Today, I made a pivotal decision, I decided to confess that I identify myself as an atheist. This will bring challenges in future social interactions, i.e, ostracization by some family members. I am requesting if there are any mature individuals willing to perhaps share with me their experience. I am feeling very alone right now.
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I am 59. I have been an atheist for as long as I can remember. I was raised Episcopalian. I was confirmed in the church. I was baptized. I have been openly atheist since I was about 12.
You said "This will bring challenges in future social interactions, i.e, ostracization by some family members..", and " I am feeling very alone right now."
All I can say is get use to it. The truth is a lonely place.
What you didn't say is, and what will happen:
You will suffer in your career.
You will not be able to even talk to people that you want to have a relationship with.
People will want and will do you physical harm and abuse.
Curious christians will ask you ridiculous question that don't have a damn thing to do with not believing in a god.
You will be falsely accused of many things.
And those are just the mild things that will happen to you.
But have no fear, you are not alone.
Thank you for commenting. You paint a grim picture. I have no doubt most of it is true, I will face complications in my professional and personal life as a direct result.
Why do you need to confess? I'm in my 60s now, and I've been an atheist for around 50 years, but I've never gone out of my way to tell anyone. If they ask me, I usually tell them. If I want to evade I tell them I worship money. I'm fortunate that my family are all atheists, and I'm self-employed, so there's no risk of discrimination at work. I'm guessing that your circumstances are different.
The only exception I'd make is in a personal relationship that might lead to marriage. Then you need to be honest and open.
I just don't see religion (or atheism) as important enough to justify the risk you seem to be taking.
I came out as an atheist when I was thirteen to my family. They were catholics then but my parents soon became pentecostal preachers. We are still a close knit family. Many of my friends know I am an atheist. For those in the work place , it is none of their business. I am not in the business of religion or atheism so there is no need for anyone at work to know. It's not that bad , and I live in the Bible Belt.
Hi Israel. Welcome to AR! I've never had any gods. I don't talk about atheism outside of here with most folks unless asked. It just doesn't come up a lot. Since I don't hide my heritage (am a secular Jew), most folks just assume, incorrectly of course, that I practice Judaism as a religion. People make assumptions about all sorts of things all the time.
I think you made a mistake coming out atheist, You should first be agnostic since that is the safer way to go. saying that you chose atheism is so dogmatic, How do you know that a God doesn`t exist? are you equipped and on the ready to answer difficult questions posed by theist? you threw the baby out with the bath water.I am 61 years old and my life experiences after doing thorough research comes down to I just don`t know if this God exist or not.But good luck to you and my advise to you is don`t speak about religion to strangers.
Oy...
A/theism is about belief and a/gnosticsm is about knowledge. You need to get that straight. You'll find many folks who identify as atheist who will tell you they agnostic. One can be both. I don't believe in your god AND I don't know if any of them exist.
@simply agnostic
Who the FUCK do you think you are?!
You said, " don`t speak about religion to strangers." Really? What do you think that YOU are doing on this fucking forum asshole?
You also said, "are you equipped and on the ready to answer difficult questions posed by theist?" The answer to that question is sure they are equipped. All they have to do is reply with "Prove your fucking god!" Theists don't have "difficult" questions. They have confused fucked up logic, nonsensical bullshit, pseudo-science, revisionist history, hearsay. They don't have facts, logic, or anything that would amount to intelligence.
You should not give ANYONE advice concerning faith or belief. You are so fucking confused it isn't even funny. You say you are 61 but act like you are 16.
Israel, first off protect yourself. Atheism doesn't need martyrs. Speak where you feel safe and tell everyone else to fuck off, nicely of course. You are beginning a grand journey wirh your eyes wide open. Welcome to the fray.
My close friends know about me. My extended family apparently doesn't although if they read my facebook posts it's hard to miss.