Have you ever seen an atheist state they are an atheist, when asked, in public?

Question

I never had until the other day. Someone asked him in a social situation if he believed in God, and he said "No, I'm an atheist." I had never witnessed this before, and I was surprised at the reaction of the believers there. They were stunned and looked like they'd never heard anyone say that before.

Have you ever seen this, and If so, what happened?

Answer 1

Plenty of times but people don't care if you are or not. I'm in the U.K though. It seems like it's more difficult being atheist in the U.S.A from what Ive read on here.

Answer 2

Actually yes. I remember back in high school we were doing a debate, and we were trying to find a topic, and we decided that the existence of god would be a good one because we were all passionate about it, but we ended up not doing it because all of us believed in god except for one. he was the only one willing to debate against the existence of god, he admitted to be an atheist and was very proud about it. no one was shocked really because we were all friends and we knew about his beliefs or lack of. we all accepted it saying to ourselves that he's doomed :)

Answer 3

yes i do that alot of times and they are very narrow minded people who think their always right until i pull out bible references and then they look at me like im crazy

Answer 4

Only once have I ever heard anyone say out loud and in person "I don't believe in god". I was 16 and he was a french exchange student. I admit I was shocked I had never heard anyone say that before and I had been flamed as a kid just because my family didn't go to church.

Answer 5

I see this from time to time.

I think it depends on the circle of people you hang out with.

I've been in engineering all my life and most of my friends and family are either atheist or open-minded Christians who are not phased by differing viewpoints or lifestyles.

Answer 6

Yes it happens occasionally

Answer 7

Is Yahoo! Answers only for Christians, because I don't see many other religions talking in these threads.

Answer 8

Yeah. Me. But, I'm not from the bible belt, and there's one good thing about being in the service. 20-30% of us are atheist or agnostic. It doesn't pack the same punch, though, because even if one or two bible nuts get offended, the majority of religious people serving have enough exposure to it to not really care, and you're not alone and isolated in your non-belief. I read "God is not Great" at my squadron, and almost no one batted an eye. A good buddy of mine who's Mormon playfully calls me "The Atheist." He actually thinks it's pretty cool that I know so much about his faith, too, and don't slam him about it. I can actually thank R&S for that. Can you believe it? I never knew so much about Mormons before coming here. But, I digress. Pretty ironic how the minority of non-believers in this country are disproportionately represented in the Armed Forces, preserving the rights of American Christians to bash us, don't you think?

Hats off to Gandalf, by the way. That takes big balls to do that in the Civi world, and in the Bible belt, no less.

Answer 9

You and your friends must not get out much.  You ask "what happened" like something is really supposed to happen.

Answer 10

Usually it's not exactly polite etiquette to just go around asking people if they believe in some kind of god, but yes I've seen people answer this before.

Two prime examples have to do with school. We were discussing religions in my high school religion class when a friend of mine stated she was atheist. Beside our teacher only one person seemed actually uneasy, because as we all know being a good person isn't based solely on your religion.

Another was my first philosophy class the other day. Two people stated they were atheists and no one was bothered. It's nice having more open minded people in one area.

I think it depends on your company, but basically as long as no one is obnoxious about their beliefs (or lack of depending on how some view it) there does not need to be an over the top reaction.

Answer 11

I have said this and I've gotten the same odd looks. Then I'd just say, " Do you have a problem with that"? Then they'd just say no.

Answer 12

I've stated I'm an atheist multiple times.

Some people brush it off, saying, "Oh you do believe in god, you're just confused...."

Most people don't do anything...

The Jewish guy I'm just starting to date said, "Thank god you're not one of those crazy Christians..."

Answer 13

I only declare that I don't believe in religions....that is good enough, and precisely to the point.

Answer 14

yeah...but I wasn't really shocked or anything like that - mostly curious...wanting to ask about it (though never would)....

I lived in the 'bible-belt' for some time...and yes you are right - generally people there keep to themselves and are very private about personal matters if they are not the 'usual' ..... I can see where people from areas like this could react the way you have described.... the same can be said for sexual orientation or preference too! (In 'bible belt areas)....the same kind of reaction and noticeable disaproval - usually...

Answer 15

I have never seen that either. You only hear from couple loud ones, like the ones that does not want anyone to be allowed to pray at school

Answer 16

I have.  I told them I was going to put up a poster of the FSM and explained the FSM to them.  This was at work.  I decided against the poster as a christian co-worker was very upset.  They already know I'm "different" so it didn't bother me and didn't bother anyone but the christian.

<edit> Haysoos is right...I also think it's because I'm Canadian.  People don't really blink when the word "atheist" comes up.

Answer 17

Yes, my father did that all the time, he loved arguing with Christians -.-

Answer 18

I'm no longer an atheist really, but when I was, I was open about it in public.

And I live in the Bible Belt, right on the Gulf Coast.

Answer 19

I live in England, so I hear it all the time.

I'm planning to visit the Bible belt next year, though - and, though I'm religious, I think I'd best stay away from religious conversations (I'm often mistaken for an atheist, as I usually take the opposing side to whatever another person is arguing).

Peace.

Answer 20

I live in the bible belt and I have seen this many times.  I also am an open Satanists and a member of the Church of Satan.  This has never been a problem for myself, my atheist friends, or other Satanists I know that live in this area.  I know atheists and Satanists that work in the Police Force, that are Lawyers, Doctors, Nurses and a few other jobs around here.  You should never hide what and who you are.

Answer 21

lmao.   Dare me to do it again?????

(((Gorgeous)))

Answer 22

Yes, lots. But then again, I live in the UK, so I guess it must be different here.

Answer 23

I've never seen another atheist do it, but I understand the look they received because I've been there three times myself. It's a look of shock, followed by hate. The old saying "If looks could kill..." applies.

When I was a teen, there was another group of teens in my town who would approach those of us hanging in the park on Saturday nights and pass out tracts. We weren't interested, but usually took their literature to be polite.

One night, I simply said that I didn't believe. After the group was stunned into shocked silence, one of the members asked, "How can you look up at the stars on a night like this and not believe?" I simply replied, "Like this," and turned my gaze skyward.

They spouted off with some insults that I no longer remember and then went on their way. They also never bothered us again. Maybe they were afraid our evil would rub off on them.

Another instance concerned one of my children's favorite teachers. We had been close to her for many years because there is a 10-year separation between my oldest and youngest. Anyway, she asked if I would give a talk to her students concerning the prolific  number of fossils my kids and I have had the fortune to dig for and collect.

After the presentation she followed me into the hall. Once there, she asked if we would join her for church. I politely declined, but she became more persistent. Finally, I stated that we were atheists. Of course, I received "The Look."

She didn't treat my kids any differently, but at the next year's open house, when we entered her classroom to say "Hello," she was very cold and distant. It became obvious that, since it was no longer her job to instruct my children, we were no longer welcome in her classroom.

The third instance involved a Baptist minister who came to my door uninvited, and asked if my kids could attend his church's vacation Bible school. I don't have a problem with my kids attending church if they'd like (we volunteer to feed the hungry at the local Methodist church) and I told him they could attend if they wanted. He then asked if I would be going to Heaven when I die. At that point I told him that I am an atheist.

You should have seen the look I received. UP, it was as if the devil himself was standing on my porch --his entire demeanor changed. His eyes became hate-filled, he clenched his jaw, his body became rigid. Honestly, I thought he was going to hit me, I'm not kidding.

Eventually, after a long argument where I informed him that he came onto my property uninvited and without my permission, he left. Ever since that incident I no longer tell people I am an atheist. I just let them prattle on, make excuses, and then make a quick exit.

Answer 24

No, I have never seen that.

I work sometimes answering the phone at a body shop.  A couple, about my age and definitely old hippies, came in to drop their car.  The man looked just like a college professor, kind of Einstein like.  Me, being me, I asked him if he was a college professor.  He told me no, he was a scientist and his wife is the professor.  Then I asked him if he was a "free-thinker".  He said, yes, that he had been one for many years.  Him, his wife, and I were the only ones in the room who knew just exactly what I asked him and what his answer meant.

I figured you were talking about Gandalf.

((((Gandalf))))

((((UP))))

LOL @ the thumbs down.  I wonder which fundie it was who did it.

Answer 25

I tell people Im an agnostic Pantheist, and they look at me like I have 10 heads

Answer 26

In the real world, I generally keep my beliefs to myself, and wish others would do the same.

But when I first started a new job in a new city, my boss kept pushing me to come to her church. I finally spat it out, "I'm an atheist." She put her hand on my arm, gave me a look of pity and said, "Jesus loves you anyway."

I fumed for AT LEAST an hour. :-)

Answer 27

Yes, I have.  I've also been, on occasion, the atheist in question :-).

The reactions vary depending on the situation and the people.  Sometimes the theists present are surprised.  I had someone high-five me once, and I've had someone tell me that they were "astonished, because you're so nice!"

Answer 28

I've seen it many times, with little or no reaction from the audience.

Perhaps it's because I'm Canadian, and not American.  I understand that the religious zealotry is a bit more prevalent in the US.