Why tell anyone?

[cromwell]

It's kind of the opposite where I come from in england, if you came out as a christian, then people would laugh at you and you would have a hard time being accepted socially and as a normal person, I know this first hand from when I was younger and nieve and fell for the traps of religion.

You mean religious Christians, of course. Most Christians here never go to Church and barely even think about religion, and they will also laugh at a person coming out as a religious Christian who goes to Church and prays regularly. Fuck, I'm sure even most priests and vicars in this country think religious nuts are bonkers. Lol

Ha, yep, that appears to be the case lol.

[The Valkyrie]

There are lots of threads in which atheists consider coming out as atheist to family, coworkers, friends, etc. The problem is that coming out will likely cause some emotional turmoil for some or all of the people involved. That said, why bother even considering it? Why not just keep it to yourself?

Because some people dislike living a lie, even if it is just to comfort family members.
Because we are what we are and want our family and friends to know the real us.
Because we hate being forced to go along with something we don't believe in, something thousands of "closeted" atheists do on a daily basis (including more than a few clergy).

Why can't the religious keep their religious beliefs to themselves?

If your answer to the last is that you have the need to profess your beliefs, then why should only atheists remain silent?

[cromwell]

There are lots of threads in which atheists consider coming out as atheist to family, coworkers, friends, etc. The problem is that coming out will likely cause some emotional turmoil for some or all of the people involved. That said, why bother even considering it? Why not just keep it to yourself?

Because some people dislike living a lie, even if it is just to comfort family members.
Because we are what we are and want our family and friends to know the real us.
Because we hate being forced to go along with something we don't believe in, something thousands of "closeted" atheists do on a daily basis (including more than a few clergy).

Why can't the religious keep their religious beliefs to themselves?

If your answer to the last is that you have the need to profess your beliefs, then why should only atheists remain silent?

I don't believe that dinosaurs still exist, but I stay silent about it, I don't go around letting everyone know my belief that dinosaurs are now extinct. Why should I feel the need tell people this?

[NoraBrimstone]

Because some people dislike living a lie, even if it is just to comfort family members.
Because we are what we are and want our family and friends to know the real us.
Because we hate being forced to go along with something we don't believe in, something thousands of "closeted" atheists do on a daily basis (including more than a few clergy).

Why can't the religious keep their religious beliefs to themselves?

If your answer to the last is that you have the need to profess your beliefs, then why should only atheists remain silent?

I don't believe that dinosaurs still exist, but I stay silent about it, I don't go around letting everyone know my belief that dinosaurs are now extinct. Why should I feel the need tell people this?

You might feel the need to tell people you don't believe dinosaurs still exist if you frequently encountered people who do believe that dinosaurs still exist, or if schools taught kids that dinosaurs still exist. Or at least I'd hope so.

[The Valkyrie]

Because some people dislike living a lie, even if it is just to comfort family members.
Because we are what we are and want our family and friends to know the real us.
Because we hate being forced to go along with something we don't believe in, something thousands of "closeted" atheists do on a daily basis (including more than a few clergy).

Why can't the religious keep their religious beliefs to themselves?

If your answer to the last is that you have the need to profess your beliefs, then why should only atheists remain silent?

I don't believe that dinosaurs still exist, but I stay silent about it, I don't go around letting everyone know my belief that dinosaurs are now extinct. Why should I feel the need tell people this?

Exactly as NoraBrimstone said above.

I don't have people stopping me on the street to tell me I'd better believe in dinosaurs or I'll be punished eternally for it.
I wasn't forced, as a kid, to go to a strange place once or twice a week to pray to dinosaurs.
We don't have people trying to retard education by pushing their beliefs that dinosaurs still exist into science class.

If you're an atheist and you want to keep it to yourself, that's your business and your choice. Why should the rest of us be silent because it makes the religious uncomfortable yet they still insist on vocalising their beliefs?

[Bob Kelso]

There are lots of threads in which atheists consider coming out as atheist to family, coworkers, friends, etc. The problem is that coming out will likely cause some emotional turmoil for some or all of the people involved. That said, why bother even considering it? Why not just keep it to yourself?

The fact that I'm an atheist causes people emotional turmoil is one among many reasons I "came out" to my family of Southern Baptist fundies and Catholics. This shouldn't be so; my choice to call for "evidence or get the fuck out" should be applauded, not demonized. I'm an asshole on the board sometimes (and a self-aware one to boot ) but I'm generally a good guy; I take care of and love my family, I work my ass off for them and I'm generally nice until people break out the bible thumping or say something particularly stupid.

I told my family so that they'd know that the boy they raised, the troublesome teenager they dealt with, and the misguided dope of a man I had been had changed into a demonstrably better, more successful person because I had taken a long look at my life and ditched the dogma that had affected my past decisions.

I tell people who bring up religion that I'm an atheist because they should know that the stigma about atheists being immoral, evil fuckfaces is wrong.

[SteelCurtain]

Because I want to be me. And me is an atheist. I should not have to hide it. There is a difference between not hiding who you are and parading it. I don't do the latter.

[cromwell]

Because I want to be me. And me is an atheist. I should not have to hide it. There is a difference between not hiding who you are and parading it. I don't do the latter.

We shouldn't put ourselves into categories like atheists. I am just some one who does not believe in a god, just like I don't believe many things. If someone ever asks you if you believe in god, just say no. You don't have to announce to anyone that you are an atheist. Unless however your circumstances require it, but I don't know your circumstances.

[NoraBrimstone]

Does this only apply to lack of belief in Gods? Like, am I allowed to tell people I like books or Doctor Who? Can I declare my love of Chocolate?

[KUSA]

Does this only apply to lack of belief in Gods? Like, am I allowed to tell people I like books or Doctor Who? Can I declare my love of Chocolate?

You most certainly talk about you faith in him.