , ,

I’ve never lost a friend or family member over my religious beliefs, but I’ve spoken to many people who have. It’s a major blow to the gut whenever I hear these stories. I always feel incredibly lucky that since identifying as an atheist I haven’t had to deal with this kind of personal loss.

I found this Facebook exchange on Twitter from @AtheismNews:

This is post 13 of 49 in the SSAweek Biodork Blogathon. Donate to the SSA today! Read more about my reader challenges here.

 

{advertisement}
Losing Friends Over Religion

About the author

Thoughts from a Minneapolis-based nerdy, liberal, humanist progressive on topics such as science, skepticism, religion, atheism, critical thought, politics, and local and global humanitarian and equality efforts. Biodork <3's geek culture, groan-inducing puns, world travel, cultural exchange and sharing and listening to stories.
{advertisement}
The Orbit is still fighting a SLAPP suit! Help defend freedom of speech, click here to find out more and donate!

68 thoughts on “Losing Friends Over Religion”

  1. ellenlundgren
    Reply
    1

    This makes me sad too. I’ve had this happen once, but they ended up not un-friending me, thought they said they would. Keep up the blogging! I think you’re nuts for blogging on the move but you’re doing great! 😀

  3. Erin
    Reply
    3

    man, that kind of exchange is hard to read. Not even willing to “agree to disagree?” Its so frustrating. Yesterday, I backed away from an argument with a Ph.D. holder about how the word belief shouldn’t really be used in the sense that atheists “believe” there is no god. This is a person who is incredibly intelligent, holds a 20-year tenured position, and cannot admit that the comfort she gets from her energy-healer is from the peace and relaxation during the session, not the crystals that are being hovered over her body. The ability to simply believe in whatever one wants is in no way the same thing as tested, falsified and self-correcting scientific method.

    But it is an easy comeback for ridiculous people. “Well you believe in Atheism, that’s your dogma” No, that’s my understanding of the evidence that has been tested.

  6. Stephen A
    Reply
    6

    You see this is not a ‘debate.’ A debate is like this. Two guys quarrel in the street as to whether that bright thing in the sky is the sun or moon. Here they may begin a rational, scientific process of determining whether it is the sun or the moon. ‘Does it give out any heat?’ ‘How fast is it moving?’ ‘Is it perfectly round?’ and so on.
    If they agree to partake in a rational process they will arrive at a rational conclusion. In this way they are capable of ascertaining whether they observe a star or a satellite.
    Now if we imagine that one of them carries the conviction that the object is monstrous laser powered disco ball suspended from an astral sphere of glass, then we can see that rational debate is not part of the process. It falls flat on its face at the first hurdle. It is simply then one preconceived belief system confronting another.
    We should not dignify this kind of confrontation with the word ‘debate’ because it does not reach the criteria of rational argument.

  7. Francisca Rowland
    Reply
    7

    You really make it seem really easy with your presentation but I to find this topic to be actually something that I believe I would never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very large for me. I’m taking a look forward to your subsequent post, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!

  8. James Frederick
    Reply
    8

    It is perfect time to make some plans for the long run and
    it is time to be happy. I’ve learn this put up and if I may just I wish to recommend you few fascinating issues or
    advice. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles referring to this article.
    I desire to learn even more issues about it!

  9. Kathy Smetana
    Reply
    9

    It’s perfect time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy.
    I’ve learn this publish and if I may just I desire to counsel you
    few attention-grabbing issues or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles regarding this article.

    I want to learn even more things approximately it!

  10. Kathleen Johnson
    Reply
    10

    Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing for your rss feed and I hope you write once more soon!

  11. Courtney Arellano
    Reply
    11

    Hello! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website
    with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information.
    I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Terrific blog and outstanding style and design.

  17. Paul Smith
    Reply
    17

    It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the
    future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some
    interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write
    next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!

  30. Thomas Kellner
    Reply
    30

    Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in internet explorer, may check this?
    IE nonetheless is the market leader and a huge portion of folks will pass over your great writing due to this problem.

  32. Floyd Piehl
    Reply
    32

    It is perfect time to make some plans for
    the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if
    I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or tips.

    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I desire to read even more things about it!

  34. Tammy Schmidt
    Reply
    34

    I’ll right away grab your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly permit me recognize so that I may just subscribe.
    Thanks.

  36. Ashley Saad
    Reply
    36

    I have noticed that repairing credit activity must be conducted with tactics. If not, you might find yourself damaging your positioning. In order to grow into success fixing your credit score you have to ascertain that from this time you pay any monthly costs promptly before their timetabled date. It’s really significant simply because by certainly not accomplishing that area, all other steps that you will choose to adopt to improve your credit rating will not be powerful. Thanks for discussing your ideas.

  40. Della Wortham
    Reply
    40

    Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since I bookmarked it.

    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change,
    may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  42. James Wilkins
    Reply
    42

    An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on this.
    And he actually ordered me dinner because I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this issue here on your
    website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *