Looking for support. Everyone I know is a believer.
Sorry you said you were surrounded by believers this is what I thought of. You know when songs get stuck in your head.
I'm in the same boat. That's why I'm on here! If you are secure in your own beliefs it makes it a little easier. I would also avoid getting into "debates" with deeply religious people. You can't logically argue with an illogical person. I learned that the hard way. We can be your new community! (:
Actually, during the time I was in the military, I considered myself a Christian, and it was not until I was overseas and got into a discussion with a friend of a friend that it all turned around. It did not happen immediately, it rarely does, and that is why you get the impression that it is a waste of time . . . . it is not, if you hit them with the right stuff, they find their stance indefenceable. For me, I grew up in a family that looked upon education with suspicion, disliked teachers . . . . but at the age of 14, I started looking outside of the family for role models . . . after that discussion, it was a turning point. Perhaps not all die-hard Christians are reachable, but never think that it is hopeless. I actually enjoy the challenge of shoving their bull shit down their throats, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I have changed some of them for the better . . . .
You can definitely find support around here. Thoughts of being totally surrounded by ‘believers’ feels like a Twilight Zone episode, to me… From one of the ‘least churched’ states in our union, to a hinterland littered with churches & their occupants ... I nearly tripped backwards into a grocery store cooler once, surrounded by ignorant, chattering churchgoers ..while pondering … what have I gotten myself into…?
Fortunately, I dig politics, and fit right in to our local, it pitiful.. County Democrats organization. And, I found a buddy! So - in the middle of this shit - we hike the trails of Virginia’s Blue Ridge laughing ourselves sick over the utter foolishness we’re surrounded by.. He’s got this ‘Jersey’ accent, so realizes ‘he’ll never fit in,’ and I’m from a state whose name these people can’t even pronounce.
Find your finger & toeholds, and cling to them for dear life ~