do any atheists/agnostics here pretend to be Christian in the real world? I do. I have to, I live in Mississippi. If I don't I'll probably be killed by angry rednecks(no joke.) I'm not talking about pretending to just spite them but pretending for the sake of living a safe,normal life.Also I'm a bit of a coward(but that's my problem.)
2007-01-05 10:16:35 · 26 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Move? do you folks know how old I am?
sixteen.
2007-01-05 10:19:39 · update #1
also I never tell my family.
They'd probably disown me.
2007-01-05 10:24:45 · update #2
I don't really hide it just like I don't make it a point to announce it.
I don't try to hide the fact I'm English either.
If someone asks me if I am either I have no problem telling them but I don't drive around with a union jack and a fsm magnet on my car.
2007-01-05 10:19:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a matter of fact, I do it all the time. I am an atheist, but, depending on the company, can also be Christian. I was born and raised with Christian beliefs, but as I grew older, I started questioning life and its origins. Religion is a really touchy subject that I am very careful about discussing. I would hate to argue with my mother about Jesus, so, I pretend to believe in what the Bible teaches. I do not hate religion, it is wonderful that humans are able to have hope and faith. As a hidden non-believer, I do not want to argue with anyone with set beliefs. I cannot change their mind, and they cannot change mine. I hope this has been of some help to you.
2007-01-05 18:27:09 · answer #2 · answered by femme_fatale 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in an insanely religious town. I don't pretend to be Christian but I never tell anyone that I'm not, either. It's not that I'm embarrassed or scared; it's just that it would probably be a huge issue where I live and that's not something I want to deal with. But my spirituality and specific beliefs are very personal to me, so I really have no desire to tell many people about them anyway.
2007-01-05 18:22:23 · answer #3 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have good reason to pretend. I was just reading an article about how atheists are treated in the south, it was very disturbing.
When my kids were young, I "put on" Christmas to keep everyone happy. The whole bit - baking, cooking, decorating, gifts, relatives visiting. This year, it stopped. My kids are older now, and I had to tell everyone that Christmas was not on at my house this year. They were not happy, but I was, for a change.
2007-01-05 18:30:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I don't live in the bible belt and I'm glad- for a number of reasons, one being that it's just too hot for my blood. ;) but seriously, I do know a lot of very pushy Christians that think it is their duty to alert everyone that Jesus loves them and admonishes those that aren't Christian and also those who aren't Protestant. With these people, and with those friends that I have in common with them, I do pretend to be a church-going Christian. Many of these Jesus freaks are family memebers of mine. I'm actually Wiccan. If they knew that, they would disown me.
So, I kind of know what you're going through. Many are not that much more open-minded here in Michigan.
2007-01-05 18:23:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's very common for people your age to start to question the religion you are raised in. I don't think of it as trying to hide the fact that you are an atheist as much as trying not to cause issues for your family and neighbors. When you are old enough to live on your own, you will have more opportunities to live where you want and speak freely about your beliefs.
2007-01-05 18:26:23 · answer #6 · answered by Suzie Q 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to blend into the area you live and sometimes you have to pretend to be someone you are not just to keep the peace of the family or of the people you work with.
pirandello was a great italian writer and his philosophy states that every human being wears a mask when encountering other human beings...so we are not what we try to appear most of the time..
do not feel that you are a coward you are just someone trying to live his life without other people stepping on your nuts..
happy new year i believe in god he is to be seen in the nature's beauty and in the harts of men
2007-01-05 18:24:26 · answer #7 · answered by lovephoto 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure that the angry Christians won't shoot a sixteen year old guy! Furious Christians are a whole other story! I would be afraid too!
-Seeker
2007-01-05 18:22:42 · answer #8 · answered by Seeker 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
see I don't believe you have to pretend to be a christian, not trying to be mean but that would make you a hippocrit (not sure of spelling). If you're so scared of death, why not actually listen to a sermon for once and try to learn a few things? Open your mind and catch a little faith, might due you some good to clear your mind.
2007-01-05 18:20:46 · answer #9 · answered by sax_playa_1213 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't pretend to be who I'm not, although I also don't let on to who I am either... I just don't talk about it. Too wary of what kind of crazy people I might run into, even here in a fairly open minded blue state...
2007-01-05 18:19:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋