Comments on: alone on a campus of 2,500 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/ an undercover atheist at a christian college. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:09:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Jennifer F. http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-65 Jennifer F. Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:56:20 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-65 Ah, memories. I can really, really relate to what you're going through. I was an atheist at Texas A&M...I think that I seriously might have been the only atheist out of like 40,000 people. :) It was such a lonely time, and I felt beaten down by the fact that I constantly had other people's viewpoints in my face but I just didn't have the energy to take them all on to explain my own. I didn't even get to the point of making friends in the first place because it seemed like the only thing people did for fun was go to church-related events. Unfortunately I don't have any good advice, I just wanted to say that I can REALLY relate and I'm so sorry you're going through that. Ah, memories. I can really, really relate to what you’re going through. I was an atheist at Texas A&M…I think that I seriously might have been the only atheist out of like 40,000 people. :) It was such a lonely time, and I felt beaten down by the fact that I constantly had other people’s viewpoints in my face but I just didn’t have the energy to take them all on to explain my own. I didn’t even get to the point of making friends in the first place because it seemed like the only thing people did for fun was go to church-related events.

Unfortunately I don’t have any good advice, I just wanted to say that I can REALLY relate and I’m so sorry you’re going through that.

]]> By: Polly http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-64 Polly Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:17:27 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-64 Just a suggestion, Maybe you can wave around a pink unicorn or FSM related bumper sticker/T-shirt/mug/ or some other atheist-recognizable memorabilia. Most xians don't recognize these symbols but other closeted atheists at your school might. Obviously, a Darwin fish is out. IIDB had a whole thread devoted to atheist symbols. Just a suggestion,
Maybe you can wave around a pink unicorn or FSM related bumper sticker/T-shirt/mug/ or some other atheist-recognizable memorabilia. Most xians don’t recognize these symbols but other closeted atheists at your school might. Obviously, a Darwin fish is out. IIDB had a whole thread devoted to atheist symbols.

]]> By: vjack http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-59 vjack Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:03:12 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-59 On a campus of that size, I bet you aren't alone. It will just take some luck to find a few like-minded folks. Even a couple others will make a big difference. I also attended a Christian college, although it had closer to 4,000 students at the time. I did often feel surrounded by Christians but there were enough atheists and Christians-in-name-only that I had a fairly large circle of friends even though I was quite open about my atheism at the time. On a campus of that size, I bet you aren’t alone. It will just take some luck to find a few like-minded folks. Even a couple others will make a big difference.

I also attended a Christian college, although it had closer to 4,000 students at the time. I did often feel surrounded by Christians but there were enough atheists and Christians-in-name-only that I had a fairly large circle of friends even though I was quite open about my atheism at the time.

]]> By: Joe K http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-52 Joe K Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:37:00 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-52 Congrats, anonymous atheist dude. I'm certain the fair city by the lake east of you has some good atheist organizations, in which you may find an environment in which you can just chill out among people who'll hold absolutely no grudge against your disbelief. (Don't) Keep the Faith! Congrats, anonymous atheist dude.

I’m certain the fair city by the lake east of you has some good atheist organizations, in which you may find an environment in which you can just chill out among people who’ll hold absolutely no grudge against your disbelief.

(Don’t) Keep the Faith!

]]> By: kungfu http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-43 kungfu Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:35:39 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-43 I hate to sound cliche, but this may be one of those times where you'll find out who your true friends are. I've been through the same path (although without the Christian university part), and can relate to that feeling of separation that comes when you "come out" to your friends and family. It's heartbreaking, as you see lifelong friends slowly drift off in a manner nearing disgust, all because your world view has shifted. I wish you the best of luck. I appreciate your insight in saying, "Ultimately, it is a matter of integrity, of truth. I value truth so much that I had to find it, at the cost of comfort, community, relationships, assurance." That hits the nail on the head. Know this: There are many more of us out there who are in the same or similar situations. When I first starting opening my eyes, it was painful and lonely, but there are millions of others who've come down this path. I hate to sound cliche, but this may be one of those times where you’ll find out who your true friends are. I’ve been through the same path (although without the Christian university part), and can relate to that feeling of separation that comes when you “come out” to your friends and family. It’s heartbreaking, as you see lifelong friends slowly drift off in a manner nearing disgust, all because your world view has shifted.

I wish you the best of luck. I appreciate your insight in saying, “Ultimately, it is a matter of integrity, of truth. I value truth so much that I had to find it, at the cost of comfort, community, relationships, assurance.” That hits the nail on the head.

Know this: There are many more of us out there who are in the same or similar situations. When I first starting opening my eyes, it was painful and lonely, but there are millions of others who’ve come down this path.

]]> By: King http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-42 King Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:55:03 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-42 That totally sucks Leaving Eden!!!! I am a Christian and I know how you feel. I was recently ostracized from my church because I play metal, like to smoke on occasion and have a drink. The people who I thought were my friends now will not talk to me based on this. The greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself and love Christ with all your heart. These "Christians" who are at your college are definately not following that. I am really impressed that you are standing alone in a community that doesn't understand or accept you and you aren't backing down. Even though we have different beliefs you have my respect!!!! That totally sucks Leaving Eden!!!! I am a Christian and I know how you feel. I was recently ostracized from my church because I play metal, like to smoke on occasion and have a drink. The people who I thought were my friends now will not talk to me based on this.
The greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself and love Christ with all your heart. These “Christians” who are at your college are definately not following that. I am really impressed that you are standing alone in a community that doesn’t understand or accept you and you aren’t backing down. Even though we have different beliefs you have my respect!!!!

]]> By: globalizati http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-38 globalizati Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:49:38 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-38 leavingeden, I sympathize because I'm a very similar situation. I'm in my last year at religious university (more conservative than Wheaton) and no longer profess faith in Christianity. Like you, it's too late for me to transfer. My friends know, and they're all still my friends, but it's very awkward at times. So much of the social life here revolves around spirituality and such, and my situation also more or less rules out forming any serious relationships with girls here. I look forward to graduating and moving on to a more diverse experience. If found this quote particularly true: "…one more thing: I find many Christians react very differently to ‘I’m questioning’ than ‘I’ve stopped believing’." Amen. I basically keep my mouth shut on many things unless I'm asked directly, and then I still get questions like "you're still seeking, <i>right?</i>" Of course I am, but I think my definition of seeking would disappoint many. Cheers buddy. leavingeden,
I sympathize because I’m a very similar situation. I’m in my last year at religious university (more conservative than Wheaton) and no longer profess faith in Christianity. Like you, it’s too late for me to transfer. My friends know, and they’re all still my friends, but it’s very awkward at times. So much of the social life here revolves around spirituality and such, and my situation also more or less rules out forming any serious relationships with girls here. I look forward to graduating and moving on to a more diverse experience.

If found this quote particularly true: “…one more thing: I find many Christians react very differently to ‘I’m questioning’ than ‘I’ve stopped believing’.” Amen. I basically keep my mouth shut on many things unless I’m asked directly, and then I still get questions like “you’re still seeking, right?” Of course I am, but I think my definition of seeking would disappoint many. Cheers buddy.

]]> By: Teej http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-35 Teej Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:17:52 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-35 It can't be easy to stay true to yourself in these circumstances, but you can do it. When I'm in a predominantly Christian or religious environment, I relish it as an opportunity to show others how people who disagree on something so fundamental can still treat each other with respect and decency. (And that atheists don't breathe fire and kill puppies.) If you can make people realize that, that's a pretty big deal. Hang in there. It can’t be easy to stay true to yourself in these circumstances, but you can do it. When I’m in a predominantly Christian or religious environment, I relish it as an opportunity to show others how people who disagree on something so fundamental can still treat each other with respect and decency. (And that atheists don’t breathe fire and kill puppies.) If you can make people realize that, that’s a pretty big deal. Hang in there.

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » Atheist at Wheaton College http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-34 Friendly Atheist » Atheist at Wheaton College Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:18:59 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-34 [...] this has to be slightly awkward… There are some times when I feel absolutely delighted to be an atheist hidden among [...] [...] this has to be slightly awkward… There are some times when I feel absolutely delighted to be an atheist hidden among [...]

]]> By: Jad http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-30 Jad Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:22:57 +0000 http://leavingeden.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/alone-on-a-campus-of-2500/#comment-30 Hi leavingeden, As a Christian it saddens me what is going on there. I wonder if it would be the same situation if I went to college in an all atheist campus? I think the odds would be similar to your case and from experience with atheists, a lot like to verbally abuse me on blogs and stuff. More often than not. It might be a different situation if things were face to face like you are in. In any case I don't condone what they are doing but I say chin up anyway and just be friendly back to them, regardless of the looks you get or the way they talk to you. If after that it still interrupts your studies then I think you should go and see someone of higher authority on the campus and share you're problem with them. I think perhaps an older Christian lecturer or someone like that will have compassion for you and actually side with you regarding the way you are being treated. It is wrong, regardless of any belief system. Hi leavingeden,

As a Christian it saddens me what is going on there. I wonder if it would be the same situation if I went to college in an all atheist campus? I think the odds would be similar to your case and from experience with atheists, a lot like to verbally abuse me on blogs and stuff. More often than not. It might be a different situation if things were face to face like you are in.

In any case I don’t condone what they are doing but I say chin up anyway and just be friendly back to them, regardless of the looks you get or the way they talk to you. If after that it still interrupts your studies then I think you should go and see someone of higher authority on the campus and share you’re problem with them. I think perhaps an older Christian lecturer or someone like that will have compassion for you and actually side with you regarding the way you are being treated. It is wrong, regardless of any belief system.

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