Reply #11: Very wise words, Evoman

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

I think you have it right on the money. I would add that the best teacher is example. You have been a great example to your friends, showing them that an atheist has morals and lives by them. That you are an honorable person. And you are right--to be around those who are "other"--be it atheists, people of other colors, or sexual orientation--helps broaden a person's view of things. Where I live in Arkansas, there are few minorities--but many hate groups--many more than I ever heard of when I lived in areas where the races were fairly evenly mixed. Hatred thrives on ignorance, and ignorance is enhanced by lack of opportunity to mix and mingle with others.

One thing from the Bible (which does have some words of wisdom) is "resist not evil". I take that to mean a wise person does not confront ignorance and hatred head on--it leads only to confrontation and an actual settling into one's own viewpoint--but rather does what you have done.

One thing Abraham Lincoln once said (some Republicans have said wise things) is that he destroyed his enemies by making them his friends. To persistently refuse to look on someone with a different viewpoint as an enemy and to treat them in a friendly manner will, eventually, I believe, change their viewpoint.