A person that must always tell everyone they do not believe in god is no better than someone who must tell everyone they DO believe in god .They’re both a bore .

I do not mind pretending I believe in god .Its no skin off my back .Whats the big deal about pretending you believe in fairytales .I find it amusing and akin to bolstering your child’s belief in Santa Claus .This concern is at the very bottom of the priority list In my life .

You cannot seriously live your life in a constant state of denial and pretence, that is not a life it’s just an existence. You don’t need to announce to everyone that you don’t believe, but neither should you deny it if asked. If people cannot accept the real you, then their friendship isn’t worth having, because true friends don’t judge.

This should not be important to you .Remember your family and friends were most likely taught to believe in god from birth and were brainwashed to possibly think negatively towards nonbelievers.So why take a chance and Alienate yourself from good people

I don't pretend, but I also don't broadcast it.

My beliefs (and non-beliefs) are no ones business but mine. If asked, I tell the truth.

I live in a rural Illinois town of less than 18,000. Very. very Jesus-y here! don't pretend to be Christian or theist, but I am very low key about my atheism. I don't mention it unless directly interrogated. That means I spend a lot of time listening to acquaintances drone on about their "loving god" while I silently smile through pursed lips.

There is a group here of folks from the belt, or who have lived in the belt, or who support those who are there still.

Small town here. I stopped pretending years ago. Couldn't listen to one more derogatory remark about gays or other groups xians consider less than them.
Yes it's lonely but I could not take it anymore.

Absolutely not, and I hope you don't as well, though in situations like yours there can be a lot of pressure to conform. My view is: they are the ones who believe in nonsense from the Bronze Age, not me. In the end, people only respect you for being what you are. Also, have you ever thought that being open about your views might encourage others to reveal themselves also?

Welcome to the Community.

I've found that most people who believe in an imaginary friend will just assume that you do too. The only time it comes up is when they say something religious based that is so hypocritical, ignorant and mind numbingly stupid that I feel the urge to comment, I try to bite my tongue for the most part because its just never worth it. Those times that I do say something serves to get the word out there to others that I am not 'one of god's children' and it keeps them away for the most part - I don't enjoy their company so it works for me. Being alone is much better than being surrounded by a bunch of ignorant hypocrites that make a person feel very lonely but not alone.

Welcome. small towns and their religiousness is annoying to say the least. I can't really offer any advice - I'm a loner by nature - be as true to yourself as possible and ya always have this site for virtual hugs.

Back when I felt I had to pretend, I still wasn't 100% sure how I even felt about my own position. But now that I am fully confident in my own worldview, I neither feel like I have to hide my views nor advertise them. It's nobody's business. But if it comes up, I don't feel an educated view ever has to take a backseat to an uneducated view. Ever. Under any circumstances.

I would rather be hated for who I am, than liked for who I'm not. Being honest won't get you many friends, but it will get you the right ones.

Whenever you start to feel like an ostrich, just come on here. We'll keep you entertained!

Not for me. I even take a service user to his church, where I'm sure they almost all know that I'm an atheist. Great coffee and pieces (cakes, cookies and biscuits)
There are some strong Christian denominations in this part of Scotland, but they seem more concerned with calling each other daemons and heretics than bothering with me.

I understand where you are coming from but I have never subscribed to that notion...which has not been easy. I would rather be true to myself and my own beliefs and be lonely, quite frankly. An authentic life is the only one worth living IMHO.

How often do religion or religious beliefs come up in daily life? Virtually never for me. In 55 years as a member of the working press I never discussed religion with coworkers. Neither with neighbors did religion come up except in general terms. No one ever challenged my "absurd man" (see Albert Camus) identification nor was I curious about the beliefs of others. I'm amazed at all the talk on Agnostic about confrontations on religion.

I live in a small mostly conservative Christian, pro-tRUMPf, town and I don't really keep in much contact with local friends nor do I join local organizations because I don't want to have to pretend to believe in a god or, at a minimum, keep my mouth shut. However, I am thinking about visiting the Unitarian Universalist church. They won't care that I am an atheist; and, I am sure, will be more politically compatible.

I shared the same fear. When my x-wife found out I did not believe she told everyone she could to shame me. It did not work. I now have an atheist a tattoo on my forearm and a atheist oriented YouTube channel. I am ver much out and to my surprise I have had very little pushback. Much of it is I am very confident in my position, generally know more about their religion than they do, and I simply try to be nice. I just don't get defensive about others misconceptions.

Im in a religious community as well and my children who are in 4th grade public elementary school are open and proud of their atheism. I'm not hiding their right to believe what they want and even respectfully challenge others on their own beliefs, when and where appropriate. I feel the more of us that come out and arent affraid to hide the better.

I faked it so my mom would shut up. The woman was a professional victim of ungrateful children. Avoidance was my best means of coping while I lived in her house. Once I was out of there, everything changed.

No but I don't advertise

Not me. As a an atheist since age 13, I'm out and proud.

Hasn't hurt my friendships, family or loving relationships.

People love me for who I am.

Only in the US, other western countries don’t give a toss about if you are religious or not.

I don't need friends that badly. It's more important (to me) to live an authentic life. As a result, several very good friends have appeared.