Closeted Atheists

[LiakosVikernes]

There is no reason in trying to hide your true identity. I had the same problem. Everyone I know is Christian, and yes I had some "problems" at home when I exposed my beliefs over Christianity. After a while everyone accepted me as an Atheist. Bottom line is that the truth hurts sometimes, but eventually some day you'll have to face it.

[Darwinian]

Everyone I know is Christian

I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like. My daughters friend is a Christian and there's a rumour that there might also be one in my sons class at school and there must be others around but if there are they certainly don't advertise it

[liam]

I'm just curious how many Atheists on this forum are in the closet?

If you're a closet atheist then you're certainly doing it wrong, parrhesia is a wonderful thing. I honestly doubt that there is anything worse than dishonesty to yourself, except perhaps the dogmatism imposed on you. Either way people ought to simply state their beliefs (or lack thereof).

[thesummerqueen]

I'm just curious how many Atheists on this forum are in the closet?

If you're a closet atheist then you're certainly doing it wrong, parrhesia is a wonderful thing. I honestly doubt that there is anything worse than dishonesty to yourself, except perhaps the dogmatism imposed on you. Either way people ought to simply state their beliefs (or lack thereof).

Try getting kicked out of house and home before you're old enough to really hold down a job. Try losing your job because your boss doesn't like your heathenism and so you have no way to feed your family.

There are worse things than being dishonest to OTHERS. Not stating your beliefs to them has nothing to do with being honest to yourself.

[5thHorseman]

Word, TSQ.

[jonb]

I live in britain so the question of my attitude to god is not considered that relevant, but my wife who is a teacher was cornered and said she was an atheist received some flack from some parents, and some staff.

[Cinjin]

A lot of people I know profess to be christian, but I know thats only because that's their default answer.


I think in 100 years or so, America will feel about Christianity the way much of Europe does: meh.

[Minimalist]

Americans are re-inventing xtianity to suit their needs. It is a pretty malleable doctrine. It can be made to say just about whatever you want it to say.

[Darkstar]

Americans are re-inventing xtianity to suit their needs. It is a pretty malleable doctrine. It can be made to say just about whatever you want it to say.

I know, it's so annoying how they can redefine entire passages to avoid contradictions in the bible. Still doesn't account for scientific errors, though.

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

Americans are re-inventing xtianity to suit their needs. It is a pretty malleable doctrine. It can be made to say just about whatever you want it to say.

I know, it's so annoying how they can redefine entire passages to avoid contradictions in the bible. Still doesn't account for scientific errors, though.

Most common excuses for scientific errors in the bible.

1. They're not scientific errors. It is our scientific understanding that is in fact in error and we need to adjust science to align with the bible whenever they are in conflict.

2. The passage in question is metaphoric. Why? Because I said so.

3. The passage was merely following the literary style of the time.

4. The bible is a spiritual book and scientific errors from a book written by prescientific authors is expected. We should appreciate the bible for what it says about god and the human condition and not be distracted by scientific trivialities.

5. God was merely trying to appease the scientific understanding of the day so to communicate spiritual concepts better to ancient man. People back then would have been confused if God told them the earth wasn't a domed covered disc or that the earth is billions of years old. So instead he just went along with the current beliefs about the universe and communicated his will and message within that prescientific framework. I call this the Prime Directive excuse.