No, this isn’t another “coming out” story. Most of you have read mine either here or at Coming Out Godless.
This is a post that was inspired by a brief IM conversation I had with the great blogger Sean a few days ago on the Atheist Nexus.
We were discussing some of the stages of “coming out” for some atheists. Some of us went through phases. I know I personally tried on several different religions. I even tried wiccan on for size as a final attempt to hold on to something society would recognize as delusional belief. I believe that this is done so we can continue to fit in with the rest of society. Being godless in America isn’t easy, as I am sure most of us know. People here like to see delusions in others, it gives them comfort in their own. And once you realize the truth about religion and god it can be a hard thing to admit to yourself and others. It comes with a stigma, but it cannot be denied once you reach that epiphany. If you choose to come out to anyone you have to be prepared to deal with the reactions when they come.
I compared this to being gay. I witnessed several of my friends go through the “coming out” phase of their homosexuality. Many of them tried really hard to be straight for a long time. That is what society and their families wanted for them. However, that isn’t what they are. Some of them went through phases of bisexuality. This let them hold on to some sense of “normalcy” for a while. Again, this wasn’t what they were. Finally they had to face their own truth.
Just as we did, we were all born the way we are.
Very true. There are many pressures aimed out keeping people Christian, and certainly social benefits too. I think this is an important reason why some atheists continue to consider themselves “cultural Christians.” It is difficult to embrace the outside status atheism involves.
I’m still not out. I think that’s why I enjoy blogging so much, I get to be who I really am.
And I like the online me better than the me I am to people who don’t know my fiery side.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Fiery,
I think a lot of us are still in some closets. The main reason I keep this online identity hidden (as much as you can) is because of future job prospects. I don’t want anyone ever googling me and finding out what I am. Descrimination is still a threat.
So I keep this site and my dominatrix site separate from my “real” site. X-D
Oh wait, I meant to keep them all separate from each other… never mind.
I don’t have the nerve to tell my Christian friends yet. When they find out, and I’m sure they will some day soon, I hope that they will not judge me because I don’t judge them.
Time will tell how manyChristian and Wiccan friends I’ll have left in the end. If people only like me if I believe in their imaginary God, then I will have to respect their decisions to drop me as a friend. It’s happened before.
I’m just to old to pretend anymore. I don’t know who I’m trying to impress. Coming out for me will be having the nerve to tell my Christian friends that I’m questioning everything that they believe in. I don’t expect them to understand.
Have a great week!! Hugs!!
Poodles,
There will be a bown paper bag with non sequential bills in the usual hiding place
I have never had any gay friends who came out while I was around. We had a gay supervisor at my old work and he was fairly stereotypical.
Sean… Thanks for the bag
Tracey… I didn’t lose any friends over it. I have been lucky.
I don’t have a “coming out” story as I don’t recall ever being anything but a non believer. When I was 5 or 6 I thought it was all bullshit and boy were my aunt and grandparents pissed when I spoke up and said so (as much as a 6 year old can) on Xmas Eve. Whew, I remember it to this day. I got sent to bed in a hurry.
Stops Along the Journey From Christian to Atheist…
Poodles has an interesting post over at Poodles Place about coming out as an atheist. The question asked is whether atheists go through common stages as part of the coming out process….
[...] presents Coming out posted at Poodles Place, saying, “For your [...]