Why tell anyone?

[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.