By DAN PERRY
Added: Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:01:46 UTC

The topic of religion seems to inevitably come up between my friends and me at some point in my personal relationships. Whether we have known each other for a few months or a few years, at some point, we broach the topic of religion. I usually state that god – or any gods for that matter – do not exist because there is no corroborated scientific evidence to support such belief systems. I only accept what we, as a forward-thinking, rational society, can prove and corroborate through questioning, logic and reason; essentially: the scientific search for truth.

Responses have ranged from general agreement to bewilderment to outright defiance and anger. Perhaps it's due to the fact that most of my friends are attempting to placate every religious side by showing respect for all of them, no matter how ridiculous their claims may be. Even some of the most intelligent, rational people I know, atheists like myself, have stated that I am intolerant of other people's beliefs because of my dismissive attitude toward religion. According to them, I sound like a zealot, the exact opposite number to the die-hard religious fundamentalist, even though I attempt to explain there is a huge difference between faith and reason. Inevitably, it ends in an argument with hurt feelings on both sides.

I'm sure my experience as an out-of-the-closet Atheist is not unique but it is incredibly frustrating; akin to knowing the Earth is spherical but being asked to respect another's belief that the Earth is flat. How can we show respect for such spurious claims?

The question I would like to discuss with others is: In our personal relationships, what is the best way to clearly explain that there is truth and there is nonsense? Reality and fiction? Science and religion? Is there a way to do it without coming across as a zealot? Is it even worth discussing such things within our social circles or is it best to just keep our mouths shut when the topic arises?

TAGGED: ATHEISM