In the US, you're generally assumed to be a heterosexual Christian. You can draw more than a few parallels between 'coming out' as a homosexual/bisexual and as an atheist/agnostic.
My parents, brother, girlfriend, and a few friends know I'm an atheist. At work, though, I'm pretty circumspect, and I try to avoid the Guy Who Reads The Bible On His Breaks (does every workplace have one of these?). About the only tipoff any employee or manager might have of my theological leanings is my willingness to work on Sunday mornings.
Who knows you're an atheist? Was revealing your atheism anything like a 'coming out'? Is there anywhere that you consciously avoid talking about religion, or profess a religion that you don't have?
2007-04-02 20:53:55 · 12 answers · asked by Doc Occam 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm only "out" to my husband, and my friends and siblings who are also atheists.
Otherwise, I follow the bartender's Golden Rule of diplomatic conversation: Never talk about religion, politics, or what sports teams you support.
2007-04-02 20:58:27 · answer #1 · answered by Guernica 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Everyone knows I'm an atheist. It's kinda hard to go from pastor to infidel without letting everyone in on the decision. I've maintained my friendship with some of those I was in ministry with, while others have slandered me and floated rumors about me in ways that tempted me to sue, just to expose them for the liars, false witnesses and backbiters that they are. All of my friends were called in and threatened with expulsion from the church if they had any contact with me. Some buckled, some chose to leave rather than have the elders dictate their friendships, some left later in anger over the rumor-mongering about me, and some left after becoming the targets of the ensuing witch hunt my departure prompted. Most floored by it all were probably my former apologetics students, but ironically it was actually teaching apologetics that did the most to tear down the facade of my beliefs. Nearly all those I knew at the church have clung to alternate explanations of the event, other than the real one, the one they can't contemplate, i.e. that I became convinced I had believed in error. The experience was very much like being banished to the desert and rejected by my family, though it did show me who my real friends were. It's take years to build a social network not based on common religious experience and to develop interest and activities to fill all the many hours I devoted to ministry and study for ministry, but I've done pretty well with that in the end. So I guess it's a lot like coming out in the sense that fundies seem to think atheism and homosexuality are flip sides of the coin. Of course after the former congregation members ran into me and my girlfriend a few times (she looks like Sharon Stone in her early thirties) then the rumors changed from "He's gay" to "He sold his soul to Satan for money and beautiful women." Damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
2007-04-03 03:38:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I asked a related question some time ago, and got an interesting divide of opinons on whether an atheist bumper sticker would be taken as "honest" or "provocative".
I don't go around shouting I'm an atheist, but I don't duck the topic if it comes up, or adopt any protective colouration.
It's not so much of an issue in the UK anyway.
2007-04-02 21:05:53 · answer #3 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Totally. Almost everyone knows (I *never* hide it) and most friends (~60%) are also atheists (not planned.) I'm Canadian, and I've been a devout atheist for 60 years.
Interestingly, Richard Dawkins gets letters from Americans afraid to come out (it likely happens most places except Sweden, Denmark et al where atheism's a majority.)
2007-04-02 20:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have been an atheist since i was 13 years old! The family do not mind. My partner does not mind, although she has a belief system. I have a moral code, i have read about and researched most religions, so for me, while i agree with having a moral code and developing a good life, i do not believe in gods or messiahs, i do not believe in preachers, churches or televangalists!
2007-04-02 22:54:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am Canuck. Depending on which province you are in, being atheist can be more or less of a hindrance.
It likely matters more in smaller places like rural Alberta but it does not matter anywhere as much anywhere in Canada as it does anywhere in the States.
I certainly feel no need to hide it.
2007-04-02 21:11:34 · answer #6 · answered by U-98 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In most parts of the world this would be considered a bizarre question.
I'm assuming you are writing from somewhere like the USA or Saudi Arabia.
2007-04-02 21:12:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Unless I know someone on a good personal level I refuse to talk about religious, political matters or my sexuality. People can end hating you for any of these simply they are prejudice.
2007-04-03 02:57:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the Netherlands being atheist is as much a non-issue as being a homosexual. As it should be.
2007-04-02 21:51:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
20 cm out
2007-04-02 20:57:57 · answer #10 · answered by poondog1 p 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋