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Amusing Responses You Got From People When You Came Out About Being An Atheist.

I thougt It would be interesting to see some of the more comical responses people have received upon coming out. I'll start things off with my favorite.

I was about 16 and a guy in class found out that I didn't believe in god and he came up to me and asked

Boy: "So do you really not believe in god"

Me: "No."

Boy: "So.... You worship the devil?!"

I got this one in one form or another many times..... Gotta love the bible belt! :)

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Beardsley on March 20, 2012 at 8:53am

Hey, I'm in need of some advice everyone, I'm kinda new to this site so I'm not sure how to start a forum or blog that I can be assured people will see.

I live in a small apartment complex in Hesperia, CA, very religious part of CA, very hob nob, sort of place where if you don't go to the same church as everyone, you're probably not going to get the job, my gf was actually fired from her job as a High School teacher because she started the schools very first Gay & Straight alliance for the students who are homosexual. Of coarse they didn't say they were doing it for that reason, but, lot's of parents called in complaining and the Principal of that school is a very intense, pounding, preaching it in inappropriate places kinda guy.

Ok sorry, I know I'm rambling, here's my problem, I have been talking to one of my neighbors, a nice Vietnam vet who has very little family, so he zips around the complex on a motorized wheelchair sparking up friendly conversations with anyone who will lend him an ear. Some how the topic of religion came up, come to find out he considers himself agnostic, so now we have a fairly large common denominator, of sorts and we proceed to rap back and forth, sometimes for hours, I call BS on this scripture, or, that and he kinda does the same. Well a few of the other tenants over heard these conversations and were very offended, or so they say. Personally I'm not trying to upset people, but, these were very harmless, general conversations and if a tenant over heard something he, or, she did not like they are more than able and welcomed to stop eavesdropping, that, or they could always come join the convo and contest what I'm saying.

Well it turns out they like to play dirty, they complained to the front office. To date I have heard a rumor from a pretty solid acquaintance, who came to me without me telling him any of what happened and told me he was dropping his rent off when he overheard the manager and some of these rabble rousing tenants, she was telling them "If he wants to worship the devil than I will evict him and he can do it elsewhere" she than when onto say that this bldg needs nothing other than good moral Christians, not Devil worshiping Atheists.

I've heard it said before that there are certain groups that can defend a person against such wrongful eviction, if she serves me papers what should I do? I can't really afford to hire an attorney? where can I go to get help? do you think the ACLU would here me out?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, sorry again to troll this post, I'm a noob :(

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Permalink Reply by booklover on March 20, 2012 at 9:01am

Wow! That just stuns me. I know it shouldn't, but the fact that anyone in this day and age thinks they can evict you for not being an xtian is just bizarre to me! I don't know what you could do about it, maybe contact a lawyer?

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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on March 20, 2012 at 9:12am

Talk to a lawyer? Absolutely.

Also, get with the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They've provided serious muscle to cases such as yours multiple times and are very much worth having on your side.

Best wishes.

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Permalink Reply by Eric A Flynn on March 20, 2012 at 11:48am

Try to call in to the radio show Your Legal Rights. You can pose a question directly on the air and you can also talk to one of their bank of volunteer attorneys during the show hours. Also check out the Department of Consumer Affairs website section on tenant law. There are a lot of useful links in there, such as local housing advocacy organizations, what constitutes discrimination and what remedies and compensation you may be entitled to if your landlord breaks the law.

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Permalink Reply by Rusty on March 21, 2012 at 9:49am

The apartment manager is 99% probably NOT the owner. That may give you some leverage. It is the owner that would face the cost of a lawsuit. The apartment manager doesn't care - not out of his pocket. Check the public records and find out who the owner(s) are. Tax records are public and very useful. Corporation information is available at the library.

First, you only have second hand information that the manager said this. Yes, I know that it is most likely accurate but that puts you in a weak position. With a friend as a witness, make an appointment to go in and talk to him and ask if the rumors of planned that you have heard are true. Don't lose it! Take this following approach.

"I'm so sorry to hear that you feel that way. Please understand that I respect your feelings but I must insist that you respect my legal rights. This really is a matter that I should be discussing now with the Mr. Owner (helpful if you know his name before the conversation) since it is so serious." Follow up with a certified letter documenting the conversation. Include a copy of that letter with the one you will do after talking to the owners.

Now, contact the owners. Explain politely that while you prefer to avoid litigation, that their manager is defaming you and threatening actions that would give you no other option. Follow up with a certified letter documenting the phone call and insist politely that the owner take action to ensure that such behavior is stopped and not repeated.

I would write down what you want to say before you call and have somebody on an extension or record (there is an app for that) if the law allows that where you live. Know the law on this one - penalties can be severe in the some states. If you can't have a witness for whatever reason, make notes for your letter and document it immediately afterwards.

If that still doesn't work, start doing factual and fair reviews online - search for "apartment reviews" like Yelp. Review both the specific apartments and the holding company who may have many apartment complexes. Staying quiet about this only benefits them - not you.