Sorry it’s been a few days, but I just flew in to Denver for a ski trip (VAIL). On the way I met several nice people who ask what I do for a living.When people ask me what I do, I usually state that I am an activist, and the Atheist conversation begins. Sure, I could say I’m a Business Analyst, which is how I earn my money (my activism is unpaid), but I think when people ask what I DO for a living, they are asking more about ME than my income provider. If you’re going to ask about ME, well, I’m an Atheist activist first, then I’m an worker.So my lips are tired and my voice is raspy, but there are a few more people in America who understand a bit more than they used to about religious diversity.How many strangers have you told? This is a great thing to do, because it increases awareness and does not subject you to job or family complications. TRY IT!Gotta hit the slopes.
TimeToStandUp
I have had this happen a few times as well, though I have not had anyone reverse a public statement of belief.
Sometimes it only takes some public support for others to get the courage to ‘come out’ as well.
I especially encourage this for those of us not involved with leftist groups.
It seems almost expected in this country that leftists would be atheists/humanist, etc. Though I think no more so, inactual fact, than other groups.
Except at the extremes of the right, I have never had anyone react negativly or agressively when they find out about my atheism. One example is that guy that voted for me, found out I was an atheist and never spoke to me again. He was a true beliver, 4000 year old earth, fossil bones are gags test of faith, waiting for the rapture, the whole bit.
I have actually had more comment from very liberal believers in alternative beliefs than I have from xtian rightists.
So if you are involved with more conservative organization, I encourage you to ‘come out’ in an appropriate setting. Every one that does will just encourage another one to.
I know a lot of closet atheists in conservative circles. They tend to check out the Libt. party on occasion, where I run into them, or in gun rights groups. Maybe if our presense was more open and well known the religious right would have less hold on the Cons and Reps.
Which could only be a good thing, whether you are lib, con or other.
I’m not super into the Chuck Norris things…I think they’re funny, but that’s it…
Skiing was great. Snowmobiling today because all the muscles in my legs are now made of balsa wood.
Ow…
mmmm… Beer….
It?s hard to gauge when to push back against the religious. I imagine their reaction if every time they said a gawd thing (gawd bless you, gawd help me, gawd?s will, etc, etc) in conversation someone came back at them with an atheist thing. I think they would be outraged, at the intrusion and pushiness. They don?t realize how saturated their ‘correct’ values are in ordinary society but only they are allowed to have this kind of presence and visibility. It annoys the crap out of me because it?s more of their irrationality.
My dippy day job is among a large group of scientists in an institute and boy do they believe. So thus far I?ve kept my cake hole shut about atheism because I?m up front in the office and have to get along with all of them. I?m waiting for the right opportunity to make my commercial message but I?m picturing jovial cheerful people becoming squint-eyed and cold, then judgmental and ultimately confronting me and I have no desire to engage in real discussion with these characters. There are a lot of religious people in science, pity. It?s an intellectual contradiction.
I didn’t realize Chuck Norris was the brunt of so many jokes. I remember him being idolized when I was a teen in the 80′s. The only recent thing I’ve heard is that he stars in Walker: Texas Ranger. What started the jokes?
Natasha,
It is an intellectual contradiction. I really can’t take anything a christian says to be serious anymore, at least not without personal inspection on my behalf. I mean, if you believe in ghosts and sky-people and water-walking, what other crazy things could be skewing your judgement?
David–
I hope you’re having fun on the slopes.
I’m “out” to all my friends and to most of my acquaintences. I have no problem expressing my views if it comes up in conversation.
I’m getting ready to start substitute teaching (elem. school) and will go back to full-time teaching in a year or two. There is NO way I will talk about my atheism to my students, parents, or to the admin.
When I was in the classroom, the students sometimes talked about what they did in school – some of them would ask me what church I went to, what religion I am, etc. I ALWAYS told the students that that was private and that I didn’t discuss that in class.
One of my son’s teachers told the class that she was in a xian motorcycle club because she and her husband felt “called by the Lord” to join. Another teacher told the parents at an open house that she “didn’t try to force her beliefs on anyone” but that she let her students know that she was a regular churchgoer to “give them an good example.”
I don’t think those comments are appropriate, but they were otherwise wonderful teachers, so I didn’t make a fuss. But if I talked about my atheism, you can be sure there would be an uproar, and parents would pull their students out of my class. I don’t think I’d get fired, but working would be very unpleasant.
I know it’s not fair, but it’s reality. I’ll just have to stick to being neutral on the religion issue, and refusing to discuss my own views.
Personally, where I volunteer, I pretty much keep quiet about my atheism. It’s a Christian homeless shelter, and when I applied for it, I stated my atheism when it listed what kind of spiritual expirences I had. I guess the application didn’t really go any farther than HR, because no one’s looked at me funny so far.
I generally enjoy working there, but I didn’t like participating in the daily morning prayer at first. Then I figured, hell with it, while their praying, I’ll use the few seconds of quiet to clear my mind and focus on doing my best that day.
Thinking about it later on, I guess the reason I didn’t openly declare my atheism to them from day one is because I didn’t want to be an outcast. But still, part of me wonders if I should have said something or not. But, I’ve resolved to myself not to dodge the question if I’m asked directly.
If someone doesn’t burn your goddam house down, they might smash your car window, or slash your car tire, or use you to make a political stand, or use you to score points with a god. If you’re female they might try something worse than all that – if you don’t know when to keep your mouth shut.
[atheists got the devil in them.]
Oh yea, telling others you’re atheist is the right thing to do, just do it at the right time at the right place to the right people. You won’t change the world (fool), but we will.
Publius
Most people who know me at all know I’m atheist. I’ve told my friends straight up, but since most of them are atheist or agonistic anyway, it doesn’t really matter. My best friend is Wiccan and she doesn’t care either. Most people at work know because I’m always on this site. I’ve received a few comments, but nothing too bad. I mostly get the usual, “you’re going to hell” comments or just surprised looks. Of course anyone who sees my car can figure it out. I proudly show off my little evolve fish. I laugh every time I see people in my rear view mirror looking directly towards my fish with disgusted facial expressions. The conversations I must provoke!
Everybody who knows me is aware that I am atheist. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hey, this one’s pretty funny:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/flash/shoesouls.html
I was crackin’ up.
I am really lucky to live in San Francisco. I rarely run into theists. I, like Lee posted earlier, dont really feel a need to talk about these issues at work. Better suited for the bar, or other social outings. Regardless of belief, I feel its always a bad thing to cause friction in the workplace. But like I said, its kind of a non-issue in this town.
As for Chuck Norris…what ever, I have been waiting for that meme to hit these boards. Amazing how viral humor spreads. Here is a better question, Lemmy or Chuck?? Think about it.
In S Dakota they airlift (in) abortion doctors; must be a sensitive thing. Would you like to live there Atheist?
I usualy play it by ear, if you follow me
Some people, I tell right away, others I kinda get to know first. And then there’s those I’ll never tell ’cause they’re the type to grab a sharp machette and launch a personal crusade.
I just changed jobs, and I’m working in a book store now- and three of my co-workers are Atheists.
So we have a little Coffee Clique.
In my last job, the subject never came up.
But, when I lived in Texas I had some trouble at work because people knew I had voted for John Kerry, and so they actually *assumed* I was an Atheist, and I got a few threats.
I do think the country is becoming more secular-
When I attended a funeral in December, and the minister officiating asked everyone to bow their heads in prayer I did not. And to my surprise neither did several others in attendance.
And several of those people I would have considdered very religious…