help, alternative perspective needed

Post Reply New Topic

hello,

i have aspergers and find it really hard to communicate socially. ive started trying recently to talk to people but there iq is the equivalent of a rock. i thus spoke to some teacher, who i respect even though we have different opinions. I’m a ardent atheist and he is a catholic I had approached him nervously and while resting anxiety attacks asked him some questions concerning philosophy. he undermined me and treated me like I’m ret*d so, with some Socratic irony, I ask a question, and this question that i asked him made him question his faith. now I believe he and others are going to constantly harass me. Any thoughts or tips?

i was thinking of giving him a book about aspergers so he could understand. but i am worried that he will use it against me.

I'm not sure what the problem is. If you are concerned about the teacher harrassing you then don't go to speak to him again. Are you worried that he will harrass you because you are an atheist? Or because he just wants to bully you?

Middle school? High school? College?

You need to get over yourself. Not all Aspies are super smart and not all NTs are dumber than a box of rocks.

my philosophy when talking to religious people is this, if they don't try to convert me i don't try to disprove them.

That can lead to very interesting conversations. Usually those that don't try to convert are either ambivalent (low conversation potential) or secure and have thought about things (good potential). A civil conversation between an atheist and theist can be quite fascinating when they don't get personal.

that they can

1. Unless religion is important to the class, I think it's inappropriate to bring this up with a teacher (especially if this isn't the college level)
2. As a religous person, there are few things I hate more than an arrogant atheist who thinks they are to one to make me change. I respect someone a lot more if we try to develop som understandin of each other even if we have different belief systems
3. Unless you need support or are actually being harassed, I see no reason to tell him about your AS. You seem a bit arrogant, not sayingg you are, but people may perceive you that way.

I generally avoid starting conversations about religion. Most people's religious beliefs are not up for debate.

If you are going to engage in a debate with someone, or a philosophical conversation, be prepared to accept that they might know more than you, be a better debater or philosopher than you. If it's a debate, you must be prepared to argue your point and not get upset if someone doesn't agree with you or can present a better argument. Generally speaking, I think if you are not well acquainted with someone, then you should bring up more casual topics that does not present as so much of an attack on their beliefs.

You can try to rectify this situation with your instructor by asking to speak with him, and telling him that you are sorry, that you have Asperger's Syndrome, which makes it difficult for you to socialize, and you were attempting to have a conversation. You may tell him that you chose to attempt a conversation with him because you hold him in high regard, and did not mean to upset him or say anything inappropriate.

I do not understand. What do you mean by "question his faith?" If you instilled genuine doubt within him, then why would he not be grateful for the opportunity to either strengthen his faith by facing the challenge or rather to come to a new conclusion based on thought? I don't understand why he would retaliate in either case.

I very much doubt you 'made him question his faith'. It sounds to me like you annoyed him by being arrogant. Are they actually harassing you, or do you just think they will? What was this question, exactly?

As for being an 'ardent atheist',what's the point of that? It sounds ridiculous to claim to passionately believe in . . . nothing. In my experience what people mean when they say something like this is that they like trying to undermine and patronize people who aren't atheists.

If you keep up the attitude that the people you try and talk to 'have the iq of a rock', then you will never get anywhere, and moreoever your bad attitude will be obvious to them . . . and they won't want to talk to you. Having AS doesn't automatically make you intelligent.

My advice so far would be to be more respectful of other people.