The Resistance

Facts:
1. I'm going to the march.
2. I'm still a closet atheist.
3. My parents know I'm going to a march.
4. They think it's for separation of church and state. (That's almost true because that's 90% of our complaint right?)
5. I live with my parents.

If there is a lot of publicity, my goose is cooked. If there isn't, I can continue the lie until I move out.

I know it's better for us as a group if we get a lot of news coverage, but for me individually, it could cook my goose.

Godless Dave

I wouldn't worry about it. I doubt it will get much coverage.

But if it is, imagine this conversation:

Parents: "On the news they said the march was a bunch of atheists and agnostics."

You: "Yep."

Parents: "I thought you said you were marching to promote the separation of church and state."

You: "That's one of the things we were marching about."

Parents: "But you're not an atheist are you?!"

You: "Yep."

Parents: "You never told us!"

You: "I didn't have a reason to. My religious beliefs are none of your business, and yours are none of mine."

Parents (scenario 1): "Oh, I never thought of it that way."

Parents (scenario 2): "Get the hell out of my house, you goddamned godless heathen!!!!"

Seems funny to me, but you're the one who has to deal with it.

Splat

Not to be flip about it or anything, but it's better for us as a group if your parents know you're an atheist too. Every person who thinks they don't know any decent atheists is a potential bigot in need of education.

If it'll cause tons of undue misery, use the time-honored adolescent strategy of lying to them (I recommend little white lies, not the big green ones). Just tell them you haven't really made up your mind about religion, but you support CSS and us underdogs.

(BTW I hope it does get publicity, since my plans to go have just evaporated due to a sudden change in travel plans )

Rusting Car Bumper

I heard from someone on the speaker's list. This person said that he or she only expects 500 to 1000 people and not the thousands claimed.

You may have nothing to worry about.

DC

MOJO-JOJO

What march? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

The Resistance

I plan unveiling my atheism after I move out. However, I currently am working only a temp job for $9.65/hr and they gave me the week off.

I've been keeping my silence for the most part, but I have taken chances prior to this. I wrote a letter to the newspaper praising Jesse Ventura for his stance on church and state. (i'm the only Ventura fan in my family.) No one caught on from it that I was an atheist.

My father would probably reasonable about this. My mother is far less tolerant. I know this because my sister came out about two years ago and she told me the results. She currently goes to church occasionally to appease my mother.

To present my mother's ignorance on this subject, when I said I was going to a picnic for the Minnesota AU, she asked if that was sort of a right-wing group. (She's a Democrat herself.) Her argument against taking out "under God" in the pledge was "We have "In God We Trust" on our money."

Of course my brother is the biggest idiot and most intolerant of the bunch, but I don't care what he thinks.

For the record, I've lost all guilt about lying to my parents, but it still sucks.

Shake

I have to admit I was one of those people who originally thought, "What the hell is an ex-'wrestler' going to do as governor?" I had very strong doubts, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how he's done and am sorry to hear that he's stepping down.

I think it will get a fair amount of publicity. Although much of its publicity will come from places like TBN and the 700 Club. E.g. crap like <a href="http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCommentary.asp?Page=%5CCommentary%5Carchive%5C 200210%5CCOM20021030c.html" target="_blank">this</a>. Or there may be other more objective coverage such as <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/atheists021031.html" target="_blank">this from ABCNews.com</a>. Anyway, I doubt much will come of it for you personally, in terms of a conflict w/ your folks.

Have fun at the March! Wish I was going.

galiel

You seem to have a (supposed) source who is consistently dour and curmudgeonly, judging from previous complaints about being left out by AA (I guess your friend wasn't since s/he is speaking) and other discouraging words. The only reason I can think of to spread these kind of numbers is to discourage attendance, which would fit into your opposition to the March.

You may be right about the numbers. I hope youare wrong. It doesn't really matter, since this is just the first one. The gay lib movement publicy started with an even smaller demonstration on the Mall.

I will be there, whether there are 5 people or 50,000.

galiel

<a href="http://godlessamericans.org/" target="_blank">http://godlessamericans.org/</a>

galiel

ABC News Site Cover Story

Full article is here:
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/atheists021031.html" target="_blank">http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/atheists021031.html</a>