RE: Why is it so hard to be openly atheist in today's world
February 20, 2015 at 3:41 am
(This post was last modified: February 20, 2015 at 4:02 am by Thumpalumpacus.)
(February 19, 2015 at 7:27 pm)Brian37 Wrote: I don't know what part you live in but that is a big state, just like parts of my state are different attitudes than other parts of my state. I'd say it depends on who and where.
Exactly my point. America is a huge country, and my interlocutor assuming it's a "theocracy" because of what he read in the news isn't really sound reasoning, given that the media is interested in ratings and readership more than accuracy and integrity.
I live about 30 miles west of Austin, out in the country. Plenty of religious folk, and plenty of secularists/agnostics/atheists too.
(February 19, 2015 at 7:47 pm)watchamadoodle Wrote: Also it depends if these are family, close friends, or whatever. There are lots of people who might say "have a blessed day" without intending to discuss what you believe. In college, I remember debating religion with close friends a few times, but our differences didn't harm our friendships. (I was a Christian at the time. Maybe it would have seemed different if I was an atheist.) Family members are more likely to worry and pray as opposed to debate (in my experience).
I've found that firm courtesy usually gets the job done, in my family and circle of friends. I've lost a couple of friends due to my atheism (the whole "we cannot be friends if you don't accept Jesus" thing) -- back in California. No one here has told me that, either in the 2 1/2 years since I've returned, or in the years I lived here before moving to California.
If someone gives me the little "have a blessed day", I take it with the grace they intended. They're not proselytizing, and I'm not going to ask them to address me in secular terms. I've had a couple of people assume that I was a believer because of my sunny disposition (hard to believe, I know), and when I responded in the negative, they were surprised., but still polite. I wonder if they had one of their stereotypes about atheists pierced at that moment?
Anyway, I get along with anyone who doesn't get in my face about matters either religious or secular. Respect is repaid in kind, as is boorishness.
