i'm an atheist
2006-09-17 11:47:25 · 21 answers · asked by Confrontations 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
This is America and everyone has a different religion, including atheism. I don't ask people what their religions are and they don't ask me. The great thing about this country is that we all generally tolerate each other's religion.
With this in mind, keep your religion to yourself, including the fact that you are an atheist. It is no one else's business and it is just likely to cause you trouble. If the subject comes up, tell people what you think. However, don't announce it unless you have to for some reason. Most people don't care and the ones that do care will just cause you trouble.
2006-09-17 11:59:38 · answer #1 · answered by pvreditor 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Atheists work to make the US devoid of religion. Back when I was a kid in school, you were punished if you formed a lunch-time prayer group (late 60s early 70s). We had to hide. Now it seems that we have to hide our holiday nativity decorations.
If you grew up in the US, I doubt that they would be surprised. How could you believe much else? You are immersed in that culture. They will be disappointed that you didn't catch on to the truth.
HOW: If your loved ones will find it shocking, then break it to them easy. My kid started with comments like, "if there is a god, he's hiding pretty good", and "what god would allow a thing like that to happen (referencing someone's suffering)" after a couple of months of clues, she made clear her beliefs. By then I rather expected it.
2006-09-17 12:31:01 · answer #2 · answered by J Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, it's not a secret anymore (so that iceberg has already been cracked).
Secondly, "everyone" is a pretty broad term - and a lot of people probaby don't care.
Thirdly, "shocking" sounds like it applies to you and your circle (friends, family, etc.), because it's just not a shocking concept in the world today - it's out there.
Lastly, it's up to you what you want to tell, when you want to tell it, and how you want to tell it. (Do you want to? - why do you want to?)
2006-09-17 13:11:26 · answer #3 · answered by JubJub 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell everybody that you have joined a cult and that you will have to marry a goat next week, then when they look totally gobsmacked tell them you were only joking and that your really an athiest. They will be so relieved that you are not a cult member who is going to marry a goat that the fact that your an athiest will make them sigh with relief.
2006-09-17 11:50:08 · answer #4 · answered by Goofy Goofer Goof Goof Goof ! 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
why is that a shocking secret or even one in the first place, stand up for what you believe in
2006-09-17 11:49:23 · answer #5 · answered by dropped_skittles 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That's not shocking, thee's a whole load of us in here on y/a. Doesn't mean we're not nice people though, we just choose not to believe in something invisible.
2006-09-17 11:56:30 · answer #6 · answered by diana - b 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think you just come out and say it. If they truly care about you it wont matter to them. The wourld is full of people that think believe something different. I have a couple friends that are etheist it didnt change our friendship or change who they are.
2006-09-17 11:57:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is not shocking! I have heard way worse!
2006-09-17 11:56:33 · answer #8 · answered by ladybug_jane22 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're on your own. Or maybe you can just wait and let them figure it out themselves, like my sister did about her former weird religion.
2006-09-17 11:49:53 · answer #9 · answered by lizardmama 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ha ha ha I was expecting something REALLY shocking!
2006-09-17 12:03:59 · answer #10 · answered by 𝒶𝓂𝒶𝓎𝓊𝓀𝒾 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋