I never attend church, unless it's a wedding or funeral. But, I have some close friends, a couple, who are also clergy. When I eat with them they say grace and I look down and sit quietly. It's their thing, and I don't throw any shade on it.

I don't broadcast but avoid it

Or parents who have already indoctrinated their kids and can't find a way to say, "Um. Maybe not."

Have not been a churchgoer since high school. I've been openly non-religious since College. Somehow I survived in the Bible belt without repercussions. Possibly because I don't try to convert anyone else and always say please respect my beliefs like I respect yours when they try to convert me. I find that many of my Progressive Democratic friends are also atheist but not all of them are.

Listening to the so-called Believers I have become quite sure that at least a third of them are there for the social interaction and business opportunities. They will never fess up to their true beliefs because they're hypocrites.

We’re here!

I wonder that as well. I also wonder how many of them are just faking belief in order to fit in. When I used to attend church and youth group, I really, really tried to believe so that I would fit in with my peers. You know, the old fake it ‘til you make it strategy. No matter how much I faked, however, I never believed. And I’m quite sure I’m not the only one. I was lucky in that I had the option to walk away with little to no opposition. It would be nice if everyone had that chance.

And, there are more than just a few of them standing behind the pulpits etc. They know what they are spewing is bull, but are afraid of all they will lose if they fess up. This is why I like the Clergy Project.

And, I appreciate this place, and others, where I can go and be completely open about my non-belief without having to deal with those who want to convert me, or pity me, etc. I have two nephews who are atheists and they know that I am also; the rest, including my two daughters, just think that I do not like organized religion and question the existence of any god(s). They don't know that I absolutely do not believe in the existence of any.

[clergyproject.org]