Who is most likely to hide their Atheism


Those who have studied this say it is women, Republicans and Southerners are most likely not to reveal they are atheists. This is understandable but sad. The irony is the most rational people, those who do not believe in invisible beings, an invisible life after they are dead and miracles are the ones who need to hide what they know to be true. It should be the other way around. Just now there is a terrible war started by a Christian despot. I'm sure most Christians still share that they are of the faith. While Putin claims to be fighting for the faith, atheists are the ones viewed with suspicion.

My guess is the percentage of atheists is the same with women and men, Republicans, Northerns and Southerners. That fewer of some groups share their atheism is a product of local attitudes. Things are always churning and changes so which kinds of people share their atheist may change over time. In our local atheist group it seems like there are more new women than new men.

Polls continue to show people have suspicion of atheists. There are very few among elected officials. I suppose very few run for office. 

We discussed before here how the computer is helping put people who are marginalized in touch with each other. For all the less helpful things the computer brings us, less privacy, etc., this is one of the good things.

The study did not mention rural versus urban in willing to share with other one is atheist. I would think rural setting would inhibit letting others know you are different. That said, I live in the middle of an urban area of 600,000 people. I do not share my theism with people in my building of 50 condominiums. Very people share with me their religious affiliation.

From what I have read, it is increasingly difficult to get Christians to invite others to their churches. While the faith says believers are to do this they seldom do. 

Getting along with one another has never been easy. I hope one day we atheists will not feel we need to hide. 

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