Do you ever feel "in the closet" about your atheism/agnostic views?

[riderinthestorm]

62. I completely understand. Wheaton women would be at the public pool perfectly coiffed and made up!

Hilarious!

As for the kids, well, it's not easy for them. When we lived in Wheaton, a lot of the kids actually "grouped" together with their fellow church goers, or with other religious organizations they were members of (Awana, Youth for Christ etc). Yes there were also those who grouped together because they played the same sport or were in band - those are the types of groups I would always encourage my kids to try to be involved in. They were never going to fit in with the religiously oriented cliques of course. Parents play a large role in how kids will sort themselves into friendship groups - either subtly or even overtly. My kid would THINK that a particular girl was their friend at school but then there'd be a birthday party and she wasn't invited - yup, parent had drawn the line.

I actually came to dread meeting new parents in Wheaton as I knew the inevitable question would follow. Since I've always encouraged my kids not to lie, I'd set the example and just say none. When they inquired if I wanted to try "their church", and I'd politely decline, the uncomfortable moment came.... There's no easy way to get around it. I really hear ya there.

We've since moved and my 15 year old is flaunting her non-belief as a badge of individuality. VERY outspoken about it. I have no idea how this is playing out in her school dynamics at this school. In Wheaton that would have been a pretty risky maneuver.....

Its a huge relief that professionally this issue NEVER comes up. And in my new community (still in the midwest but farther west of Chicago), it's never been mentioned here either.