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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Raised Christian and wear a cross. I'm atheist. It's just a symbol, like a flower necklace or a design.

TO you, but to everyone else, it means you are Christian

Cultural Christian, not a real Christian. Let's call it an atheist Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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

No, a negative as in "proving a negative." An absence.
People don't wear T shirts announcing the things they don't believe, or don't care about, or don't feel are worth mentioning.

In which planet do you live?! Here on Earth, I see antiracism shirts, anti bigotry shirts, etc, etc. People announce what they don't believe all the time.

Those are things they believe. I believe in anti racism, that's not the same as disbelieving racism or not being invested one way or the other in racism. An equivalent would I guess be anti-theism, which I suppose some atheists are. But most non-believers just don't care. They are not anti-religion, they are a-religious.

What about a tee shirt you picked up at a convention? Could be any convention, but in this case it's a meeting of the American atheist association. Some people might be hesitant to wear that around town.

Most atheists don't go to those conferences. Regular assembly isn't really an atheist thing. We'll be at brunch or hiking on mornings religious people go to church.

[Anonymous]

No, why are you asking? In some areas not being religious or Christian is not ok but I would never go to those areas as I feel unsafe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Raised Christian and wear a cross. I'm atheist. It's just a symbol, like a flower necklace or a design.

TO you, but to everyone else, it means you are Christian

Cultural Christian, not a real Christian. Let's call it an atheist Christian.

There is not atheist Christian. You are an atheist, who grew up Christian but now not practicing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Raised Christian and wear a cross. I'm atheist. It's just a symbol, like a flower necklace or a design.

TO you, but to everyone else, it means you are Christian

Cultural Christian, not a real Christian. Let's call it an atheist Christian.

There is not atheist Christian. You are an atheist, who grew up Christian but now not practicing.

Yes, but someone just said I am Christian if I wear a cross. I'm an atheist who is culturally Christian, see how that works. I'm going to wear jewelry people gave me, especially from my parents. I'm also going to say things like "bless you". Outwardly this atheist looks christian. I don't claim to be Christian.

[Anonymous]

Because people associate religion with morality, even though, many times, the opposite is true. It is very cultural, and very American to believe, so anything to the contrary is viewed with judgement.

And here we are, sadly, at the precipice of an authoritatian Christian Nationalist society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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

No, a negative as in "proving a negative." An absence.
People don't wear T shirts announcing the things they don't believe, or don't care about, or don't feel are worth mentioning.

In which planet do you live?! Here on Earth, I see antiracism shirts, anti bigotry shirts, etc, etc. People announce what they don't believe all the time.

Those are things they believe. I believe in anti racism, that's not the same as disbelieving racism or not being invested one way or the other in racism. An equivalent would I guess be anti-theism, which I suppose some atheists are. But most non-believers just don't care. They are not anti-religion, they are a-religious.

What about a tee shirt you picked up at a convention? Could be any convention, but in this case it's a meeting of the American atheist association. Some people might be hesitant to wear that around town.

Who is "some people"? Is it you?
I think the slice of people who attend an atheist convention and buy the t-shirt, but are afraid to wear the t-shirt, is pretty small. I think it's a lot more likely that people simply don't care to own the t-shirt in the first place.
But you seem really protective of these "some people" who are afraid to say they're atheists and need to have it normalized with tshirts so they can feel more confident. I am honestly not worried about these people, if they exist. They will figure themselves out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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

No, a negative as in "proving a negative." An absence.
People don't wear T shirts announcing the things they don't believe, or don't care about, or don't feel are worth mentioning.

In which planet do you live?! Here on Earth, I see antiracism shirts, anti bigotry shirts, etc, etc. People announce what they don't believe all the time.

Those are things they believe. I believe in anti racism, that's not the same as disbelieving racism or not being invested one way or the other in racism. An equivalent would I guess be anti-theism, which I suppose some atheists are. But most non-believers just don't care. They are not anti-religion, they are a-religious.

What about a tee shirt you picked up at a convention? Could be any convention, but in this case it's a meeting of the American atheist association. Some people might be hesitant to wear that around town.

Most atheists don't go to those conferences. Regular assembly isn't really an atheist thing. We'll be at brunch or hiking on mornings religious people go to church.

Who would go to those things? Sundays are for sleeping in, catching up on housework or driving kids to activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

The answer to this is not a mystery. They are the majority, and have more power. And they discriminate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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

No, a negative as in "proving a negative." An absence.
People don't wear T shirts announcing the things they don't believe, or don't care about, or don't feel are worth mentioning.

In which planet do you live?! Here on Earth, I see antiracism shirts, anti bigotry shirts, etc, etc. People announce what they don't believe all the time.

Those are things they believe. I believe in anti racism, that's not the same as disbelieving racism or not being invested one way or the other in racism. An equivalent would I guess be anti-theism, which I suppose some atheists are. But most non-believers just don't care. They are not anti-religion, they are a-religious.

What about a tee shirt you picked up at a convention? Could be any convention, but in this case it's a meeting of the American atheist association. Some people might be hesitant to wear that around town.

Who is "some people"? Is it you?
I think the slice of people who attend an atheist convention and buy the t-shirt, but are afraid to wear the t-shirt, is pretty small. I think it's a lot more likely that people simply don't care to own the t-shirt in the first place.
But you seem really protective of these "some people" who are afraid to say they're atheists and need to have it normalized with tshirts so they can feel more confident. I am honestly not worried about these people, if they exist. They will figure themselves out.

What if you didn't buy it - it comes with registration.

There are plenty of T-shirts out here, saying all sorts of stuff.

Are you the poster who likes to denigrate people on line? there is probably more than one. Will you answer the question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

I don't think that there are special atheist services or jewelry.

Atheism isn't part of my identity-- I don't care if someone is religious as long as they don't try to impose that on me, nor do I feel the need to share my own beliefs unless I am asked directly.

Occasionally, I know that someone will feel affronted or attacked by my lack of belief- whether it's zealotry or simple insecurity. Those are hassles that I don't need.

[Anonymous]

Even in this area, I wouldn't tell anyone I was an atheist, unless they were a really good friend and asked me explicitly. Just saying "I'm an atheist" seems to trigger and offend Christians; they feel attacked and feel the need to attack back.

I've seen too many Christian friends completely burn down their relationships upon learning of differences in religious beliefs, or try to evangelize/convert someone. I also wouldn't want people trying to come after and convert my kids. I don't want that kind of drama in my life, and I don't want people trying to indoctrinate my kids with the harmful beliefs/morals/worldview that permeate Christianity.

Like I try to teach my kids, we don't believe in this, but if anyone we know says they do, that's fine and we don't challenge that belief. We don't offer up that we don't believe in it unless we're directly asked. We don't need to lie, but we don't want to broadcast it.

[Anonymous]

Why are atheists always posting in the religious forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are atheists always posting in the religious forum?

Can you not read? It's the RELGION forum. Atheism is a position on religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Raised Christian and wear a cross. I'm atheist. It's just a symbol, like a flower necklace or a design.

TO you, but to everyone else, it means you are Christian

Are you "everyone"? I'm not arrogant enough to believe I'm the only person in the world like this.

I'm not everyone. I'm not even pp. I'm just not stupid or insecure enough to call strangers "arrogant" on the internet.