I grew up a "persecuted" Christian. I won't be a "persecuted" atheist.

[funflower]

I make my choices. I don't expect everyone to like all of them. I don't have time to worry about whether people are "persecuting" me.

:nopity:

[Az]

1. You don't really get a choice

You don't control how others treat you based on your beliefs. You do have a choice in how you react to it and what you make of it. If you are an atheist you are going to be persecuted in this society. But you can rise above them and respond with confidence and strength to their weak minded persecution.

[funflower]

3. If by "persecution" you mean "disapproval," then so be it.

I don't find anything I've experienced based on my modern ideas to be worse than the "persecution" I experienced at the hands of my schoolmates because my uncool family went to church.

I also reserve the right to openly disapprove of other people's ideas (although I like to think I won't use it too often).

[EvolveOrConvolve]

2. Bravo, an optimist

Like Az pointed out, you can't control the way people treat you. You can only control the way you feel about that treatment.

Persecution does occur, and I've experienced it myself, but having a persecution complex is different from being persecuted.

[funflower]

4. I'm not an optimist. I just know that when I choose a minority path, I'm

going to experience criticism and some ostracism.

When I have to ride in the back of the bus, then I'll know I'm being persecuted.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

5. Sorry, I still think you're an optimist

Essentially you're saying, "I'm going to see some criticism and disapproval, but screw it, who cares."

[funflower]

6. Exactly.

How does that make me a victim of persecution?

[Discord]

9. Lemme know when you put the Darwin-Fish on your car...

and wake up some morning with the sticker scratched off, along with scratches down the side of your car, your side-view mirror ripped off and your back window bashed in.

I dunno... call me crazy, but I have a hard time considering that criticism.

:crazy:

[really annoyed]

7. Good for you

It's good to have a positive attitude toward your life.

I guess I'm lucky though - my transition from Christian to agnostic was smooth, socially speaking. It shocked my best friend though - when we got into a fight that ended our friendship, she told me I needed to find God. :evilgrin:

Plus, it helps to have friends that are similar to you. My close friend is openly liberal and negative toward religion. We have a blast when we hook up together - we can rant about life and such.

[funflower]

8. Very true. Fortunately, I already have many such friends!

What people I don't know (like Dobson) say it not important.

[Discord]

10. Sorry to hear about your run-in with the ex-bestfriend...

My best friend surprisingly is a non-practicing Catholic.

We have discussed religion a few times, but generally just end at agree to disagree and move on.

We both are very open-minded people and I don't hold it against him that he is a believer and he doesn't hold it against me that I'm not.

I guess in this one I'm fortunate.