Not coming out, but not hiding it anymore

[mostlysilent]

I am heterosexual so I can't entirely relate to where you are with your coming out but I sort of can because I am in exactly the same place as you in regards to my atheism. I am 40 and have pretty much been in the closest about my lack of belief my whole life. My immediate family knows I am an atheist because we are all atheists (both my parents are atheists) but all the other people in my life don't really know. They know I never mention any belief in god, never go to church and never do anything "christian like" but I have never been open enough to just tell people straight up that I am an atheist either. As of right now though I am really sick of actively hiding it so I am right on the verge of being completely open and out and I am no longer "hiding it". If asked I will be honest. Completely honest. And just let the chips fall where they may. If are my friend now but then find out that I don't believe in your god and suddenly decide I am not worthy of your friendship solely based on that, well then I figure you were never really my friend to begin with.