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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I suggest that you also tell them that if someone starts to try to challenge their lack of religious belief, that they tell them that they are not interested in talking about that, and then change the subject. Some people, especially Christians, can be very tenacious. They believe they are doing what's right.

[Anonymous]

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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.

Conventions are just once a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. I have plenty of Christian friends and treasure our friendships, so I have no interest in rocking the boat. And, as you said, no interest in adding conversion drama to my life. If the topic comes up, I just offer something vague about how I grew up going to church but "don't really go much anymore." All basically true. I haven't had anyone push it. But the truth is I'm a very committed atheist. I suspect it may come up more and more as my kids get older, because I have answered them honestly when they've asked if I believe in God, and they'll probably start telling that to friends and classmates.

[Anonymous]

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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?

Gotta love DCUM--logos on designer clothing or handbags are tacky but atheists are supposed to pronounce their lack of religious beliefs on t-shirts.

[Anonymous]

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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.

And you are perfectly aware that wearing a cross makes you appear Christian and yet you do it. Being yourself, and defying other's expectations, seems important to you. Maybe you like surprising people, or maybe you like appearing Christian/mainstream, or as you say, just like wearing jewelry that people gave you.