For Atheists - do others (framily, friends, community) know you're an Atheist?

[Anonymous]

It seems like there's a lot Atheists here, and I wonder how many are open about not believing in any gods/religions to people in their day-to-day lives? Does your family (including extended family) know? Friends? Others?

[Anonymous]

Both my husband and I were brought up Christian and are now atheists - we came to that determination in college and high school respectively. We've never told our families but our close friends know.

[Anonymous]

The only thing more obnoxious than an evangelical religious observer is an evangelical atheist.

[Anonymous]

Immediate family and some friends know. I don't make a big deal about it.

[Anonymous]

I am an atheist/agnostic who was brought up by two atheists. I married an atheist (in a civil ceremony) who was brought up by two atheists.

All our brothers, sisters and brother and sister-in-laws are atheists although both of us have religious cousins.

We are totally open about it. Both my DH and I have religious friends and we often have interesting and respectful discussions about God and life etc.

It's no dirty secret, if that's what you're getting at OP.

It is totally normal in the world I am from -- upper middle class, northeast, college+ educated -- to be an atheist.

[Anonymous]

Genuine question for atheists: What do you tell your children when they ask what happens when you die? That their body will be put into the ground to push up daisies? Because being atheist obviously precludes talk of Heaven, souls, or any other comforting notions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question for atheists: What do you tell your children when they ask what happens when you die? That their body will be put into the ground to push up daisies? Because being atheist obviously precludes talk of Heaven, souls, or any other comforting notions.

I tell them that no one really knows, but we believe that when you die, it is the end, and it's time for the world to make room for new people, new babies. The circle of life, if you will

[Anonymous]

I don't conceal it, but the question rarely comes up. As for death, I tell them that some people believe you go to Heaven, but I believe that when you die you are simply finished, done, that's it, and the important thing is to live a good life. I don't dwell on the physical disposition issue because that is irrelevant to my beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Genuine question for atheists: What do you tell your children when they ask what happens when you die? That their body will be put into the ground to push up daisies? Because being atheist obviously precludes talk of Heaven, souls, or any other comforting notions.

Pretty much. I tell them their bodies will decompose, i.e. rot. I told them this when our cat died and we buried her. We planted a small bush there, and they know that the cat's remains, as they decompose, will help feed that bush.

I tell them death is the end, which is why life is so precious and important, and taking a life is so wrong.

There is nothing comforting about death, except if one is in extreme pain.

[Anonymous]

My partner and immediate family (siblings, parents before they passed away) know. Friends know. Extended family - I'm not sure. They know I'm not into the religious traditions very much, but they don't explicitly know I don't believe in any of it.

Despite being raised as a Muslim, most of my immediate family are deists (though "culturally" Muslim).

[Anonymous]

Yes, although it's not a hot topic like it was when I went from devout Catholic studying theology to atheist in college. It very seldom comes up.

[Anonymous]

My family are strict Christians. I realized I was an atheist when I was 14. I don't keep it a secret with anyone else, but I've never told my family. At family dinners, I bow my head and pray with them. I just know that it would kill my mom if she knew I didn't believe in god. It would cause her so much grief, I would never want to do that to her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing more obnoxious than an evangelical religious observer is an evangelical atheist.

Sure, why not:

evangelical christian: "You must believe in Jesus, otherwise you're going to Hell."

evangelical atheist: "People should be allowed to believe what they want, but if you're going to try to make laws, you'd better have a damned rational reason."

Totally the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Part of being an atheist is not having to focus my whole life around it, so I generally don't talk or think about my lack of agreeing with your religious beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an atheist/agnostic who was brought up by two atheists. I married an atheist (in a civil ceremony) who was brought up by two atheists.

All our brothers, sisters and brother and sister-in-laws are atheists although both of us have religious cousins.

We are totally open about it. Both my DH and I have religious friends and we often have interesting and respectful discussions about God and life etc.

It's no dirty secret, if that's what you're getting at OP.

It is totally normal in the world I am from -- upper middle class, northeast, college+ educated -- to be an atheist.

Absolutely. There's probably a 50/50 mix of my neighbors who are religious to non-religious. Lot of chirstians, catholics, and jews, but no one is particularly over-the-top about it. When we takl about being religious or non-religious, there doesn't seem to be any animosity at all. Like most upper middle-class urban(e) neighborhoods in the US and elsewhere in the Western world.