When I get into these situations, there are awkward, but I mostly don't associate with religious people, so it isn't an issue.

Sadly, the evangelical wing of the church feel that it is their duty to "convert" as many people as possible to their way of thinking. I have a friend who is the Area Dean of Ashton. However, he does not try to impose his beliefs on me and I just keep off the subject of religion altogether when we occasionally meet for lunch. I was brought up in the Church of England and I try my best to adhere to the ten commandments. This is not because I fear eternal damnation but because I believe that they are quite a good set of rules for life. Some of the "born again" christians I have encountered have been amongst the most unpleasant people I have ever met. They do not apply their beliefs to a situation if it does not suit them. As Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull said, "I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays." However, many christians fit neatly into that category. In my opinion, they are neither better nor worse, than anyone else on average. If you put yourself on a "holier than thou" pedestal like some christians do, then someone, who is more perceptive, will eventually knock you off.

Born and raised in the south. I completely understand. It is annoying how everyone just assumes you are ... One... Of... Them... And I also get that sometimes, in order to not be completely ostracized and even possibly threatened, we just pretend. It's a way to keep the peace. Makes you kind of wonder just how many of them are also faking it.

Yeah ; incredibly my family(3 of 6) will offer prayers before meals- I tend to hang out with the others that don't. Because
I choose happiness over comfort. Personal growth & freedom of thought over FALSE PRESTIGE.
If we are dependent on others for exceptance and validation ,we hand them our dignity and FUTURE. I value
my independence/self determination. The emotional baggage and scars (I have learned from) they CARRY are
not mine to heal.They (seemingly) are comfortable with the
blindfold they willing wear.Like an addict ,they embrace the
denial aspect of life / & they say you shouldn't shock or disrupt an ADDICT , as this quite probably will CAUSE HARM-
to themselves or others- so to do no harm I keep it on the informal side.(keeping communication open)My depth of love is qualified by REALITY. Over the years other family have also chosen to live and think FREELY. The regrets are negligible.
We owe a free happy life to ourselves FIRST-
we cannot possibly help others till we help
OURSELVES, sorry to be brutally honest,but I tried other approaches to this dilemma.Social setting
,like demographics & location,can influence the interaction and outcomes.Ask yourself about you aspirations and needs as far as the relationships
(Knowing these can & do change over time)and
revisit them often- as these will guide your actions.
Thanks for a good post!
‍✌

Great dogs!
If ya can't live with them, then bullshit them!

living among mithraists is hard, huh. i know this isnt what you wanna hear, but Jesus had basically the same problems? And of course--as counter-intuitive as this maybe seems--your mithraist community there is scared to death of the Bible, i could offer some Quotes if you like, No son of man may die for another's sins, No one has ever gone up to heaven, Where I am going you cannot come, There is only One Immortal, etc, but do yourself a favor and be very selective how you use them ok

i don't struggle with them maybe bc i am mildly asperger's, or maybe bc i moved a lot growing up and don't identify with any particular location, or maybe i just detest religion, idk, but the point is kinda that if you don't want to find yourself in need of relocating, might be better to just overlook it. Yes, they are kinda desperate, but?

Not so much. But then, I'm not a huge socializer and I'm already known as quite a liberal person. This alone keeps most of the hard core religious types at bay.

There is just no getting around it in many societies including this one. Would a religious person be accepted here?

I struggle with deprograming myself from religion. Now I am 49 and address each situation one at a time. It still can be a pain in the butt.

It was a struggle when Tipper&ALgore were labeling vinyl record albums and cover art.....but you were an infant during those 80's years under Ronald Wilson ReaGUN 666

I was in Nashville a couple of years ago for NaNoCon, and met some people from Sunday Assembly Nashville. They were raving about how good their group is. The band from that group played at the Convention, and they were kick ass good. If you're looking for people who share your lack of belief, you should check them out.

I refuse to participate, period. Depending upon the circumstances, I'll either be
silent about it and wait for it to be over, I'll remove myself from the situation entirely, or I'll straight-up say that I will not participate.

I don't hide my atheism. I won't be bullied into pretending I believe just to "fit in".
I don't care if I don't fit in. Never really have. Even as a kid, I have always been
different. Luckily, childhood doesn't last as long as adulthood.

I have NO respect for anyone's religious beliefs. I only tolerate them, because it's
required by law.
I'm not going to allow anyone to make me feel uncomfortable with their delusions.

Conformity is bullshit. The only reason religion has been allowed to get
away with it's total encroachment upon nearly every aspect of people's lives,
is because most people are too fucking scared and weak to stand up to others
and say "no, I won't".

Yes I have extended family that are very religious. I feel very uncomfortable when they have to pray before meals and etc. I usually just set there and try to let it go

I had myChristian friend yesterday say his new house so many things fell together it had to be god, then he caught himself and said oh yeah. I smiled and said I could see how he could believe that, that my first thought was but god just said FU to 100 other home buyers, but we smiled and had a good time, that is my goal being an out atheist.

Although my mother and my older brother believe in God, we very rarely talk about religion. They know very well I'm agnostic. I went to Church many times but never was into the praying thing. Many of my friends are religious. However I never had problems because of being agnostic, even when most of my work colleagues were Muslims. Actually, when I was in that team it was a very good environment. There was this Sikh chap from India that I interviewed and was a very good worker and person, he lives now in Canada. I even went two or three times to Muslim events and felt comfortable despite not being religious. As I never showed discomfort with other people's beliefs I ended up being accepted easily. It depends more on how accepting people are. Many people tried to convert me but, stubborn and individualistic as I am, always went my way.

Next time you stop by for a visit dress up in an alien suit, and when they inquire about it, let them know that you are making sure they know that you are different . . . . It's guaranteed to make a lasting impression they will not forget.

Everyone here in Albuquerque I've met so far assumes I'm a GOP Christian Trump supporter, like they are.
I don't have relationships here that are deep enough for me to share my beliefs, since during a typical week I see mostly senior van drivers, hospital staff, neighbors who greet me when I walk my dog.