Quite the opposite, I am a proud active atheist! I have an "Atheist Atom" tattooed on my right forearm (see in profile) & wear atheist t-shirts in public often. This is to 'come out' but also as hopeful conversation starters. I am working towards the acceptance of atheists rather than hiding. I do not start conversations with an atheist 'slant', as a matter of fact, if the other person doesn't bring it up, neither will I, tho I will wear my shirts (I have over a dozen!). & if a conversation does start I try for a 'Street Epistemology' approach, which I will admit I'm still working on as I do naturally like debate & give & take! I'm glad you found this site & hopefully you will feel less alone!

You shouldn't feel bad because of someone elses ignorant veiw of athiesm

No chance, I completely embrace it, well none believing anyway.

I don't see how your personal beliefs could possibly be anyone's business.

I feel the opposite of shame. It probably sounds egotistical but I feel that leaving religious doctrines and irrational thinking in the past is an evolutionary step for me and would be for humanity.

Hi neighbor you must be on the west side? Lotta French-Canadiens who might be religious? They need to open their eyes and hear your beliefs without judgement. I used to spend time at the AlpineClub and never discussed my non-beliefs with anyone there.

I am not ashamed of my atheism. However, to say that I have never been made to feel ashamed is simply not true. I have had similar experiences as you. I'm surrounded by theists and when they find out I'm a nonbeliever the relationship changes almost immediately. You can feel the judgment. You could cut the tension with a knife. For many people "coming out" as an atheist can have some very real consequences.

I do not feel ashamed about being an atheist. I might feel ashamed that it took me so long to arrive to this point in my life. Don't be ashamed of being true to yourself and seeking the truth and not being deluded by religion. I'm usually matter a fact about being atheist. It probably also helps that I live in New England and live and work with mostly liberal individuals. I imagine it may be more difficult in the Bible belt.

As for the strain it puts on family, friends and personal relationships, I can see where they might think they need to challenge you to try to save you from eternal damnation or want you to experience the same supposed joys of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ like they do because they love you so much. But I would ask them to at least tolerate your beliefs just like you tolerate their religion and maybe the best you can do is just agree to disagree and leave it at that because no one is going to change each others' minds anytime soon. Although, logic and reason is on your side and they may eventually come around especially when they see how you live your life perfectly fine without God and still have purpose, morals, and ethics.

I can't say I have ever felt shame for being an atheist. Relief, yes. And wonderment at those who so venemently defend and blindly follow the religion they were born into. But I live in Canada, where we have a lot more freedom from religion. At least that has been my experience. It also seems that the older I get, the more comfortable I am with the choices I have made in my life. If you don't like it, that is your problem, not mine.

No shame

Although Atheists are now the single largest group (larger than any single religious strain), we are still in the minority when believers are all lumped together, which is scary AF. It saddens me greatly that in our supposedly modern age the vast majority of humans still cling to mysticism when there are rational/scientific explanations for the previously unexplainable/unknown.

You are having unearned shame foisted upon you by these people. You have nothing to be ashamed of.

We have to be true to ourselves first.

Not A Chance, If They Don't Like It,Too Bad!

Am still a closet atheist so I might not be the right person to say this but you shouldn't be ashamed of who you are, what you believe or don't believe. You are not living for anyone so have a don't care attitude when people start questioning you.

There is very little, if anything, that one can do to change this situation and theists attitudes toward non-believers. It is just what we, as A-theist, have to learn to live with and accept. Thankfully there are places like Agnostic.com that are available to us and more becoming available all the time, especially on the internet.
I wish you well and success in what you are searching for here and in your life.

Shame is a by-product of religion, not atheism.

Any endeavor thats worth anything has to be fought for and defended. You will be alright if you stick to your beliefs. As far as feeling alone, seek out like minded individuals. Go to your local campus areas and find them, look into alternative newspapers etc.

Be well and keep your head up.

Shame? Bah! I've betrayed no one except those who chose to deceive me.

I don't feel ashamed at all. Alone, maybe, but not ashamed.