I make my atheism public just as I make public the many other important aspects of my life:  my politics, my food preferences, what I do for a living, and my choice of dogs over cats.  Unlike these other areas, identifying myself as a atheist has caused havoc upon many around me.  I speak of it as openly as others in my life speak of their religious fundamentalism and let people deal with it as they see fit.  Religion permeates every aspect of society and I am as entitled to participate in that discussion as much as anyone else.  I have yet to call anyone stupid for their beliefs, but the predictions that I will wind up in hell for my non-belief are many.

- Anne Catherine Harvey