Are you out of the closet?

[Edwardo Piet]

I put "something else" because technically I have never been out because I've never been in.

[downbeatplumb]

Just curious about the forum population. Are you a quiet, closet atheist, an atheist who likes to be part of an organization (conventions, etc), loud and proud, etc?

I am closeted for a couple of reasons, first one being I do not think my beliefs are of any consequence to others in most cases (I don't discuss politics for the same reason). Also, it would put my job in jeopardy.

In the main where I'm from people don't make a big thing about religions or lack of. It only seems to be in the more backward countries people wear these things on their sleeves.

[abaris]

Something else, since there isn't a closet for atheists where I live. To make myself perfectly clear, noone gives a shit one way or the other. In real life I never had a religious discussion, and, as I always keep saying, I don't even know if my brother is a believer. It's not the stuff you talk or be asked about and it's not part of daily life. So, I'm not doing rounds, rubbing it into people's faces and nobody ever came up to me to rub any religion in mine.

[Longhorn]

Nah. I'm not done sniffing your clothes ಠ_ಠ

[JesusHChrist]

Out proud and not a secret.

[Strider]

Only a couple of people know I'm an atheist, but that is simply because it isn't an issue that needs to be discussed. My mom found out earlier this year simply because she pointblank stated, "You don't believe in god do you?" That was a situation where my hand was forced.

My dad is still in the dark and I'm fine with it remaining that way. I can't be sure, but I think he would cut off communication with me if he found out. I don't want that to happen.

[Cecelia]

I'm still in the closet. But I don't pray and I haven't been to church since I was like 16. My friends know I'm an Atheist. My husband knows. My kids don't have much concept of religion. So I'm sort of in between. I think MOST of my family would be okay with it. My grandmother who is getting up there in age would be pretty sad. Then there's my husband's side of the family, and most of them would not react well. I do my best to avoid the subject of religion with most of them. The exception is my father in law who is kind of nuts when it comes to religion. Some of my co-workers wouldn't like it either, and I'm sure some of the parents of kids I teach wouldn't like it.

Too many people still think being an atheist means you are a bad person. The same thing can be said about being black, Muslim, Gay, Transgender, Hispanic, or Female. Which means I guess the black-hispanic transgender gay former muslim atheists have it the worst.

[robvalue]

I'm out, but it rarely comes up where I live. I don't go around telling people unless it's relevant, but I'll happily defend it when it comes up.

[MTL]

I am certainly not ashamed of it, and will not make any move to conceal the fact that I am Agnostic.

On the other hand, unless there is a damn good reason, I don't proactively profess it, either.

(If I see a religious group trying to impose their beliefs onto innocent parties, for instance,
THEN, I might proactively step up and be vocal...without being asked).

What I dislike is a situation
where I go in, respectful of everyone's beliefs,
with no intention of asking for any special treatment,
and no intention of even bringing up the issue,

(and even willing to diplomatically soften up, on some of my preferences,
like bowing my head at someone else's dinner table,
while they say grace,
or attending a church wedding service with them,
and even agreeing to stand up and mouth along with a hymn)

but what eventually emerges is that they are that type of "privileged" or "entitled" Christian
who will basically get offended or angry if you don't ultimately compromise all your own beliefs
and essentially agree to convert to Christianity.

[AFTT47]

Completely out and always have been. I don't make it a point to advertise it but under no circumstances do I ever hide it.