Re: God spoke to me

"If you are suffering for your god-beliefs, then clearly your nature is to be self-loathing and masochistic already."

That was directed at an indefinite You, not at you, Stahntii-e.

I think, also, that it is different to suffer for objective barriers to happiness such as are built around us (or other groups) and for "just" the things you believe. In any case, I had learned that you have turned to functional Atheism after you abandoned the Christianity you were raised under.

Call me a pessimist if you will, for thinking that most people have these qualities. But I do feel that way.

No. I feel that way too.

Excuse me if I seem paranoid by saying this, but are you suggesting that I'm dumb?

No, you're being paranoid.

It is not your fault to have been misled for a lot of time by others around you. You already did a lot to open your eyes - that is not something a dumb person would be likely, or even able to do.

If yes, then what do you suggest is the function of someone like me?

This is an interesting question.

In general, dumb people exist to teach the rest of us (there goes my humility...) the value of clarity, honesty and openness. If everyone were a genius, neither of the above would really be necessary (although they would be likely to spontaneously arise in some interactions).