Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?

I agree with Wren.  It is sick and unfair to you. If the gun could be removed from the situation, that would lessen the chances of something happening.  Sounds like counseling is needed for all concerned.

Next time she does it:  perhaps tell her how scared you are of losing her and ask her to give the gun to someone else. Maybe you,, so you can get rid of it.

Brigadoon, I had a situation very close to this with my brother years ago. My husband and my brother-in-law went to my brother's home and managed to get the gun and keep it until my brother's life had settled down.

I don't know if there's any way someone could do this with your sister, or even if it would be safe for them to do so. You have been put into such a tough situation. I hope things work out ok and this weight can be taken from you.

That was amusing.

stand your ground...and good luck

They correctly guessed all my bible knowledge came from Sunday school. I haven't felt compelled to read the Bible since I was a teenager.

I must say that I have battled intolerance of religion. I don't want to be intolerant. However, I am quite prejudiced, as in quick to pre-judge religion, religious beliefs and participation in religion. There has been much reinforcement of my negative perspective. War, hate, misogyny, racism, greed, irrational political policy...  However, I am heartened by the   recent statements of the pope and various Christian churches as to climate change. I know that if our county is going to effectively face climate change, we need everyone on board. I am glad that will include a growing number of people of faith. I may just have to rethink some of my prejudice. 

I usually just ignore the subject. I've studied Buddhism, which is a non-theistic religion and I put that on forms. I know what you mean about family though. Mine saw it as I wouldn't be in heaven with them. Of course I don't think they'll be there either because it just doesn't exist.

I have come to realize it depends largely on where you live. I seem to be surrounded by atheists, no problem "coming out". I think in Canada we're mostly free of bible belt mentality, well, there must be some pockets but I don't know where. At least, that's how it's been wherever I've lived in Ontario. I personally lump that kind of thinking into the same category of naive and weird as those who believe we have "death squads" in Canada because we have universal health care.  

Here is an article on research that supports what we have known all our lives; religion doesn't make people moral. 

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/23/it-s-official-religion-doesn-t-make-you-more-moral.html

The ancient Greeks agree:

All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher. 
- Lucretius,  On the Nature of Things

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful. 
- Seneca

Me too, Blue.

LOL!

Yeah!  I went out to the web searching for atheist support groups and then I figured there had to be some on here.  I'm with several of you and feel much more connected to whatever is out there if anything is out there on a nature walk.  

I do live in the BibleBelt and work in a very small rural town.  

I told my therapist - Everyone wants to save my soul, but no one wants to mow my grass!  ha ha. 

Small town, big city. Makes no difference I've found.  Either they ignore you like you have cooties, or they will NOT leave you alone to see it their way.

I haven't been by here in a while, but it is nice to read what many have posted. I haven't believed in 30 years. Not since the day my first child was born and in the midst of delivery I suddenly realized with absolute clarity that this life was all there is. Why did that happen? I couldn't begin to tell you. 

Since then I have done some thinking and decided that I would only believe in what made sense, and religions simply do not make sense. Having been brought up as a Catholic, I feel guilty at times, but I know I am right.  I agree with those who question why a loving God would allow evil things to happen to innocent people and can not blindly accept being told "because it is his will" or " we can not always understand the ways of God". 

I don't generally talk about my not believing as so many people like to believe, whether or not they go to church. But I have less patience with people who tell me they are going to pray for me or that God will take care of me. Sometimes I respond by asking them, Then why did he let me get cancer to start with? They usually get flustered as they have no answer. I know it's somewhat rude, but I have gotten to the point that I think it's stupid to be told that some supernatural being will care for me. I equate it with saying Santa Clause will help me.

I think it is important that those of us who do not believe let others know that we do not because it gives others the permission to feel they can also "come out" as non believers, if not at that moment, at some other time. Someone I hardly knew told me he didn't believe in God, that he was an Atheist, and while I didn't say anything at the time, I felt braver about admitting it out loud about myself later on.