General Discussion

cynatnite

(31,011 posts)

70. If you talk openly about being an atheist, you are militant and you hate religion...

Sat Mar 17, 2012, 12:37 PM

Mar 2012

blah, blah, blah...

But bible-thumping is accepted as the norm. It's everywhere.

So, no one should blame us for feeling a bit of an outcast. There are laws made against atheists holding public office on the books today. We are a hated and despised group by the majority.

Not only that, I live in the South. Keeping quiet about my atheism is very healthy.

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Do you ever feel "in the closet" about your atheism/agnostic views? [View all] CoffeeCat Mar 2012 OP

I don't. (feel I'm in the closet) OriginalGeek Mar 2012 #1

My tolerance for in your face Christians is almost gone, ChairmanAgnostic Mar 2012 #26

Yessir OriginalGeek Mar 2012 #65

+1 sarcasmo Mar 2012 #71

Nope LadyHawkAZ Mar 2012 #2

LOL...or maybe I'm just a big coward! CoffeeCat Mar 2012 #8

It's all about what you feel comfortable with showing LadyHawkAZ Mar 2012 #76

And shouldn't the neighbours care about others feelings? n/t intaglio Mar 2012 #29

i don't hide it, but i don't brag about DesertFlower Mar 2012 #3

No. I'm quite open about my views. MrSlayer Mar 2012 #4

"today's 'Christian' seems rabid, unreasonable, judgmental and very suspicious and critical" ellisonz Mar 2012 #5

I do realize that... CoffeeCat Mar 2012 #7

There are more than you might suspect... ellisonz Mar 2012 #10

I see it as just Christian Religion Politicalboi Mar 2012 #15

Reason it seems it is Heathen57 Mar 2012 #27

Exactly.. sendero Mar 2012 #45

You are correct, I have many brothers and sisters in UC, They are not the majority Dragonfli Mar 2012 #22

I think there are more Baptists and Catholics than you think too... ellisonz Mar 2012 #91

I can only judge the actions of those I have met, I must have picked a bad state to live in Dragonfli Mar 2012 #92

I would say there is a definite urban/rural divide... ellisonz Mar 2012 #93

Thank you for a very thoughtful and informative reply. Dragonfli Mar 2012 #94

You're welcome. ellisonz Mar 2012 #95

I am totally "in the closet" about my lack of religion, professionally at least. riderinthestorm Mar 2012 #6

I'm from the midwest as well... CoffeeCat Mar 2012 #11

You probably would feel more comfortable in such a place. Mariana Mar 2012 #16

I'm so glad to see this... pipi_k Mar 2012 #68

I've read some of your posts about that. Mariana Mar 2012 #78

I have been but am no longer silent peasant one Mar 2012 #37

I completely understand. Wheaton women would be at the public pool perfectly coiffed and made up! riderinthestorm Mar 2012 #62

Yes and no, nadinbrzezinski Mar 2012 #9

Yes, as it is far less acceptable than being a Christian in a Muslim country JCMach1 Mar 2012 #12

Depends on the situation. progressoid Mar 2012 #13

I'm pretty much the same, Auggie Mar 2012 #40

Yes I do. I'm an agnostic but I keep it to myself Raine Mar 2012 #14

Not at all. LisaL Mar 2012 #17

No because I believe in One God, One religion, ancient and everlasting. Loudmxr Mar 2012 #18

Nnnnope. cherokeeprogressive Mar 2012 #19

I've gotten pretty good at being gently open about my opinions on religion. byronius Mar 2012 #20

Try the Unitarians. There are atheist/agnostic, and also neopagan discusssion groups-- eridani Mar 2012 #21

About half of the members of my UU church safeinOhio Mar 2012 #23

Most (if not all) people that understand comparative religeon respect the UU for all the reasons you Dragonfli Mar 2012 #24

I love the Unitarian Church! I was a member of LRY as a teenager. Walk away Mar 2012 #53

yes. barbtries Mar 2012 #25

No, I don't really have any family or friends that are really religious Son of Gob Mar 2012 #28

Thank you for this, CoffeeCat! Quantess Mar 2012 #30

I'm too proud a patriot to accept their theocratic aims and "be quiet" about how wrong they are TeamsterDem Mar 2012 #31

Years ago I sometimes felt this way. These days, no -- I now feel completely free to be open. (n/t) Jim Lane Mar 2012 #32

yes I do JitterbugPerfume Mar 2012 #33

I'm not an athiest or agnostic Prophet 451 Mar 2012 #34

I love your reply renate Mar 2012 #83

I have no use for religion, and I'm never afraid to say it, but I do it politely, I will not RKP5637 Mar 2012 #35

Nope not at all DLCbtheGOP Mar 2012 #36

I used to Blue Gardener Mar 2012 #38

Not uncomfortably so bhikkhu Mar 2012 #39

If I step out of the closet here in middle Kansas, Ship of Fools Mar 2012 #41

WWJK? renate Mar 2012 #81

No etherealtruth Mar 2012 #42

No, not really... pipi_k Mar 2012 #43

Nope tavalon Mar 2012 #44

I'm a proud fifth generation atheist. Ever since my great great was excommunicated in the 1880's. hobbit709 Mar 2012 #46

Not in the closet. But also not evangelistic about my atheism, either. MineralMan Mar 2012 #47

Not at all and I have been an Atheist since I was a seven year old... Walk away Mar 2012 #48

Nope. As an X-Xtian, I am upfront with my current Xtian pals. They support me for my views. freshwest Mar 2012 #49

P. S. Reason fundies are so pushy is that they don't believe anything of what they bought into... freshwest Mar 2012 #77

I'm an agnostic, dyslexic insomniac panader0 Mar 2012 #50

I'm a Christian that goes to church but my sister in law is an atheist. Jennicut Mar 2012 #51

Yes, but then again I'm an Orthodox Athiest. hootinholler Mar 2012 #52

Very few people are aware that I am non-believer, only a few of my family members and Arkansas Granny Mar 2012 #54

Why is this in GD? Union Scribe Mar 2012 #55

Because the Atheist/Agnostic and Religion/Theology groups aren't popular? freshwest Mar 2012 #58

So much of your post resonated Sheepshank Mar 2012 #56

Henny Youngman on atheism: panader0 Mar 2012 #57

The ecumenical combination of holidays is a thing to aspire to FarCenter Mar 2012 #59

Time to change flamingdem Mar 2012 #60

Interesting question and it touched a chord within me~ brought back memories merbex Mar 2012 #61

Great point---Religious vs. Spiritual CoffeeCat Mar 2012 #72

I've just always been an Atheist... Tikki Mar 2012 #63

No bigwillq Mar 2012 #64

I don't feel I need to keep to myself with friends, even religious friends. I am spiritual not Pisces Mar 2012 #66

It highly depends on where you live jeff47 Mar 2012 #67

My niece went to elementary thru high school in Colorado (suburban Denver) Arugula Latte Mar 2012 #75

Interesting. That's where Jesus said to pray. nt gulliver Mar 2012 #69

If you talk openly about being an atheist, you are militant and you hate religion... cynatnite Mar 2012 #70

No, but I often feel that the majority on DU wants me in the closet vis-a-vis my Christianity. WillowTree Mar 2012 #73

then go to the closet and pray to thy Father, who is in secret. Occulus Mar 2012 #84

We live in a liberal city (Portland), so no, we don't hide it. Arugula Latte Mar 2012 #74

Yes, And I No Longer Let The Situation Cause Concern - Other Peoples Views Are There Own cantbeserious Mar 2012 #79

Not at all. I have huge pride in being a nonbeliever. Lucky Luciano Mar 2012 #80

I was before, not now marlakay Mar 2012 #82

No excuse not to write Mar 2012 #85

I don't mention it, but if asked, I will always answer "Yes I'm an atheist" without hesitation. Throd Mar 2012 #86

Not where I am sakabatou Mar 2012 #87

Yes, only my family and close friends know about my non-belief. RebelOne Mar 2012 #88

no JI7 Mar 2012 #89

No varelse Mar 2012 #90

Yes. Manifestor_of_Light Mar 2012 #96