...about your Atheist or Agnostic status?

As in, is this something you broadcast? Something you tell if the opportunity arises? Or something you keep under wraps at all costs? Something you love to debate?

And also, how does it affect your relationships? When do you tell people you get involved with, or do you at all?

Do you feel as uncomfortable as I do when someone insists on speaking on Jesus as though because you are black, you MUST have the same views they do? (Usually christian/baptist around these parts)


Share whatever you feel, its hard out here for a southern black female non-church going pimp:/

Its not something I broadcast
but I think it is something that must be
discussed before a relationship starts
to get serious.

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Oh yeah-BUMP for today.....

It's not something that I broadcast, but if the opportunity arises, I will let it be known. In most instances, though, I don't have to state that I'm an Atheist. It only takes so much conversation before it becomes apparent. I love to discuss it (or read discussions) here on LSA or the internet. You learn a lot from people with varying views, even from the believers that dare to venture into the Atheist/Agnostic subforum. Away from the internet, I usually don't bring up the subject of religion. If I'm curious about something and I'm near someone who may know the answer, I may ask.

For the longest time, I used to feel uncomfortable when people would insist on talking about Jesus, etc. It has been my experience that the people who insist on talking about Jesus the most are the ones that have no sincere interest in having anything beyond a one-sided conversation. The subject is often broached with the assumptions that 1) All parties believe in Jesus/God, and 2) All parties are going to nod in agreement, say 'yes' or 'me, too', etc. Anything contrary to those assumptions results in an unpleasant situation. However, I reached a point where I felt that enough was enough. I don't feel uncomfortable anymore, mainly annoyed. Sure, there are people who don't mean any harm when talking about their beliefs, so I don't mind. It's the inconsiderate folks that annoy me. If I say 'No, thank you, I'm not interested.' without partaking in any type of discussion, and you continue to come at me like a yellow jacket in the summertime, then I get annoyed. I no longer live in the Bible Belt, so I don't get annoyed anywhere near as much.

I've had numerous people make the Black = Christian assumption, but that is minor in comparison to the Southern = Christian assumption. I'm from a small city/town in the Bible Belt with more churches than the law should allow. Combine that with devout family members and friends and it's just not an ideal environment for an atheist.

Very few of my friends know that I'm an Atheist. I have former friends who have found out and it became all too obvious how they felt because their behavior towards me changed and they immediately ceased all communication. The only person in my family that knows, for sure, that I'm an Atheist is my mom. She was playing the role of yellow jacket one day and I reached my limit. She hasn't bothered me since then. I think one of my sisters may put two and two together. She has already figured out that I'm not into religion, but she hasn't realized that I don't believe in a god. If she ever logs onto LSA regularly and figures out my username, I think a trip through this subforum would be a little bit of a surprise to her. She's not too religious, either, so that would lessen the shock factor. Word hasn't spread to any extended family. My mom talks a lot, especially with my aunts. The fact that news of my atheism hasn't spread like wildfire lets me know that my mom is embarrassed and feels as though I have shamed her. To an extent, it hurts that my mom feels that way about me, but at the same time, she's just going to have to deal with it because I won't be believing in a god any time soon.

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I feel like I'm in the closet at times.

I come from a long line of bible thumpers and/or people who'll give their last to a scheming pastor in hopes of a blessing from G-d. You can't tell people like that you're not a "believer."


I'm my grandmother's favorite great-grand. I think she'd disown me if I told her that I'm like Java when it comes to religion: sometimes I'm agnostic and sometimes I'm atheist, and it depends on the day.

I told my mama, and she tells me that she prays for me. My father and I are on the same page.

As far as friends and people I date, I'm pretty forthcoming. I don't demean people for their beliefs, but I'll let them know where I stand and advise them not to kick that shit my way. They already know I'm not coming to church and if I do go, it's because of an ulterior motive.

I let anyone who asks know the deal upfront and I don't sugar coat shit either. I let these red-letter Christian bible verse cherry picking dudes know about my beliefs in the first set of convos.

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If I was dating, I'd let that person know off the bat. However I don't think I'll ever tell my family, unless I get married, then they'll know.

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I do not broadcast it either.
I Do feel as uncomfortable when someone insists on speaking on Jesus. It gets on my last nerves.
When I told my family they told me I was going to hell. My family also has some of the biggest hypocrites. So I just look at them and keep it moving.

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I don't go around telling everyone I meet about it but the people I'm close to know that I'm an atheist. I usually don't feel like debating about it endlessly and create tensions with my loved ones so I keep it short and sweet. For example, there's this girl at school that I'm really close to...she's a christian(orthodox) and takes her religion really to heart. We have tons of things in common excepted for religion. I told her only once that I wasn't a religious person but I did not insisted on the question, cause I know she's very sensitive...I think it would be a shame to create tensions over something so foolish...so when she talks about church, religious marriage or other religious stuff, I just listen a little without caring and manage to change the subject tactfully.

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Well my family and friends know because say if religion comes up, I let it known I don't want to hear discussion about GOD or religion. But it's not something I automatically bring up.
The strangest thing is when I was at rehearsal for a wedding and we all had to do group prayer. I participated even though I didn't want to, because I knew it would cause a little bit of tension for me not to participate.

I am agnostic but I am not 100% in it, I am trying to making very small steps to see if there is a higher power,etc..

hmm, depends

My ex-bf and my sister knows. I think my mom just thinks I'm not a Christian anymore. She doesn't realize and I haven't outright said that I'm an atheist.

If someone asks I tell them, otherwise I don't bring it up.

If someone asks, I will tell them. Otherwise I don't say anything.

I personally don't care for people who go around advertising their religious or non-religious beliefs on their sleeve. So I lead by example.

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Most of my people know. When I had a myspace, I listed it on there, and my current facebook has it as well. I do that mainly for potential guy interests so that they know off the bat.

None of my coworkers know, but it's not because I'm hiding it. Just never had a need to get personal with those folks.

Immediate family knows by default, as I was raised by non-believers. My dad is the uber advertising type that joined a freethought group of fellow bible dumpers, lol. And I was raised down south to boot.

I tell my gfs whenever the subject of church comes up. It's never been an off putting or relationship ending thing because I'm not argumentative or close minded about it. Heck, I'm usually even game to go to church once a year or so.

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