Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dee Neely on January 3, 2012 at 8:24am

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by hbma on January 28, 2012 at 9:26am

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on January 28, 2012 at 9:43am

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Randy Keddie on January 30, 2012 at 9:57pm

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Teagraves on January 31, 2012 at 6:00am

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on January 31, 2012 at 6:22am

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!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by dr kellie on January 31, 2012 at 8:41am

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

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Philip Jackson Armstrong on January 31, 2012 at 9:14pm

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.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on January 31, 2012 at 9:30pm

from or free from ?

:)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Durette on February 12, 2012 at 9:45am

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. :-)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Terry Groff on February 12, 2012 at 9:27pm

I don't wear my atheism on my sleeve but I'm ready to proclaim my stance should the need arise, Like when Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door.  :-)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephen "Excidus" Sault on February 13, 2012 at 12:03am

I'm "out of the closet." I'm a very outspoken atheist, more of a militant atheist, really. I lived a lot of my life in the Bible belt and my atheism was infamous. 

I came out of the closet by changing my religion on MySpace. My mum noticed, went and changed it back to Catholic. I noticed and changed it to Atheist again. This went on for quite sometime until I eventually had to sit down and talk to my mum about my beliefs, or lack thereof. She isn't happy with my decision but she recognizes my decision. 

If you come out of the closet, you lead a happier life. There's no reason to live a lie and you'll find that there are actually a lot of other atheists out there that are just scared to come out because they don't have anyone. Be that person for someone. 

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• …
• 22
• Next ›
• Page