# Atheists; Your encounters with people who disapprove with your non-beliefs. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 26, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670 "2011-09-26T17:10:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/141 "2012-08-27T13:25:46Z")
I was talking about something going on at my UU church recently and a lady told me I go to the wrong church. I told her that’s exactly why I don’t go to her church. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/142 "2012-08-27T13:56:18Z")
Being an atheist is a pain, at least where in live in Texas. EVERYONE is religious. I think I have developed a fair amount of sympathy for what it must have been like to be gay, fifty years ago. Always have to stay in the “atheist closet”… always hoping that the next time I make some new friends, that THEY will be atheists, too. (And they never are, of course.) Why doesn’t atheism catch on quicker? ☹ ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/143 "2012-08-27T17:28:52Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > Being an atheist is a pain, at least where in live in Texas. EVERYONE is religious. > > I think I have developed a fair amount of sympathy for what it must have been like to be gay, fifty years ago. Always have to stay in the “atheist closet”… always hoping that the next time I make some new friends, that THEY will be atheists, too. (And they never are, of course.) > > Why doesn’t atheism catch on quicker? ☹ Cause we don’t have churches to gather at, or do missions to convert people, or wear nifty trinkets of dead atheists to display our beliefs ---
**Author:** ![ClintO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5ac83/32.png) [@ClintO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClintO)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/144 "2012-08-27T17:34:44Z")
> [@DaveBfd](#): > > The only time Ive had religion brought up was in school during philosophy class, and during a minimum wage job I had with one co-worker. I didnt even know what religion I “was” until grade 9. Im serious. Nobody ever talked to me about it before then. We had a few books about bible stories or whatever but that was it. I said I was Christian just because I didnt know better, now I say athiest. > > As far as I know there are very few religious people in my area. It really is a bit of a non issue here. I was in an intro to Philosophy class at Oklahoma State, the teacher assigned an in-class writing project and the disclaimer went something like,“if you mention god or use god as a reference or any argument based on it being in the bible, it will be an automatic F. You can do it over but it want to hear what you have to say and not what you learned to say.” I wanted to stand up and applaud. You could see and few very uncomfortable students who were obviously very religious and somewhat pissed she blatantly denounced their beliefs. I should probably mention she had purple hair with bright yellow bangs and wore flogging molly t-shirts to class to teach every day. a badass ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/145 "2012-08-27T17:35:41Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Cause we don’t have churches to gather at, or do missions to convert people, or wear nifty trinkets of dead atheists to display our beliefs Well, we do have that fish-with-legs thingy. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/146 "2012-08-27T19:25:52Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Cause we don’t have churches to gather at, or do missions to convert people, or wear nifty trinkets of dead atheists to display our beliefs [I’ve been wearing this around lately, actually.](http://www.etsy.com/listing/100848335/no-gods-no-masters-ceramic-necklace-in) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/147 "2012-08-27T19:34:13Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Her response was something along the lines of “Of course you’re wrong!” With no acknowledgment that, you know, there are other points of view than her own. Of course, that’s not something that religious people do, that’s what people do. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/148 "2012-08-27T22:14:57Z")
I was raised by very intelligent and caring parents who, if I had to guess, may believe in God but it has never been a topic of conversation. Mom made it a point to read a few bible stories when I was young for the experience but I never had much interest. Around age 14 I broke down and asked the important question while making a snack: “Mom, what religion am I?” “You’re Protestant honey.” “Thanks.” Religion has never been an issue at work (of course I work in Godless TV) and my beliefs are of zero interest to others. The only time I ever got a poor reaction to it was as a senior in high school when the topic arose in English. Several girls gasped - how can this be? Aren’t you sad? What will happen when you die? - I’ll be dead & I won’t know the difference because I won’t exist. I suppose I have some relatives that might feel genuine sorry on my behalf if they were to confirm what they probably suspect, however they all have enough class not to ask or to push their beliefs on me. ---
**Author:** ![Rich\_Mann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@Rich\_Mann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rich_Mann)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/149 "2012-08-29T06:26:36Z")
After a number of unfortunate reactions many years ago (some of which I’ve recounted in other threads) I learned to be very careful when deciding whether to reveal my atheism to people. I believe that religious belief, or lack thereof, is personal and private. Anyone who tries to stick their nose into my beliefs or stick their beliefs into my nose is violating my personal right to freedom of religion. My typical response (lately) to these people (which I freely license for your use) is to say, “I’m sorry, but it’s against my religion to discuss beliefs with non-believers.” If they persist in any way I ask them, “Are you trying to tempt me into sin?! BEGONE DEMON!” Works every time. ---
**Author:** ![prettydorky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@prettydorky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prettydorky)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/150 "2012-08-29T07:11:07Z")
I went to [Pace High School](http://www.aclu.org/religion-belief/aclu-files-lawsuit-protect-religious-freedom-florida-high-school-students), and still live in the area. It is like the buckle of the bible belt. Atheists are openly discriminated against 'round these parts. There is definitely an athiest closet, and I spend part of my time in there, you have to around here, just to get by. I have tons of stories. Once, I was with a friend at Publix. She was approached by some people she knew- friends of the family or something. They were talking to her and then turned to include me. I can’t remember if they started “witnessing”, or if it was an invitation to church, or what. Could be that they just asked me if I had accepted Jesus. My response when approached like this varies, depending on the situation. In this instance, I just smiled and said, “Oh, we’re not Christian” in the most syrupy sweet way possible. They put their hands to their throats and gasped! I chose that moment to along and when they saw me a few aisles over, they actually turned around and ran off in the other direction!! ---
**Author:** ![Rich\_Mann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@Rich\_Mann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rich_Mann)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/151 "2012-08-29T11:50:09Z")
Just thought I’d add this: When I was a child, decades ago, I lived in the Dallas, TX area. This was when the only TV was broadcast, and the stations all signed off in the late evening. A local station, just before the traditional playing of the National Anthem to close the broadcast day, would always play a taped message of some minister of some sort reminding viewers that, “Freedom _ **Of** _ Religion Isn’t Freedom _ **From** _ Religion!” in a deep, portentous voice in which the capitals, italics, and bolding were clearly implied. My siblings and myself could never quite be sure of what exact meaning we were supposed to infer from this statement, but we all felt rather annoyed that it completely missed the point of the actual _Constitutional Amendment_ being referenced. I think I was 8 or 9 at the time. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/152 "2012-08-29T13:07:21Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Cause we don’t have churches to gather at, or do missions to convert people, or wear nifty trinkets of dead atheists to display our beliefs Why do I suddenly want a pendant around my neck of Christopher Hitchens smoking a cigarette and swirling a low ball? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/153 "2012-08-29T14:06:19Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > The gulf between where you live and where I do is seldom so apparent as when you post something like this. The idea that you could know this is just utterly alien. Yep. People talk about their religion at work? Man, I’ve been working for the same boss for 20 years. Not once has the subject come up. I don’t even know if he attends church. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/154 "2012-08-29T15:52:47Z")
> [@prettydorky](#): > > Could be that they just asked me if I had accepted Jesus. My response when approached like this varies, depending on the situation. In this instance, I just smiled and said, “Oh, we’re not Christian” in the most syrupy sweet way possible. They put their hands to their throats and gasped! I don’t get this. If they were already presuming that you were Christian, why would they ask if you’d accepted Jesus? Isn’t that sort of the central point of Christianity? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/155 "2012-08-29T16:28:57Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I don’t get this. If they were already presuming that you were Christian, why would they ask if you’d accepted Jesus? Isn’t that sort of the central point of Christianity? There are Christians who say that adherents of other stripes of Christianity have not accepted Christ in their hearts, and thus are no less damned than Muslims, Hindus, atheists, and so forth. My father would say that about Catholics, for instance. Unless an ostensible Christian has recited the particular magic formula to which Dad holds, they’re not “saved.” ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/156 "2012-08-29T16:38:51Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > There are Christians who say that adherents of other stripes of Christianity have not accepted Christ in their hearts, and thus are no less damned than Muslims, Hindus, atheists, and so forth. My father would say that about Catholics, for instance. Unless an ostensible Christian has recited the particular magic formula to which Dad holds, they’re not “saved.” What I love are the people who claim that Catholics are not Christians. I just laugh at them, openly. If they press the issue, I simply ask them to explain what Christianity was prior to Martin Luther. I’m agnostic. I was raised in the Episcopal Church. One of the worst experiences I ever had was the day ( I was 10 or so) that I asked my Sunday school teacher where Cain’s wife came from. She went frickin’ ballistic and when my mom came to pick me up, she gave her an earful about what a godless little heathen I was. The next week, I refused to go to church or Sunday school. It caused some friction with my folks for a while, but we got over it. And it really started me on the years of self-study that led to my discover that religion of any flavor is a lie. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/157 "2012-08-29T16:45:06Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > What I love are the people who claim that Catholics are not Christians. I just laugh at them, openly. If they press the issue, I simply ask them to explain what Christianity was prior to Martin Luther. I’ve heard two explanations for that. One is that the Church gradually grew corrupt after the time of the apostles, moving further and further away from the true revelation; thus, while Peter, Paul, and their followers were surely saved, by ML’s time almost nobody was. The other, coming from people who’ve never cracked a history book, is that the Catholic Church is a recent innovation and that the Pentecostal movement is far older. > [@](#): > > I’m agnostic. I was raised in the Episcopal Church. One of the worst experiences I ever had was the day ( I was 10 or so) that I asked my Sunday school teacher where Cain’s wife came from. She went frickin’ ballistic and when my mom came to pick me up, she gave her an earful about what a godless little heathen I was. The next week, I refused to go to church or Sunday school. It caused some friction with my folks for a while, but we got over it. And it really started me on the years of self-study that led to my discover that religion of any flavor is a lie. I’m going to need you to rephrase that last sentence so that it does not slander Athena. Quickly, or I will give both your weekly chocolate cheesecake ration _and_ your holobrothel vouchers to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/158 "2012-08-29T16:45:10Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > What I love are the people who claim that Catholics are not Christians. An ex’s grandfather claimed that part of the Catholic tradition was that priests would impregnate nuns, kill the resulting babies, then hole the bodies up in the walls of the church. Gotta love those baby-killing Catholics! ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/159 "2012-08-29T17:00:46Z")
I had a three our conversation with a guy, who was going on and on and on about how the Catholics weren’t Christians. He was feeding me full of shit about some secret sect (I wish I could remember what he called them - something like The Furies, but that’s not it) who had stolen Christanity from the true believers and perverted into Catholocism, and it was only afterward that true Christianity emerged from the ashes of the disciples … or some goofy shit like that. It was maddening. He had all these practiced speeches full of cites to books I’d never heard of, by authors I’d never heard of and his most common rebuttal to me was – “Well if you haven’t read those books, then you don’t know what you’re talking about.” If I hadn’t been four or five sheets to the wind during that encounter, I don’t think I would have made it. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670/160 "2012-08-29T17:01:48Z")
A few weeks ago I visited my dad and stepmom for the weekend. My stepmom is christian, and her BFF is too. We had a nice weekend, and they were kind enough to take my wife and I out to breakfast before we drove home. Here’s where it got kind of awkward for me: My stepmom started talking about religious faith, and at one point asked me directly what I believe in. I kind of froze up, because I really wasnt comfortable admitting I was atheist. I fibbed and said I was agnostic, a response she found acceptible. However, her friend made a snide remark along the lines of “I just don’t get Atheists. How can you prove God doesnt exist without studying every possible religion?” :rolleyes: On the drive home I told my wife how I found that comment obnoxious. Her reply was that maybe I’m not completely secure in my atheism, since if I was I wouldnt hesitate to tell my stepmom I was atheist and call her friend out on the bs comment. I explained to her that if I did that, the discussion would shift to why I could possibly be atheist, and how could I be sure, and didnt you get married in a church, and all sorts of inane questions I wasnt in the mood to address. I dont mind a discussion on religion, but it seems like for the atheist in the room, the focus is on them. I’d never stoop so low as to challenge my stepmom with comments like “how could you know for sure?” Or “where is your proof?”. I dont care if she’s Christian. But I’m pretty sure she’d be bothered to know I was atheist. Also, with my two young half brothers being present, I didnt want them to have a negative reaction. Whether they choose to believe or not is their decision; I dont want to influence them either way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-your-encounters-with-people-who-disapprove-with-your-non-beliefs/597670.md?page=9)