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Question 23

Do atheists that hide their lack of belief annoy you?

• In some ways. I don't care for deception, so if they are actively claiming that they AREN'T atheists, then they won't have my respect. If they just don't bring the subject up, I guess that's sort of okay. On the other hand, I feel that atheists need to stand up for their right to be atheists and to be treated with the same respect that theists, in their arrogance and ignorance, DEMAND. (Bob Haynes #8)

• A bit.

  I mean, it's their choice, but it strikes me as gutless.

  However, if one is doing so to insure one gets that inheritance from one's rich dying fundie aunt (or something), I say go for it! (czar #13)

• No. They have a right to do what they want to, just as Xians have a right to go preaching about their Gawd. Difference is that silent atheists are not as near annoying as loud, crass and utterly annoying bleaters.

  But I would like some of my atheist friends to be more vocal, that's for sure. Makes life a little more interesting :) (Aldrin #995)

• Nope. I have to do it myself from time to time. While I happily tell anyone who wants to know (or doesn't) that I'm an atheist in my day to day life, when it comes to work, I just can't do that. It could cost me a client. In fact, I have one now that I'm quite certain would take his business elsewhere if he knew. So I just let him assume that everyone, including myself, shares his beliefs. (Beth Wise #859)

• No, if a person is not forthright in their opinions, there is usually a very good reason - family pressure, coercion, fear of rejection or of harm... I feel more sympathy than annoyance that a person can not honestly express the way (s)he feels. Atheism, for the most part in the U.S., is still seen as somewhat of an aberration from the norm. In some areas of the country, I think that it might be extremely unhealthy to declare one's atheism. (Liz Huth #658)

• I have a friend who is an atheist. Most of our other friends are theists. I've never mentioned my atheism around the rest of them, to avoid pointless arguments. So I could be said to be hiding my lack of belief in a way, but if someone asked me, I would say I'm an atheist. I'm not sure if he would. He's newly atheist and doesn't know all the counterarguments, so I wouldn't blame him too much if he was alone and hid his atheism. But if I'm around and he still says no, that would bug me. (Cabrutus #820)

• No, not generally. I suppose it's a bit like being gay. It certainly isn't "wrong," but who would want to subject themselves to the slings and arrows of the people who think it is, if they don't have to? I figure it's fine if people choose their battles. (Colin #866)

• No. I hide my beliefs, sometimes. I do it especially in situations where I might offend someone important and/or where it might not be in my own best interest to discuss it. I think all atheists can share at least a few moments in their life when a discussion on the topic got "out of hand."

  I don't think we can pass judgement on other atheists as far as how they want to express their beliefs. Only they know what's best for themselves. (Aaron #294)

• In a normal day I may associate or come in contact with 20 people, none of them professing any religious views. Which is just fine by me.

  OTOH, when involved in a religious discussion, I expect everyone to express their views honestly. In this context, if someone who was known by me to be a non-believer and they weren't making their status clear, I would definitely be annoyed. (Mark Speener #1044)

• ...Each person should make their own peace with their conscience. I would _prefer_ that they speak out, and stand up to the people who would silence us all (or worse), and I will do my best to encourage them to do so. But we can't all be heroes or martyrs (although I think that we _do_ need a few more. . .) (Arne Langsetmo #101)