A time to come out

nozzferrahhtoo

A little tired here so I apologise if someone posted this already. But I thought it interesting enough to alert people to. For the sake of interest of this board however maybe if you submit a story to the link below, you will submit it here too for us to revel in

“A Time to Come Out” « PixelStampede

We are now accepting stories for a groundbreaking book for atheists. A Time to Come Out: Revealing Non-Belief in a Theistic World is slated for nationwide release in Spring 2012.

Hiding a part of your life from your family, friends, and colleagues is an overwhelming burden. This anthology of coming out stories from non-theists seeks to inspire those who are still living in silence to come out. In your story, remember to focus on coming out. What sparked your coming out? How did you feel? What was the experience and outcome like for you?

Coming out?

Seriously?

petebricquette

nozzferrahhtoo wrote: »

A little tired here so I apologise if someone posted this already. But I thought it interesting enough to alert people to. For the sake of interest of this board however maybe if you submit a story to the link below, you will submit it here too for us to revel in

“A Time to Come Out” « PixelStampede

That's absolute madness. The book, not your post. Blatant cashing in on something that isn't even a big deal any more!

EDIT: By big deal I mean that a lot of people are atheists yadda yadda yadda.

ShooterSF

Actually in many parts of America it can be quite a volatile event "coming out" to your family. I don't think it's as bad here but I'm sure some posters could tell you stories of huge arguments with their family, especially those who told them whilst still living at home. Thankfully I'm not one of those, though perhaps had my other grandmother been alive when I decided I was definitely an Atheist things may have been different.

MagicMarker

petebricquette wrote: »

That's absolute madness. The book, not your post. Blatant cashing in on something that isn't even a big deal any more!

EDIT: By big deal I mean that a lot of people are atheists yadda yadda yadda.

A lot of people are gay too but some still feel like they can't ''come out''.

Not that I'm equating atheism with homosexuality of course.

nozzferrahhtoo

Yeah I posted it realising that it is not something that makes a lot of sense to us here in Ireland. But I have lots of friends and family in the US so I posted it as a kind of reminder to myself, as well as others, that the luxury of simply being an atheist is something that is not universal and it actually brings some people a lot of torment.

There are those in our world for whom the simple coming out as being not convinced by the lies of men in dresses or men with collars or men with "reverend" before their name is not just as simple as speaking up, but is actually a brave reaction to the culture in which they live. I feel we should not forget just how easy some of us have it and spare a quick thought for those who "come out" against the pressures of a very much religious orientated society. Let alone those in areas of the east who would be killed for speaking in such a fashion.

Doctor DooM

If you don't think it's a big deal, I suggest you give a listen to the non prophets podcast from Austin in Texas.

The amount of stories about young people who are cut off from their families or have to have fund raisers because they won't pay for their college education etc in that part of the world is quite frankly shocking.

We're lucky to live in a part of the world where even if religion is manifest all around it has alot less pull socially than others.

petebricquette

Doctor DooM wrote: »

If you don't think it's a big deal, I suggest you give a listen to the non prophets podcast from Austin in Texas.

The amount of stories about young people who are cut off from their families or have to have fund raisers because they won't pay for their college education etc in that part of the world is quite frankly shocking.

We're lucky to live in a part of the world where even if religion is manifest all around it has alot less pull socially than others.

That's absolutely fair enough. Sorry, my ignorance was showing. I'll certainly have a listen to that podcast.

Galvasean

Could this be the first time anyone has changed their opinion on something in the Religion & Spirituality section? ^^

robindch

Galvasean wrote: »

Could this be the first time anyone has changed their opinion on something in the Religion & Spirituality section? ^^

Nope

Turtwig

MagicMarker wrote: »

A lot of people are gay too but some still feel like they can't ''come out''.

Not that I'm equating atheism with homosexuality of course.

I recently had a conversation with a gay person on this and yes I am in a way comparing homosexuality to atheism. In my case, I rarely visit home nowadays but as far as my parents and immediate family are concerned I'm a devout Catholic. In his case, his parents are very traditionalist and anti-gay but he had to tell them because what if he had a boyfriend? Would he able to keep such a relationship of someone he loved secret? Of course he wouldn't, he'd like his lover to meet and get to know his parents, even if tacitly they'd never approve because he has other family members and friends too. In my case, my closest friends know my true beliefs, but I just cannot see a point or reason in falling out with my family over something that brings me almost no net gain in telling them. To which the point was made : just wait until you're getting married. For the time being though, I'm down with procrastination.

Doctor DooM

Doctor DooM wrote: »

If you don't think it's a big deal, I suggest you give a listen to the non prophets podcast from Austin in Texas.

The amount of stories about young people who are cut off from their families or have to have fund raisers because they won't pay for their college education etc in that part of the world is quite frankly shocking.

We're lucky to live in a part of the world where even if religion is manifest all around it has alot less pull socially than others.

I dunno, the western world is already far too much in thrall to the victim culture - and now it seems we can add atheists to a lengthening list.

I'm comfortable with myself and my view of the universe. I'm not comfortable with the notion that as an atheist I'm somehow entitled to a fully paid up membership of the victims' club - or obliged to join, for that matter.

Every time I hear Dana bleating and whinging about being a victim because she's a Catholic I just feel like rolling my eyes to, er, well, heaven. But at least I have the satisfaction of being able to say that no-one in their right mind could associate me with her. But if atheists are going to carry on like that then frankly I'd rather not become a victim by association.

Ugh. Does this mean I'm going to have to find another word to describe myself and my world view?

strobe

Deleted User wrote: »

Ugh. Does this mean I'm going to have to find another word to describe myself and my world view?

'Whingebag'?

Galvasean

Deleted User wrote: »

I dunno, the western world is already far too much in thrall to the victim culture - and now it seems we can add atheists to a lengthening list.

I'm comfortable with myself and my view of the universe. I'm not comfortable with the notion that as an atheist I'm somehow entitled to a fully paid up membership of the victims' club - or obliged to join, for that matter.

Just ad it to the list of things not all atheists are. There are atheists out there who are discriminated against for being what they are, just like homosexuals, christians and any number of types of people one could care to mention.
It's not an all or nothing situation. Just because there are atheists out there who have suffered in such a way doesn't mean we all have to act like it affects us all. Likewise, all atheists don't have to suck it up. If people are being victimised for whatever then they deserve to be helped. If you don't want to be victimised by association that's well and good. No one is asking you to.

sbsquarepants

ShooterSF wrote: »

Actually in many parts of America it can be quite a volatile event "coming out" to your family. I don't think it's as bad here but I'm sure some posters could tell you stories of huge arguments with their family, especially those who told them whilst still living at home. Thankfully I'm not one of those, though perhaps had my other grandmother been alive when I decided I was definitely an Atheist things may have been different.

It's always baffled me how the more religious a group of people are, the less willing they become to accept people "as god made them".
If god doesn't like, gays for example, why make so many?
I don't like cheesecake, it seems a complete waste of my time to make, condemn and finally burn the damn things, so i just don't make them in the first place.
If I, a mere mortal, can work this out, why can't "god"!

Also: -personally speaking, i think this book is just hopping on a bandwagon trying to make a few quid, it'd be better with more vampires!

sbsquarepants

Malty_T wrote: »

In my case, my closest friends know my true beliefs, but I just cannot see a point or reason in falling out with my family over something that brings me almost no net gain in telling them. To which the point was made : just wait until you're getting married. For the time being though, I'm down with procrastination.

Each to their own and all that, but surely the reason you told your closest friends is so that they know the "real" you. Maybe that could be the net gain in coming clean? But then only you, know how that may pan out.

Personaly speaking, i've always been both an inquisative and opinionated little git, so I've always argued my case since childhood, there wasn't ever a grand coming out required! I was actually barred from religion class in 1st year for disputing things. I didn't feel I was being disruptive I just thought, if the science teacher can explain how, why can't the religion teacher - sister Mary didn't see it that way and barred me!

Galvasean

Galvasean wrote: »

No one is asking you to.

I suppose I'll just have to take your word for it. Ach, maybe it's an age thing.