I was wondering about religion in America

[CapnAwesome]

lol what? I thought you were living down South last I heard! Why on earth would you move to Utah??

I do respect myself. I also would want my Christian boss to promote me based on merit rather than my personal beliefs. That's just not going to happen, and you know what is important? Putting food on your kids' tables. Getting along with people at work so they don't try to get you fired from your job. You can't stop bigots in the workplace, but you don't have to lay down the line everywhere you work either. The ones who do lay down the line and declare war--will unveil themselves.

I think it's more self respecting to respect those who do not respect you. I'd rather a theist realize they're completely and utterly wrong on their own, without me telling them they are till I'm blue in the face.
That said, if someone states something fear-based and religion induced-- like, "I love the jews so much I'd blow up a mosque!" or, "Prayer's being taken out of schools!", I'll of course try to belay their fears with facts. But only when I'm invited to do so. I don't just break into a debate because someone says something that I disagree with.

If you read my prior posts then you'd know I said I don't outright open up a debate with people who talk about god to me by stating my beliefs when they don't know my beliefs. I also said I told everyone I know personally that I'm an atheist. But in public, you have neither the time or the energy to lay out your case of reality and break down theists' walls of ignorance and self delusion. They believe in god. I can't say there isn't a god so we have nothing to talk about, god wise. I try my best to find talking points about the reality of someone's conversation when they bring up god-- in order to simply relate to them. I don't like or dislike people of faith any more than I would someone not of any faith based on those facts--but that doesn't mean that other people will do the same thing. Christians are very thoroughly taught to actually be inherent bigots, so I try to live life as best I can being as good of an example of how I would like to be treated.

I don't really live anywhere, so to speak. My normal year consists of spending a couple months in California, a few Months in Mexico or Latin America, a bit of time in Utah and the Summer in Canada. I was in the South because the girlfriend I had then was from the South/East Coast, so we did a traveling tour out that way. Utah is an awesome place for outdoor activities though. It's a great state. The Mormons are goofy, but I've never had a problem with any bigotry from them towards me as an Atheist.

Then again to be perfectly fair, I'm not someone who really is concerned about advancing myself economically, so I'm not having to deal with workplace bigotry, although I don't see why the subject of religion should come up at all. I can recall a time at a previous job when I was asked by a co-worker if I went to church, and I said 'No, I'm an Atheist.' I don't remember it really being a big deal. If the person had decided to argue with me I probably would of argued back, but we were friends so I can't imagine letting something like that come between us. Really if someone likes you as a person, it won't matter what yours or their belief system is. I think you and I actually have a similar approach to dealing with it. I mean I don't need to wave a big Atheist flag around all the time, but if someone asks or if it comes up I'll definitely tell them. Also it says Atheist on my facebook profile.

Also though some of it could be a matter of personality. I'd say in real life I'm one of the few people who are a good deal more confrontational than I am on these forums. So the idea of closeting any of my beliefs is rather abhorrent to me. I think that personally I'd be far less happy hiding by beliefs to please others.

As always, good conversation.