If you’re not religious, do you hide your lack of religious belief? Why?

[Anonymous]

While it seems like there are more and more non-believers, it also seems, to me, at least, that people are hesitant to acknowledge it IRL, while religious people frequently telegraph their religious status, e.g., by wearing a Cross necklace or casually mentioning their participation in religious services.

What do you think that’s about?

[Anonymous]

Poor logical reasoning?

[Anonymous]

I’m an atheist and it rarely comes up. I don’t go out of my way to advertise it because people who look like me are generally pretty religious and would either worry about my soul and/or think I must have no morality. There are a LOT of things that I don’t believe, that I don’t bother telling everyone about.

I have no problem discussing with actual friends if it comes up. But otherwise, there is no upside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m an atheist and it rarely comes up. I don’t go out of my way to advertise it because people who look like me are generally pretty religious and would either worry about my soul and/or think I must have no morality. There are a LOT of things that I don’t believe, that I don’t bother telling everyone about.

I have no problem discussing with actual friends if it comes up. But otherwise, there is no upside.

I meant to add that people wearing overt signs of their religion are likely interested in like-minded community centered around their religious beliefs, but why would an atheist need a community centered around atheism?

[Anonymous]

I'm also a minority who is often targeted for the religious beliefs of my group. The only thing worse would be to share that I'm an athiest. It's easier sometimes to let people believe that I'm Christian based where I was raised.

[Anonymous]

I mean I also don't walk around with shirts saying "I don't watch football". Generally you don't advertise a negative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean I also don't walk around with shirts saying "I don't watch football". Generally you don't advertise a negative.

This, plus saying you don't believe tends to attract the people who want to change your mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean I also don't walk around with shirts saying "I don't watch football". Generally you don't advertise a negative.

Sounds like you see not believing in God as a negative. I don't.

[Anonymous]

Atheists are not victims these days. If anything, it would be worse for someone in my office to come out as a Christian than as an atheist. I'm guessing (at least) two are strong Christians but are hiding it (once in a while you see a remnant of ashes, or another's donations).

[Anonymous]

If someone outside of my family and close friends asks me if I believe in God, it's because they either want to change my mind or they hold some bigoted beliefs about non-believers. It's really none of their business and I don't want to have a conversation about my religious non-belief. I don't want to discuss it. It's boring. It's annoying. People who bring it up are rude jerks.

If someone asks me if I believe in God, I usually say "I was raised Catholic" and leave it at that. It's a true statement and there are a million lapsed Catholics in the world, so most people assume that I'm just a lapsed Catholic.

On the other hand, one coworker at a law firm felt the need to explain to me why Catholics aren't really Christian and I should consider joining a "true" Christian faith. Evangelicals can be such wieners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Atheists are not victims these days. If anything, it would be worse for someone in my office to come out as a Christian than as an atheist. I'm guessing (at least) two are strong Christians but are hiding it (once in a while you see a remnant of ashes, or another's donations).

I have really only worked in politically progressive environments where people are either not overtly devout, simply non-practicing, or, I assume, atheists or agnostic. I have never heard people talking poorly about religion or religious people, even if religion is somehow brought up. I never got the sense that it would be socially acceptable to do that, and I certainly would not have felt comfortable with being demeaning about people's religion, I never heard anyone make fun of religious beliefs, other than maybe an offhand remark about a very non-traditional or uncommon religious group. You might hear someone mention going to church in a very matter of fact way, in the context of talking about what they did on Sunday. If anything, it is just not a common topic of discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean I also don't walk around with shirts saying "I don't watch football". Generally you don't advertise a negative.

Right, because watching football is not responsible for repressing basic human rights. Fortunately IMHO, since I enjoy football.

If it were, I would not watch football and yes would be proud to wear a t-shirt proclaiming such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Atheists are not victims these days. If anything, it would be worse for someone in my office to come out as a Christian than as an atheist. I'm guessing (at least) two are strong Christians but are hiding it (once in a while you see a remnant of ashes, or another's donations).

I have really only worked in politically progressive environments where people are either not overtly devout, simply non-practicing, or, I assume, atheists or agnostic. I have never heard people talking poorly about religion or religious people, even if religion is somehow brought up. I never got the sense that it would be socially acceptable to do that, and I certainly would not have felt comfortable with being demeaning about people's religion, I never heard anyone make fun of religious beliefs, other than maybe an offhand remark about a very non-traditional or uncommon religious group. You might hear someone mention going to church in a very matter of fact way, in the context of talking about what they did on Sunday. If anything, it is just not a common topic of discussion.

See bolded above. I think that when people off-handedly mention going to church, they are purposely or mindlessly giving listeners unneeded information about their religious activities. I'd prefer they didn't mention it at all.

[Anonymous]

No hiding. I have some religious jewelry from my childhood that I wear for sentimental reasons, and I don't really care what anyone thinks about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean I also don't walk around with shirts saying "I don't watch football". Generally you don't advertise a negative.

Right, because watching football is not responsible for repressing basic human rights. Fortunately IMHO, since I enjoy football.

If it were, I would not watch football and yes would be proud to wear a t-shirt proclaiming such.

Would/Do you wear a t-shirt proclaiming your lack of religion?