I am agnostic-atheist but barely anyone knows and I would like them to know but there is a price to doing such.
So why should I come out as an atheist openly? It would bring me happiness to express my beliefs and I already have done so with friends, some have not taken it well and have left me for such. Others accepted it and I even converted a Christian to my point of view which I also enjoyed. But I understand there are problems with expressing this openly to everyone in real life (on job applications, social networking sites, job/other discrimination? etc.) I know that some people would hate, dislike, avoid or try to convert me and that would be awkward.
Why should I tell everyone I am an atheist and why should I not? Also do you think I should or should not, what is your opinion?
Posted: November 3rd 2010
Dave Hitt www
It’s entirely up to you. As an atheist you have no obligation to other atheists to come out. If you’re comfortable with it, and willing to put up with the consequences (which can range from mild to severe, depending on your situation) than go for it. If not, don’t. Being an atheist, you get to make your own decisions.
While I’m very open about it on-line, I seldom get into it in the 3D world. I consider it trivial, and not worth bringing up 98% of the time.
Posted: November 6th 2010
Mike the Infidel www
It’s up to you. If you feel compelled to do it, do it. If not, don’t. You’re not going to be punished by a deity for refusing to come out!
Posted: November 5th 2010
logicel
I live in a very secular society in France. Most people do not discuss theism or atheism. If it comes out in discussion, I will not hold back the fact that I have no god belief. Otherwise, I will not actively bring it up for discussion.
On the net, however, when debating with theists, I make it very clear that I have no god belief. If I lived in America, a country that coddles and disgustingly defers to religious beliefs, I probably would go nuts. I have no intention of living in such a country. If that is your dilemma, than I would suggest you click on the right hand of this web page, the link for the atheist nexus forum and discuss more in full with others who may be in the same predicament as you. Hopefully, you can get a better handle on what you want to do. Only you can decide what is the best action for yourself.
Posted: November 5th 2010
brian thomson www
It’s not really for anyone else to tell you what to do, since only you have full knowledge of the consequences of your actions. I’ve never heard of religion coming up on job applications (I’ve lived in South Africa, the UK and now Ireland) and, if it did, I would be very wary of working for an employer who cared about such things. I find it sad that you have to be concerned about such things where you live. In this supposedly Catholic country, no-one seems to give two hoots either way, not even in the pub!
Posted: November 5th 2010