Reply to How old were you when you safely came out of the closet as an atheist?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Then do it as a good deed, for the cause of atheists who do care.  Check out this "Openly Secular" site -- short videos of people - some well known, most ordinary, who "come out" as secular. http://openlysecular.org [/quote]

I'm guessing you're not apatheist.  I don't want to make a public statement because I don't care.  And I want other people to not care too.  Model behavior.[/quote]

Right, I'm not an apatheist -- and mentioning your lack of belief in conversation is not  making a "Public statement."   I suggested you take a look at the openly secular site so you (and others) could see what people who DO want to speak publicly have said.

Most people don't have your background.  Right now, most people are raised with religion - in some cases very restrictive religion.  People like you being just a little bit more open about their lack of belief could make a difference to people who are suffering because they are having difficulty leaving what they've been taught to believe.

I was not quick to talk about my atheism either, so when people mentioned their religion, I stayed quiet.  I didn't want to draw attention to myself or hijack conversations and make people uncomfortable.

I've found though, that those things don't happen.  Instead, people seem stunned and gloss over it or  change the subject (fine with me). Or else they become very interested.   They are non-believers too, or are thinking about it, and are delighted to have found someone willing to say it aloud. [/quote]

I find the videos boring (which is a good sign!) probably because I live in DC.  I hope it's a helpful message for those who are in strict religious settings.

But [b]what you're suggesting is a subtle proselytizing[/b], and that's just not me.  I think it'd be obvious enough for someone who's looking for it, but I don't feel the need to bring it up artificially.[/quote]

I'd say it seems like subtle proselytizing or "bringing it up artificially" because even mentioning lack of belief is not "done."  It's not subtle proselytizing to say who you are, unless who you are is in some respect not socially acceptable.[/quote]

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