How much should you express your atheism?
Offline Well, in my head, I'm a very strong atheist. So much as that I blatently denounce every religion. However, being an atheist in this age (or at least in my society) is kind of looked down on. However, I can't hide who I am. So, should I feel pressured to keep my ideals to myself? Should I "come out" with my atheism to my predominently Christian relatives? Should it stop there or should I write "atheist" on my forehead for everyone to know? That's one concern I've had, as I said before, about atheists' negative image. If a future employer of mine sees that I'm an athiest, could that cost me a job? I've heard of it happening (not for any other religion, mind you. Just atheism). What do you guys think?
JESUS SAVES!!! .... and takes only half damage!
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I was fired from my last job primarily for being an atheist, though they'll never admit that it's the reason. If you're militant about atheism then it's really no better than being a fundamentalist. I'm of the opinion live and let live; however I don't deny in the slightest my lack of belief in any deity. When someone says something like "God bless you" I will usually reply with something like "no thanks, I can find my own blessings". There's nothing wrong with letting your beliefs (or lack thereof) be known as long as you don't try to thrust them upon others. Personally I always take the non-aggressor stance and don't say anything regarding theism/atheism unless it's brought up to me.
Also, if you do choose to let your atheism be known, be prepared for the consequences that are sure to follow. From my experience a lot of people won't even care, however it can vastly limit your opportunities for jobs, finding a significant other, etc. Respect the right of others to believe what they will even if you don't respect the belief, but don't expect others to have the same respect for you.
This is a tough question. In theory, the answer should be, "As much as the fundies express their Christianity."
Of course, there's a catch. You can't express atheism until someone expresses theism, so it will always seem confrontational.
I've found that the trick is to express atheism with quiet amusement as much as possible, and only get "militant" in public when it is absolutely necessary.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
Sounds good. Basically don't speak about it unless spoken to, right? I suppose wearing shirts with athiest slogans would be fine then. If someone approaches me, I could debate them without seeming confrontational.
JESUS SAVES!!! .... and takes only half damage!
Atheists have been passive for too long. I'm sick of this double standard where theists can only be called extremists if they commit violence for their faith, while Atheists are extremists simply by speaking their minds, calling theists on their BS or writing a book. Where would any minority group be if they remained passive? That's an easy one. They'd be where Atheists are. I think we got to start making some noise.
I like the idea of atheist T-shirts, etc. It puts theists in a bad position. If they object, you say, "Oh, I just thought it would be ok. After all, Christians wear t-shirts about Jesus all the time, and, my gosh, did you see that big billboard on the highway? "Don't Make Me Come Down There. --God?"
Then they look like an ass.
If they're brave enough to question you about it, I suggest being dismissive. You can't win an argument with a theist, you know. When someone asked me a couple of weeks ago why I don't believe in god, I said, "Because he doesn't exist."
Simple. To the point. If they insist on preaching after you've said something like this, you can just nod, say, "uh-huh" every once in a while, and when they're done, you can say something like, "Yeah, I heard all of that when I was a kid, before I'd really thought about it."
I honestly don't like getting into live debates with theists. When they say, "Well, I just know in my heart," I say, "well, that's nice, I guess," and avoid telling them all the things that are fallacious about their beliefs.
Believe it or not, being dismissed out of hand hurts worse than being beaten in an argument. Think about it.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
You would be amazed by the sheer number of Christies working data processing in the IRS. Then again, it makes sense - most of these people are Desperate Housewives who watch lots of American Idol and talk about how they want to send their kids to Catholic school (My job is about 75% female, average age - 36).
However, it became clear to many of the Christies that I don't say "Bless you" when they sneeze - I use "Gesundheit." One of them pulled me aside and asked me why = and I responded with "Demons aren't entering my body when I sneeze, so I don't need to be blessed, thanks."
After the Desperate Housewives commune during lunch, they decided to offer to take me to Mass with them so they can 'set me straight'. I told them I would be ecstatic to go with them as long as they read Atheism: The Case Against God.
Needless to say, we both know where we stand, and from this little 'confrontation', I got two benefits - people don't say "Bless You" when I sneeze, and the cute girl in my unit came up to me and said "I thought I was the only agnostic in here."
At some point, I'll have to mention that I'm an atheist, not an agnostic, but that's further on down the line.
So, my advice - be direct, but friendly. If the pigs try to get at you, drop it like it's hot.
"Like Fingerpainting 101, gimme no credit for having class; one thumb on the pulse of the nation, one thumb in your girlfriend's ass; written on, written off, some calling me a joke, I don't think that I'm a sellout but I do enjoy Coke."
-BHG
Yeah, I should clarify something. My comments above are in relation to people insistent on preaching to me. If someone leaves my atheism alone, I'm perfectly content to talk about sports or girls or something. If they ask something politely, I answer as politely as possible while making it clear that I'm not interested in talking about it. If, and only if, they keep talking, I pull out the dismissive approach.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
The way I see it, this is a judgement call for everyone to make for themselves. Are you willing to deal with the consequences of not standing up? Are you willing to deal with the consequences of standing up? If being an atheist costs you a date, are you willing to date such a person in the first place? If being an atheist can cost you a job, are you willing to work there in the first place? It basically boils down to your own tolerance level. Mine is rather low at this point, so I stand up a lot.
Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.
At work, I don't wear atheist T-shirts; mostly because I dress nicer than T-shirts at work. pretty much everyone at work knows I'm an atheist. (There was that girl who thought I was a Scientologist for a while, but that's a separate story that I'm amused by). I wear atheist shirts at least twice a week. I'll talk to anyone, anywhere, about my views on religion if they want to talk about it. My family knows, unless I don't really talk to them and they aren't interested enough to know anything about me.
I'm very open about who I am, what I believe (and don't believe), and I always try to keep calm and direct in talking to anyone.
I find that most people I know simply don't care. Those who do tend to not talk to me about it. I'm lucky not to work with any evangelical people, however.
Shaun
I'll fight for a person's right to speak so long as that person will, in return, fight to allow me to challenge their opinions and ridicule them as the content of their ideas merit.
Usually I don't bring it up unless a theist brings it up first, however I do wear a button on my backpack that says "Atheist" with another one right next to it that says "9-11 was a faith based initiative". It's a little nerve wracking considering I go to a christian private college right next to Jerry Falwell's "university".
Right now Im still in the t-shirt phase, and being super nice to the people that are taken a back.
Today there was a cahier who always says "have a blessed day" Today he didnt...lol
In my town many, maybe most people think atheists are some kind of evil devil worshipers.
Good luck to you
We must favor verifiable evidence over private feeling. Otherwise we leave ourselves vulnerable to those who would obscure the truth.
~ Richard Dawkins
If someone says "Have a blessed day" you can always answer, "No thanks. I have other plans."
I'm very open about my atheism. This partly comes from having kind of a big mouth. I don't hesitate to state my opinion on the topic of religion whenever it's brought up around me. As far as I'm concerned, my years of sitting in uncomfortable silence in a room full of people discussing their spiritual beliefs are over. Now, I always try to interject with "So, you really believe that, huh? Ok, here's what's wrong with that."
On the other hand, I'd never expect another atheist to do the same. I'm that way because of who I am. I'm the same way on just about anything. Keep you ayheism to your self is not something I'd ever look down upon.
Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine
I'd answer the cashier with, "Thanks. Have a rational day."