Hello all,
Ever since discovering the MBTI three years ago, I have been able to sort out the majority of demons, insecurities, and general problems associated with the INFP type. It feels quite amazing to get out of bed in the morning, feeling content and at ease with who I am, and the folks here at PersonalityCafe have been a major part of that. However, there is now the other thing I must learn to accept: the outer world. And nothing, and I mean nothing, gets me angrier and more aggressive than the subject of religion. Please hear me out.
I guess I am an atheist. I respect and try my hardest to adhere to the Buddhist principles of mindfulness and compassion, but I don't believe in anything that can't be explained by logic and rationality. I don't have an issue with people believing in a divine being(s). Not the point, and frankly not my business. The biggest issue to me is organized religion, which symbolizes everything I hate: ignorance, power assertion, subjugation, hypocrisy, opposition to rational thought, etc. I hate how prominent a role religion still plays in the United States, and how so many groups - women, racial minorities, homosexuals to name a few - have suffered and continue to suffer because of it. I hate that "atheist" is used as a derogatory label in many places in the US. I hate that many believers think a person can't live a fulfilling, moral life without fearing eternal punishment. I hate that abortion is anybody's business but the woman's. I hate that people think there is a direct link between a person's religion and how moral/happy they are (I have found those factors are more often determined by socioeconomic standing, a loving family/community, and sound education). But most of all, I hate when a person preaches one thing, but does another. Basically, I hate the stereotypical hypocritical Christian. But I don't want to hate anymore.
I want to understand and accept. I want to stop feeling angry and focus on the good parts of my life, which are too numerous. It's not like religion is such an issue where I am from; I'm from Massachusetts where religious influence is pretty minimal. But oftentimes it seems as though ignorance is bliss, and I am happiest when the subject doesn't come up. As soon as it comes up, I become very riled up, and can't stop thinking about it for days after. I don't hate individual people. I have Christian friends. My family and best friends are all secular and couldn't care less. I recognize it to be mainly my problem. It is a subject on which my opinions are too strong for my own sanity, and I wish for that to change. I know it's a comfort issue with many. I couldn't care less what a person believes so long as that person does his own thing and keeps it to himself. I just hate when it is rammed down anybody's throat.
I am not here to argue religion, and I recognize that many of you will disagree with me. I am not inviting an argument; I am simply asking how other INFPs deal with similar issues. How do you cope with what you perceive is a social injustice? How do you accept that which keeps you up at night? I have been scouring PersonalityCafe for answers for years now, and it has proven to be an excellent source of guidance in time of personal crisis, so I hope you guys can help me.
Ever since discovering the MBTI three years ago, I have been able to sort out the majority of demons, insecurities, and general problems associated with the INFP type. It feels quite amazing to get out of bed in the morning, feeling content and at ease with who I am, and the folks here at PersonalityCafe have been a major part of that. However, there is now the other thing I must learn to accept: the outer world. And nothing, and I mean nothing, gets me angrier and more aggressive than the subject of religion. Please hear me out.
I guess I am an atheist. I respect and try my hardest to adhere to the Buddhist principles of mindfulness and compassion, but I don't believe in anything that can't be explained by logic and rationality. I don't have an issue with people believing in a divine being(s). Not the point, and frankly not my business. The biggest issue to me is organized religion, which symbolizes everything I hate: ignorance, power assertion, subjugation, hypocrisy, opposition to rational thought, etc. I hate how prominent a role religion still plays in the United States, and how so many groups - women, racial minorities, homosexuals to name a few - have suffered and continue to suffer because of it. I hate that "atheist" is used as a derogatory label in many places in the US. I hate that many believers think a person can't live a fulfilling, moral life without fearing eternal punishment. I hate that abortion is anybody's business but the woman's. I hate that people think there is a direct link between a person's religion and how moral/happy they are (I have found those factors are more often determined by socioeconomic standing, a loving family/community, and sound education). But most of all, I hate when a person preaches one thing, but does another. Basically, I hate the stereotypical hypocritical Christian. But I don't want to hate anymore.
I want to understand and accept. I want to stop feeling angry and focus on the good parts of my life, which are too numerous. It's not like religion is such an issue where I am from; I'm from Massachusetts where religious influence is pretty minimal. But oftentimes it seems as though ignorance is bliss, and I am happiest when the subject doesn't come up. As soon as it comes up, I become very riled up, and can't stop thinking about it for days after. I don't hate individual people. I have Christian friends. My family and best friends are all secular and couldn't care less. I recognize it to be mainly my problem. It is a subject on which my opinions are too strong for my own sanity, and I wish for that to change. I know it's a comfort issue with many. I couldn't care less what a person believes so long as that person does his own thing and keeps it to himself. I just hate when it is rammed down anybody's throat.
I am not here to argue religion, and I recognize that many of you will disagree with me. I am not inviting an argument; I am simply asking how other INFPs deal with similar issues. How do you cope with what you perceive is a social injustice? How do you accept that which keeps you up at night? I have been scouring PersonalityCafe for answers for years now, and it has proven to be an excellent source of guidance in time of personal crisis, so I hope you guys can help me.