When you are not the typical member of a religion

[takoma]

One good thing about being an atheist: Nobody has ever told me "Funny, you don't look atheist."

[Anonymous]

takoma wrote:One good thing about being an atheist: Nobody has ever told me "Funny, you don't look atheist."

Not so, I am African Am and an atheist and eyebrows are raised all the time. People expect me to be a bible thumper. Never said a prayer in my life, never been to any religious service in my life (other than people's weddings).

[takoma]

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:One good thing about being an atheist: Nobody has ever told me "Funny, you don't look atheist."

Not so, I am African Am and an atheist and eyebrows are raised all the time. People expect me to be a bible thumper. Never said a prayer in my life, never been to any religious service in my life (other than people's weddings).

I, on the other hand, look distinctly Jewish. Which ethnic groups are not expected to be atheists -- any comments from other atheists, or from those who can say what they expect an atheist to look like?

[Anonymous]

I'm a former Christian who is often mistaken for being Jewish -- part looks and part (assertive) personality I think.

No one assumes I'm atheist - but I expect that's just cultural at this point, in that we don't expect a normal looking person to be outside the norm.

[Anonymous]

plus the terms "Secular Jew" or "non-observant Jew" or "culturally Jewish" have been out there for years -- no such thing for Christians.

Maybe that's what more former Christians/atheists should call ourselves - to ease people into the idea that you can have a background in a religion without having its beliefs.

[Anonymous]

6:47 here. The odd thing is that I was raised as an atheist and I have a disturbingly trivial way of looking at religion. I am also quite conservative, as many atheists tend to be. But there is no consistency to my conservatve beliefs. Pro gay rights, anti drug. Also, no one believes that I was never "baptized" since they assume that all western hemisphere blacks are Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6:47 here. The odd thing is that I was raised as an atheist and I have a disturbingly trivial way of looking at religion. I am also quite conservative, as many atheists tend to be. But there is no consistency to my conservatve beliefs. Pro gay rights, anti drug. Also, no one believes that I was never "baptized" since they assume that all western hemisphere blacks are Christian.

Can't blame them -- it is pretty unusual -- hopefully won't be in the nest generation.

[Anonymous]

I am AA and atheist. I have seen many people's eyes pop when I say that. I don't look like the typical atheist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am AA and atheist. I have seen many people's eyes pop when I say that. I don't look like the typical atheist.

Does that make you AAA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am AA and atheist. I have seen many people's eyes pop when I say that. I don't look like the typical atheist.

Does that make you AAA?

, nice one, I will use that line.