Atheism on the go.

Just a quick article, really.

I’m taking a vacation for the next few days.  I think it well deserved, as I’ve been busting my butt and recently got a promotion.  Hence my rather slow participation here.

While on my vacation, I’ve decided to be fairly open about my atheism wherever it shows up.  Since I’m not anywhere near my local community, I feel completely at ease being open about it.  This is really the point of this article.  I have to go far away to be open about NOT believing in something.  How stupid is this?

On this forum, without the fear of being “found out” by the wrong person, I can pour my thoughts out as I see religious stupidity around me.  But here back home, where my thoughts on this singular subject cast doubt in the minds of many, I must be careful about what I say and mindful of the company around when I say it.

Mind you, I’m not saying I believe in something, I’m saying I’m not convinced in the thing they believe in.  Normally, this does not cause anger and bedevilment.  Hell, I talk to people all the time that don’t really know what I do.  That’s why I explain it to them.  Even if they say my job is stupid, I still explain it to them.  They usually get it.  But I can’t turn around and say I don’t understand their belief, because in many ways their trust in me affects my income.

I am literally afraid to be open about not being convinced by something.  Yes, religion oppresses me.  Now, I’m not trying to be melodramatic here, I’m not being physically harmed or jailed or anything.  But I need a home to live in and food to put on the table, and if I want these things, I have to hide my lack of belief.

But for the rest of this week, I intend to be open and proud.  I want people to know that not being sure is not only okay, it’s better than being made to pick a side without evidence.  They might even understand where I’m coming from, and decide that I have a good point.  The world needs more atheists.

The Spartan Atheist