Many people are hesitant to identify as atheists because of the social stigma they may face, making it hard to pinpoint connections and differences among this group.
In the 1960s and 1970s only scientists were ardent atheists and they had their own social circles. But there was a strong left-wing / liberal wing of Christian congregations, and nones and I don’t knows (the majority of atheists today) would assert affiliation with one of those churches. You didn’t even have to attend.
But yeah asserting a lack of faith was something teens did to be edgy. At the same time ghosts and alien visitors were thought to be real. Girls were suspended for practicing witchcraft.
Some folk believed the Dungeons and Dragons manuals featured real demon-summoning rituals that could summon real demons. Lawyers got a red phone to Satan around the time they bought their first Porsche 911. Carl Sagan was alive and cried.
No it’s not lol. I’m from Kentucky, and unless you work at a church or something nobody will care outside maybe your family if they’re super religious.
I’m from Ohio and I’ve never felt comfortable talking about my lack of belief in a higher power the same way people who do believe in one do. Will it get me fired? I don’t know because I don’t talk about it with people at work. But I know that people would treat me differently if they knew.
Strange times in strange places.
In the American “Bible belt” being known as an atheist is becoming a social pariah.
It can put your employment at risk.
In the 1960s and 1970s only scientists were ardent atheists and they had their own social circles. But there was a strong left-wing / liberal wing of Christian congregations, and nones and I don’t knows (the majority of atheists today) would assert affiliation with one of those churches. You didn’t even have to attend.
But yeah asserting a lack of faith was something teens did to be edgy. At the same time ghosts and alien visitors were thought to be real. Girls were suspended for practicing witchcraft.
Some folk believed the Dungeons and Dragons manuals featured real demon-summoning rituals that could summon real demons. Lawyers got a red phone to Satan around the time they bought their first Porsche 911. Carl Sagan was alive and cried.
No it’s not lol. I’m from Kentucky, and unless you work at a church or something nobody will care outside maybe your family if they’re super religious.
I’m from Ohio and I’ve never felt comfortable talking about my lack of belief in a higher power the same way people who do believe in one do. Will it get me fired? I don’t know because I don’t talk about it with people at work. But I know that people would treat me differently if they knew.
It might be your specific community, or mine, but I’ve never felt that.
Yeah everyone is going to have different experiences. The fact that you have had a different one than me doesn’t mean either of ours are not valid.