Honestly, about 75% seem surprised/disappointed. Those other 25% treat me like a long-lost friend when they find out, because they are something-other-than-Christian too.
One thing I've found is that if I use the term "agnostic" or "non-believer" I get less strong reactions. Silly huh?
2007-03-12 07:15:59
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answer #1
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answered by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5
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I do tell people I'm an atheist if they can't tell from the emblems on my car.
I'd say about 50% then ignore me completely, cold shoulder and all. Happened at a scrapbooking retreat I went to in November... I did an "I'm an Atheist" layout with a list of mistruths about atheists, entered it in the layout contest, and 3 ladies (out of 9) who had been chatting with me a LOT all of a sudden avoided me for the last two days of the retreat. The only thing I did was make that layout. 3 others asked questions and the remaining 3 continued to treat me as they had before I did the layout, no change at all. Those 3 ladies who ignored me were Christians. I know 2 of the 3 who asked questions are pagan, and one who treated me no differently is a non-believer though not an atheist.
About 30% will tell me how I worship the devil, kill small children in the full moon, are wicked and going to hell or some other cliche they've been taught by their loving religion.
Another 20% will ask questions about how I became an atheist and/or will share that they, too, don't believe and that opens up a dialog just like this one.
2007-03-12 07:20:03
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answer #2
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answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6
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My religious friends think that it's just a phase, but I don't think so because they make me realize how much I love being an Atheist. I've also always been an Atheist, so people have always known about my lack of faith. My family has been excellent at accepting me as an Atheist, my relatives are somewhat okay.. minus a religious grandma here and there. I think there's only a few friends who disprove of my Atheism but we accept each others differences. So I'd say about 10% disprove my Atheism, if even that..
2007-03-12 07:39:29
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answer #3
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answered by untilyoucamealong04 3
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I live in Seattle, which is a very liberal city, so essentially the issue never comes up. Within my immediate friends though, the reactions range from "I could never believe that," to "well, I'm (religion)." I've never had anybody put me down because of it, but I also think it's because I'm extremely respectful of others beliefs. I also educate myself about their religions out of my own curiosity, and oftentimes they will give me their takes on their own religion. I have had a few "you don't seem like an atheist" because aside from the not believing in god part, I follow every rule of Christianity because of my own personal morals. Hope that helps
2007-03-12 21:11:01
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answer #4
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answered by speedywest16 3
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~~~Kristal,,,,As you gain experience in life and hopefully travel outside of your region, you will find People are the same where ever you go,,,, but one shouldn't expect the same reaction to ANY behavior or Belief System if one is in a Christian Culture or an Islamic Culture, etc, etc, etc,,,,It all depends on the Individual's Concept of Tolerance and Respect for others' Philosophies. Consequently, the reactions range from being accused of "A Godless Heretic" to "An Enlightened Old Soul"
2007-03-12 09:05:27
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answer #5
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answered by Sensei TeAloha 4
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I haven't been an atheist all that long.
So far, I have had no completely good reactions from believers. I have had two that were OK, four that were definitely not OK....
As well as bad comments about atheists from people who didn't know I was an atheist.
2007-03-12 07:14:33
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answer #6
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answered by Snark 7
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Most Europeans don't want to have strong feelings about religion, secularism is in our blood. Most people I know aren't religious at all, but few of them call themselves Atheists. The most common reaction is an interested nod, as in "Oh, you really feel strongly about this, then?".
2007-03-12 07:17:12
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answer #7
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answered by ThePeter 4
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i don't talk about it much... though with my pentagram stuff people think i'm satanic (lol) or wiccan (much closer). real people don't seem to comment on it (real as in, not hiding behind their computers spouting venom--like many n here)
[i should add that everyone i socialize with are alternative type people that are very open minded (yeah, even the christian ones) and i don't discuss such things at work, as i was fired once before for reading a book during my breaks about women & children killed in the witch hunts & christianity's role]
2007-03-12 07:20:23
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Surprised is the best way to describe it. The most common words after I inform them is usually "really? but you're such a nice person." But, you get used to it after some time.
As far as disapproval. I'm sure most do, but never bothered to ask. Not really looking for any form of approval. I don't believe in their god, and they didn't ask for my approval either.
2007-03-12 07:27:43
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answer #9
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answered by ? 5
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Online or in real life?
Online the reactions vary. Mostly negative reactions.
But in real life it's not even an issue. I live in the Netherlands, God is not really an issue in our country. In real life I've actually never even discussed God or whatever. It's simply no issue.
2007-03-12 07:14:42
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answer #10
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answered by ? 6
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