Does Peer Pressure stifle the acceptance of the obvious?

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Suppose you were a member of an atheistic group and one night you had what seemed to you a religious experience. What there not be equal peer pressure in such a situation?

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In my experience, it's less about peer pressure and more just open hostility.While we're only talking about a few rotten apples, anybody that thinks atheists are categorically immune to the failings of other faith groups is naive.This message has been edited by gene90, 11-02-2005 10:41 AM

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Are there actually Atheist groups?

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If you prefer, use the word "demographic" instead of "group".

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But how do you get peer pressure from demographics?

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I'm sorry to be short with you Youko but I don't have time to explain this any further this morning, there's somewhere I need to be in a little while. The point I want to make is that you can be shunned by your atheist associates when you convert. They aren't an organization or demographic though.The second part of my post is in reference to the atheist demographic vs. the Christian demographic, the Buddhist demographic, and what have you. There are bad apples in all of them. Being an atheist does not mean you are necessarily of higher character than a Christian or what have you. There are good apples and bad in every batch.As long as you stay as individuals you pose a much less threat than say that Catholic church at the Inquisition. But this is not necessarily because of superior character but because of less opportunity for oppression. People are people.This message has been edited by gene90, 11-02-2005 11:05 AM

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That's not Psychology.

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Psychologists, as in clinical rather than experimental, are not psychiatrists.Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication.Clinical psychologists cannot, but in practice usually a medical doctor will write a prescription for them.That's my understanding, that the difference is basically between an MS degree and medical school.This message has been edited by gene90, 11-02-2005 05:07 PMThis message has been edited by gene90, 11-02-2005 05:08 PM

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On the other hand, when I tell people who ask that I am a non-believer, I run a pretty good chance of getting a lecture. I got repeatedly insulted to my face about my beliefs and morals by my own sister, and spent an agonizing 5 hours alone in a car with someone who tried to browbeat me into believing.

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Mostly, I keep my mouth shut about being a non-believer except in really specific circumstances because letting certain sorts of people know carries a great deal of risk.

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Well, like I said, there are rotten apples in every bunch. Though I suspect believers would be more likely to "lecture" non-believers on the issue, since non-believers don't have hell on their minds.

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Most clinical Psychologists I know ar MD/PhD's, but maybe that's not the case with clinical Psychologists in general.

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If you know a few of them you're probably right. I'm just remembering a freshman class were that distinction was made.