2007-01-29 00:37:42 · 14 answers · asked by jsjmlj 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There isn't a good count of closet atheists. Churches tend to count people as members even after they've deconverted. So, they're not a good source for informatoin on how many of their own really don't believe.
In the ARIS study, there were about 14.1% of the US population that said they were part of "no religion". (They had a separate category for those who believe they have no religion, but a "personal relationship" with God.) People who actually identified themselves as "atheist" were quite small.
So, your answer probably lies somewhere between that.
2007-01-29 00:41:44 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the middle east, I can honestly sympathise with this. Religious people might see something noble about dying for your faith but to an atheist with one life its better to lie and say 'sure I believe in the sky-fairy' - and people should if the stakes are so high. Anyone who doubts death could follow from an admission of apostasy should look up the word on Islam Q & A!
In the US its slightly less severe though 'coming out' with atheism can leave someone ostracized in their town. I think atheism is a personal thing, in a way in which religion is distinctly not and the choice of how open to be about your beliefs is something that should not be dictated by anyone.
If I lived in a heavily religious place I'd become a teacher and subtlely undermine religion by showing the flaws (pretending I didn't see them myself) and hoping the children would think for themselves. It's a paradoxical truth but its genuine - the most important thing a teacher can give their student is the notion that its ok to reject arguments from authority. Tell them how to think, not what to think.
2007-01-29 08:44:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That’s a good question and I have no idea, as I am an Atheist who is not hiding behind anything. I do have a story that’s a little off topic, but related to the same idea.
A friend of mine works at planned parent hood and she said that there have been a few protesters that can be seen outside from time to time who have come into the clinic. She said that they’d be out one day, come in to the clinic for whatever and then the next day they would be back out there protesting. She wouldn’t tell me who or what for.
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Okay people! I was a closset atheist when I was 12 to 14. It isn't uncommon. It happens.
Is it really that hard for you to believe?
2007-01-29 08:42:49 · answer #3 · answered by A 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Are you talking about religion in General or one specific religion, because I would say that more people who are religious hide their religion to fit in than the other way around - ceratinly with Christianty from my experiences in the UK
2007-01-29 08:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I guess if your a true Atheist you wouldn't hide it. If your so strong on not" Believing" you would think people like me don't fit in.
2007-01-29 08:45:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe it. I've never known an atheist who didn't proudly proclaim his opinions to all. If he hids behind religion he is not completely sure of what he believes, maybe even wishes he could have faith.
2007-01-29 08:43:34 · answer #6 · answered by VW 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm atheist and dang proud. I'm not going to say I am a Christian or whatever to fit in.
2007-01-29 08:44:35 · answer #7 · answered by The World Ends with You 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what do you care? What is so wrong with people using their own minds to believe what they want instead of having a belief forced on them through threat of hell? I respect people more who believe in something because they really do instead of following a belief because they think they are going ot hell if they dont.
2007-01-29 08:43:25 · answer #8 · answered by daisy322_98 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would think most true athiests would not care who knew they were athiests! And if they are hiding behind religion, then perhaps they are closet Christians, after all.
2007-01-29 08:43:10 · answer #9 · answered by themom 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't believe that there is such a thing as closet atheists.
Atheists are quite outspoken when it comes to their beliefs.
2007-01-29 08:44:15 · answer #10 · answered by ViolationsRus 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋