Yes, I live in Indiana, home of Mike Pence. While I was working, I was careful not to advertise that I had long became an atheist. If you look at folks like Neil Carter (Godless In Dixie) he not only lost his job, but his wife after being a deacon for nearly 20 years. Or Matt Dillahunty who spent 25 years preaching at Baptist churches, now the founder of The Atheist Experience radio/pod cast channel.

It can be very difficult and risky coming out. There are seven states that make it illegal for an atheist to run for public office or serve on a jury. Frankly, once I retired I did not give a crap anymore. And I am always amazed by the lack of rational logic used by theists when debating on several discussion boards, that at one time I was brainwashed into believing.

What helped me was having one Catholic parent and one Baptist. My mom called herself a Batholic and actually was moderate. I was raised Catholic but realized early on it wasn’t the only game in town. I survived twelve years of Catholic school with no harm done. My mom was cool about that too. She told us to start screaming and not to stop if we were ever hit. I suspect she warned the nuns as well.

Yes to engage into meaningful conversations ,with out rasings ones voice and listen and question the Whys is extremy hard for a lot of religious to do ,especially when they are told certain facts

Brainwashing is very hard to overcome, especially when you are raised from birth that way.

I've always considered religion and politics to be subjects best left untouched when you're around the general public - neighbors you don't know very well, coworkers who are very vocal about their religion and politics, etc etc....
It seems they don't really want to engage in any kind of meaningful conversation or exchange of ideas - they just want to verbally beat you up until you give in and come around to their way of thinking. It's all just toooo tiresome. So I just smile and let them think whatever they want to think......much better for my mental health!

I too live in the bible belt and it's hard. I just keep my mouth shut until I have no choice to tell others how I really feel.

Religion is the original sin, slavery and treatment of women come next.

People travel at different speeds... Some need to catch up...

Religion is bullshit. Everyone knows it deep down. For most people it's super liberating to acknowledge it.
Doesn't mean you can't still open presents on December 25th, if thats what gets you through the holiday season. But you might have to stop calling it Christmas

maybe many have but also do not open up and talk about it, you will never know until you open up with others, than they will know the real you.