Atheism and family shame

Hello EVC'ersWhen I recently became active again on Facebook I swore to myself I'd avoid politics and religion. However, it didn't take long before my status updates moved away from mundane tat like "Charlie Sheen is an idiot" to "Kirk Cameron and his pet crocoduck are idiots". As the weeks went on I felt more comfortable bringing up political and religious issues.Now, in the last 2-3 weeks, I've managed to completely alienate one family member (based on political comments) and create a rift with my own mother (based on religious comments). I should point out that none of my comments were mean-spirited IMHO, but they were perhaps blunt.I feel a weird mix of anger, resentment and victimisation as a result:Anger because I should be able to express my feelings/opinions on my own wall in Facebook without repercussion.Resentment because I feel like my mother is disappointed in me due to my atheism, whereas in my opinion she should be proud that I am thinking for myself rather than just following the flock.Victimisation because I don't see why I should be cornered and scolded for my atheism, which should be, in my view, the default position we all start our existence with.We decide at some point in our lives to believe in a God... usually at a very young age... usually based on nothing more than the fact that our parents and peers hold such beliefs. Some of us later decide that such deep beliefs should not be simply handed down carte blanche, but rather should be independently arrived at after thorough and robust examination.So... I wish that my mother could be very, very proud of me... for engaging in a sceptical evaluation of these deep and important matters, for using my brain to think rather than my gut, for being an independent thinker rather than a sheep. Instead... I get the feeling I'm a disappointment to her... one whom she might describe as a lost, corrupted or confused.It's NOT FAIR lol.

Thanks for the comments folks.I agree that Facebook is crap, it is just a good way for me to keep appraised of my family's activities since an ocean separates us. Unfortunately I find 99% of it incredibly boring.And yes fear... this strange correlation between "atheist" and "evildoing baby eater" unfortunately exists despite us being in the 21st century. I simply don't get it... I tried to explain to my mother that my opinion on the matter is in my opinion the default position, and that it is not I who have to justify my lack of belief, but rather the believers that have to justify their beliefs. The onus is on them, not me.I suppose I should expect some of the flak since I don't tend to censor myself well... i.e. before I've thought through my comments I've already posted them lol... 9 times out of 10 this is fine... but that 1 out of 10 can be uncomfortable, as I then feel like I was somehow insensitive. Oh well I'm beginning to believe that I should bail from Facebook altogether and search out some sort of "Brainbook"... where people can discuss topics that rise to a higher level of importance than "OMG Ashton Kutcher is replacing Charlie Sheen on 2.5 men!!!"... sigh.

LOL How could I disagree with someone using Hitchens as their profile pic!?!One of my favourite quotes from the good man...

Many thanks articulett for the suggested websites... and to jar who pointed me to one as well.EVC is fantastic, but I find that I'm "in over my head" on specifics heh... so I tend to gravitate mostly to the coffee house.I probably ought to start by trying to be more active here again, and then check out these other sites as well.Thanks for the video link, just watched it

Valid advice but not relevant to my situation. I absolutely have no problem with anyone and everyone knowing my view on this matter. The scout story is interesting though, so thanks for that.

That's precisely how I view it now... although it doesn't really help to take away the frustration.I'm not on a mission to convert any of them and they know that. I am mainly frustrated by some comments that made me feel as though I am a disappointment in some way.I guess I sorta feel like ...... a pariah lol. Meanwhile I don't think I OUGHT to feel that way... and yet I do.I should probably count myself lucky in a way for being 4,000 kilometres away from the people involved. Things might have been even more unpleasant if we'd had these conversations face to face rather than over Facebook.Good luck to anyone else with similar pariah feelings, and thanks for your replies