Comments on: How To Come Out As An Atheist http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/ A Warm Spot in a World of Stereotypes Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:05:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: crusty))) http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-603 crusty))) Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:45:57 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-603 Please read this www.exposingchristianity.com Very interesting)) Please read this http://www.exposingchristianity.com
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]]> By: teacherninja http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-409 teacherninja Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:18:24 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-409 I agree but take the same work tactic you mentioned. I'm an elementary school teacher, so see no need to be confrontational. My partner teacher is cool about it, and my friends and family are all like-minded so it's not really an issue. I personally wouldn't mind talking about it, but as I want to become a school librarian (and work at a school that has had many book challenges) I don't feel the need to promote my beliefs. I prefer to take the Neil Tyson/Carl Sagan/Steve Novella/Bill Nye/Joe Nickell promotion-of-rationality-and- science over the dismissing-of-religion approach. If pushed, I usually say I don't go to church or say "freethinker" or just say that I don't believe in ANYthing supernatural and leave it at that. I'm not often pushed on the issue anyway, so that's been ok so far. I have been happy with the large and dynamic presence on the web of atheist and humanist and skeptical groups, though. It can seem lonely out here in the 'burbs so it's always nice to know you're not alone. Thanks. I agree but take the same work tactic you mentioned. I’m an elementary school teacher, so see no need to be confrontational. My partner teacher is cool about it, and my friends and family are all like-minded so it’s not really an issue. I personally wouldn’t mind talking about it, but as I want to become a school librarian (and work at a school that has had many book challenges) I don’t feel the need to promote my beliefs. I prefer to take the Neil Tyson/Carl Sagan/Steve Novella/Bill Nye/Joe Nickell promotion-of-rationality-and- science over the dismissing-of-religion approach. If pushed, I usually say I don’t go to church or say “freethinker” or just say that I don’t believe in ANYthing supernatural and leave it at that. I’m not often pushed on the issue anyway, so that’s been ok so far.

I have been happy with the large and dynamic presence on the web of atheist and humanist and skeptical groups, though. It can seem lonely out here in the ‘burbs so it’s always nice to know you’re not alone.

Thanks.

]]> By: Joe Rhea http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-199 Joe Rhea Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:09:51 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-199 Kate, Very nice article. About two years ago I finally realized that I was an atheist, and that I was no longer afraid to say it. First I am self employed, so that helps with not having to worry about work confrontations. Then I also have studied very hard, both the bible and and then countless atheist books that gave me the knowledge and confidence to be able to stand toe to toe with a bible believing bully. Coming out and finally accpting who you are, I imagine is akin to what the "gays" must have felt like when they came out. It is indeed very liberating to know that you are no longer afraid. Joe Kate,

Very nice article. About two years ago I finally realized that I was an atheist, and that I was no longer afraid to say it. First I am self employed, so that helps with not having to worry about work confrontations. Then I also have studied very hard, both the bible and and then countless atheist books that gave me the knowledge and confidence to be able to stand toe to toe with a bible believing bully.
Coming out and finally accpting who you are, I imagine is akin to what the “gays” must have felt like when they came out. It is indeed very liberating to know that you are no longer afraid.

Joe

]]> By: kateholden http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-193 kateholden Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:38:03 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-193 Peldredge, never be sorry for posting good material. Thank you for your contribution. :) Peldredge, never be sorry for posting good material. Thank you for your contribution. :)

]]> By: peldredge http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-186 peldredge Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:07:53 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-186 Kate’s description of the process is pretty accurate, especially about referring to yourself as an atheist, even if you don’t publicly. Be true to yourself. Know the arguments and “why” you don’t believe in a deity (or Santa Claus), whether it be “the question of evil” or facts of science and evolution. Learn to flip the script on believers, if it comes to that. The miraculous is, for the most part, an embarrassment for their argument, particularly in light of modern discoveries and science. Have the courage of the convictions you claim. They are what caused you to stop believing in the first place. You can’t “will” yourself into believing again what your certain is false. “It’s ok to believe in Santa. Just don’t ask too many questions.” Once kids ask too many questions, you couldn’t convince them to believe in the wonderful story of Santa if you tried. The “evidence” has been fabricated, and they‘ve asked too many questions (and so it is with atheists). If you encounter a 30 year old who believes in Santa, step back, and politely ask them if they’ve taken their medication. It’s important. Sorry for the long comment, Kate. Kate’s description of the process is pretty accurate, especially about referring to yourself as an atheist, even if you don’t publicly. Be true to yourself. Know the arguments and “why” you don’t believe in a deity (or Santa Claus), whether it be “the question of evil” or facts of science and evolution. Learn to flip the script on believers, if it comes to that. The miraculous is, for the most part, an embarrassment for their argument, particularly in light of modern discoveries and science. Have the courage of the convictions you claim. They are what caused you to stop believing in the first place. You can’t “will” yourself into believing again what your certain is false.

“It’s ok to believe in Santa. Just don’t ask too many questions.” Once kids ask too many questions, you couldn’t convince them to believe in the wonderful story of Santa if you tried. The “evidence” has been fabricated, and they‘ve asked too many questions (and so it is with atheists). If you encounter a 30 year old who believes in Santa, step back, and politely ask them if they’ve taken their medication. It’s important.

Sorry for the long comment, Kate.

]]> By: drew http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-167 drew Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:17:42 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-167 I always tell people the time I told my dad I don't believe in God. His response was, "I raised you better than that!" My response to that was, "You did, you raised me to think for myself." We left it at that and never talk about religion. But then again, my dad is just a fake religious person in my opinion. He's not the most moral person in the world. As an atheist, I have and hold better moral values than he does. I always tell people the time I told my dad I don’t believe in God. His response was, “I raised you better than that!” My response to that was, “You did, you raised me to think for myself.”

We left it at that and never talk about religion. But then again, my dad is just a fake religious person in my opinion. He’s not the most moral person in the world. As an atheist, I have and hold better moral values than he does.

]]> By: postsimian http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-121 postsimian Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:48:49 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-121 excellent post. excellent post.

]]> By: vjack http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-113 vjack Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:50:59 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-113 You have been tagged with a blog meme: http://www.atheistrev.com/2008/12/tagged-with-comment-wars-meme.html Participate if you like. I certainly won't mind if you don't. You have been tagged with a blog meme: http://www.atheistrev.com/2008/12/tagged-with-comment-wars-meme.html

Participate if you like. I certainly won’t mind if you don’t.

]]> By: Arno http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-112 Arno Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:19:58 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-112 My life is so easy because I'm straight, caucasion, male and a non-believer in a country where religion is not the de-facto standard. At least, after our ancestors had quite some trouble living through the inquisition. But fortunately *we* have that time way past us. And still there are plenty of idiots here, not just religiots, but it seems people will always find something to make themselves idiots over. But the idiots you learn to ignore, while that is impossible with religiots. So that's how it is better. For all non-believers in countries that still suffer from religiots with an inquisition-like mentallity: good luck, hold on, it's worth it to live in freedom, if not for yourselves it will be for your children. My life is so easy because I’m straight, caucasion, male and a non-believer in a country where religion is not the de-facto standard. At least, after our ancestors had quite some trouble living through the inquisition. But fortunately *we* have that time way past us.
And still there are plenty of idiots here, not just religiots, but it seems people will always find something to make themselves idiots over. But the idiots you learn to ignore, while that is impossible with religiots. So that’s how it is better.

For all non-believers in countries that still suffer from religiots with an inquisition-like mentallity: good luck, hold on, it’s worth it to live in freedom, if not for yourselves it will be for your children.

]]> By: vjack http://cuddlyatheism.com/2008/12/19/how-to-come-out-as-an-atheist/#comment-110 vjack Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:39:01 +0000 http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/?p=66#comment-110 Some good advice here. This is a very popular topic around the atheist blogosphere, and there is quite a bit of good information and suggestions to be found. I know for me, #6 was critical because I really was convinced for awhile that I was alone and that this meant there must be something really wrong with me. Discovering other atheists and realizing that there was a name for how I felt toward religion was very empowering. Some good advice here. This is a very popular topic around the atheist blogosphere, and there is quite a bit of good information and suggestions to be found. I know for me, #6 was critical because I really was convinced for awhile that I was alone and that this meant there must be something really wrong with me. Discovering other atheists and realizing that there was a name for how I felt toward religion was very empowering.

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