I've found that a lot of people don't realize that agnosticism and atheism are not mutually exclusive. One being a statement of knowledge and the other being a statement of belief, respectively. They think that when someone says they're an atheist that they're making a claim that God does not exist when actually it just means they don't believe in any of the positive claims about God being made. After I've explained this I've had a couple friends have a light bulb moment and realize they're probably atheists.

Unfortunately society sometimes makes it hard to be honest about your beliefs. I’m still becoming more confident and forthcoming in my atheism. Living in the buybull belt comes with consequences.. especially for my children.. who are also atheists.

Yep. I think they're afraid to say that they don't believe and I don't try to pin them down, but I think that if you did, they'd be agnostic at best.

I find a lot of not religious believers. They don't like church, but find solace in the thought of a sky daddy. Many have been indoctrinated and socialized around a church and a belief in God is like light pollution, it doesn't matter if it doesn't effect your day to day life. However, when you see what it's like to look around without it, it sucks.

An interesting aspect here is the growth of so-called Apatheists, those who just don't care about religion, not even enough to call themselves agnostic or atheist. Recent readings indicate that a lot of religions are worried about this too. They, religions, like fighting agnostics and atheists because they're the perfect strawmen to mischaracterize. But Apatheists are no fun to attack. So, to your question, I find I do have to separate people who really are nonbelievers but are wary about coming out, from those who just don't give a damn about religion.

I don't think of this part of my persona as that important.

I didn't know for a while because I didn't realize my beliefs for the criteria for agnosticism. I was glad when I found out because I realized there were other people who felt like I do.

It isn't often that I am in a position where the assertion is needed, but when it is I have no compunction. But that is my perspective and stance.

You are right when it comes to a large percentage and I think the reason is rooted in the fact that there is still a heavy stigma carried by the word and a reluctance to use it for self description. It's getting better, though.

Nope, can't say I have seen that. But then I don't have a lot of conversations with people about their religions.

Its easier not too.

not i. i know atheists and i know theists and they are pretty clear about who they are and what they do or do not believe.

g

Fear is the mind killer.
Know NO fear.

I refused to call myself an athiest for some time becuase I feared it would complety isolate me from those I knew at the time.
I was half right.
Some refused to socialize with me anymore, but the ones that stuck around showed me that they really cared. And I have since met many great athiest.

Yes, there are a heck of a lot of agnostic Christians. But if they admit to being agnostic they will suffer the wrath of hateful Christians.

Yea. I've had people tell me they didn't believe God existed but they still weren't atheist. It's sort of weird. I hear the same thing with anarchism. People claim they aren't anarchist while agreeing with most of anarchist philosophy

People definitely know I’m anti-religion.

I was never a believer, I was fortunate to have not been brought up in a religious household.
I never thought there was a name for it, in fact the subject never really came up.

It wasn't until the internet that I actually heard the term "Atheist".
Honestly it wasn't until then that I saw just how religious some are, and some of the crazy shit that they believe.

I normally don't use a label unless asked.
Well, sometimes I do when debating a Theist, but other than that, not really..
The one label I do use is "anti-theist". after learning more and more about religion over the years has made me some what of an activist against things like religion, creationism, indoctoctrination of children, and many others.

I think you could call them conflicted Christians.

I haven't seen that