nonExpert wrote:
In my own experiences with my atheist relatives, I get bashed regularly. That's part of why I quit going to family parties. I got tired of defending my faith to my siblings. I finally told them "If you don't believe in the bible--why do you spend so much time talking about it?" That stopped them for a little while, but eventually they got back on my case about going to church.

Well, it sounds to me like you are in harmony with the Church, but the folks who are not in harmony experience a cognitive dissonance.  Why else would they get on your case?  You don't get on their case for not going to church.  So what explains their getting on your case?  
Yes, (from a Christian point of view) I feel like it's the devil working through other people to get at me. I deliberately never bring up religion around them because I don't want a big argument. But, they bring it up anyway. My sister asked me if I read the bible and said "yes" then she laughed and said "you believe in Jesus?" (like that was the stupidest thing I could ever do). I finally said: "Yes, and you're acting like a 12 year old." That shut her up for the rest of the evening. I'm just sick of having to fight with my own family--of all people! I basically have no relationship with most of them. My parents aren't quite as bad. I think my father accepts my religion and is even quietly happy for it (he's an introvert, so it's hard to tell, but he bought me several decorative crosses for my house). My siblings are the worst as far as slamming me about believing. Since they live out of state, I rarely see them. (They're in town right now though, so I'm avoiding calling or going to my parents house. I'm DONE arguing with them.)
Sorry to taking this thread off-topic. I'll keep to the subject from now on. smiley: smile

They're my friends, Orlando. If they weren't--why would they offer to wash my brain? (From the comedy, Strangers With Candy.)