Very religious? Not really...

I live in a very conservative area of suburban Philadelphia. I've known most of my friends for decades. On social media there's a constant stream of religious platitudes being posted. However, when pressed concerning their beliefs many are middle of the road.

When I explain to them that their beliefs about a "collective consciousness" or "universal energy" - anything other than an anthropomorphic deity - technically makes them an atheist the awkwardness is palpable.

On one occasion my friend jokingly referenced my atheism in the middle of a party. The conversation HALTED. It put me in an uncomfortable spotlight - briefly. I'm not ashamed of my atheism - it was just an unexpected situation. I shrugged and we moved on. But I did notice a perceptible change of expression on some of the attendees faces...

I have a bad history with christians acting terribly after finding out I was atheist. So naturally now I don't even bother with them. One of my best friends is a deist. Had a wiccan friend too. Neither cared that I was atheist, it was no big deal at all.

No

Yep. I bite my tongue sometimes, but they know I'm agnostic. I think maybe my closest friends might bite their tongues regarding me... sometimes.

I am married to an atheist, and have one neighbor\friend who is an atheist. The rest of my friends are pretty religious, but then again I live in a very religious and conservative area.

all my friends are believers...except for one that i can think of. i just say i don't believe in that bullshit. i have one atheist relative (that i know of)... and my sister is agnostic as are her hubby and kids. something funny that my neice says... when somebody asks her what church she goes to she says "church's chicken" C:

Yup, pretty much. I always choose to avoid confrontation, unless they try to push their agenda on me. In that case, I don't have a problem taking care of business...

I have plenty of Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist friends here in Thailand, but the only people who have harrassed me about my faith have been a few expat Christians. The nominal Christians are OK, and are friendly and kind.

My best friends are christians. One is a devout Lutheran which I grew up as. It's more liberal and compassionate than others. My other best friend is a conservative covvie. We just respect each others beliefs and with the covvie we just avidly avoid politics