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Greenleaves said:
I must admit that sometimes I feel uncomfortable around religious people. I feel like I have to sort of fake believing so my friends will think I might not go to hell after all.

I also get uncomfortable talking about religious stuff because I know my views aren't held by many others. Should I just keep my mouth shut when people talk about believing in stuff? Should I just pretend that I also believe so people will like me?

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I don't believe in pretending to be anything you're not. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm an atheist, but I'm far from religious. My belief (or lack of belief) doesn't jibe with some people (including my mother), but I'm open to other people's opinions... and my friends and family love me for who I am.

My mother is very religious (she's a Mormon). Her faith is very important to her and I fully respect that and it's not something I would ever want her to lose. So, I don't push my views on her or criticize what she believes because I love and respect her... and she does the same for me.

I just get irritated when people try to shove their beliefs on me. As long as someone respects me and my right to my own beliefs, I show them the same respect. There's room in this world for a variety of beliefs. I'm all for acceptance, peace, love and understanding of one another's differences.