Why tell anyone?

[Simon Moon]

[Minimalist]

You don't have to come out about it at all. You are not part of anything, you simply just don't believe in god, thats it, end of story. If anyone asks if you are a christian, just say no, simple.

"True believers" can rarely let it go at that. Which is the reason for coming out in the first place. The person in question is surrounded by a crowd of babbling fools who are always blessing some shit or other.

[JesusHChrist]

Since much of the world is under the control of those suffering from religious delusion, it's like being the only sober person in a car and not being the driver.

The religious jig is up buddy boy. The emperor has no clothes.

You see, we has got the internet now. Not so easy to hoodwink the unsuspecting is it?

[Crossless2.0]

Why come out as atheist? Because when the townspeople are acting like lunatics, ooh-ing over the Emperor's "clothes", it's important that at least one person points out that he's naked as a newborn (and has a similarly small pecker).

[Faith No More]

I personally told my parents, so I wouldn't have to go to church anymore. I'd rather go to the dentist than church, and I fucking hate the dentist.

[rexbeccarox]

A little anecdote:

Every Friday, a bunch of my friends come over to my house to drink and play games. Last week, as I walked out of the bathroom, my friend Lisa took me aside and told me there was a little problem: the topic of religion had come up with my new boyfriend who, as well as I can tell, is a cultural Southern Baptist. Now, I've told him a bunch of times that I'm a godless heathen, but for whatever reason, when Lisa mentioned my atheism, his reaction was, "what? She's not an atheist!" I had to look him in the yes, explain what an atheist is, and how I am one. I haven't spoken further to him about it yet, but I will at dinner tonight because I feel like there should be more to the conversation.

Normally I don't feel the need to say anything, but in some situations, the air just needs to be cleared. It's also nice to knock notions and stereotypes on their asses once in awhile.

[Raeven]

I am older than most of you, and I was raised to respect these matters as private. Because of that, I never raise the issue first. As a life-long atheist, however, I've noticed over the decades that the "warrior" religious types -- meaning the ones who feel it is their "God-given" mandate to "save" as many of we heathens as they can -- have become much more aggressive in a) ascertaining the belief systems of the strangers they encounter; and b) doing their utmost to convert us.

I have never shied away from having that discussion if asked, usually prefaced with a statement that my record for de-conversion is good and they should take that into account before choosing to have the chat. I have never denied my atheism to anyone. If engaged, I will discuss it with enthusiasm -- even ferocity. But just as I expect religious people to keep off the topic, I do the same -- until they open their big mouths, that is.

[cromwell]

It's kind of the opposite where I come from in england, if you came out as a christian, then people would laugh at you and you would have a hard time being accepted socially and as a normal person, I know this first hand from when I was younger and nieve and fell for the traps of religion.

[Mystical]

On top of what's already been said, the more people that come out as atheists, the more we will able show that we're not evil, baby-eating devil-worshipers with no morals. People want to come out to prove all of the misconceptions and stigma false.

^^^ that.

The longer I just sat idly by and nodded with my family as they told me, "god is great, god gave me my job," etc. The more I felt like I was misrepresenting myself. Without hearing that constant assurance of self 'revelations' as to god's work in peoples' lives (coming from my mouth too), eventually they'd notice the lack thereof and ask me upfront, don't you believe in god? If I say no, then, I just lead them on all that time and they'd be offended because I was in fact, lying by nodding and staying silent. I don't like to lie to people. I also like my relationships to be real. Meaning whomever someone is--faults, and all-- I like to be right there with them, living this life with them. Superficiality doesn't cut it. Because those are the only kinds of relationships worth having.

If someone chooses to disown me from their lives, because of my belief in non belief, then they weren't worth having a relationship with. Because the relationship is then tipped one way where I'm expected to accept them for who they are but they won't do the same for me.

[NoraBrimstone]

It's kind of the opposite where I come from in england, if you came out as a christian, then people would laugh at you and you would have a hard time being accepted socially and as a normal person, I know this first hand from when I was younger and nieve and fell for the traps of religion.

You mean religious Christians, of course. Most Christians here never go to Church and barely even think about religion, and they will also laugh at a person coming out as a religious Christian who goes to Church and prays regularly. Fuck, I'm sure even most priests and vicars in this country think religious nuts are bonkers. Lol