Are people afraid to say that they are atheists?

Not on Fluther, as far as I can tell.

I’m agnostic and would never admit that to my friends. I think that most of the events in the Holy Bible likely never happened and none of the events in the Book of Mormon happened. I go along to get along.

The problem with saying that you are atheist is that a theist can ask, How do you know for certain that there is no God? To get around that, I say that technically I am agnostic, but for all practical purposes I am an atheist. Nothing that I do is premised on the possibility of there being a God.

Politicians in America are afraid to say they’re atheists or agnostics. I haven’t found that other people are afraid to admit to atheism. And although I belong to a religious community, nobody in it cares if you believe in a god or not. I don’t.

There may be different senses of “afraid”. On one hand, people who live in communities where religion is a highly important factor may not want to admit their atheism to their friends or family for fear of rupturing their relationship with them. On the other, a person may not want to make a commitment to unbelief if they’re only feeling skeptical of organized religion or religious mythology. Most atheists would probably admit they cannot know for certain that there are no deities. Agnosticism would just be the default position for someone who doesn’t believe but doesn’t claim certitude about the non-existence of a God. “Atheism” for some may also have connotations of “anti-atheism”, opposition and hostility to religious belief, which some who lack belief may not want to be associated with.

For god’s sake, no! (that was sarcasm, boys and girls)

Anyone who knows me closely enough as a friend knows that. And I don’t talk religion at work. I’m not afraid to; I just don’t think it has a role there.

I personally never had that problem, but I am fortunate enough to live in a region where 70% of the population are atheist.

The subject rarely or never comes up. If asked I will readily admit to believing in the laws of physics. My close friends are all on the same page.
What is the point of discussing it? I read someplace that 95% of children have the same concept of religion as their parents. That is about the same correlation as skin color or inheriting right handedness. Why waste time discussing something that will not change?

@LuckyGuy True. It’s nothing I’ve ever had the need to discuss with anyone. Most of the people I know don’t really talk about religion.

Would be interested in a scientific poll on the question. I read somewhere there are more atheists in the US than before.

@mazingerz88 what makes you think that the religious folk would believe a poll, scientific or not?

With my friends or professional relationships, religious beliefs are hardly brought up, if at all. Some may mention going to church, but other than that, no discussion about beliefs or religion during childhood or anything.

I live in NY. Out of curiosity I was just googling to find the religious breakdown in my area (I border two states) and I found this site: https://www.bestplaces.net/find/

People are entitled to believe in what they wish too and it has no effect on others what they believe.
Politicians would be careful to state their views on religion and that is ONLY because they are concerned on getting votes.
What another believes has no effect on my life unless I was personally involved with that person.

I’m not afraid. I have not heard of any others who were supposedly afraid to state their non-belief.

About the only time it comes up for me is when a person is ill or dying and someone asks me to pray for them. In that situation, I’m not about to say I don’t believe in god, so I say something about sending peace or good thoughts their way.

As far as being afraid to admit it, no, I just don’t want to discuss it. It’s my belief, period. I have found in the past that if I say I’m an atheist, sometimes it’s challenged and I’m like…eye roll, here we go again. So I pretty much keep it to myself. The people I’m close to know it, but we don’t discuss it either.

@smudges I, too, never say “Why? That is nonsense.” I say something along the lines of “I’ll send some warmth your way.” and I blip a UHF radio in their direction. Maybe they only get a picowatt or femtowatt but they are getting something real from me. (as is most everyone else on the planet.)

Mostly it doesn’t matter to me. I just don’t want it too public. I have family members and Christian friends who would be highly upset.

I do not believe in something, that does not exist. I’m not afraid to say it loud and clear. The real believers are not dangerous because they are living in the love…(Do not laugh!)