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An update from a closeted atheist:
I told a couple people in my close circle that I do not believe and I am an atheist. Surprisingly they were really understanding and nonjudgmental about it. No one has told me yet that I’m gonna go to hell. I feel like most young Christians are more accepting as opposed to their parents. Although I’m not fully out, I feel like having people be there, even if they don’t agree with me, is super encouraging. Makes you feel less alone.

chlorine413 6 Feb 20
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18 comments

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0

I'm not at the point where i would call myself an atheist but i am at the point where thru research i do believe it to be a bunch of BS. Maybe well intentioned BS but ultimately BS. We've been lied to about the Bible and Jesus. Bible is full of some bad crap and there is no historical evidence of Jesus doing the things he's credited with.. I've been studying hypnosis for over a year now and i can tell you that preachers use the same techniques that hypnotists use. They on your emotions and confuse you in order for the suggestions to drop down into the unconscious mind with no resistance. A hypnotist can tell someone that his finger is on fire and touch the person and a blister will show up. This is what preachers do with the holy spirit and emotions. They get people to expect it and people imaginations believe it and it really happens

0

I have recently had an enlightenment also and can see thru all the BS. Were you a christian or were you always atheist. I'm a former christian but i wouldn't say i'm atheist just skeptical of organized religion in general.

3

One of the first reactions is usually, "Oh, you are just mad at God."

2

Be prepared for push back, it can come when you least expect it and can be ugly! It is never smooth sailing, even when we are secure in our position!

3

Just part of the process. You will grow more comfortable disclosing over time, if necessary. Sometimes it isn't worth the hassle. Most Christians will talk your ear off trying to "save" you after you disclose, so pick your battles. Who wants to hear that drivel if you don't have to.

3

It's great when someone understands.

3

Change takes courage, and those that can't change the way they think can't change anything. As a Canadian I find the reach and pervasiveness of conservatism almost unbelievable. The fear of not only atheism but also socialism is astonishing and comes a complete lack of education and the predominance of superstitious thinking.

4

It's a long road. What most happy people find is that, in the end, you are alone. And your aloneness is your freedom. Youth is usually very dependant, very social, and most subject to suffer and be misled. As you grow stronger you will find yourself more independant and more alone. Figure out what you want. Not what everybody else wants for you, but what do you want? Become that.

3

I'm glad you didn't lose close friends over your views. I agree with you regarding younger people being open and more accepting of non belief.

3

I'm happy this has been your experience so far...

2

most people claim to believe because they were taught that I would believe those who were honest to start with. Some will agree with who ever is around

3

when i was a kid i took a lot of shit for being jewish. when i was five or six, my best friend told me her mom had said we couldn't be friends anymore because i was jewish. when i was eight, my best friend met me at the door of her house one day and said her mom had demanded that i say i love jesus christ before entering the house. i never entered the house again. later i got other kinds of shit, from having pennies thrown at me to being called a dirty jew. even as an adult i was denied employment for having a jewish name. none of that has happened to me for being an atheist (which i have been since the age of 15). HOWEVER, i do find myself the target of christians who are just as upset about my being an unbeliever as they ever were about my being jewish (which, ethnically, i still am). i am told i can't be a good person because i'm deciding on my own to do good rather than evil instead of doing it for god; i am told atheism is a religion; i am told i am going to hell. i am told NONE of this to my face; it's all online, with one exception, which was a person with whom i had been friendly and who knew i was jewish and did NOT know i was an atheist, suddenly realizing (where did she grow up -- under a rock?) that jews don't believe jesus is the son of god/god himself/any kind of divine being. she never spoke to me again after learning that, although i had not changed one bit, so i never had a chance to discuss atheism with her! but this was not someone in my immediate circle. it was baffling but i didn't lose sleep over it. no one i actually know who knows i am an atheist (and i am not shy about that) has anything bad to say to me about it. they know they can feel free to discuss their own beliefs with me and not have me diss them either.

g

5

Congrats, but you’re still going to hell 😉

It’s gonna be lit ??

4

You are having better luck with that . If I told my friends it would not go so well.

If your friends judge or dump you for being atheist, they were never friends.

6

The truth is that not many people are interested in the religious opinions of someone else. It’s just not that big of a deal. When you decide not to live a lie though, you project poise and self confidence and people will admire you for that.

3

My daughter had some trouble when she announced there was no God in Religious Education some years ago. Over the following two lessons, there were very few believers left.
That was a proud mum and dad time.

"there was no God" is very different from "I do not believe". Hurrah for those who stick to the facts.

3

That's something I never had when I came out as an atheist. Support is so important.

4

Careful

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