do atheists actually have to "come out" in the states? what does this say about christians?

Question

are there that many christians, that atheism is something you feel you need to hide? if so, what does this say about christians?

I am Canadian, and Pagan, and find this strange.

this question was based on a few answers i have seen in here about atheists using the term "coming out" with their religion

i, personally, am private about my faith. i'm a private person in general, so many people don't know i'm pagan, and assume i'm christian because of my good values. i just assumed that atheism down there was the same as here, widely accepted nobody really cares.

Angel - did you even read my question??????

bible chick - i'm pagan, so we don't care what religion you are. we love you for your differences and similarities!

Pastor R - this statement seems to be an oxymoron;

it is Christians that believe everyone has the right to choose their own destiny. We just want to present the universal Truth about Jesus to all those we are able and allow them to make up their own mind.

Answer 1

There is almost no circumstance in any professional setting where being an Atheist would be perceived as anything other than a liability. This is why all presidential candidates are christian. In personal settings it is not necessarily a liability but it tends to be something you don't publicize unless god is the topic of discussion.

It is very much like coming out in many places. A recent poll showed that America as a whole doesn't trust homosexuals but trusts Atheists even less. Pagans and Wiccans face the same sort of feelings.

Answer 2

Interesting question--I think it varies a lot, depending on the area of American that you're in. For instance, in the "Bible Belt," which is a nickname for many of the Southern U.S. states, Christianity is very dominant. It is more than a religion--it is an entire culture. This is especially true in smaller communities. I grew up in a small town in Texas, which is one of the most conservative states in the US, and I didn't know any non-Christians while I was a kid. After coming to the university, I rejected Christianity. However, even though I am on a college campus, it is a Christian college campus (in Texas), and the religion is like the "official" religion on campus. Other groups are not allowed to meet on campus, or to advertise, etc.

I often do feel that I need to hide my religious beliefs, or lack thereof (I'm agnostic), especially from my family, who would be horrified to find out. While some Christians are accepting of non-Christians, the ones I'm around are definitively not. I think that does say something about people who are so defensive like that, and when I go to medical school I want to attend school in a different state, where the culture is more liberal!

Answer 3

I'm not sure what you are asking in reference to Christians. The US is a Christian nation and over 80% of the people express belief in God, but atheists should not feel any inhibitions about coming out as you put it, because it is Christians that believe everyone has the right to choose their own destiny. We just want to present the universal Truth about Jesus to all those we are able and allow them to make up their own mind. An atheist and a pagan are not synonymous because an atheist denies the existence of God whereas a pagan does not deny the existence of God but rather chooses to worship satan, lucifer, god of lies, or whatever one wants to call what is commonly known as the devil. Christians pray for all to accept the truth but understand that God does not and will not force anyone to choose Him and that any and all can reject Him, if they so choose. I say, "Choose wisely."

Answer 4

i can't say anything for atheists or even other Christians, but I do understand where you're coming from. For myself, "coming out" as a Christian was the result of a rather sudden change within me, which I cannot deny. If I see someone who is hurting and needing help, I offer a helping hand either in words and/or deeds. I can't turn off my Christian nature because of who I have become, so my advice will come from Christian love, but it's not like I have to run around yelling, "hey everybody, I've been born again!" I just hope it is evident through my actions. Not out front, but NOT ashamed either.

Answer 5

I saw that in someone else's question too & wondered the same thing.

I've never hidden my being an Atheist from anyone, but i guess a teenager with overbearing christian parents may feel the need to hide it until they are of legal age to move out & make their own lives?! Maybe that's what was meant by "coming out" to atheism?! I don't know?!

Answer 6

Although I'm Canadian, my husband (and all his family and friends) are American. My father in law is a Methodist Minister.

Unfortunately, you are right. Unless said Atheists gather among other Atheists, most of them keep their mouths shut in real life. Its dangerous to be Atheist in the US. Theres even a law preventing an Atheist from holding the office of the Presidency.

I really really don't have much good to say about Christians.

Whereas, in Canada, religion has no impact in politics at all and Canadians are generally so Apathetic that they don't really care what religion you are.

Americans never do anything half way.

Answer 7

It really is a coming out. Mom's disappointed, friends take a while to understand, but come around eventually - honestly, there are some people where "I'm gay" would have been much easier for them to take than "I don't believe in God".

I'm from West Michigan, though, where fundamentalism is pretty normal. I'm surprised that no Westboro types came out of West Michigan.

I would suspect that it could be roughly divided like the whole red state/blue state trope we hear so much about in politics. Blue states: more or less like Canada (all the better because I hear Alberta sometimes described as a "red province") Red states: like coming out as a homosexual.

Answer 8

B/c some Christians in some parts of the county will pound on you for not believing in the same as them... so I hate to say I'm Atheist because #1 people I hang out with dont know what it is and #2 they will get wierd /..

Answer 9

I think that many people, not just atheists are afraid to "come out" with their belief if those around them have an opposing view.

Conservatives, particularly Christian conservatives are often deeply "closeted" in Holllywood. To 'come out' as such would cost them their livelihood. There are producers and directors who make no bones about it, saying that they don't want to "fund the enemy" or give a platform for their views.

How would you respond, even in Canada, to finding out someone you had assumed to be atheist was really a born again Christian?

Answer 10

In the American South, calling yourself an Atheist is an open invitation to harassment, loss of job and vandalism of property.

In the Mid-West, they are less likely to damage your property, but it does happen. They will generally just be rude and distance themselves.

In the Pacific Northwest, or even near Minneapolis it is not uncommon, so the reaction is not intense.