Am I doing the right thing?

[klr]

This preacher hasn't got back to me yet.

He's probably scared of you.

[Animavore]

This preacher hasn't got back to me yet.

He's probably scared of you.

He's no reason to be. I haven't said overtly that I'm an atheist. Though I did say I would probably go up with my friend first time if he was reluctant to go but I wouldn't be joining myself because, "religion is not my thing" and left it at that. I'm not out to argue with these people. I want as little contact as possible. I'd rather my friend went without me.

[tattuchu]

I think you're a good friend, Ani.

But how is it you're friends with a nutter like this?

[Animavore]

I think you're a good friend, Ani.

But how is it you're friends with a nutter like this?

Been since kids. He wasn't always nutty. He used to be a great laugh

[mistermack]

Maybe anger management might be a better bet.

You're not going to change the mix of people he encounters much. Unless he cuts himself off.
I would think that mixing with that lot would just encourage him to get into more arguments about religion, not less.

His best bet is not to debate, if he gets angry.
If I moved to the deep south of the US, I would try to keep my mouth shut about religion. Especially if I got angry when mocked, which I surely would be.

[pErvinalia]

This preacher hasn't got back to me yet.

He's probably too busy rooting kids.

[Animavore]

Maybe anger management might be a better bet.

You're not going to change the mix of people he encounters much. Unless he cuts himself off.
I would think that mixing with that lot would just encourage him to get into more arguments about religion, not less.

His best bet is not to debate, if he gets angry.
If I moved to the deep south of the US, I would try to keep my mouth shut about religion. Especially if I got angry when mocked, which I surely would be.

He's not getting angry in debate. He's just a general angry person. His wrists and bed-clothes have bite marks and he often talks about fucking up people he believes have wronged or one-upped him. I think the church might be able to relieve that through catharsis.

[rasetsu]

I have a creationist friend and of late he has serious anger issues. His mother wants him to see a shrink. The problem with him is I think he's too isolated. There aren't any creationists around. When he spouts that rubbish people just want to get away from him. They think he's a freak.

Today on the way home from college I noticed a baptist church in Swords. I looked them up on the net and they are Bible literalists. I've sent the pastor an email about my friend enquiring into their services. I asked him would he talk to my friend if I could get him up there. I think talking to like minded people might do him a world of good. I'd rather he ditched the dumb-ass religion alk together but I can't see that happen. Some people just aren't strong enough for non-belief.

I can't get rid of the feeling this is the wrong thing to do.

In ordering your priorities, I think it sound to rank the value of people over that of ideas, over ideologies, and over causes. Especially at the individual level. Let the momentum of large groups take care of the larger issues. Help your friends and family above all else. Fight the good fight, but always remember that the enemy is also your brother. A lost battle here or there, for cause, is a net benefit. We are all a blend of error, truth, and strangeness; and when we die, we will have moved the ball only a few inches from where we found it. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, nor are its legs very strong.

Besides. Who knows. Because of your ministrations, you may have rescued a future Dan Barker or John Loftus.


"Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forego an advantage." — Benjamin Disraeli

[Animavore]

But I like John Loftus.

[rasetsu]

But I like John Loftus.

Sometimes I think perhaps you just need your medication adjusted.




(Ban hammer in 3.... 2... 1...)

[Tero]

If your friend is serious about his religion, then it's the right thing to do. You can't change people, but you can sometimes help them be happier with the life they've chosen.

You sound like them Christians talking about gays.

[Animavore]

Still no word. Website still down. Are they gone?

[pErvinalia]

The Rapture....

[MrJonno]

A good doctor would examine your friend for mental health issues and include the option of seeing a priest (thats in no way the same as a doctor preaching but telling a patient to try and get a hobby/speak to like minded people is part of decent holistic treatment).

[Gawdzilla Sama]

A good doctor would examine your friend for mental health issues and include the option of seeing a priest (thats in no way the same as a doctor preaching but telling a patient to try and get a hobby/speak to like minded people is part of decent holistic treatment).

The DSM, without a doubt due to pressure by religious folks, exempts belief in a god or gods from the definition of "delusional". The pressure was put on to do this because the religious folks know that if it wasn't done that way they would rightly be called crazy.