PixlBit

"your people"?  Are you an alien from another planet?

Don't bother them and they shouldn't bother you.  If someone does, remind them not to bother you.  Simple.

They would think I'm an alien, I'll bet.

South Carolina is part of the bible belt, right? Well, I'm an atheist as well and I find that if you live by a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, you'll be fine. I actually have a good bit of atheist friends, and other friends of alternative religions, (Buddhists, pandeists) so I have an outlet for discussion and the sharing of ideas at least. However, I would never, ever voice my religious standpoint to anyone over the age of 25 around here, because you just never know what type of reaction you'll get. My own mother is in permanent denial about it. So it's just the elephant in the room topic that no one ever brings up. It's not really big deal I guess, it's just easier to keep such things to yourself, which is probably the best course of action anyway. Religion will always be a touchy subject regardless of anything.

Yeah, best to take the fifth.

In my experience, I always ran into problems with people around the ages of 20 - 25.  Over zealous college kids that "know" everything.  I find that older people are easier to deal with. 

I'm not from the bible belt but I would imagine that there are pockets of people who are atheist or non-christian in areas stuck in places like that and I kind of feel sorry for them. 

I'm in Texas, but in a major city like Dallas, it's not THAT uncommon, though I certainly don't bring it up in interviews; in Nacogdoches (east/rural Texas), where I went to college, the Bible Belt was quite a bit more apparent, but when on campus, again it wasn't THAT uncommon, so I've never felt like I was in any real danger ... but then again I only told the right people, so there ya go.

Honestly, I'd say there's an age gap that determines how big a deal it is in most cases, as GamergirlBritt alluded to. I had mostly Christian friends and one of my best friends was a Bhuddist; I tried not to bring it up around anyone but my Buddhist friend, just cause we discussed philosophy all the time.

I live in Mississippi... I have no problem with you being an Atheist.  But I would not reccomend you walk around town pronouncing that you are an Atheist...just live and let live...quietly....

This is true.  Don't parade it around and no one bothers you.  You go in acting like you're better than them because you're an Atheist, then you're just asking for an ass kicking.

After read this I just couldn't resist. I don't know why though given what trouble this'll cause. Yet I feel this post is more akin to actually wanting to know than just to be a sarcastic posting. Either way here it goes...

I can only speak from where I live (I'm more centeral midwest than the areas you speak of) so this might come as a shock to you but there are indeed atheist where I live as well. And despite popular opinion you don't see groups of christians running after them, trying to get them to repent or go away for fear of them tainting their holy land. Instead you see a sense of tolerance toward those that are not of the faith or of a different belief altogether. Infact you'll still find elders that don't understand the term "atheist" for during their time there was no definition when the though of "belief of" and "belief in" never needed to be divoriced in such a rigid sense.

 I have to admit though that there have been some changes to this status quo in the recent years given the current social challenges that are being faced at the moment. It's mostly generational. I know elders that never believed yet still bowed their head if they were in a group where one prayed or still showed one respect if someone said they'd pray for them in their time of hardship. Nowadays you'll find one of the younger generation doing all they can to distrupt one's prayer if they dared to do such in their presense, or tell the one who's to pray for them to either shove off or laugh at them due to their own self-deliousional ignorance.

To answer your question though (and forgive my overly long explaination of the atmosphere of where I live) most will probably give you no bother nor care if that is who you are. Some might shrug, some might not care, some might see that as a good time to bear witness, but I do know they won't run you out of town with torches and pitchforks.

To answer your question I would have no issue in letting my "LIttle One" attend her prom or homecoming dance when the time comes, but I'm sure there would be those of various flavors of the faith that might not allow it depend on what they believe. If that is their choice then so be it. (Now I would have a problem with sex education and the continuing removal of conservative values in our socieity but that's off topic.)

Now that's not to say sadily you might run into a "firebrand" if they caught wind of being an atheist. It's one of the more troubling trends in my area where you'll find more "fire and brimestone" christians who are more atune to practice the "damnation and punishment" of the faith than the "love and forgiveness" that use to be the norm in my parts when I grew up. that's not to say you'll find atheists who do all they can to show disrespect but long ago it was more of "live and let live" mentality when it came to such matters of the faith. So long as no one tried to shove religion or the lack thereof down one's throat all was well and left to God's work if the time was right to let his work move thru them. I guess the best way to define it would be that one famous quote from the futurama episode Godfellas: "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all."

In the end there is tolerace toward those not of the faith or of a different faith, so long as respect is given in the end. Being flamboyant about it may not hurt who you are, but it won't help you either. No one likes a blowhard.

I hope that helps.

Thank you, Mr. Watkins.

What's it like?  Not really that spectacular, I guess.

You've got your Bible thumpers and holy rollers, sure, but not every other neighborhood or person is a member of Westboro Baptist Church or anything.  It's not as stark or "oppressive" as some would have you believe, trust me.

Well I wouldn't call myself an atheist, but I haven't been to church in 20 years or so.  I live in Atlanta and none of my friends go to church or are overly religious either.  Sure, there are plenty of religious people here, but we coexist pretty peacefully.  I have never even thought about it before.  I don't think most people care what you do or believe if it doesn't effect them.  Atlanta is a pretty good party city.  I do think that if you lived in some of the rural areas away from Atlanta, Augusta or Savannah it may be an issue.

I am not athiest, but it would never have any effect on how I would percieve you.  How you carry yourself and how your treat yourself, and those around you, would effect how I percieve you.   I would never force my beliefs on anyone, nor would I judge.