Are you open about being an atheist or are you in the closet?

I am semi in the closet. I do have to admit that I am not comfortable discussing my views with just anyone. I am the type that wants everyone to like me (such a fault I have!) and I am nervous someone will think I am a bad person. Even when I find someone who is passionate about science, I still try not to venture down that avenue. So lucky to have you guys!

Views: 3978

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

This subject always interests me. I have never been anything but atheist and have never had a problem.

I have no problem stating my position.

I  was in  the  open  when i  lived  in LA,  but  now i'm  in  hiding  because  the  town  is  so  small  and  very  religious. II  know  they'd  fire  me  at  my  job.  everyone  knows  everyone  here.

Open about it and vocal about it. I don't go off on religious people as people, but I don't allow any religious statement or claim to pass without challenge.

my family dont know about my atheism as they hold quite strong islamic beliefs, but i think its more fuelled by their cultural beliefs. im south asian (Bangladeshi) and live in an area in London (UK) where most of the community is muslim. i live a lie because i know they would reject me, and my sister pretty much said i'd ruin the family and bring shame upon them all. my friends know, and despite being practicing muslims do accepts my beliefs. its never really been a problem with my friends cos im usually selective with the people i let in.

I am at that point in the arc of my life where I really don't give a ripe dump WHAT someone thinks, either of me or my atheism. I don't advertise, nor am I obnoxious about it, but if someone asks, they get the straight stuff.

There are at least two groups of JW's who have visited my house over the past two years who know this first-hand. I was cordial and courteous, but made no bones about letting them know who and what they were talking to.

I am an atheist.

I tend to be more open about my atheism to those I know are open-minded, not that I'm looking for reaction or to open a debate, but I think it's important to educate ourselves and take advantage of the vast information available and get involved in online communities or invoke thoughts with the like-minded and when we are asked the "why's" you have knowledge and confindence in your belief.

Not really out, no. My close friends know, and my sisters know, but that's about it. I haven't specifically said anything about it to my parents, but I think they already know that I think the bible stuff is ridiculous (my mom does, too, to some extent). My FB account specifically for family and acquaintances from school says I belong to the Church of the Invisible Pink Unicorn, but I don't think people look at my profile that often. Religion is not really an issue that gets discussed, and when it does, it's easy to say "I see" or simply ignore and move on.
I try to avoid religious conversations as much as I can unless it's with someone that I know I can discuss freely without someone getting upset. Besides that, I'm bad at speaking and getting points across, not to mention I basically don't know crap about the Bible and couldn't answer questions about it. I tend to run out of things to say when someone is making a bible argument and get stuck making a :0 face the entire time.

Hrmm. lets see
Greydon Square stick on car; check
wear shirts all the time with darwin day and others check
on here all the time check
joke about heaven and hell
and say what the hell all the time
yeah closets are for storage
peace!

I'm out.  I am too old to care what people think at this point.

I mean I believe it was Madalyn Murray O'Hair is the only person I know of that I think died from lack of stupid beliefs.

from or free from ?

:)

I live in the Tampa Bay area, and I'm a little too close to the Bible Belt to have a red A on my car to not have it be used against me in job promotions and overall discrimination. I see what religion is doing to this world, though, and then I think about how other minorities had to go through the same nonsense from bigots throughout history. It's a hard decision to make. Fully coming out at my job is a particularly hard decision considering the 60 hour weeks I've worked to get where I am. Black people couldn't hide that they were black, and women couldn't hide that they were women, but one's religious beliefs are a little easier to sweep under the rug just to fit in. I think a lot of atheists aren't as militant as Dawkins and don't see the same problems with religions that make them worth attacking, and that will hurt us from finding that "critical mass" that gay people have already found: a radical switch from a scary and shadowy unknown minority to an almost elite group of members who have a lot to share with society.

Growing up in Catholic school, I heard stories about how the early Christians would draw half a fish, and the other person would finish it to say that yes, they were a Christian. I think Atheists need something similar. :-)

RSS

MJ

Latest Activity

© 2013   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Richard Haynes.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service