Atheism and Small Towns

[CapnAwesome]

If I'm inviting to church by someone and I don't feel like getting into a theological debate or defending my position I just say "No thanks, I'm not religious" rather than saying the big scary Atheist word. That normally does it. A note about Mormons: it's pretty unlikely that you'll get a negative reaction from Mormons for being an Atheist. I've lived in Utah extensively as an open Atheist and my closest friend's family is Mormon and the Mormons that I know have often gotten more friendly when they discover your unbelief. Proselytizing is such an essential part of the Mormon religion that being an Atheist you are the perfect person to convince, so bringing up Atheism will probably just make them more interested and perhaps more bothersome (as seems to be the case for you). I'd be surprised if you . I can't really think of a time when I've encountered hostility from Mormons. As long as things are good with your landlord and the police (and you certainly can't be evicted for being gay or an Atheist) then it doesn't seem to be much of a problem. Also every small town has non-believers or alternative types. Every small Mormon town I've been to (many) has a liquor store in it somewhere.