Going public?

[ryanvc76]

I am very open about my atheism if the topic comes up.  Unfortunately, it does not come up very often.  Religious people tend to assume that others believe the same things they do; they don't ask questions by nature.  At the same time, I do not approach others and express my thoughts on religion; doing such would make me no different than those I despise - you know, the ones that want to save you from hell.

I do have tattoos on both wrists that represent atheism and freethought, one of them being the IPU (the logo you see in the upper-left).  I chose these designs because they express my feelings without blatantly insulting those who believe.  There are many other possibilities that are more obvious.  If someone recognizes the IPU, the are likely to be either an Atheist themselves, or they are "anti-atheist" enough to have learned something about those they hate.  So, the person will either appreciate it, or if of the latter type, be deservingly offended.

Those who are close to me know very well how I feel about religion.  Most of them are nonbelievers themselves which is probaby why I have chosen these people to associate with.  I, although American, live in Germany and have for eleven years now, so family isn't much of an issue.  My wife wants to believe there is something, but thankfully she's not wrapped around any one religion.  Her father and grandfather are both Atheist, so I'm not seen as the black sheep at any of the wife's family gatherings.

Damn, I wrote a book.  :roll:

[rlrose328]

I found another non-believer mom at my son's school this morning!  Can I get a woohoo!!!  She said she's more agnostic but leans atheist... whatever THAT means.

I was on my way to the Moms in Touch prayer group this morning ( :x  ) and this mom, whom I had always assumed was a Christian, asked me if I had photos of her girls from last year's fun run fundraiser (I'm the school historian, too).  I asked if she was going to the Moms in Touch group so we could talk on the way and she just looked at me and said, "No... are you?"  When I said yes, she said "Oh... I thought you were one of us..." trailing off with a confused look on her face.

I said, "Well, I'm an atheist, if that's what you mean," hoping against hope I'd get a yes and she said, "well, I'm agnostic... more and more atheist every day though." and we both laughed.

She asked why oh why am I going to a Moms in Touch group and when I told her how they were single=handedly taking credit for the school's survival, she glared at me and then just laughed her head off, saying, "They're delusional, aren't they!"

This is the SECOND mom I was sure was a believer (Fundie, even) who turned out to be a non-believer.  I told her there are a few others I've met but they've sworn me to secrecy and she said, "Oh, I don't hide it from anyone... it just rarely comes up!"  WOOHOO!!!!  The other mom I thought was a fundie is the sweater-set wearing mom who is always perfectly groomed and wearing high heals... very proper looking.  Just proves to me that we DO come in all stripes!  

How totally cool!  And her daughter is in my son's class!  YIPPEE!!!!!!

         

[ryanvc76]

I'm going to takes things up a notch at work.  I have a customer that is always sporting t-shirts praising Jesus and such.  I just found a shirt that I like and find quite humorous, which I think is also "work-safe".


The small text says "Atheist & Freethinker - Established by Reason".

My current co-worker is agnostic, so I'm sure he won't mind!  I'm just curious as to how my customers will react...

[Will]

http://www.cafepress.com/buy/atheist/-/ ... pt_/c_666/

Organic cotton, to boot!

[SteveS]

I say go for it!  I refrain because nobody around here wears pro-Xtian t-shirts.  If they start I plan to retaliate in like fashion.  Since your co-worker started it - what's to stop you?

[EbzDirtyHeathen]

I'll tell anyone now if I feel the need to like if I'm asked or if we're talking religion or some topic someone ties to religion or tries to, etc. I just ordered some atheist/heathen/non-religious/whatever t-shirts so now I won't really need to tell anyone at all....only person that will never know is my maternal grandmother  ooooohhhhh no. lol....they'll be like WHAAAAA really? -_o) with a little bit of a raised eyebrow but nothing serious. I think anytime something that is a very important part of you is messed with or mocked or bashed or what have you it's not absurd for a mild mannered and rational person to become the opposite whether it's religion or not.