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Have you ever had a situation in your life that was challenging, and while you may have failed you are doing better? And another that trial, your family and closest people to you were absolutely determined for you to understand that you lack god? Even though you know that's not even an option or a consideration? How do you handle and process the inevitable disappointment of again letting people close to you know that you have no need for a god or religion? It's been hard for me, and I come out as the monster in the room every time they demand it's god I need. Frustrated beyond belief.

musicallyme88 3 Jan 2
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I have never had the misfortune of having a lot of people in my extended family or social circles hectoring me about god, so this needs to be filed under "nice in theory, just try it in real life". However, FWIW ...

I think this kind of thing comes down to healthy, clearly defined and strictly enforced interpersonal boundaries. I would say, look I know and appreciate what you're concerned about, but unless I invite it, it's disrespectful to constantly interject your god-talk. You are free to believe what you want, as am I. If I ever want to have a relationship with your god, I will let you know. In the meantime, I do not want to hear your constant un-subtle "hints" nor do I want unsolicited advice concerning my personal life or to be made to feel like some kind of horrible person simply because I don't agree with your beliefs. Be advised that if you continue to violate this personal boundary I will respond accordingly.

And then ... three strikes and they're out, basically. Remind them each time they violate the boundary and escalate in the end to cutting them off.

You have to be willing, of course, to make sure there are consequences, and to lose whatever sense of belonging or support they give you. You may have to ask yourself if it's really so bad as that (it often is, but sometimes isn't).

To my mind, there's no point in pushing back unless there's some end-point to it. If "pushing back" is just telling them for the umpteenth time that you don't believe or want to seek out any deity, much less theirs, then they will just keep trying. Call it out for what it is: a basic respect and human decency issue. You are not a prospect or a mark or a lost godless shade wandering the world looking for answers. You are a fellow human being with needs and feelings and convictions of your own, and if they can't respect that, just like you respect their right to believe as THEY choose, they WILL drive you away. And it will be on THEM.

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I think I ‘get it’.. And fortunately, the ‘people in my room’ were beyond religion, both family & friends. Shit happens, though, and it happens to everyone ..eventually. I had a good long run, after a shitty childhood. But no one ever once implied that ‘not believing in a god’ was the cause of my hardships. They knew better, they knew me.

Varn Level 8 Jan 2, 2019

Attempting to get beyond myself… I should add, use the lack of support, or even ridicule from others as fuel to slowly pull away from them (fuckem). The trickiest aspect of life for me remains that constant reassessment of ..are they right - or am I?

With time and experience, it’s become clear that mostly, I was/ am right.. But it can be a very hard, long slog getting past the ugly instinct of others to ‘trip you up’ in order for them to ‘move ahead.’ Follow your instincts … and safely expect them to eventually fall on their smug, resentful or arrogant faces 🙂

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