How many Atheists here admit they're Atheists in public?

[mudesi]

The thread about the Christian store has led me to post this, because I see many Christians offended by it and (while I don't speak for the OP of that thread, in fact I don't even know his beliefs) I think it's quite obvious why many Atheists on DU feel the need to vent (if you will) here on an anonymous message board.

I recall a fairly recent edition of CNN's "Paula Zahn Now" that brought up the subject of Atheism in America. I don't know how many of you saw it or remember it, but it was quite enlightening. Who do you think is the most discriminated and tormented group of people in America today?

Is it the Blacks?
Is it the Latinos?
Is it the Asians?
Is it the Homosexuals?

It is the Atheists. To put it in some kind of perspective, Atheists are not nearly as "out" as the homosexual community. Chances are, if you've met an Atheist, you don't know it, because an Atheist probably wouldn't tell you he or she is one. They are very much still "in the closet" regarding their (lack of) beliefs.

I could go on about this, but fortunately in this day of access to instant information, I don't have to. Watch part 1 of Paula Zahn's report here.

Then -- and I strongly urge this -- watch the absolutely disgraceful panel discussion in part 2 http://youtube.com/watch?v=fPHnXrU5JzU">here.

The next time an Atheist posts something that may be considered offensive to Christians, perhaps we can all at least understand where they're coming from.

In the interests of full disclosure, I, personally, am a non practicing Catholic.

[WindRavenX]

1. I don't mention it

And especially because I'm moving to utah, I am being even more careful who I reveal myself to.

[Erika]

6. A murderous child rapist would be better received in Utah

than an atheist!!!

[Dorian Gray]

46. Sadly,

that might be true.

[meatloaf]

27. You poor bastard

I spent most of my youth in that state and religion seems to always be on their minds. One of the first questions you'll be asked in any conversation is "what ward you're in"? The Mormon church is like the Mafia, they have their hands in everything in the state. Most of my extended family still lives there so I go back on a regular basis and it reminds me every time how happy I am that I don't live there. Geographically speaking it is a beautiful, diverse state and I highly recommend you see as much of it as possible. I hope you get to live in Salt Lake or Park City where the motto is in Utah not of Utah.

Good luck!!!!!

[Colobo]

2. Everyone around me knows I'm agnostic

I share it with people, but I don't show any (public) contempt for any religions, which many agnostics and atheists I know do, and people don't have a good opinion of them because of it.

Most of my friends are Christians and respect my views. I can't complain.

[ContraBass Black]

3. "if you've met an Atheist, you don't know it,"

Are we from the same country? Most of the people I know are atheistic. None of them are closeted, though two or three are not comfortable discussing atheism with their theistic parents.

[adnelson60087]

4. I am proud of my atheism

and have no hesitation in saying so to anyone.

[cgrindley]

5. I am an atheist here

but a high church episcopalian elsewhere. Actually, I'm an atheist in church too. I'm more or less a cultural high church episcopalian. I readily personify the forces of nature as "god". I love talking about Jesus and respect all non-supernatural aspects of his philosophy. I think that parts of the King James Bible is whiz bang poetry. I think that a lot of religious people are demented and/or have defective thinker uppers.

[Bobbieo]

11. I more or less follow the Native American belief in the Creator and Great Spirit

Does that make me an atheist or a pagan?

[Monkeyman]

26. No a true a way of life untold

[varkam]

7. Some people know that I am an atheist.

Some people do not. If you're a friend of mine, then you certainly know it. If you're an acquaintance, then you may know it. The only reason I wouldn't offer it up is when I think it might be in poor taste or offensive to someone. I'm not really afraid of people harassing me - I've been through worse.

[Fuzz]

8. Only if it comes up in conversation, and I don't bring it up.

[Arugula Latte]

9. It's rare that we're specifically asked. Often people just assume you believe in some god-thingy

So, if they spout off about church or whatever, mostly I just uh-huh them and don't ask them any questions or give them any encouragement.

One time my neighbor asked me what our beliefs were and I told him we weren't religious. He said, you have to believe SOMETHING. Oh, didn't know it was a law. All right, I told him. I believe in nature and clean air and clean water.

[Iwasthere]

14. I am agnostic and proud of it

How can anyone believe that THEIR religion is the only true religion? I like to glean good from all of them.

[Colobo]

25. Hello, brother!

[notadmblnd]

10. I think religion or lack of it, should be a private matter

outside of church.

[Colobo]

12. An atheist classmate of mine

has very little tolerance of religion and is always saying things like "All Bibles should be burned", "Jesus was probably gay" just to piss off people.

People like him are the reason why atheists and agnostics have a bad rep.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. Just Be Sensitive And Tolerant Towards Others Beliefs, Period. That's All It Takes Really.

[Zhade]

57. So, those who believe gays should be killed...?

Or that blacks are inferior...?

Obviously, I understand where you're coming from, but there is no requirement whatsoever that any beliefs (or even my own lack of belief in gods) be respected or tolerated - only respect for people's right to have (or not have) beliefs should be expected.

[Catch22Dem]

15. If asked, I admit it freely, but...

It's not like I go screaming it from the mountain top. Folks give about as much of a shit about my religious beliefs as I do of theirs.

[BayCityProgressive]

16. if asked

I say I am not religious.

[ginnyinWI]

17. that program really hit a nerve

with my daughter. She's a grad student and co-runs a student group which supports Atheism. She is outraged at the blatant way it was "okay" on that show to laugh at Atheists. No excuse for it at all. It's the new racism I suppose. She had assumed that CNN is pretty fair and pretty liberal--but in the case of Paula Zahn, the opposite is true. She disgusts me, and has ever since she "moderated" a debate in 2004 between Wes Clark and some rightie, and kept jumping to the rightie's defense. Ugh.

[Canuckistanian]

18. I have no problem

But then again... I'm Canadian.

:7

[Jersey Devil]

19. I never mention it, Godammit!

May you burn in Hell for even asking, that is if there is a Hell, and, while we are at it, do we really exist, you know, the old Descartes question, "I think therefore I am."

Are we the creation of a devine being or perhaps maybe as obscure as a molecule on the chewed end of a pencil eraser?

[Beelzebud]

20. Loud and proud. If it comes up in conversation, I say I'm an atheist.

[leftofthedial]

21. one must be circumspect

atheists are the most discriminated against minority in the United States.


BY FAR.

[Bjornsdotter]

22. If it's relevant

...I have no problem telling people.

I'm an atheist....

Cheers

[Kelly Rupert]

23. Why would I tell anyone I was atheist?

I mean, when would it come up?

"Hey, Kelly, catch the Sox game?"
"Yeah, man, watching Pods get caught stealing twice just reminded me that religion is an illusion."

[Orrex]

24. My atheism is no secret, but I don't broadcast it

If someone asks outright, I don't lie about it, but I don't feel the need to distribute atheist literature, either.

However, in an open forum for debate, online or otherwise, I feel more free to cut loose, as it were.

[On the Road]

28. I Don't Go Out of My Way, But Don't Hide It

[jgraz]

29. It's kind of hard to deny it

driving around with stuff like this on my car:

[varkam]

39. Braver than I

:D

[jgraz]

40. Or just more pissed off

I love pulling in front of one of the jesusmobiles and slowing down so they can get a good long look.

[meatloaf]

30. I finally accepted my atheism a few years ago but I don't share it openly.

I actually don't feel comfortable for several reasons. As a child I was routinely baited into revealing my lack of any real religion by young Mormons who promised they wouldn't tell or didn't care only to have it thrown in my face and told I was going to hell. That's also happend to me a few times as an adult in Utah. Fortunately I don't live there anymore. I also think that most people aren't content to let it go especially if they're religious. Lest we forget, most religions have conversion of the heathens as part of their doctrine though they may not embrace it as much now as in their past. Even if conversion isn't their goal, either through innocent, though unwanted, good intentions or sheer curiosity, the few people I've met that have found out I'm an atheist have always wanted to discuss it and/or save me.

To brush it off I tell people I'm a frisbeterian and that I believe that when I die my soul goes up on the roof and I can't get it down.

[bluetrain]

31. I don't think I've ever been directly asked. If a conversation turns to the

topic of "souls" or something like that I have said, "I'm an atheist" and "I don't believe in that" or maybe even, "Well, that's a load of crap" along with other variations and, then, I try to steer the conversation back to whatever the point is, but without all the god in the way.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

32. I've gotten in screaming matches with almost-relatives

Who started screaming about heathens in their house. I should have left then but didn't.

I tell people I'm a Unitarian and they don't know what that is.

Generally if I tell people that Unitarians do not throw people out, and that they
have a diversity of belief, are accepting of all beliefs, and do not make their congregants recite a creed, I get hit with a look of disgust like the person just smelled a stinking pile o'shit.

They can't deal with it. They just frown horribly if they're polite enough to not YELL AT ME AND TELL ME I AM GOING TO HELL.

[David__77]

33. I soft pedal it.

It's simply something I avoid. Maybe someday I'll become an evangelical atheist, however.

[Random_Australian]

34. Well, combining 1) I'm in Australia, where we don't care about that stuff and

2) I'm in advanced science, which is basically atheist central, and with my friends from it most of the time when I am in public.

Means I'm free to be as atheistic as I wish. :)

[Epiphany4z]

35. If there is a related

conversation where it fits I have no problem saying I am an atheist. I don't run around yelling it from roof tops though..lol.

[LeftishBrit]

36. Yes - but it's not nearly such an issue in the UK

Lots of people here are atheists or just uninterested in religion.

[A HERETIC I AM]

37. I find it interesting these days that when i meet new people that i hit it off with...

and i mention i am Atheist, more often than not those people are at the very least, religiously skeptical.

Perhaps i am being more selective in my choice of acquaintances these days.

Answer to the OP's question;
If it comes up, i unabashedly say i am Atheist. If that person counters with "You don't believe in god?" i go to my default line which is basically "Belief has nothing to do with my point of view on the subject. I KNOW all gods are mythical constructs."

That either leads to an interesting conversation and a deepened friendship or ends all talk right there!

[MistressOverdone]

38. I can't speak as an atheist

but I do know that I never ask anyone about their religious beliefs. If they mention going to church, I might ask where they attend but just to see if they are fellow Episcopalians so we can gripe together about "the situation." I am a teacher and I think about half our faculty are agnostic and maybe three or four of us atheists. One is UU, one UCC. A few of the aides are fundamentalists.

[and-justice-for-all]

41. I am not in anyway intimendated by believers...

..I state my Atheism very clearly without hesitation. If they dont like, then tough shit, I do not need the religious security blanket to get me through the day.

I AM AN ATHEIST!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, my Atheism does not describe me as a whole, there is more to me then my non-theism. Me, as a person, comes first.

[NMMNG]

42. My family and two closest friends know

However in hindsight I wish I hadn't told the one friend as it really damaged our friendship.


As to others IRL I don't say anything and thus far the subject has never come up. Particularly after the situation with my friend I figure it's best to just stay "in the closet" about my atheism.

[Dorian Gray]

52. If your friend's ignorance

damaged your friendship (it wasn't your atheism, but his/her refusal to accept it), then that is his/her shortcoming, not yours. You should be able to share your religious beliefs freely with friends without the fear of being reprimanded, ridiculed, chastened or ignored by them. I'm sorry that your friend's heart wasn't big enough to accept you as you are.

[NMMNG]

54. Thanks

She just has these preconceived notions and one of them is that atheists (or, rather, "atheist f*cks" as she refers to them when in the heat of discussion), are immoral and bear a large part of the responsibility for the moral downfall of America. After all, "If there was still prayer and Bible reading in schools children wouldn't be the little animals they are today." (Her exact words).

Aye. :banghead:

[Dorian Gray]

55. It makes me really mad when people

are closed minded and rude. Especially friends. Our friends are supposed to know us and love us, supporting us through our lives. I would think that someone who knew you and loved you enough to be your friend wouldn't think those vile things about you. It's so frustrating. There really are closed-minded people out there. I forget that sometimes as I live in a very progressive part of the country. (Brooklyn!)

[NAO]

43. For an EXCELLENT account of "What it's Like to be an Atheist"...KOS post from 2005

There was a CLASSIC post of "What it is like to be an atheist" posted on Daily Kos back in 2005.

It is VERY insightful, personal, and gritty, and most importantly it allows a believer (or anyone) to see life thru the eyes of an atheist.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - What It's Like to Be An Atheist
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/11/15/12016/649

[Evoman]

44. Used to keep it to myself when I was weak.

Now I am strong...I no longer have to hide who I am. Anybody who gives me too much problem will find THEY now have a problem too.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

45. I keep it a secret

If my atheism were to get out, my business would be dead.

[gatorboy]

47. Well if you thought the right hated gays...

They've probably got NOTHIN' on atheists! Especially with the Bush's in power. Isn't it Bush Sr. who believe that atheists shouldn't even be considered American citizens?

[NMMNG]

49. Indeed it was

Poppy probably would have loved to round us up and have us deported.

[RebelOne]

48. I do not admit I am an atheist unless I am asked. n/t

[Geezus]

50. I freely share the fact that I am an atheist.

On another note, did that conservative bitch just claim that atheism leads to the rise of Islam and intolerance? I wonder where she gets here facts from. Ann Coulter maybe? Last time I heard, the muslim population in Europe is fairly stable, and they still have very few intolerance problems (except for Turkey and France).

[loudestchick]

51. Openly lacking belief in all things supernatural. I used to not mention it.

But my kids (ages 12, 8 and 5)are being evangelized on a reguler basis...I can't let that stand. I have found that my jewish friends are the most accepting of my "condition". The fervent believers? They say "Why, LC you're so nice and moral...you must believe." LOL!

[NMMNG]

53. Aye

The fervent believers? They say "Why, LC you're so nice and moral...you must believe." LOL!

Yeah, because you not only have to believe to be moral, you have to believe to be nice. Much like the Fred Phelps guy. :sarcasm:

[Zhade]

56. I do, and then explain why most people's instant assumptions are dead wrong.

Falsehoods like "atheism is a religion" get shot down pretty quick - I've sadly had a lot of practice.

[Rob H.]

58. I usually just say that I'm not religious

Sometimes I say I'm Nullifidian (n., one who has no faith; skeptic) just to mess with people because it sounds like it could be a religion.

Down here in the Bible Belt people look at you as if you've sprouted a nose in the middle of your forehead if you tell them something as innocuous as, "I don't go to church." I even have a coworker who's baffled by the thought that people can actually make it through the day without praying at least once.

[vorlund]

59. I live in the Pacific Northwest...

and people here are a bit more receptive to the whole "not believing in the Christian god" thing. But I still get a few strange looks if I mention that I do not believe in ANY higher power at all. I mention my Atheism if someone asks me, but don't normally wear it on my sleeve. If I travel to any of the other parts of the county where my family live, I feel as if I need to be VERY careful to at least give lip service to belief in a deity in order to ensure my personal well-being.