Atheists: how much, if at all, do you conceal your convicion in a Godless Earth/Cosmos?

Question

There are still widespread negative stereotypes about Atheism in society.

As such, I don't tend to inform people unless I know them reasonably well, and I try and steer clear of the issue if the person in question is devout. Not that I have any shame whatsoever, it is just that many people are very sensitive to Atheism.

Answer 1

I enjoy and appreciate the universe, regardless of belief in deities.

I keep my views private, but I can't help but feel that earth and all life is precious beyond reasoning -- we weren't set in a plan or intended. There could be a billion different lifeforms in our place, or none at all. I feel incredibly privileged to exist, and part of it is because I live in a universe not built by gods.

I don't flaunt the fact that I'm an atheist around people,
but I do have an obvious love of science. A fourteen billion year old universe with complex processes such as evolution hold far more awe to me than any recent (2,000 years) book by human hands. My enthusiasm shows, but few people guess that atheism has something to do with it.

Answer 2

I pretty much never think about it and it doesn't come up.

My best work friend is a christian and for the first 5 years neither of us knew or asked what the other believed as far as religion. And we had some major political and philosophical debates but it just never came up because it really isn't that important.

Did you mean 'conviction' as in 'a strong persuasion or belief'? Conviction to what? My lack of belief is a pretty passive one. If other atheists are having problems maybe that's the problem they're having.

If you're walking around with your belief or somehow a lack of like a chip on your shoulder you're looking for problems.

Answer 3

I don't hide it at all and I've only gotten flack sporadically - not enough to even matter. I don't go shouting it off the rooftops either but if asked I state that I am an atheist. I do live in a more liberal area of America though so that perhaps is the difference.

Answer 4

Actually, my beliefs or the beliefs of others I may be with simply never come up. Believe it or not, nobody cares what faith you are - or I am....it simply is irrelevant.

We discuss the weather, the food, the music, our interests, our friendships, politics, world events, likes and dislikes, jokes, family, vacations, leisure activities, shopping, price of gas----the full gamut of topics...and religion never comes into the discussion.

I don't care who or what they worship - or even if they do..and they don't care what I think about it.

Religion is a private matter, specific to the individual, and should not be open for general conversation. Frankly, it should be confined to home and church.

Answer 5

Fortunately most of the crowd I hang out with are either atheist/agnostic or just not all that religious, so it's something I rarely if ever have to debate, defend or even discuss.

I also have to agree that Tardis Girl's answer is great.

Answer 6

You live in America right?It is the opposite way round here in the UK.Go to any pub and start spouting about creation and jeebus and you will be quickly edged to the corner or pointed at with people nudging each other,staring or laughing.

Edit: Tardis girl has put the most inciteful answer I have seen in ages.Give her the points.

Answer 7

I don't think anyone I know, even those close to me, know I'm an atheist. I run with a crowd where religion is just not an issue, and I don't wear it on my sleeve like believers seem to think they need to. Besides, for me, religion is a personal matter and it always struck me as sort of rude to constantly be yakking about to everyone.

Answer 8

Even to the other atheists I know, I do not admit my atheism. (Of course, part of this is because they know I'm Pagan and view gods as archetypal. I don't want to confuse people with semantics.)

I still say my opinion, but I don't use the label.

Answer 9

I talk about my beliefs as openly as a religious person would.
I'm not ashamed for not believing in invisible sky deities, nor will I ever be.
Silence has never changed stereotypes, it has only helped them remain.

---From the reddest, most backward part of the country.

Answer 10

i don't go around yakking about how i'm and atheist, but i don't hide it. most of my friends know, and my family. it just doesn't usually come up, because i don't like in a place where religion is that big. the only people i hide it from is my dad's family, because if my nana found out she'd probably burn me at the stake or something. i'm pretty open about my beliefs and i don't judge others because of theirs.