Closeted Atheists

[Marshmallow]

That is to say how many of you don't ever mention that you don't believe in god to people

I wish the world could exist in a way that allowed religious preferences to not define people. Where I live, I am THAT GUY who doesnt believe in God. Like people identify me because of my atheism. Not the fact that I work an 84 hour week nearly every week or the fact that I'm a white Mexican even, but that I don't believe in God. I choose to share my lack of faith only after I've gotten to know someone a little better. Religion should be a private choice, something holy between a person and their deity. I don't feel like I or anyone else should have to vocalize our religious stance in order to garnish social approval or create some rebellious persona amongst our peers. It is not anyone's business what anyone else believes so long as behaviors are not altered in a manner detrimental to society. Perhaps if people would exert the same energy and concern into world affairs that they do in people's personal business, we wouldn't have nearly the problems we do in a global sense.

[CapnAwesome]

Doesn't come up very often. Those who ask I tell. If someone gets into a discussion about God then I'm not going to hide my Atheism. I can do that without getting savaged.
Its that kind of freedom that when compared to the situation in America makes me happy to live in England... then I remember that with the declining standard of education, declining state of the economy and the increase in overpopulation its rather likely that I will be trapped in a crappy real life version of "Escape from New York" in about ten years time making such freedoms a moot point.

I don't really think it's that bad in America. I never have problems. Although most of my friends are Atheists or believe in some sort of hippy dippy new age bullshit. But I can't think of a single incident of people giving me shit over being an Atheist.

[Darkstar]

If someone asks me I tell them I don't believe in god because it's true, I have nothing to be ashamed of, and I'm an honest person. If someone would alienate me over that, it's probably not someone I would want to have anything to do with anyway.

I've read enough stories of entire communities shunning atheists to know that coming out of the closet can be a risk, which is generally proportional in magnitude to the religiousity of the people you are telling. If it is family, you probably know them well enough to know how they will react, but atheists are generally looked down upon by the christian mainstream. I can't talk from experience, as I haven't told anyone outside this forum, but this is the impression I've gotten.

[Tino]

I have a business and it would be potentially bad for business to mention my atheism, so I don't.

[Reforged]

Doesn't come up very often. Those who ask I tell. If someone gets into a discussion about God then I'm not going to hide my Atheism. I can do that without getting savaged.
Its that kind of freedom that when compared to the situation in America makes me happy to live in England... then I remember that with the declining standard of education, declining state of the economy and the increase in overpopulation its rather likely that I will be trapped in a crappy real life version of "Escape from New York" in about ten years time making such freedoms a moot point.

I never have problems. Although most of my friends are Atheists or believe in some sort of hippy dippy new age bullshit.

:-O Hippies!? Real hippies!? Like, not pretenders? For real? Ask them where the fuck they've been hiding because they're rarer than leprechauns these days.
Seriously, I've searched. There aren't any here.

[CapnAwesome]

:-O Hippies!? Real hippies!? Like, not pretenders? For real? Ask them where the fuck they've been hiding because they're rarer than leprechauns these days.
Seriously, I've searched. There aren't any here.

Haha, you just have to know where to look. Most of my friends are full time rock climbers, by necessity that means you don't have a job, a house or good personal hygiene, just like a fuckin' hippy. Kind of like hippy-athletes or something. But my point is that even though I'm an open outspoken Atheist, I might not have the best perspective.

[Polaris]

I never have problems. Although most of my friends are Atheists or believe in some sort of hippy dippy new age bullshit.

:-O Hippies!? Real hippies!? Like, not pretenders? For real? Ask them where the fuck they've been hiding because they're rarer than leprechauns these days.
Seriously, I've searched. There aren't any here.

I saw some that were performing at that art festival in Baltimore a couple years back....I was wondering if they were just college students faking it....I realized they were real hippies when one of the girls lifted her arms and I'm like, definitely not faking it.....as in she did not shave her armpits.

[Kayenneh]

I'm not in the closet, but I don't flaunt it either. If someone asks, I tell them, If someone want to talk/debate IRL with me it's fine, but I don't feel like it's something I have to bring up in every conversation.

[Whatkins]

I used to be a closeted atheist for a few years. The term is almost like a swear word in my area and I went to a predominantly Christian high school. Identifying myself with the less known 'agnostic' label was sort of like a compromise for a while.

But I relinquished that anticipated discomfort some time ago.

[Tobie]

It's not an issue in England. Religion only came up as a talking point when the Christian Union people were out putting leaflets in kitchens.