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Are you open about being an atheist or are you in the closet?

I am semi in the closet. I do have to admit that I am not comfortable discussing my views with just anyone. I am the type that wants everyone to like me (such a fault I have!) and I am nervous someone will think I am a bad person. Even when I find someone who is passionate about science, I still try not to venture down that avenue. So lucky to have you guys!

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Permalink Reply by William McQuesten on July 31, 2011 at 12:31pm

Me too. On Facebook I say I'm a Secular Humanist (not atheist). Make 'em look it up; they'll get the drift!

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Permalink Reply by Astroslav on August 2, 2011 at 1:40am

I'm an open Atheist except for one relative of mine who is 90 years old, I don't really know what his views are, but I wouldn't discuss my disbelief with him. I try not to brag about it, but if anyone asks, sure, I'll let them know what I know to be true. I have a decent good grasp on Astrophysics, Biology and Physical Anthropology (Human Evolution) so when anyone wants to argue that "there's just so much we don't understand, blah blah blah, there must be a higher power, blah blah" I can reply with certainty that my claims represent reality.

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Permalink Reply by William McQuesten on August 2, 2011 at 2:17am

The ask and tell policy. Yes, that's my way as well. I live in France and have a lot of company when it comes to non-theists here, so I never hide my non-belief. I post atheist related articles or videos on my Facebook page (I especially like Sam Harris' material). I haven't been asked if I'm an atheist, but I did answer in the negative the question: Do you believe in god?

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Permalink Reply by lucas sabata on August 4, 2011 at 1:38am

In places like South Africa especially in the black communities when you come out of the closet and say you are a full blown Atheist they start deserting you and telling each other that you are satanic and got possessed by forces of the dark.. Worse part, I only listen to heavymetal rock and have posters of Slayer and Black Sabbath on my bedroom wall.. And yeah, after going through that process of being named Luciferian, I decided its better if I keep my thoughts a secret..

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Permalink Reply by Shipwreck on August 4, 2011 at 4:29am

Before I let my religious fam know my views I had the worst visions of what it would be like. I let it eat at me for 10 yrs. I finally hit rock bottom during my divorce and told everyone. I went to church every sun before. When I told my preacher he asked me if I thought he was full of crap lol. I told him the only reason he is a Christian is because he was born in America where it is dominant. If he was born in china he would likely be Buddhist. But I told him I still loved him and I don't have any malice towards him. It was hard. BUT once it was over with it was a huge weight off my chest and I realized that it wasn't even close to the hardest thing I've been through. You'll find the strength.

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Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on August 22, 2011 at 10:41pm

Talk about a shock to the system! I think I am content being like this as long as I have you guys. :)

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl on August 22, 2011 at 10:32pm

I'm pretty much out of the closet with friends and family. However, I googled my name and found my Atheist Nexus website page. That freaked me out, so I changed to just using my first name. When you fill out the Profile page, it asks for your Full Name, so I had just given it without a thought. I guess I'm not so far out of the closet that I want just anyone looking me up to find out.

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Permalink Reply by Atheist Andrea on August 22, 2011 at 10:40pm

I googled my name after registering here and changed my name also.

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Permalink Reply by Citizen Atheist on August 23, 2011 at 7:03pm

Me too!

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl on August 23, 2011 at 12:13am

You have to go to My Settings, and click on My Page, and change your name in the website address, also. Then when someone clicks on your name from Google, they get Page Not Found.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 23, 2011 at 6:19am

I am not fully open about being an Atheist. I try to avoid religious and political topics as much as possible. I try to avoid conflict.

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Permalink Reply by Citizen Atheist on August 23, 2011 at 7:10pm

Are you ever in a situation where you can't hold back and you say something? I can think of two conversations earlier this year where as soon as the words rolled off my tongue I regretted it. Oops :-)