Closeted Atheists

[Justtristo]

I can be considered an atheist, however I prefer to regard myself as non-religious and that is what I tell people I am. If I say were to become an "out and proud" atheist, not many people in this country would give it a second thought. Australia is a funny country where Evangelical Christians get more harsh treatment from the public than Atheists do. For example; an atheist politician so as they aren't really opposed to religion does not make them any less electable.

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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.

They are just the latest in a long line of people using the bible as a Ventriloquist dummy to say whatever they want it say.

[CapnAwesome]

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).

I'm personally am not closeted at all, even though I live in the United States, most of my friends are Atheists or Agnostics or some sort of undefined 'spiritual' believer. I don't go wagging it around in peoples faces, but I just don't really understand why people would be in the closet. I'm just interested in the phenomenon, that's why I made the thread.

[festive1]

My family knows that my husband and I are atheists. But with my husband's family it's a total don't ask, don't tell sort of situation. My sister-in-law knows, but my father-in-law was a preacher for many years. So we politely bow our heads when he says grace before meals, though I do think my kids asking what the hell is going on makes it quite clear they aren't being raised in a typical Christian home.

I should also note that if they ever asked me point-blank if I was a Christian, I wouldn't lie.

[Angrboda]

My sisters continually ask me to say Grace at Thanksgiving, knowing full well I don't believe in their god.

The last Thanksgiving's Grace went thus, "Thank you God for not existing."

That was last year. We'll see if they pick me to say Grace this year or not.

[Darkstar]

My sisters continually ask me to say Grace at Thanksgiving, knowing full well I don't believe in their god.

The last Thanksgiving's Grace went thus, "Thank you God for not existing."

That was last year. We'll see if they pick me to say Grace this year or not.

I always thought that saying grace was unusual. Why are we thanking god for this meal again (even if he existed)? He didn't provide it anymore than he provided us life or santa provided gifts on christmas (actually, he provided it less than santa, at least santa clims to give us gifts, but god has nothing to do with our meal).

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[TaraJo]

I'm just curious how many Atheists on this forum are in the closet? That is to say how many of you don't ever mention that you don't believe in god to people you know in real life. I honestly don't understand this phenomenon. I mean why? I've always been open about not believing in God when it comes up in real life, and I've never experienced any prejudice. Maybe the occasional argument, but never any prejudice.

Note: I live in Utah.

I don't bring it up often, mostly because it really doesn't come up often. If someone tries to preach to me, they're gonna get an ear full, though.