Howdy! Living here in the "Heart of Dixie" sure comes with its challenges, especially for the more broad-minded folks. Most of the time, a logical debate is not possible because the religious & conservative folks are so ingrained by their familial & societal influences, they just cannot grasp any other mindset. I was raised in a Southern Baptist environment in Texas; I have a depth of knowledge about the precepts of Christianity. I live in Columbus, GA, a city of 200,000 folks & what is most frustrating is that many people will proclaim their love of Jesus, will get downright angry when confronted with opposing views, & then it comes to light that I have much more historical & literary knowledge of the religion they're defending. I don't hate anyone who claims to be deeply Christian - it just annoys me.

Give it some time. You will hate them eventually.

Right about the time you're making your 2nd or 3rd $400+ repair on your car because someone was trying to teach you to fear God.

The majority of believers from all faiths believe without questioning or acknowledging the damning inconsitencies in the religion in which they believe. And the Majority of believers who do question them do so with so much bias that they are still unable to see what is blatently in front of them. Most reasonably intelligent people willing to view all the facts without any bias are basically going to work out that the religion cannot possibly be the word of any god and will be either agnostic or athiest.

I grew up in a small town in East Tennesse and my parents had The Department of Childrens Services called on them three times when I was growing up. Not because they were bad parents or mistreated me. The complaints were that my parents were atheists and unfit to raise me. School was a complete nightmare as well (I was called a devil worshiper and had things thrown at me) and was so glad to move away to go to college. Unfortunately where I am at now is not much better but there is at least there is an organization (East Tennessee Rationalists) where I can go to meet like minded people.

I know exactly how you feel. I had similar experiences. Gotta luv those fundies...

Move to Quebec, Canada, problem solved :D

yeah. I'll get right on that...

I think in all fairness you need to consider the following:

A lot of religious people are scared to death of the thought of atheism. It's a thought that they can't even begin to bear to imagine.

As you well know, their religions is truly absurd and filled with contradictions and utterly unwise baloney. Don't think for one second that they are fully aware of this!

They are on their last nerve trying to "cling to their faith", they don't need you coming along pointing out the obvious and making them face these things head on.

That's why they become so angry so quickly. They know it's baloney, but the alternative "in their mind" is atheism which they aren't even about to consider. For them the thought of atheism is worse than than hell. At least with a belief in heaven and hell they can pretend that they have a shot at heaven. With atheism they don't have a shot at anything but dying!

So when you confront their beliefs you are stepping on their last nerve. A nerve they really don't need anyone to stand on. They're already clinging to their faith on a thread.

And you're threatening to snip that thread away and send them into a free-fall that can only land in atheism (as far as they are concerned).

For them it's either the Biblical God, or atheism. And since they can't face atheism, all they have to cling to is the Bible.

Try to understand their predicament. They're literally scared of "death".

The instinct for self preservation is usually quite strong in our species. Intelligence can screw that up in so many ways...

The country is terrified of what they consider "militant atheists" (I prefer the term Evangelical Non-Believer lol) but what many people fail to realise is that we didnt fire the first shot in this "Culture War" (does anyone else notice the inherently violent language used to describe this issue?)... I believe that as a matter of self preservation atheists need to organize and stand up all across the country in places long considered bastions of conservative christianity. We arent a recognized or even often considered minority and because we lack a centralized belief system to bind us together we lack the sense of community we need to lobby effectively. This will hurt us and potentially endanger us and our children... the fundies are armed and angry, we need to remain rational and prepared... and most of all we must remain united.
I'm glad there are groups out there allowing a safe and rational place for us to organize. We cannot resort to blind hatred, we can only present a united front.

Off topic, just for fun:

my child became an atheist at a very early age...it took a bit for me to follow. i realized that the most closed-minded, bigoted people i knew were christians (and yes, i know some absolutely wonderful people of faith, as well).

my mother said that we need to sit down and have a good, logical debate. she swears she'll win me over. my response? "if we bring logic into this, i've already won, lol."

i'm tired of everyone trying to "convert" me. i'm one of the most rigidly honorable and ethical people you will EVER meet...but that comes from within, not from a fairy tale. my lack of belief does NOT make me a horrible person.

i started really questioning when i embraced two of my daughters being bisexual (i really think one is out-right gay). when my priest and mother sat me down to let me know that it was okay that she was bi, but not okay if she actually did anything about it...i told them that any god that would make a person be gay/bi and then prevent them from love wasn't a god i would take as my own.

my mother hasn't gotten over it. neither have others...i don't know if it has to do with being in the south, or if christianity is this pervasive everywhere, but i'm sure they call it the bible-belt for a reason.

I'm agnostic and I respect most all belief systems. I have more of a Karma thing going on.

What burns my rear is the fanatical look in some 'faithful' people's eyes, like they are going to school me, when I tell them to please stop referring to all good people as being 'Christian'.

I'm a good person, you are good people. If find it offensive that they think kindness and understanding is exclusive to judgmental bigots.

My brother attends church every week, but won't speak to his daughter because she came out.

My ex was a card carrying member of Satanism, but he treated pagans like they were stupid.

My mother believes the part in the bible about Cain being marked, is referring to black people and that they are all bad.

WELCOME TO THE SOUTH

There's no shortage of snobbery among atheist either. (Gotta be fair). I don't want to have religion (or non-religion) be a source of division among people. The people I tend to encounter who are of the opposite persuasion seem to want to live and let live. I don't feel besieged. There are reasons that I believe what I believe and I think they are quite good. The same can be said of people on the other side. I strongly disapprove of the mixing of religious belief and societal or political division. I t exists. I can't help that. But I don't wish to promote it.

dude i am so in the same boat with you. i grew up southern baptist in central oklahoma and i moved to columbus ga about 5 years ago. i was forced to go to church 3-5 times a week for 18 years till i was old enough to tell my parents no. i dont disbelieve but until someone can physically prove that god exists (or something supernatural happens to me personally) i choose not to pick a side.
everything i know and believe has physical evidence to back up how and why it is so.

if your still around columbus you should hit me up. i would love to have someone with my same point of view to converse with.

I was born and raised here in Florida have a few generations in this state and it's full of Muschristews.i have experienced a few interdenominational remarks when i informed them i was an atheist.
Also i won't claim i know more than a minister but i have witnessed a few believers who are clueless about their own faith but will defend it if you make a sarcastic remark about it or hurt their unknowledgeable feelings.