Atheists & Agnostics

Tobin S.

(10,420 posts)

23. I'm just honest about who I am

Mon Jan 26, 2015, 08:05 PM

Jan 2015

My wife is a liberal Christian and she knows I have no use for religion. She knew that from the start and she was honest about her beliefs from the get-go as well. It was the main thing that I thought might get in the way of us having a good relationship. However, our differences in this regard have not hindered us in the least and have provided for some lively conversations.

If you can avoid a knee-jerk reaction to go on the offensive when talking to people about this issue in person, it can lead to some very good talks. I sometimes let it rip in this forum because I need a release and this is a safe outlet. I'm much more diplomatic out in the real world, and I think most people are.

Someone up-thread said the answer to this issue is very simple and usually covered early in a psychologist's training. Beyond that minor dilemma, I think the best policy is just to be open about who we are with our acquaintances, friends, and family. If it's going to hurt you if you reveal your true views, I don't have a problem with lying in that situation.

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I’m an atheist psychiatrist. Should I see patients who believe in God? [View all] Goblinmonger Jan 2015 OP

ETA I am unfamiliar with any relationship between that group and this and only meant to give uppityperson Jan 2015 #1

Yup. I think the discussion could be more atheist-centered here Goblinmonger Jan 2015 #3

It's posted there as flamebait. cleanhippie Jan 2015 #10

Some of us don't feel welcome there. Curmudgeoness Jan 2015 #13

glad it is posted here edgineered Jan 2015 #20

God, yes. ChairmanAgnostic Jan 2015 #2

There's lots of crutches used on the way to mental health. jeff47 Jan 2015 #4

Yup. Goblinmonger Jan 2015 #6

Well apparently there are a lot of people who are too stupid to realize... trotsky Jan 2015 #5

You don't?!?!?! jeff47 Jan 2015 #7

Well, I do. mr blur Jan 2015 #12

sounds like a win-win Jeff Murdoch Jan 2015 #24

That squares with what I've seen on the Internetz. onager Jan 2015 #21

I think the question is better aimed at believer-psychiatrists JDDavis Jan 2015 #8

Those are very important points. Curmudgeoness Jan 2015 #11

If I went to a therapist with a giant cross on the wall I would leave immediately. Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #9

If I see a single magazine about homeopathy, I bail. AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #15

I know, lets go ask the religious subject matter experts! AtheistCrusader Jan 2015 #14

There's a diff between faithful & delusional Panich52 Jan 2015 #16

there are those who don't let it interfere with living rational lives. AlbertCat Jan 2015 #28

It's more than a bit disingenuous skepticscott Jan 2015 #17

That's interesting... Act_of_Reparation Jan 2015 #18

Exactly...I don't this is at all a difficult or controversial question skepticscott Jan 2015 #19

The whole thing is spurious. Act_of_Reparation Jan 2015 #22

I'm just honest about who I am Tobin S. Jan 2015 #23

If men can be OB/GYNs then an atheist can counsel a patient that believes in god kdmorris Jan 2015 #25

Exactly...there are all sorts of examples skepticscott Jan 2015 #27

What makes anyone think that just because you don't share a characteristic with someone... AlbertCat Jan 2015 #29

Speaking as an atheist... Binkie The Clown Jan 2015 #26