Posts: 29107
Threads: 218
Joined: August 9, 2014
Reputation:
155
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 20, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Actually, I suppose there was one time I sort-of dodged the question. Not entirely though.
A well meaning slightly nutty but harmless christian lady asked me if I was going to get married in the church down the road. I nearly blew a kidney trying not to laugh and felt it would be mean to go off on one. So I just said the truth, that we did already have another venue planned.
Posts: 455
Threads: 14
Joined: December 2, 2014
Reputation:
21
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 20, 2014 at 9:31 pm
(This post was last modified: December 20, 2014 at 9:32 pm by Strider.)
(December 20, 2014 at 9:21 pm)Elskidor Wrote: They may try to burn you alive down there in Mississippi. Might be for the best to hide from those folk.
Yeah...it's just different here. I'm bombarded by religion constantly. It's like an assault on the senses.
Not being able to be open and honest about what I personally believe is incredibly frustrating. It's just not worth the risk though. I don't doubt for one second that either myself or my wife would face workplace discrimination and community exile for our differing views. I actually don't give a shit about the community because these people suck anyway. Guns and god. I get so tired of it.
"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~ Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 591
Threads: 13
Joined: July 7, 2014
Reputation:
14
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 20, 2014 at 9:34 pm
I'm an out atheist. I do events with the SSA on campus, and when the dumbass preachers come to campus I heckle them.
I have fun.
Posts: 1890
Threads: 53
Joined: December 13, 2014
Reputation:
35
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 20, 2014 at 10:30 pm
(December 20, 2014 at 9:31 pm)Strider Wrote: (December 20, 2014 at 9:21 pm)Elskidor Wrote: They may try to burn you alive down there in Mississippi. Might be for the best to hide from those folk.
Yeah...it's just different here. I'm bombarded by religion constantly. It's like an assault on the senses.
Not being able to be open and honest about what I personally believe is incredibly frustrating. It's just not worth the risk though. I don't doubt for one second that either myself or my wife would face workplace discrimination and community exile for our differing views. I actually don't give a shit about the community because these people suck anyway. Guns and god. I get so tired of it.
Having grown up in the fairly conservative midwest, I understand this fairly well. I still like guns though.
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
Posts: 1890
Threads: 53
Joined: December 13, 2014
Reputation:
35
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 21, 2014 at 9:52 am
Atheists now considered Terrorists?
Found this on my Facebook this morning. This is exactly the sort of thing that scares be about being open about my lack of faith.
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
Posts: 4196
Threads: 60
Joined: September 8, 2011
Reputation:
30
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 21, 2014 at 10:51 am
I only mention it when asked or when it is required due to circumstances, which ultimately ends with a query.
Do I run around broadcasting it? Nope, nothing to be gained.
You make people miserable and there's nothing they can do about it, just like god.
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
Posts: 2344
Threads: 79
Joined: November 18, 2014
Reputation:
42
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 21, 2014 at 11:07 am
I think that there are certain words that causes some people to turn off thought once they hear them. Words like feminist or liberal or conservative, for example, can make some people have a visceral negative reaction even if they agree with what the speaker is saying.
In the southern US, hearing the word atheist can make a person shut down and assume that they now know everything about an individual.
My immediate family know that I am an atheist. For those outside my family but are still very close, I describe myself as having serious doubts. For some reason, this goes over better then saying that I am an atheist.
I also don't like that I might kick off someone's obligation to save the heathen by saying that I am an atheist. That can lead to some uncomfortable situations that I just want to avoid.
Posts: 29107
Threads: 218
Joined: August 9, 2014
Reputation:
155
RE: Are you a "closet" Atheist?
December 21, 2014 at 12:30 pm
I've heard about atheists being voted the least trustworthy people by American citizens.
How can you trust someone who has no kind of delusion at all?