Why tell anyone?

[smax]

The world needs more atheists, plain and simple. A lot of people out there have doubts about the crap they are being fed by various religions, but because the vast majority of the world claims to believe in one of the few major religions, people are genuinely scared to admit that they just don't buy it, and that's sad.

The truth is, religion is largely driven by fear of social rejection.

We need more people to open up and express their doubts, and use reasoning to dictate their beliefs and principles. It's rough, at first, I know, but it's for the best. My whole family is religious, and it took some adjustment for them to accept that I no longer subscribe to any religion. But they eventually did accept that fact. Even more, most of the people I know are hesitant to even mention the subject of religion around me, because they know I have sound reasons for rejecting it, and they don't want to be exposed to that reasoning.

I actually love the subject of religion to come up in almost any and every situation, seeing it as an opportunity to convey sound reasoning to people who have, for whatever, chosen not to use it.

In my opinion, the next significant phase of social evolution will be the prevailing of critical thinking. There are simply too few of us right now, but many are hiding in the closet.

[Whateverist]

Easy to dismiss the grand schemes of religion. Harder to dismiss them altogether.

[Silver]

Why not just keep it to yourself?

Why not shout it from the rooftops?

[ThePinsir]

I'm a bit of a troublemaker. I like to debate people. When someone asks, I don't shy away.

The grave will supply amply time for silence

[Rampant.A.I.]

There are lots of threads in which atheists consider coming out as atheist to family, coworkers, friends, etc. The problem is that coming out will likely cause some emotional turmoil for some or all of the people involved. That said, why bother even considering it? Why not just keep it to yourself?

Unsurprising sentiment from someone who adds people to his ignore list for asking questions he doesn't have an answer to.

I'm sure this idiot's life would be much nicer if he could also block people IRL for asking the questions he doesn't want to think about, or expressing views he doesn't like.

We already know he's an outspoken homophobe, and this is just another extension of

[paulpablo]

There are lots of threads in which atheists consider coming out as atheist to family, coworkers, friends, etc. The problem is that coming out will likely cause some emotional turmoil for some or all of the people involved. That said, why bother even considering it? Why not just keep it to yourself?

Well from experience I'd say it's to avoid many many boring hours in churches and other pointless ceremonies. I never really bothered telling anyone about it though I just stopped going to church.

[Tonus]

There are lots of threads in which atheists consider coming out as atheist to family, coworkers, friends, etc. The problem is that coming out will likely cause some emotional turmoil for some or all of the people involved. That said, why bother even considering it? Why not just keep it to yourself?

I've mostly kept it to myself, a few friends and family and a couple of co-workers are aware. I suppose that for many people, their religious belief is an identifying mark; I know that it was important to let people know that I was a JW and lots of people wear religious emblems from time to time. I know that for some people who know me, learning that I am an atheist would change how they perceive me, even if our relationship never had anything to do with religious belief.

I think that most religious people treat atheism as a religious stance, and so for those who deconvert, they may be tempted to treat atheism as an identifying trait on the same level as they did with their religious belief.

[JesusHChrist]

We're not only coming out.

We're coming for your daughters (as long as they is >18 that is).

After that, your little dog too!

Finally, the atheists will require your bodily fluids; until all that is left is theistic husk. Thoooooooooooooooooooop! Mmmm, mmmm good!

burp.

[Chas]

There are lots of threads in which atheists consider coming out as atheist to family, coworkers, friends, etc. The problem is that coming out will likely cause some emotional turmoil for some or all of the people involved. That said, why bother even considering it? Why not just keep it to yourself?

I'd keep quiet if the religious would.

[Rampant.A.I.]

Is it me, or is it ironic to anyone else that a theist who actively sought out an atheist forum to argue is asking why atheists don't just keep quiet?

Maybe he's too much of a pussy to say it to their faces.