I think that's why I come here when I'm bored or don't have anything to do because I can't tell people I know , they are all Christians and they would not be happy including my whole family..I feel alone cause in the real world I don't know anyone else that feels the way I do. So I guess comming here and seeing there are other people that feel the same way makes me feel less alone..Am I the only one that hides their non-belief from their family and friends?
2007-12-06 14:19:28 · 25 answers · asked by gangstaG 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't know if I'm ashamed..I live in an area where it's SUPER religious..That's like people's whole lives here..I couldn't handle my family freaking out...(You don't know my family)
2007-12-06 14:30:51 · update #1
I completely understand how you feel. I went to a religious school for a while. We had to pray 5 times a day, along with bible study and going to ceremonies twice a week. I never believed any of it. Simply put, I never said anything because I didn't want to deal with the judgements of those around me.
When I came out with my true feelings, the response I got was "god is going to punish you." Haha, how reassuring, right?
E-mail me anytime & we can talk.
You're not alone! : )
2007-12-06 16:38:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thankfully, no. I live in a country that practices religious freedom almost unanimously.
I wish I could help you with this, but every family is different. Without knowing them and you I could not possibly offer good advice.
There is always the tactic of announcing that you are pregnant or gay, then quickly saying that you are not and are only an atheist. But in practice that works better the other way around. It is a doozy.
But trust me, there are many more atheists in your country than anybody realises. And they are hiding, just like you. Try to anonymously organise them through an online forum, especially those in your area. There are various suitable ones that you can find.
But, er, delete your history. You really do not want them to find out the truth through your computer's hard drive. I've heard... stories.
2007-12-06 14:37:14 · answer #2 · answered by Bullet Magnet 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear that, but unfortunately, atheists aren't very well tolerated in some parts of America. Depending on where you live, it may be better to keep it to yourself. I'm lucky that I was born into an atheist family (actually an atheist country in the PRC), so I never had to hide anything. My friends are understanding enough too, since they're mostly liberals. :D
Honestly though, if you the people around you care for you enough, they wouldn't mind, but if you don't have to tell anyone, don't. There's absolutely not reason whatsoever to flaunt the fact that you're an atheist, cause it'll just make some people angry, and the less enemies you have, the better.
2007-12-06 14:29:22 · answer #3 · answered by liuxuande 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not for many years now. I certainly have lost a few friends over the years due to it, but I can't honestly say that I miss them at this point.
The only time it had any effect on my family was when my mom tried to set me up with some really cute girl she met that just happened to be a minister..... The re-telling of that relationship has become somewhat of a holiday tradition in my family.....funny stuff
Don't worry so much about what people think about you. It may seem like the world is polarized on the issues of faith (particularly on this site), but most people really don't care what you believe as long as it does them no harm.
2007-12-06 14:22:30 · answer #4 · answered by the waterbourne AM 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of this question and others like it I am starting 2 more blogs The morons of Yahoo answers and the dumbest cut and paste rs of Yahoo answers soon to be seen on Google ! Lets face it this is getting out of hand and the one after that will be for suspected report monkeys . As for the question I never hid it that well and as a result didn't have many friends until high school . The only advantage it gave me there was the girls wanted to convert me and put me on the right path . This meant I did get laid more than most guys but most of them weren't any good at it . Kind of like they were afraid to enjoy it .
2016-05-21 22:52:09 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well of course.
Where I live it is common for ANYONE who follows any other beliefs to be looked down upon, and everyone attempts to convert them. I make it obvious that I do not share their beliefs, but I rather not get into a big argument about it.
It's my life, I'll run it the way I choose.
2007-12-06 14:24:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Many people, including some family members, believe that I'm crazy or a weird monster for not believe in God but the truth is I DON'T CARE what they think.
2007-12-06 14:25:44 · answer #7 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're probably not the only one, but I definitely don't hide my atheism from anyone!
But I live in a country of religious freedom, so it's ok.
2007-12-06 14:23:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
well i dont hide it but i dont talk about it. my grandparents are religious, but my parents and brothers arent very religious if at all. i know my friend kept it from his parents for a long time and his parents would often talk about how bad atheists are, then when he said he was an atheist, they kinda flipped out and they kind of blame it on me, LOL.
2007-12-06 14:25:30 · answer #9 · answered by Yawahoo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the slight tendency to consort with the irreligious, irreverent, and generally poor mannered any way, so, although I do not openly admit to atheism, it isn't a significant problem either way.
2007-12-06 14:30:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋