Why tell anyone?

[Mystical]

On top of what's already been said, the more people that come out as atheists, the more we will able show that we're not evil, baby-eating devil-worshipers with no morals. People want to come out to prove all of the misconceptions and stigma false.

^^^ that.

The longer I just sat idly by and nodded with my family as they told me, "god is great, god gave me my job," etc. The more I felt like I was misrepresenting myself. Without hearing that constant assurance of self 'revelations' as to god's work in peoples' lives (coming from my mouth too), eventually they'd notice the lack thereof and ask me upfront, don't you believe in god? If I say no, then, I just lead them on all that time and they'd be offended because I was in fact, lying by nodding and staying silent. I don't like to lie to people. I also like my relationships to be real. Meaning whomever someone is--faults, and all-- I like to be right there with them, living this life with them. Superficiality doesn't cut it. Because those are the only kinds of relationships worth having.

If someone chooses to disown me from their lives, because of my belief in non belief, then they weren't worth having a relationship with. Because the relationship is then tipped one way where I'm expected to accept them for who they are but they won't do the same for me.