Telling Them I'm An Atheist
Sharing this blog with my friends.
March/02/2008
I sent an email to about 12 of my friends today
to share this new blog. The first response was a
good one. My friend Rob (a pastor), asked "Why I
waited so long to come out of the closet?"
Excellent question.
First of all let me explain that when I was a believer I kept it to myself. So when I became a non-believer I kept it to myself. Fortunately I began writing everything down. Even when I thought I might share this new part of me there was an obvious concern. How will friends treat me, will they suddenly become afraid of me somehow?
In "The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins says, "The status of atheists in America today is on par with that of homosexuals fifty years ago." Thats' a scary thought, are people going to fight me because of this? It's reason enough to be concerned or take precautions. In my previous post, I thanked several individuals for their help. They helped by indicating what it's like to be a known atheist in America today. They all said hate mail is virtually non-existant. So if christians only occasionally get animated then should I worry about Muslims? Then I realized, they view christians and atheists as infidels, so we are no different to them.
Now that I've ruled out threats and harm, who am I afraid might know that I'm an atheist? No one.
Christians openly show what they believe with their Jesus fish on their cars, and their crosses hanging from the rear view mirror. If they can openly share their personal beliefs without fear of harm then so can I.
To answer your question Rob, "Why did I wait so long to come out the closet?" Fear of the unknown, I really didn't know what would happen when people found out. I wanted to wait and get some answers from seasoned atheists about whether or not I was endangering my family (because my family come first). It was only 5 months ago yesterday that I decided I was an atheist, so it really hasn't been that long.
First of all let me explain that when I was a believer I kept it to myself. So when I became a non-believer I kept it to myself. Fortunately I began writing everything down. Even when I thought I might share this new part of me there was an obvious concern. How will friends treat me, will they suddenly become afraid of me somehow?
In "The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins says, "The status of atheists in America today is on par with that of homosexuals fifty years ago." Thats' a scary thought, are people going to fight me because of this? It's reason enough to be concerned or take precautions. In my previous post, I thanked several individuals for their help. They helped by indicating what it's like to be a known atheist in America today. They all said hate mail is virtually non-existant. So if christians only occasionally get animated then should I worry about Muslims? Then I realized, they view christians and atheists as infidels, so we are no different to them.
Now that I've ruled out threats and harm, who am I afraid might know that I'm an atheist? No one.
Christians openly show what they believe with their Jesus fish on their cars, and their crosses hanging from the rear view mirror. If they can openly share their personal beliefs without fear of harm then so can I.
To answer your question Rob, "Why did I wait so long to come out the closet?" Fear of the unknown, I really didn't know what would happen when people found out. I wanted to wait and get some answers from seasoned atheists about whether or not I was endangering my family (because my family come first). It was only 5 months ago yesterday that I decided I was an atheist, so it really hasn't been that long.
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Telling my girls I'm an atheist in the basement.
January/11/2008
Karen told me yesterday that I should tell the
girls that I'm an atheist before they hear it
from somebody at church. That being, of course,
because Karen has told many people at church.
Karen is gone for the evening at a slumber party with some of her friends from church, so I decided now would be a good time.
I told the girls to go down to the basement because I wanted to talk to them. We have a huge chalkboard in the basement that I used for illustration.
I spent about 30 minutes talking about the world and the beliefs of the world. Those from the past and today.
After 30, minutes I finally explained to the girls that I don't believe in any of the supernatural things that people believe in, including the christian god.
I asked if they had any questions. There were a few. "What started my atheism?" and some on evolution that I spent the next 30 minutes explaining.
At this time, I could see that they were ready to leave. I kept getting those glances of, "Are you done so we can go?"
It wasn't really that bad. I was concerned about what they might think. I do want my girls to love me.
Karen is gone for the evening at a slumber party with some of her friends from church, so I decided now would be a good time.
I told the girls to go down to the basement because I wanted to talk to them. We have a huge chalkboard in the basement that I used for illustration.
I spent about 30 minutes talking about the world and the beliefs of the world. Those from the past and today.
After 30, minutes I finally explained to the girls that I don't believe in any of the supernatural things that people believe in, including the christian god.
I asked if they had any questions. There were a few. "What started my atheism?" and some on evolution that I spent the next 30 minutes explaining.
At this time, I could see that they were ready to leave. I kept getting those glances of, "Are you done so we can go?"
It wasn't really that bad. I was concerned about what they might think. I do want my girls to love me.
Telling Stephen I'm an atheist through email.
November/01/2007
I decided to ask Stephen (my nephew who is half
my age) if he would be interested in me sharing
something with him. But he must keep it to
himself.
I'm sure he has no idea what the topic is but it will probably surprise him.
I've had conversations in the recent past with him being at Bible college of my concerns for his schooling.
He will just have to trust me when I tell him those conversations were before I decided I was an atheist and had nothing to do with my current beliefs.
He said was willing to accept the information and keep it a secret so I'm going to share it with him.
We'll see how that goes.
I'm sure he has no idea what the topic is but it will probably surprise him.
I've had conversations in the recent past with him being at Bible college of my concerns for his schooling.
He will just have to trust me when I tell him those conversations were before I decided I was an atheist and had nothing to do with my current beliefs.
He said was willing to accept the information and keep it a secret so I'm going to share it with him.
We'll see how that goes.
Telling Shawn I'm an atheist over lunch.
October/11/2007
Telling Karen I'm an atheist before bed.
October/06/2007
I decided to tell Karen. I knew it would be
difficult for her. She was expectedly surprised.
She however has to live with me and was less interested in why I came to my conclusion. My wife and daughters still pray before each meal. I haven't told my girls yet. I may just let them figure it out on their own.
She however has to live with me and was less interested in why I came to my conclusion. My wife and daughters still pray before each meal. I haven't told my girls yet. I may just let them figure it out on their own.
Telling myself I'm an atheist after watching TV.
October/01/2007