Abacus

I'm curious. How many you here go out of your way to tell others that you are a non-believer? You know, like in the way some Christians actively advertise that they are a Christian. How many here would consider themselves "atheist evangelists?"

I am not vocal at all about my non-belief. The only situation in real life in which I tell somebody else about it is if they ask about it. And usually, the question is "What church do you go to?" Since I moved to the city I currently live in (2.5 years ago), I bet I can count on only my two hands the number of times I've been asked this. My answer is of course "I don't go to church." Only if pressed further do I have to use the evil "A" word.

I guess in my opinion, belief in a god is like belief in Santa Claus or The Tooth Fairy. Who would go around to others proclaiming that they don't believe in Santa Claus (besides Kally, of course )? I would prefer to behave as if it was an irrelevant issue, which it should be.

Obviously, I would make for a lousy activist.

Philosoft

I tend to be very discreet about it. More often than not, it seems, upon revelation of my non-belief, the reaction I receive from the other party is based on an incorrect stereotype of an atheist. And I can't say I enjoy fully explaining atheism each time. To an audience that has usually already made up its mind.

So, rather than promote atheism per se, I put what little activist spirit I have into civil rights and church-state separation. Quite a few of the local AU members are theists of some kind, so atheism isn't a prerequisite.

dangin

I'm pretty vocal, but usually in a humorous sort of way. Most people find out I'm an atheist because of the jokes I tell, or the biblical and religious absurdities I pepper conversation with.

I'm really working hard on being less antagonizing.

Ab_Normal

I'm an open atheist with my friends, close co-workers, and family. I don't really talk to anyone else, so it doesn't come up. Somedays being extremely introverted makes life a lot easier.

crazyfingers

I'll talk about it when ever or where ever it comes up. But it almost never does.

Undercurrent

Unless someone else brings it up, not very vocal at all. If someone else brings it up as a matter of acadaemic interest, will mention it. If someone else brings it up derisively or hoping to score a conversion, will hand their ass to them on a rhetorical plate.

m.

Melkor

Similar to Abacus, since the subject is of little relevence, I don't generally bring it up to people. My friends all clearly know that I'm an atheist (because I can piss and moan to them about how ridiculous we get treated by the zealots out there because most of them share my lack of beliefs), and if any members of my family don't know, then they don't know me very well.

But at work, or outside of my circle of friends, I don't exactly volunteer the information. I won't lie if directly asked, but I avoid getting into discussions involving religion with co-workers/acquaintances because I tend to be more skilled than the average joe at debating things, and that tends to anger people.... even when it's still considered by me to be a "civil" discussion.

Some people simply aren't capable of having civil discussions. For the same reason, I can't discuss politics with my wife, because she gets all angry and frustrated when she can't argue with the logic and reason on which I try to base all of my opinions. For similar reasons, I also try to avoid politics with co-workers except on the most casual level (current events is one thing, but shredding a co-worker's favorite candidate in casual conversation is a really good way to piss someone off).

Additionally, the area in which I live is permeated by the "you must live by MY morals, but I don't have to acknowledge anyone else's" type of hypocrites (i.e., the type that would have no problems with maliciously stealing the Darwin fish off the back of my car, but GAWD FORBID if someone were to insist that the nativity scene in front of the county courthouse be removed as inappropriate). These are the same people that keep insisting (unsuccessfully, fortunately) to the city council that all movies that come to local theaters should be approved of by a "morals committee" in order to protect our children (not understanding, of course that if they don't want their children seeing movies they deem "immoral", perhaps they should KEEP THEM FROM GOING TO THEM).

At any rate, openly advertising one's self as an Atheist in the area in which I live is asking for harrassment, at best.

DarkBronzePlant

Apparently I'm like most here; if the topic comes up, I'll be happy to profess my atheism (to anyone except my fiancee's family, per her wishes) but I don't go around advertising it. That way, if it ever becomes an issue between me and someone else, I can rest assured that I didn't provoke it, but I also didn't back down from my own beliefs.

Melkor

I can actually discuss things with my father-in-law... he spent 14 years as a high school biology teacher and isn't exactly what I would call "church going".

I actually have more in common with my father-in-law than I do my own father, which is scary. I'm glad I don't have to deal with proselytizing from my in-laws, however. I used to have to deal with that from my ex-'s parents and it drove me nuts....

Belle

My 7 year old got his head sliced open Monday when his little friend tossed a comp shingle like a frisbee. I slapped butterfly stiches on him but when my hubby came home he said he needed stitches. Off to the hospital we went.

As I gave Josiah's name and DOB he asked when his brothers B-day was. I told him Jacob's B-day was in January and the police officer who was sitting at the reg desk flirting with the girls mentioned what beautiful Christian names I had given my children. My face musta said it all as he backed up like he was seeing satan. I wanted to say that I had given them my husband's ancestor's names and he should not assume a f&%!#ing thing about my religion but held my tongue.

This has happened many times before so if anyone has any ideas or snappy remarks they think I could use please let me know. The name thing is the one issue that always brings the Christians out of the wood work so I'm fighting assumptions all the time & am growing weary of being tactful and gracious.

I have become much more vocal and my other son Colton is steadily pissing ooff his classmates when they bring up christianity as well. Both of us are learning to stop bowing to the thoughtlessness of others.