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

[Anonymous]

This is my first time to read this forum and, obviously, my first time to post here.
To be matter of fact about it, I think I saw more childish behavior and tantrums than I saw serious discussion with constructive ideas.
If you people knew how important I think I am, you would get your acts together and say things that might benefit me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone saying there's no such thing as an evangelical atheist must be fairly new to the Internet. Because, yes, they exist. Internet Atheists are akin to foamy mouthed evangelicals preaching fire and brimstone to anyone in earshot. They annoy the living shit out of me (an atheist). So does anyone who feels the need to shove their beliefs (or lack thereof) down my throat by belittling and threatening (hell! you're going to hell!) anyone who disagrees. No, they're not the majority. Most are nice people, like me, who just don't believe for whatever reason. I'm happy to sit in most houses of worship for whatever religious ceremony is on offer. Weddings, funerals, christenings, etc. it's not about me and I don't need to take a stand about someone else's expression of their faith. Just don't interfere with my lack of faith, please. It is that easy.

Well said, PP. This is how I feel also.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Everyone knows. I've come out about it to everyone. If religion comes up, I tell people that I'm not a God-person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1

Yep. My kids (10 and 8) know that when they die, they die. That's it. You're like a broken toy that doesn't work anymore. We store dead bodies at the cemetery, rather than throwing them away, because we love the person that the body used to be.

They know that they have to do good now and live life now. There are no second chances. They know that we have to remember our dead because that is the only after-life they have.

[Anonymous]

Family doesn't know, a few close friends know. I don't broadcast it.

[Anonymous]

my family knows and a few close friends but that's it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:



Finally, if someone responds to you with an inordinate amount of emoticons, it usually means they're dismissively screwing with you because they consider time honestly engaging you to be wasted..

Not the PP you were talking with, but why waste the time at all?

[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.

Not OP, and I'm glad this has been your experience, but there are a lot of places in the US and abroad where it's a huge deal. Here, at least I don't think your life would literally be in danger in the US but places abroad, definitely, if you were a permanent resident. My one close atheist friend (and I know I have more among my colleagues and wider circles) hasn't come out to her mother because she knows her mother would be heartbroken.

I wish, wish, wish I could find this survey I'd seen online a few months ago. It showed the number of "faithful" people of a number of religions who were practicing members of their respective faiths, but who were actually atheists. I have no idea if it was accurate, but it gave me pause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone saying there's no such thing as an evangelical atheist must be fairly new to the Internet. Because, yes, they exist. Internet Atheists are akin to foamy mouthed evangelicals preaching fire and brimstone to anyone in earshot. They annoy the living shit out of me (an atheist). So does anyone who feels the need to shove their beliefs (or lack thereof) down my throat by belittling and threatening (hell! you're going to hell!) anyone who disagrees. No, they're not the majority. Most are nice people, like me, who just don't believe for whatever reason. I'm happy to sit in most houses of worship for whatever religious ceremony is on offer. Weddings, funerals, christenings, etc. it's not about me and I don't need to take a stand about someone else's expression of their faith. Just don't interfere with my lack of faith, please. It is that easy.

+1

These are the kind of atheists I like, because this is the kind of faithful I am - I won't mess with your beliefs if you don't mess with mine. Peaceful discussion is different from some of the foamy spittle both sides spew.