Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by AntiChristianLeague on July 2, 2011 at 11:18am

INFP over here.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Walski on July 1, 2011 at 11:19pm

INTJ here

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Permalink Reply by Carol on July 2, 2011 at 1:46am

I don't think that anyone can be any more introverted than I am, Erik, but I do not think that is the only reason that I am an atheist.  Most of the atheists that I know are talkative.  Our society seems to reward extroverted behavior.  I was disturbed by the sign in the school that said “You can’t ask a teacher for help unless everyone in your group has the same question.”  Teamwork is wonderful, but so is individuality.  This article reminded me that my introversion can be a good thing.  Shyness can be paralyzing, but as the article says “sensitivity, if it is not excessive and is properly nurtured, can be a catalyst for empathy and even leadership”.

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Permalink Reply by scLovely on July 2, 2011 at 1:55am

As a child and all throughout middle school I was extremely shy. I was always picked on and made fun of. In high school, things changed. All the guys thought I was pretty and everyone wanted to be my friend. My self esteem built up so since about 17 I've been an extrovert. I never meet a stranger and people love my personality. I am very bubbly and happy all of the time. The only time I am shy anymore is if I am meeting a friend's or boyfriend'sparents.

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Permalink Reply by Atheist Exile on July 2, 2011 at 3:42am

Hmmm, is introspection a common component of introversion?  Yes, I think so.  Perhaps not absolutely but it certainly makes sense to me.

And introspection is a good thing.  It's hard to think of when thinking isn't good.  Most people on the planet are inculcated into some religion or other through childhood indoctrination.  This is really rape of innocent young minds.  Trusting children absord, without question, what their authority figures (especially Mommy and Daddy) tell them.  Accepted without the benefit of critical examination, these ideas might never enjoy rational analysis without introspection.  In fact, I'd have to say that my own introspection is at the heart of my passage to deconversion.

So, I think you're onto something there, Erik.  However, I think there's a lot more to it than just one personality trait.

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Permalink Reply by erik112358 on July 2, 2011 at 3:52am

Oh, I agree completely.  I didn't mean to imply I thought introversion was the ONLY thing that led me (or others) to be Atheists - only that it may be a contributing factor.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Hevenstone on July 2, 2011 at 4:15am

I have been extremely introverted my whole life. I was the one weird kid everyone picked on (though, to be fair, if who I am now knew who I was then, I would bully me, too). I don't just avoid social situations, they are actually a phobia of mine. Yes, I can be comfortable in a social situation, but only if there are at least two people who know me well enough to know what I can talk about for hours (mostly music [especially Led Zeppelin, guitar solos and playing and such, and also The Blues], religion, science and politics) and are willing to engage me in a discussion on one of those topics.

I'm working on it, of course. Part of why I started going to atheist meet-ups was for this very reason... and... slowly... it's getting easier.

Recently, I've been doing a lot of reading, and I'm becoming rather convinced that I have Asperger Syndrome. The only two things about me that it fails to explain are my over-active imagination and my musical creativity (although, admittedly, I don't think I'm that creative... others seem to think I am, though, for whatever reason), and it only fails two explain those two things because I don't know enough about it yet to know whether or not the lack of imagination is an actual trait or if that's just a stereotype.

But anyways...

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Hevenstone on July 5, 2011 at 1:10pm

They do. Greatest band ever.... :D

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Permalink Reply by Arcus on July 5, 2011 at 1:22pm

It depends on the underlying cause of why you are scared of going out in public. I doubt it's anything genetic and more psychological. If you can ween yourself into a social life then it's probably just a part of your mind you need to overcome - not nature - which should be mended by a professional psychologist. Be mindful of advise on internet forum.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Hevenstone on July 5, 2011 at 1:38pm

See my reply to NotSarahP below...

 

And yes, I'm quite mindful of internet advice. It's why I'm looking for a professional in Florida who can make a legitimate diagnosis.

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Permalink Reply by Arcus on July 5, 2011 at 1:44pm

I went to FIT for my masters and there are a lot of psychologist there if you live in the area. I've always had an affinity of going to phd students because you get two for one. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Hevenstone on July 5, 2011 at 1:51pm

I live in Boca Raton. A family friend gave me the card of a psychiatrist who specializes in Autism and related disorders who works at Florida Atlantic University. where I just applied to major in Anthropology and minor in Music Business.

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