I Came Out Atheist and This Happened

Atheists face discrimination all over, including in the United States. We're the most hated and/or distrusted group in America, so I had my concerns about coming out. I became an atheist over 2 years and just recently told my friends and family. Here are my experiences in coming out.
This video contains 100% therapeutic grade skepticism.*
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[@GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

Edit: Demonetized, then monetized again. Thanks for the $0 for 42k+ views, youtube 🙃 Thanks for your support, everyone! ❤ Have you ever had to "come out?" I'd love to read your stories in the comments.

[@saliv88]

Genetically Modified Skeptic I came out, but while I was telling a story to try and lessen any negative impact. The first movie I saw after realizing I was an atheist was “The Last Temptation of Christ,” a beautiful movie, one of my favorites in fact. I was describing my thoughts on it to my mother, and mentioned that “even though I’m an atheist, I still think it’s a fantastic movie and a wonderfully told story.” It was frowned upon, but nothing explosive yet. I had two six-hour long blowouts with my father not too long afterwards, but we’re on better terms. Haven’t told them I’m bisexual yet though. That’ll be an interesting talk for a day when I’m living independently.

[@ahmedelnageh507]

I haven't tried. I became atheist 2 years ago but will stay closeted until I am self sufficient (I'm 16 years old). You were the main reason I left islam and for that I will forever owe you my newfound freedom and happiness. Thank you.

[@maxmyzer9172]

Hey so I was wondering if you can explain the flaws in the apologetics (if thats how its spelled)? eg the 5 proofs of aquinas, I am just sort of wondering.

[@scottyrose9106]

Genetically Modified Skeptic I had a somewhat similar upbringing. I was raised in the church, and went on to be a youth pastor, then a part time preacher. but, whilst studying the history of Christianity, and trying to fill plot holes and conditions in the Bible, I realized I had no good reason to believe. I was a 'searching deist'for about three months, before I stumbled into the atheist experience show in KZbin. that's when I realized me and Matt had a lot on common, including the fact that I was an atheist. luckily for me (or, unlucky since will say) I have aspurgers, so close friendly relationships were never really my thing, so I really didn't have to worry about losing friends. but my family is very closer and very religious. but, the day I realized I was an atheist, I put out a public post on my facebook, letting everyone I knew, know. my point of view was, can't accept new add I am, I really don't need you in my life. I'm kinda blunt like that. fortunately, I still have my family, my mom actually deconverted about two months after me. we just agree not to bring up religion. but if they bring it up, then I engage heavily. which usually ends up with them saying 'why are you attacking my religion.' my reply... 'if you don't want to talk religion with me, then don't talk religion with me. you started the conversation.' and, that usually shuts them up about it for a good while. lol. and to be clear, I'm not mean to my family and 'friends'about religion. they just see me add being mean, when I clearly debunk their ideas, and it scares them. but hey, it was a seed of doubt and learning the facts about my own religion that got me out, so I plant those seeds, and water them with truth and facts. and I just hope, one day, they'll start to act a little more skeptical and rational to. but, if not, I'll still love them till the end of time and back again. anyways, sorry to ramble. and I hope you get on as easily as I did, after coming out. PS. I came out gay first, which I guess softened the blow of coming out atheist years later. like, I'm in closet-ception. not sure which closet I'll come out of next. lol.

[@SafcMarty]

I am always fascinated by stories like yours, where I live in England religion is not important and most people are either athiest or non-religious, indeed I am more shocked when I meet someone who is actually religious.

[@bertrandrussell5674]

I came out as an atheist to my Christian mum just to find out that she was secretly an atheist too...

[@woomynation]

LMAO

[@bertrandrussell5674]

Litwigg yeah I’m not joking, I was pretty shocked. Then she said,”Yes, we don’t have to go to church anymore!”

[@elianperez4426]

agnostic bisexual here. You cannot come out as the atheist cause you chose to be atheist, no one chooses to be gay or trans. Every time I go out on a date with my girlfriend I run the risk of getting raped, murdered, and even assaulted. I had my identity invalidated by my mother for two years. So shut the fuck up and stop disrespecting us

[@bertrandrussell5674]

Otaco Studios I choose to be an atheist because the evidence lead me there. You can’t choose your sexuality, how do I know, I am gay myself and I didn’t choose to be that way, sure people cannot change their sexuality, but they can change their thoughts and perspective of the world if there’s enough evidence to convince them so.

[@KhiAesthetics]

LUCKY

[@professorstick]

Let's be honest. If a friend unfriends you just for not believing in something, they were never your friends to begin with.

[@thermalgaming9489]

Professor Stick Firstly, holy shit I’m fanboying rn ly stick

[@MrYoyocap]

Let's be honest. If a friend unfriends you just for not believing in something, they were never friends you should want to be friends with to begin with.

[@wasabiii2006]

Would you be friends with someone that is a genuine flat earther or a holocaust denier? I know this isnt truly comparable, but I would find it hard to be true friends with someone that takes any very strange position. Although it is totally unfair, I think this is how theïsts could see antitheists as well, which I find understable.

[@MrYoyocap]

wasabiii2006 For me, it depends on whether or not that person could stand me ridiculing the person rather frequently.

[@soulmechanics7946]

Professor Stick No shit right!? The Bible takes precedence over even our concerns for each other yet we do not recognize it as a cult.. Our relationships are the only real thing. I was afraid he was going to say his wife left him because he is an atheist.

[@MrChristerj]

I cannot imagine this would be a "thing" here in Sweden. "I am an Atheist." "Ok. So what?"

[@notsoma]

Sweden is one of the most irreligious places on earth. I heard like only 20% are religious

[@emlun]

@@notsoma From what I remember reading/hearing (I'm Swedish myself), the numbers depend heavily on what question you ask. If you ask "do you believe in the Christian god?", probably about 10-20% will say yes; ask "some kind of deity?", maybe 20-40%; ask "are you atheist?", also probably around 40%. But active believers are definitely a minority by far.

[@leea8706]

Same as here in the UK. Talking about God or attributing something good in your life, or saying you’ll pray for someone would make everyone feel very uncomfortable. Even those who believe in God are very quiet about it (for the most part).

[@Sapphireia]

Also the Swedish church is quite progressive! Gay marriage and premarital sex are ok and they believe in evolution.. So even the ones who are Christian aren't that bad. (This applies to the main church "Svenska kyrkan" we still have JWs and other denominations that have differing views)

[@superdopelynamedperson2505]

Yes the situation here is different I'm Muslim and I really want to leave but the cult like mentality is trapping me until i can get to live with my friends

[@Kagiso22]

Being an Atheist in Africa is difficult. Everyone is so indoctrinated in some or other religion that I am constantly in fear of being ostracized because I’ve grown up hearing how much hatred is thrown towards believers of other faiths and non believers of any. South Africa is slowly becoming more liberal in the major cities, but religion is still a topic people don’t even want to question so I can’t seem to escape. My girlfriend is an atheist too and I’m so glad I have her because I have no one else to be myself around or to express myself to.

[@vincentmorelli1013]

You can thank white imperialists for that whole mess.

[@vincentmorelli1013]

Lol fuck off troll

[@thearcs2598]

I'm from S.A as well, don't think I've ever met another atheist personally.

[@Bee-ew8mm]

God, this is too true. Being an atheist, it's also really shitty when Christianity is just thrown in your face all the time (as it is in SA)

[@dgcclan9445]

There are plenty of places in the US that are the same way, it's really hard, I'm glad you have someone.

[@captainfoambeard2846]

I find this fascinating. In Belgium where I live, nobody bats an eye when you tell you're atheist. It's more the other way around, when someone tells you he's religious, most peoples reaction is "really, these still exist?".

[@dopaminecloud]

Also a belgian here, I've changed my outlook the moment I got friends that grew up in religious families. It became more and more clear to me that religion is a dangerous thing presented as something wholesome and spiritually healthy. Ignoring all the cult behavior it sprouts it's just bad news in general to bind your identity to your beliefs. I've seen some very troubled minds because of this type of upbringing.

[@idrovepastyourhouse-9385]

Please, I wanna move to Belgium so badly right now.

[@arpanacharya247]

You guys are so lucky. Defend those values with your life...hello from India.

[@afkijkuit4057]

@Johan Strydom also from belgium I don't think it is like that, nobody really cares

[@troyjacobsson9609]

Same in sweden

[@redblaze8700]

Say that you're an Atheist in Europe, and no-one bats an eye. Say that you're an Atheist in America, and everyone looses their mind.

[@lucke6925]

Red Blaze except in Canada. Here religion lost his control and power and I’m glad that it did

[@redblaze8700]

Of course when we say America, we'll think of The United States of America. It would be a bigger mistake if I had said North-America. But you're right: Canada is just as secular as Europe, which is the way of the future.

[@RottenMemorial]

Yeah here in Mexico there is a lot of Catholics but no one gives a fuck if you are an atheist.

[@aia6154]

Not in all Europe, in Southeast Europe is a different situation. Because of communist regime in ex SFR Yugoslavia people from here see atheists as evil and immoral people. What is really ironic and hypocritical is that anti-theists and members of the communist party from that time are now religious and going to church every Sunday but they were, not that long ago, the ones who oppressed people for doing the very same thing that they are doing right now. Only difference is that now they oppress atheists, point fingers at them and accuse them for not believing in their god.

[@GodsPrettiestPrincess]

“Hey guys I’m an Atheist” Europeans: “Cool. I might not agree but you do you.” Americans: “Wow you idiot how can you not accept the grace of the all powerful god have fun in hell”. Speaking from personal experience here.

[@DarknessValor]

Coming out is such a weird term to use... Guys, i have something to confess.... Im a realistic and rational person...

[@edoardoprevelato6577]

Darkness Valor if you live in an enviroment where your secret is considered wrong and is actively condemned, revealing anything is very difficult regardless of the nature of such secret. Everyone is afraid of being ostracized and abandoned by their standing group. It's survival instinct: we always look to be accepted into a "pack", it's why peer pressure is a thing for example. You can't just dismiss something like that so easily.

[@grannykiminalaska]

Darkness Valor ❤

[@grannykiminalaska]

Edoardo Prevelato That's true for a lot of people. I was raised a little bit differently, my dad was kind of a black sheep and well he raised us to be Black Sheep, as in to stay out of the societal Norm. I was raised an atheist I never understood the attraction of religion although I worked hard to study it because you can't succeed in society without a working knowledge of religion. As a result I never had many friends just one or two at a time and I never developed that pack mentality except around my own family. I find it really interesting to hear about these kinds of things on both sides because to me it's very odd the way people behave when exposed to religion.

[@Oyasumi05]

I disown you

[@wadler00]

I agree that it is weird, especially when you consider that religion is just the bastard child of fear driven ignorance, and the opposite of that are normal sane folk.

[@andersnaugle4105]

Atheism: Me: yep, imma do that My parents: but, you’ll be sad and lonely! Nobody will love you Me: so... no changes? Ok!

[@grosty2353]

XD

[@grosty2353]

I will say that people said atheists and agnostics are sad, but I’m just as happy now.

[@yoma9021]

The fact that some people are sad after leaving their religion is because their families and friends who believed will leave you :/

[@andersnaugle4105]

@@yoma9021 Actually, this isn’t true in most cases. If your friends and family only care about you if you are a part of your religion, they obviously aren’t health relationships or friends worth keeping. If not having a religion is going to make me sad, (For reasons other than selfish friends and family) then I’m not going to leave the religion. The only reason I could think for someone to be sad even after going and doing what they want to do is if they are denied their happiness by someone else. If my friend and family are going to leave me when I become atheist, they aren’t going to be my friends and family, and I’m gonna be even happier because of it.

[@kevinquiroz5384]

@@grosty2353 And if you are sad for another non-related reason, they'll still say athiesm is the cause

[@lilielf5652]

Random atheist story. One of my teachers in middle school really hated atheists and he once said in a class discussion that atheists are less moral than theists. It always stuck with me that a teacher was allowed to say that and no one but me was upset.

[@Tr4sh_can34]

Anna Elfers damn boy. Muslim here. I think that athiest acting moral is more good then a thiest because they do it out of free will.

[@Tr4sh_can34]

Pixie Panda Plush you get my point.

[@Tr4sh_can34]

@Bunker Sieben ouch bro.

[@Tr4sh_can34]

@Bunker Sieben I know how bad it is.

[@lilielf5652]

@@lexmortis5722 Wow! I wish I'd been that brave. I didn't do anything. I did try to email him afterwards, but he denied ever saying anything.

[@originalwolf8297]

I told my mom that i left the church and she said " sigh, well, i couldn't do much about your dad leaving and i cannot do anything about you leaving, but please promise me to stay as kind and gentle as you are, then everything will be ok". Didn't think much about it until recently when it dawned on me, that she thinks only religion makes us kind and gentle persons. No one else in my family knows that i no longer am part of any religion.

[@giarnovanzeijl399]

At least she didn't seem to be a dick about it?

[@jonathanconnor7920]

That's a very common thought process with theists; they think morality and ethical behavior can't be achieved without the Bible.

[@infinitedragonbellyx.x]

I hate that stance so much. Why the hell should you need religion to "be a good person"? Youre a garbage person if you need a religion to give you moral guidelines.

[@maneckineckbeard1749]

Original Wolf I’m always amazed by how many people in the Bible Belt use “Christian” as a synonym for “good person,” without ever considering what that implies about most humans.

[@maneckineckbeard1749]

Shabaka Smkss Agreed. Some things are just rude. No matter how much someone wants to share things they love with everyone, sometimes it’s just best to not steamroll over other people’s beliefs or feelings. In fact, I’d even say that offing unsolicited “you’re wrong!” statements is probably one of the worst possible ways to “convert” someone!

[@collaredgreens1600]

Some of my family get mad when I tell them I'm atheist, I tell them to pray for me and if it doesn't work, I'm right.

[@legalvampire8136]

What a clever point!

[@thekman1812]

LOL Good one!!

[@therainbowwillow4453]

Dang! That is an excellent point.

[@mulletsquirrel]

But if praying doesn't change you back, it is just part of god's plan.

[@collaredgreens1600]

@@mulletsquirrel so why pray at all then?

[@djixi98]

I lost my soulmate and the greatest person i've ever known bc her parents couldn't look past my atheism. My heart shattered into billion pieces...

[@henuemphuse]

And yet people still say religion brings people together. No it brings those who believe in the same thing together and tears everyone else apart. I’ve seen religion divide more people than it’s brought together. And do more harm than good. I don’t understand how people think any of it’s helping anyone. Yeah religions have donated and volunteered to a bunch of different non profits and even started some but to think that people can’t be kind hearted enough to do that anyway or without religions is just moronic to me.

[@arandomuser9459]

henuemphuse It is moronic. I’m always terrified I won’t be able to see my friends (who are atheists mostly) as much if my mom finds out I’m not Christian. Religion does not bring people together in a good way.

[@monotonegaming1043]

F

[@VoxelMusic]

@@henuemphuse religious types make donations to charity and stuff, not because they think it benifits other people, but because they think it gets them more "heaven credits" so they can get in after they die. Of course there are people who actually care and do it because they rely on their personal moral compass and not the one given to them by the bible, but the kind of people who will drop you the moment they realise your an atheist, are the ones who do it all for the self gain they think they'll achieve.

[@hayleylewis11]

@I Want to Write Porn It's a blessing for the Christian lady she didn't end up unequally yoked with an unbeliever. That is God's protection.

[@julians.2597]

Sad that the USA are so technologically forward, but somehow still manage to be so socially backwards. I can't really actually understand it.

[@GearTech147]

May I quote the first amendment to you? It is _literally only the south._ They have opposed logic and reason since the country's conception.

[@zeronova1484]

@@GearTech147, At least we have good food. 🤷🌮🥃🍺

[@mrhintz9680]

in which way and compared to which country is the usa technologically forward?

[@julians.2597]

@@mrhintz9680 they are ahead means of allowing a very free market without many restrictions put on firms, which allows for fast development and deployment of technology. They are thus most of the time faster than most of Europe, which is based on a restriction-heavy economy.

[@mrhintz9680]

@@julians.2597 china has a better development and deployment of technology and they have not a free market.

[@tpog1]

Coming from Europe where most people don't give even the slightest shit about religion, your story sounds completely surreal to me. The place where you live must feel like zombie land.

[@Magrat_Knoblauch]

That was exactly my thought. I can't understand how US Americans can be so radical about their beliefs, even after spending some time on KZbin watching Atheist channels. If I may ask, where on Europe are you from? :)

[@octotruman2541]

It is quite the apocalypse.

[@Zuraneve]

I was raised Catholic and gradually became an atheist. When I was 19 or 20, I realized I didn't hold the same view on things that the Catholic church did, but I still believed in god, so I decided that I was just a non-denominational Christian. Dad flipped out and told me I was going to hell. (The second time. He told me that the first time when he found out my first boyfriend was Baptist.) It's not entirely abnormal depending on where in the US you live. For me, that happened while I was still living in Texas. Edit: I've been an atheist for 15 years and I still haven't told my parents. I'm just not going to open that can of worms.

[@jacobe7094]

Kala Reshana Wow. Are many Catholics like your father? Me and my family are Baptists (even though I don't believe every traditional Baptist belief) and I can't imagine my parents getting angry like that if I switched denominations.

[@jacobe7094]

Comedy Nerd From my experience most of the people I know who are religious in any degree tend to be pretty critical of atheists, even if them themselves are barely religious at all. It's actually shocking how angry some of my friends get about atheists. Most of the time this anger stems from them thinking atheists hate god and anybody who believes in one. I'm not exactly sure how this type of thinking has become so prevalent within the community I live but I suspect it stems from stories of atheists from friends and videos/articles on the internet. Kinda like a mob mentality sorta where you hate atheists because all your friends and other Christians hate atheists. I'm also from a suburb in the DFW area of Texas in a pretty white area so I'm sure that contributes to why I know so many Christians like this. Although Texas is a lot less Southern than other states in the south so I'm sure it just gets worse if you were to go other places in the South.

[@shakazed]

Coming from scandinavia this is so surreal to me. Here it's more likely you have to "come out" as religious rather than the other way around :)

[@PopsRacer61]

that's awesome, I need to visit the scandinavian countries..

[@pineapplepenumbra]

In the UK it's normal to not believe in a god, and a bit weird if people do. muslims are the main group that I encounter who still believe in a god, and their numbers are doubling every 10 years, which *will* be a problem.

[@n1pah132]

In scandinavia people are more open to different beliefs in general

[@robertwoodrow8337]

@@pineapplepenumbra It's the #1 threat and problem for the entire world.

[@colibriverde]

The scandinavian people give me hope. What is it about your culture that makes you more open-minded than folks in the U.S.? What can we do to help folks get over their religious indoctrination?

[@drsuqi]

As soon as you said, "we'll start with the positives" I got an ad where this guy was shouting stuff from the bible

[@alt8791]

I think because people like us watch this content, KZbin decided we want to watch that stuff.

[@hrh4961]

Don't any of you know about AdBlocker?

[@alt8791]

HRH yeah, but it isn’t worth it.

[@hrh4961]

@@alt8791 You gotta be joking! AdBlocker is the best thing since broadband. No commercials. EVER!

[@chuckgrigsby9664]

@@hrh4961 When I started to let my AdBlocker subscription lapse, it seemed that most of the ads I got were from AdBlocker. And a lot of the emails. Now that I'm past the renewal date, their ads have tapered off. Personally, I think AdBlocker is a protection racket.

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

Actual quote from my parents: You've obviously had too much time to think about this. Maybe if you spent more time volunteering... Me: Well if it's that easy to come up with arguments disproving God, then maybe it's not worth it to believe in him.

[@Ellie_2810]

Trainfan1055 he also made dogs alergic to chocolate

[@Ellie_2810]

Average Atheist I know. He also made kids be born with luekemia

[@Ellie_2810]

Average Atheist heard it somewhere, tho babies are born with awful conditions no doubt bout that

[@philmust3651]

No this is 3027

[@hithere7080]

My mom said that if the reason i wasnt a christian was because of the bible, i just shoulfnt read the bible...

[@Inurendo88]

The fact that one of your viewers could lose custody of their children for being an atheist is insanity.

[@0816M3RC]

Arieson Actually atheists have lost custody of their kids to the more religious parent.

[@arieson7715]

@@0816M3RC I'm saying doubt because, it sounds so fucking stupid how someone would lose custody of their children because they have a different religious belief. (Also stop getting so fucking triggered when someone says that their a christian)

[@dopaminecloud]

@@arieson7715 It's something completely reasonable to be triggered by. Like getting upset at the existence of flat earthers. On the other hand, you should not be surprised people have a problem with it. Religion is not harmless.

[@marcodiaz6124]

Jesus H. Christ

[@0816M3RC]

Cegesh Wtf is wrong with you? It is unconstitutional for the courts to side with one parent over another in a custody battle just based off of religious belief (Or lack of ). Meaning that when something like this happens it needs to be challenged by the targeted parent. Choosing to leave a highly developed first world country to become a refugee over something like this is just a stupid idea.

[@midnightdl]

Amazing that 'coming out' as atheist is even a thing? Growing up in a society largely atheist, being surrounded by skeptics of religions for 30+ years, I realize how far the US is behind enlightenment.

[@mageshpandian6449]

There's a reason they call it the "Bible belt".

[@lilsaam]

True Nerdshaw That’s only the southern states, other states are quite progressive and liberal when it comes to religion and politics... at least by us standards

[@kelthekonqrr]

Meanwhile, somewhere in Africa, Nigeria... A man most likely would lose his livelihood and almost his life.

[@flame_emerald]

loup 😂 Yeah, the U.S. isn't that great but everywhere around me it's shoved down my throat that oh, we are the greatest nation of them all... bitch please, if it was so great I could date who I wanted instead of only the opposite sex and not risk getting hurt physically or discriminated against in any other way much less be an open atheist

[@eskarina1000]

+loup It really depends heavily upon where in the US you are. Generally speaking, the coasts are more liberal and accepting than the large swath in between, but that is a generalization. Some states are more liberal and accepting than others, some are very religious but support a secular government (primarily because they don't want any interference in their own religions), and some are very religious and want to enforce it on everyone. But even that's a generalization. I currently live in Louisiana, which is a heavily Christian conservative state, but I live in New Orleans, which, while there is religion everywhere, no one really seems to care what their fellow New Orleanians are up to in that regard. I live most of my life in Pennsylvania, which differs greatly from county to county.

[@deathstroke8376]

It's how it goes in Iran. atheist: "I'm an atheist" This is his/her last words

[@SoB413]

SADLY!!!

[@deathstroke8376]

@@SoB413 yeah , pretty sad

[@CarbonFiberToiletPaper]

Allah Akbar moment

[@napabilirim]

I'm Turkish. %12 of Turkish people are atheist, including me, it's legal to be atheist but we can't select that in the census soo yep. Legally I'm still considered "Muslim"

[@FrogToTheFrog]

@@napabilirim Being legally considered part of a group is stupid. The only difference between legally considered, and normally considered, is that normally considered is what people consider it ask and legally considered is what a bunch of laws consider them as which is inaccurate as time passes and certain laws don’t change.

[@RolandMaurer]

Watching this while living in Switzerland as I do gives me the impression that the US is a country in another universe.

[@alt8791]

We are a country in another universe.

[@alt8791]

Pretty sure there’s a wormhole around the European border.

[@LiteralCrimeRave]

This guy grew up in a uber religious cult. Not normal.

[@harpsichordkid]

It all depends on one’s social circle. I am religious but most of my friends are not. Yes, they think it’s weird, and yes, they try to talk me out of being religious. I thought I was once having a calm conversation with an older friend about being disillusioned with politics, when, seemingly out of the blue, he stood up and shouted at me, “Jesus isn’t coming back dummy!” I think he was trying to tell me that I am too idealistic, but why he brought up a religious topic is beyond me. Almost anytime my friends decide I’m wrong, they somehow blame it on what they assume is my religious belief. This is already frustrating enough, but even moreso because most of them completely lack any concept of what I actually believe religiously or any nuances of Christian doctrines.

[@RolandMaurer]

@@harpsichordkid I'm an atheist but my closest friend, who died recently, was a Catholic priest and a theologian. We went along quite well. There are indeed nuances, but what I see on the internet is a lot of religious people with all the wrong nuances, and maybe that's why your friends are so upset at religion.

[@ladyvader3173]

The fact that somebody has to "come out" about their atheism in this day an age seems so absurd to me. I think I have never discussed religion with another person in my entire life (maybe for tax purposes? I'm European though). What you went through sounds horrible and it must have taken a lot of courage to come out. May you serve as an inspiration to many young Non-believers!

[@therealzilch]

As an American who has been living in Austria since '82, I can only agree.

[@thomasridley8675]

SocThis. We are sill fighting the civil war ( some people should be considered less than human). They just won't let it die. The church supported this very convenient idea for generations.

[@AWalkOnDirt]

Lady Vader do you live in the south?

[@aliceleoni6332]

Well not really, europe have very different value in different country. As an example i am italian an here gay marriage is a new thing (as much that we don't actualy have it, we have civil unions from 2016). And honestly i have the same impression for america, different state have different value, what differ america from europe is that over there they like to take it way more extreme on any topic

[@ladyvader3173]

Alice Leoni Yeah, you're right, I didn't mean to lump all Europeans together, I just thought that nobody would actually read my comment or care where specifically I'm from. ;)

[@Cosmosandchisme]

I never tell anyone I’m an atheist, unless they ask me. I rather not bring it up because people do treat you differently when they know, but if they ask me, I won’t lie. When people ask me why I am an atheist, I rather not answer. It gets way too personal for some people, almost as if my disbelief is an attack on them.

[@rickyrenes]

You said it perfectly. People will always ask you why too and if you tell them they are always offended. It usually starts off with "You won't offend me".

[@medexamtoolscom]

Well for me, sure, there's the throngs of girls flinging themselves to my feet, the millions of dollars that come my way, but the number one reason I'm an atheist is that there is no god. For me that's got to be the big one. If someone asked me why, that would be the answer I'd give.

[@Raydensheraj]

I straight don't give a damn - it actually amuses me because religious individuals act like little kids you pissed off telling them Santa and the Easter Bunny aren't real.

[@royclark7192]

I get the same thing if I tell people I'm a Christian. No thanks to western fundamentalists Literalist. Nonbelievers are shocked when I tell them I don't believe in Hell, satan, talking snakes, eschatology or that Jesus is "God." I have no problem with science, just when people treat science like a religion. I've studied the Aramaic language for over 25yrs and it truly showed me the bible was not what modern believers were preaching. I have no problem defending my Atheist friends. Many of them act more Christian than the Christians. That's my two cents. Peace B2 all.

[@Timspt8]

Yeah I never tell anyone, mostly cause really nobody cares here in North East Europe and I'm just to lazy to tell people

[@Yickerd]

My mom once just kinda asked me “do you believe in god?” And I’m just like “nah, no evidence” and she’s like “well you gotta believe in something” (she doesn’t really care that much, it was just kinda a conversation). I said “I believe in the Force.”

[@ofnotandi]

My kids had the same response when they asked me. They believe in Jesus and Thor. No biggie but they where destroyed about santa.

[@shadrachemmanuel1720]

Well, May "The Force" be with you then

[@laravioliiii2832]

I believe in myself.

[@_.annica._]

I live in an Arabic country. One of the most religious and I'm an Atheist. I haven't come out to anybody in fear of being KILLED. Only my mom and my sister -who is also an Atheist- know about that. My sister is supportive however my mother isn't. She says 'I'll change one day' as if my lack of belief is not valid. She doesn't bash me for it but she also doesn't support me. But I'm strong and I will always think critically before blindly believing, I'm smarter and I WILL survive this. Even if the price of my atheism is death if somebody knew.

[@tormendor8585]

I don't think it is worth dying but you do you

[@robertaylor9218]

@@tormendor8585 If you don't believe L Ron Hubbard is God of gods you will be killed. is it worth dying over to not accept that premise?

[@tormendor8585]

@@robertaylor9218 I personally will not be killed for that, I'm in no danger.

[@tormendor8585]

But if I was in real danger of being killed I obviously would keep it a secret that I don't believe in it.

[@robertaylor9218]

Torm Endor that is what the original post said, that he has to stay in the closet for fear of his life. It's sound like you think his approach is reasonable. And I agree.

[@caroljomartin3051]

I've been an atheist since 1961. It hasn't been easy, but the worst part was how my Christian friends made converting me into their "mission". I find it VERY disturbing that whenever we got together, the only thing they were willing to talk about was the one subject I repeatedly told them I didn't want to discuss. They kept telling me that I'd get over this phase, as if beliefs I've held for 55 years was going to change to fit their delusions. Atheism has cost me many friendships, but how good could they have been if I had to pretend I was something I'm not? I'm done doing that, I've got to be true to myself.

[@KarnRulez]

Carol Jo Martin How did you treat them knowing they're religious?

[@fermiticus4034]

They try so hard to convince others...it's only self reassurance.

[@SysterYster]

Carol Jo Martin I don't understand how this can be such a big thing at all. Why are people in the US so mindbogglingly brainwashed about Christianity? It's a "free" country, isn't it? With religious freedom. But that's just a big lie, isn't it? I mean, it's on paper, but not reality, yes? Anyway, well done and keep fighting for what you believe (or don't believe) in. :)

[@matthewzbornak6880]

What you ignore is that the reason these "friends" made it their "mission" to convert you is out of their knowledge of truth. For example, would you let a friend harm themselves? Would you encourage it? (I surely hope not) In the end that is what they see. They see their friend about to jump into an abyss. I recall a lecture; the subject isn't important but a story came up. A priest and an atheist were preparing to go to a death-row inmate's cell. The atheist asked the priest a question I cannot remember and the priest answered in a way that I cannot remember either but nevertheless, the atheist was shaken. The atheist ultimately spoke, "if I believed even half of what you believed about Hell, I would crawl through broken glass on my hands and knees across all of London to give that man an offer to accept Jesus." The example is crude, but your friends didn't crawl on broken glass but they probably tried their best to get you back.

[@cordingdesert9566]

Same

[@claudes.whitacre1241]

I'm a 63 year old retail store owner. My friends are almost all Christian conservatives. But I am neither. I live in an extremely religious area. The only reason I don't tell people that I'm an atheist, is that it would severely hurt my business. I've been an atheist all my adult life. I was raised in a very Christian home. But reason an rational thinking are the enemies of religion, I found out. The reason I refuse to tell people, and have discussions about it......is that I've had the same conversations hundreds of times. I know every rebuttal they'll give, every train of "logic".......Eventually I just got tired of going through the motions...because you'll never change anyone's mind...and they are trying to change yours. My wife is still religious, and we have a very successful marriage. Thankfully, to her it isn't a big deal. The good news is that religious beliefs are on the decline. And eventually, it won't be a big deal at all. By the way, you have a sharp mind. I enjoy your videos.

[@HermanWillems]

Seems the same for the government in the USA. They need to respect Christianity.... Otherwise they won't make it to the top. They need to pretend to be some sort of Christian. The constitution was based on USA being a secular country. So help me God? is like WEIRD according to the constitution. Christians changed the pledge of allegiance. Which was MADE secular. But Christians changed it... it's like cancer. Glad this TOTAL NONSENSE is not present in Europe.

[@marksilla8276]

Dom_90 I'm Kenyan. And I'm an atheist. While I would never dream of telling my parents (They would exorcise me) My friends or generally the younger crowd are super forgiving and really don't care. Obviously there are the few bad apples but most of them don't care. But you could no joke be burnt like a witch by the older crowd.

[@therealzilch]

Mark- two years ago I was in Tanzania, both in Maasailand and in cities (Arusha) and saw (at least superficially) religious conflict there. There was a combination of fundamentalist Christianity with pagan beliefs with pragmatic/atheistic beliefs. All the best to you and good luck! Cheers from Austria, Scott

[@RankinImagery]

I am 61 and in a very similar situation. However, I really like seeing young people, like this young man, put this video out. He is obviously smart and well-spoken. Potential leader some where down the road.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Your story sounds like mine, I'm married to a Pastor's daughter who of course is a Christian (a very liberal one) a very tolerant one. Luckily our differences aren't a problem, I think we both understand where each other is coming from, I think being literally brought up in Church and being a Pastor's daughter the programming is well and truly deeply seeded. My 3 boys all go to a Private Christian school, my wife works there, I worked there until recently. I basically had to lie about my non faith, I'd say 90% of the staff that work there lied about there's too. I felt so awkward praying at school (I actually wouldn't do it) but it was part of my job, I felt that I was lying to the children or just contributing to the ignorance of some of the religious claims. I've since left and not due to not being able to continue with the facade, but it was a factor. I had a feeling that my father in law knew that I didn't believe, but we'd never spoken about it and it was eating at me, so I got an opportunity to finally let him know and we had 2 pretty long separate Chats about it where I basically explained why I think faith is an unreliable way to get to the truth. He didn't take it too well and thought that it was a personal attack on him (which I find often happens, lots of Christians or other believers can't separate their beliefs from themselves) to him he's a "man of faith" so he took anything I had to say about faith personally. He got extremely worked up and ended up having to leave my house, because he just couldn't control himself. The next day he actually apologized to me and said that he also struggles with some of the things I raised and also said that some of the questions I asked he'd never thought about and he didn't know how to deal with that. He admitted that if was born and brought up in another country by parents of a different faith that it's quite possible that he wouldn't believe in Jesus today (which completely shocked me) He also admitted that his belief is irrational but he believes anyway. (which blew my mind even further and I'm sure he'd never admit that to his congregation) He went out and bought me the Lee Strobel book and gave it to me, I guess he thought it would answer the questions that he couldn't, I read it and to be honest I thought it was a joke, but it gave me a better understanding that if he accepts the really poor explanations and so called answers in that book then no amount of logic or reasoning is going to be enough to explain why they're such poor arguments. I walked away from the whole thing realising that he believes for purely emotional reasons. He really didn't like my question of how is he going to be happy in heaven knowing that his own brother (who also is a non believer) myself and some of his grandchildren and other family and friends would be suffering in hell? (I don't think he'd ever thought about that) and It's odd to me that when I point out all the problems with Christianity such as that, Christians want to get mad at me instead of their own God itself.

[@m3ntyb]

I lost all that and might lose my child as well so I’m terrified and I appreciated this video more than I can say. Faith never gave me real hope, but this last week I’ve had more hope than I’ve had in over a decade and I truly never thought I’d ever find that again. You’re doing humanitarian (as opposed to gods) work and I am incredibly grateful.

[@tommythecat4961]

Stay strong sister, many people are with you with all their hearts

[@MichaelJones-fv8cd]

You never believed.

[@user-ib1dx4dh3n]

@@MichaelJones-fv8cd and you never tried to test

[@bruh......2005]

@@MichaelJones-fv8cd stupid argument but aight

[@rockysandman5489]

@@MichaelJones-fv8cd Classic theist response. So arrogant that you think you know what went on in her mind better than she does! Sorry but you're gonna have to take her at her word that she really believed, anything else is dishonest on your part.

[@pipersolanas3322]

The moment you said "my wife" I cried. idk why I thought you were an 18 year old making videos in your room omG

[@youalreadyknow5039]

Manasa REDDY right....?🤪

[@allahspreadshate6486]

I always assumed he was gay. No offence meant, I've got zero issue with what consenting adults choose to do.

[@kittenmastermind660]

I thought he was 18 too.

[@JoeWhite3572]

He looks about mid 20's, no older than 30. Altho I have no clue what age is.

[@benl8962]

@@JoeWhite3572 age is the amount of years someone has been alive. A year is 1 trip of the earth around the sun, so that's around 365 days

[@lorraineboyd3735]

In UK the default is to assume that most people AREN'T Christian.

[@toni4729]

Oh so true. It's safer to believe you don't have a religion in the rest of the world. I wouldn't live in the US for anything.

[@lunathegachatuber9518]

I’m in a closet as a lesbian AND Atheist. Well I have tried to come out as gay to my mom and she reacted horribly and I ended up saying “I’m was just kidding!” And she believed me....

[@lastofusclips5291]

sorry to hear that

[@dudep504]

@RedIAnima YT **Genetics to the face**

[@o_0264]

It's even more difficult when you are born in a muslim family

[@Logicsimulated]

@Bartek Zabawa shut up.

[@jadondavid8272]

@Fire Stryker as a bisexual, atheist, and GOD forbid leftist. I get it, I'm a huge outsider.

[@David-se5ph]

As a Christian, it hurts me to see how you were treated after becoming an atheist. Thanks for sharing your story as it is a good way to start reflection on how we treat people who are different from us.

[@df3172]

christ said: "love thy neighbor as thyself." he never said exactly what KIND of neighbor! i found that most conservative christians don't CARE about their neighbors, unless said neighbors are just like them, when hating a common "foe," like gays, lesbian, trans, non-binary -- the works!

[@featherknife8611]

Actually, jesus had some important things to say about exactly that. Funny how christians ignore most of what jesus had to say.

[@dickersoncharlie4961]

David, I'm a fellow Christian here, I just wanted to say that the bible in my oppion is is collection of story's from people 1000s of years ago, these story's have a bunch of themes In them, evil and good themes in humanity and the qualities that causes both Good and evil Our jobs as christains is to spread all those Good things and love others no matter there point of view, just make it your job to want to make others happy and being a Christian is pretty fun, that's what I do with my life a ways

[@tp7592]

@@featherknife8611 Jesus again he was dead for good , people stupidly want him alive still .

[@sumejividi6663]

@@dickersoncharlie4961 I love your comment!

[@myotiswii]

What kind of world is that, where you must be scared of getting homeless for thinking yourself.

[@Gamepak]

now imagine its 1939 and you are in germany coming out as a jew

[@cearfarseer9725]

@@Gamepak Couldn't have picked a worse time.

[@ahmedabozaed7143]

This is exactly my world

[@swine13]

Youd be surprised, you know. A lot of people have really nice home lives and they take it for granted every day. But some people, this is their reality. So it pays to show some humility and patience at times, cause you truly never know what other people have been through and some of it would absolutely make you sick.

[@RealAntek]

@Norbert Kas Uh no... youve got no idea what ur talking about lmao. u dont gotta be jewish is America, in fact i know ZErO jews in america personally. I see ppl laughing at jews though

[@kifird23]

Hi, a Christian here and I'd like to say thank you for making this video! This truly gives me insight into what some of my Atheist friends face every day at a Catholic school, and how I can empathize with them better. Cheers!

[@JoeWhite3572]

@Andrew Brent everyone is born atheist

[@JoeWhite3572]

@Andrew Brent, there is no such thing as a need to lie the lie of lies/believe. There is only Truth. One can't 'agree for the most part' when a fact is stated, either all or nothing. The fact that everyone is born atheist is a fact. relegion is forced, not taught, forced, via lies/myths/opinions. There is no genetic disposition in play. It's either one is lieing or one is repeating lies, which is lieing. Nothing genetic about it. The fact remeains, everyone is born atheist/truthful.

[@JoeWhite3572]

@Andrew Brent you wasted all that time to say nothing? Alright. Obviously speaking facts to you is a waste of time considering nothing you said makes sense, nor is it true. Lingusitics and Etymology are important.

[@JoeWhite3572]

@Andrew Brent , I stated a known fact, you contradicted. I gave intelligent conversation, and it was mocked. Why should I have to conform to the ignorance when someone doesn't like the facts presented?

[@SalohcinQE]

@@JoeWhite3572 you didn't present a fact. You presented an assertion that you claimed was a fact, and when it was debated honestly you claimed again that it was a fact and that it couldn't be argued against. That's simply not how facts work. If they disagree, they're allowed to say so. You don't have to agree with them, but don't say you're automatically right and belittle them for thinking differently and then act as if they're the ones being unreasonable. It makes you look bad.

[@johnhammond6423]

I have just been unfriended by someone I have been playing with in an online Game [Project Cars 2] for over two years. We raced together and chatted all the time. Then one day he found out I was an atheist and I then got an email from him saying to never contact him again. Only when it happens to you personally does it hit home just how damaging religion can be.

[@johnhammond6423]

@daniel letterman Thank you kind sir! :)

[@vooveks]

Maybe it was their parents telling him/her not to have any more contact with you? I don't know the ages here.

[@dilfhunter5645]

religion isn't the problem here, it's being close-minded and intolerant of opposing ideas. ignorance and lack of empathy are the true killers.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"Only when it happens to you personally does it hit home just how damaging religion can be." It is always the other guys fault. Let's try: "just how damaging atheism can be".

[@VoxelMusic]

@@thomasmaughan4798 no. The kid blanked him cause he found out he was an athiest. This religious kid was so intolerant of other ideas that he couldnt bring himself to play with someone he was brought up to look down on. Thats how damaging religion can be.

[@excusetheblood]

I grew up JW, never allowed to have non-JW friends. When I woke up from that and showed why their beliefs were wrong, I lost all my friends and almost lost my marriage until my wife woke up as well

[@ChristianF15cher]

And that’s the difference between a cult and a religion. Say what you will about Catholicism but my whole family knows that I’m an atheist and I’m still welcome at Thanksgiving.

[@annabeljacobs5906]

If this seems overly dramatic to people outside of the USA, I assure you it is not. I live in a part of the south where everyone assumes you are Christian. Often people have spoken down to me and demonized me after finding out that I am not.

[@LastBastian]

Same here.

[@IronheadOfScroteus]

I've been through your neck of the woods. Beautiful places, but you can't even go into a convenience store for a soda while passing through without the friggin' clerk asking what damned church you go to. Their main crop in the south seems to be steeples!

[@Alice-gr1kb]

I live in the northeast, so I don’t have the same experience, but I did when I went to Arizona for a bit. It was weird

[@makalribera6742]

Same here , according to some friends and neighbors I am the devil, for committing blasphemy

[@Alice-gr1kb]

Carlos Santander oh my

[@HolyKoolaid]

Welcome to the dark side. ;)

[@cedricrobertson2893]

Holy Koolaid we have cookies and probably some hot chocolate too

[@therealzilch]

We have s'mores that we can roast over the Hellfires.

[@alamoemperor3845]

Atheist deceived and killed far far less ppl than the church and religion, wonder whats the dark side now :/

[@n0etic_f0x]

We have cookies! And Bourbon! aND bourbon COOKIES!

[@gaillewis5472]

Your channel rocks, too!

[@cd2320]

I’m 15 and when I tried to not go to church my mother literally said she did not have to respect my wishes until I was 18.

[@BFDT-4]

Whaaaa??? Where? Which sect?

[@HermanWillems]

I grew up Christian. I can feel the forced to church mornings in the sunday. I have been Christian 25 years long. Glad it's over though. I found out, why i believed is because i was brainwashed into thinking something written in some book is the word of God and we need to believe. Now i do not believe ANYTHING anymore. It's either a fact or an unkown.

[@TheInterestingInformer]

Wow what the hell? That's low.

[@theoxne3166]

Pastell - I don't think so. I think that is perfectly fine to have that control as a parent but in this case the parent is abusing power. If done correctly that power can save a child's life in the figurative sense. Most kids are stupid, parents just have to know what to control to allow them to grow on their own and still guide them on the right path.

[@TheFunnyman1233]

My advice, I had a similar experience, go to church. Listen like you have never listened and take notes. Write arguments and learn. When you turn 18 you will realize you have a much better foundation for it and can argue all the better. A year after I started doing that my mother told me I didn't need to go to church. I still did though. Learned a lot. Now you can listen with a critical ear.

[@immohobot9288]

"...normalize atheism by humanizing atheism in the eyes of others". That's key and I love you for it.

[@fcchannel6162]

atheism is normalize what are you guys talking about because according to atheist atheism is not a beliefs in if christian's did'nt know there atheist so atheism is so normalized that it being forced on to people.

[@elisamastromarino7123]

I came out as an atheist and lost everyone...family included. Truth.

[@general5503]

it was that big of a deal?

[@elisamastromarino7123]

@@general5503 Yes.

[@general5503]

@@elisamastromarino7123 all of that just because you weren't in the religion they were? that's some heavy discrimination

[@RealOGMudbone]

Elisa Mastromarino damn, you’re sexy af

[@RealOGMudbone]

general550 not flirting just show appreciation for some fine ass

[@hodonhibo6889]

Im an atheist ex muslim, my family and friends dont know but I belive that they kinda know, because I question alot of religious things, and I dont really pray. But I do participate on some religious things like fasting, and religious celebrations so my family can be pleased. But I do wanna come out of the closet when I turn 18.

[@jmac6248]

I don't know where you live... but be careful.

[@dopaminecloud]

Big respect. Remember that there is no real need to come out. You may only create a lot of family conflict. It might be best to wait until you have achieved independence so you can survive even with potential scrutiny from your family.

[@Chaos-yi4xt]

If you live in the middle east then don't until you leave the middle east because there you can get killed for leaving Islam.

[@xx_aziex_xx937]

OMG UR MY TWINNNN

[@xx_aziex_xx937]

OMG OMG

[@tominavarro5024]

So i "came out" when i was 15, i told My mom first, and she literaly told me i have the devil inside, hahaha

[@grosty2353]

Dude I hope that’s not what happens to me when I come out...

[@grosty2353]

“The devil” is skepticism apparently 😂

[@RealAntek]

@@grosty2353 im from Poland with a Polish family... I think it's a bad idea for me to tell them that i stopoped believing in god

[@grosty2353]

Antek hmmm

[@grosty2353]

Antek I hate being in the closet, but it’s good to know there are others

[@Alexander-tu3iv]

Hearing stories like this make me realize how easy I had it. My parents are culturaly catholic, my mom believes in god but doesn't really care about formal religion beyond watching tv to find out who the new pope is going to be, and my dad is basically only a catholic in name, he doesn't believe any of it but when someone asks his religion he says catholic. One day when I was young I overheard some kids talk about Santa not being real, I asked my dad about it when I got home and he confirmed it. Basically shattered my whole world view right there. I had like a part of my brain reserved for magical creatures that were invisible or never showed themselves, so tooth fairy, santa, god, Easter bunny etc and I just accepted it. Immediately after finding out about Santa I asked my dad what about god. He referred me to my mother, and she basically said you can't know whether he exists you can only believe and whether or not I believed was something I had to find out on my own. It was all pretty chill. Western Europe in general is pretty non chalant about religion on the whole, in preparation for confirmation we went to the local church every week for a while, priest was a gay man with a boyfriend, super nice person, we basically met up, at church ate cake, he told us a bit about Jesus and we did some fun activities.

[@PureeCharm]

this is super sweet. thats what religion should be, imo.

[@kevinquiroz5384]

Nice ending, it´s a cute story over all

[@timurtheterrible4062]

"priest was a gay man with a boyfriend" The US and the rest of the world seem like two different realities sometimes.

[@justinking5964]

Gay men break one of the ten commandments, I think. -Asian people

[@greggor07]

Congratulations and respect for coming out, my friend! I'm not an American, I'm from Denmark, which unlike America is officially not a secular state. We have a state, christian religion according to our constitution. Yet in practice, things are very, very different to say the least. Religion here is irrelevant to a point where changing the constitution into a secular one, like the Swedes did, isn't considered even close to high priority. We're one of the least religious countries in the world and most self-declared christians are just cultural christians who don't believe in God for instance. Anyway...I am so lucky, and it is pure luck to have been born here, however, finding out about stories like yours and even worse ones, turned me from being disinterested into actively supporting atheists and secular humanists all over the world. That said, my friends and I started out with support to ex-muslims in Europe and atheist and merely secular bloggers in the muslim world. To be honest, I have to admit that at first I was quite skeptical about stories such as yours. I was finding it hard to believe that in a first world country, a secular country, country like the United States, this kind of shit (and way worse) was possible. Among christians. I knew America was very christian, let's say..but some of the stories seemed so exaggerated. From my, totally ignorant perspective. Smh. That was until I had been literally overwhelmed with evidence and even spent two years in the States, on a student exchange program. Ever since then, I stand in support with all of you and admire you beyond what words can express!! Keep on keeping on and stay awesome!! :)

[@cd2320]

Gøran Greggor Ironically America was one of the first, if not the first nation founded on secular values (in the “west,” at least). It’s strange to see that even the previous most theocratic governments (UK, well, everywhere in Europe really) are now more secular than the US.

[@BigHeretic]

*Gøran Greggor* It is indeed ironic, and yet logical that the USA is the way it is because the Pilgrims went there to flee the religious oppression in Europe and so founded a secular society where one could practice any religion they wanted - and so like an Eat All You Want buffet, they damn well did !

[@user-sd7hh8ek1c]

It's the opposite here in Russia, it's secular according to its constitution, but in reality the Russian Orthodox Church has many roots in the government and sometimes obtain other people' or goverment's property.

[@majdavlk649]

Nations are not founded... they evolve from people who identify thenselves as being part of that nation.

[@greggor07]

Christopher Davis I think it was the first. Yet most fundamentalists and not just them, but American christians in general claim that it's a christian nation, founded on judeo-christian values.

[@Whimswirl]

Thank you for being brave and for creating content online despite being "in the closet". I admire you a lot.

[@alex-vd4vm]

I was raised a Muslim but now I'm thinking of being an Atheist. I don't really believe in Islam,I don't have faith in it,I don't have interest in it. I don't *feel like I fit into the religion*. When I told one of my friends,the other Malay/Muslim students found out somehow and they started to really lecturing me about Allah. They would usually say things like "Oh why do you not believe in Islam?" or "I hate you,you don't believe in Allah and you're going to hell!" I don't know how to deal with this,but I still don't talk about my atheism publicly with my acquaintances or family because I might face some major repercussions. Please help a young kid out. I need some advice

[@crystalcollision5432]

Actually I’m in a pretty similar situation. 99.9% of my family is Muslim, the rest are Christians and I’m a closeted atheist. At least at home. If I came out at home it would be pretty bad, but I’m openly atheist at school and accepted by my friends. I don’t know what’s causing the better circumstances for me. I live in the UK, what about you? (I’m not asking in a creepy way but rather like are you living in an Islamic country or...? You don’t need to say if you don’t want I just want to understand) really the only advice I have is to not make a big deal out of it. Tbh I don’t even plan on “coming out” as an atheist. Unless religion is something your friends and family regularly practice and they bring you into it then it’s not really something you need to disclose until asked. However, if religion is something they expect you to practice with them then I’d say just to go along with it. You being an atheist doesn’t define you. I fasted last Ramadan no problem. My friend who I’m out to sent me a video to basically be all “how to get through it easier” and I said I appreciated it it I wouldn’t do it because I wanted to do it the right way even if I didn’t believe in god. Same with eating ham. I just can’t do it for some reason. Not out of fear for betraying god, but rather my family who raised me to be like that. Just conform until you can move out, once you do you can do whatever the fuck you want (depending where you live) Id suggest that if you live in a very religious town city or country or whatever, to just move whenever you’re able. Actually places where religion isn’t that big a deal seem to be places with good job opportunities so it’s a win win (save for the US apparently but trust me you’ll live. There are more atheists around than you think and more accepting religious people. But if you don’t want to do that, then just bite your tongue and bear it I guess? If coming out will really cause as big an issue as you think (don’t use fear to dictate that. Think logically: will this be a long term issue? Don’t say I THINK it will be or I’m SCARED it’ll be) I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to just argue my point either in religion class or with my parents whenever they say something religiously motivated I don’t agree with. But I don’t, I just live with it. It’s hard sometes, but doable. You just need to get into the mindset that it doesn’t define you. It’s not a big aspect of yourself until you make it so. You’ve got so much more to yourself than just a lack of belief in God. Your personality, hobbies, skills etc. I don’t know I’m just kinda throwing advice out there and seeing what sticks. I don’t know your situation at all but I hope this helps. I’m always here if you want to talk about your issues to a fellow closeted atheist! Best of luck to you dude, I hope things start looking up for you :D

[@alex-vd4vm]

@@ijum Aku dah memang rahsiakan dari family aku, dan Internet ni je tempat aku boleh cakap apa aku nak cakap (mestilah aku jaga mulut sikit) kalau diorang tahu aku ni tak percaya Tuhan mesti diorang kick me out. Tapi aku ada lah plan B. Kalau boleh aku nak pindah tempat yang aku boleh jadi diri sendiri and have full control of my life. Kenalah simpan duit dulu hehe

[@ijum]

@@alex-vd4vm Semoga berjaya!

[@Longtack55]

Change your so-called friends. They are your intellectual inferiors.

[@brochestedbs]

Someone who doesn't hold a belief doesn't have to justify themselves. It's people who have beliefs who have to justify why they believe that. I can't see god, can't touch him or hear him. So anyone who believes needs to tell me why. A book doesn't prove their case; there are lots of religious books, they all say they're right, but only one or none can be.

[@NegativeAccelerate]

Although my family aren’t fundamental Christians, I’ve actually noticed that I have never told my granny. My granny took me to mass every Sunday as a child. I looked forward to it and I’m glad I have those memories. I don’t see a need to come out to her as I don’t want her to worry about me. I think my granny needs religion and I would never want to take that away from her either.

[@katyungodly]

While I don’t think your atheism will take her religion away, I understand your position because I also won’t come out as atheist to my family. For me it’s about their emotions. They will be sad and afraid that I’m going to hell and I don’t wanna cause that trauma for them if I can avoid it.

[@desarguesbaptiste5577]

Exactly the same for me. My grandfather is the only who doesn't really know. My grand uncle is a priest and I fear a question about how Christian I am. Not for me, in France nobody cares about religion anymore (well they are still fundamentalist christian and muslim but it's a minority) atheism is kind of the norm. But I fear them being afraid for me going to hell or having any kind of problem with those thought. But it's totally different as what's described in the above video.

[@mariuscheek]

Here in the UK we find it pretty unbelievable that non-believers have to go through this anguish in the USA, where separation of Church and State is written into the constitution, after all. You have my greatest sympathies! And well done!!

[@MichaelJones-fv8cd]

They don't. Cry baby sissy snowflake

[@mariuscheek]

You certainly got me there, you clever chap!

[@Josh-bf6sk]

Lol...I really can't belive how big of a thing this is in america...

[@lunatheluma3804]

you would be surprised how big of a deal Christianity is here

[@Josh-bf6sk]

dagamerguyofawesome Lol...In germany basically nobody cares about that stuff...I didn't even "confess" to my parents that I was an Atheist... I simply started saying how stupid christianity is and stuff like that and they agreed with me...

[@LupaPuella]

Very fortunate to have such support. Sadly, here in the US, some people have been disowned, abandoned, rejected, abused (physically and emotionally) - all from those who they love and should be loved by the most. It can be a heartwrenching experience.

[@lunatheluma3804]

yeah well over in america land we chant how great america is before school every weekday and one of the lines is "one nation under god" so it is a big deal for us

[@LupaPuella]

I skip that line. I prefer the original, nation-centric version.

[@ShinobIHunteR666]

My parents never told me about religions and when I was 7 and first heard about religions in school I was shocked that grown ups have imaginary friends. Where I live nobody really cares, Its more like what is your favourite color type of thing. Sorry to hear that in USA things are that bad.

[@jamessheesley5484]

well every one has their own cults, ours just happen to be bigger then most.

[@ballisticpat6528]

Same

[@davidsmith-uw2ci]

Its so bad that when u grow up in America ur taught that u can do anything and be anything even president one day but in reality if ur an atheist u will nvr b president but they don't tell u that

[@LadyMurasaki44]

ShinobIHunteR666 I live in Poland. We have very conservative and religious government. We suppoused to be secular country but in reality we are theocracy. Here if you don't have imaginary friend people think that you are insane not they.

[@ShinobIHunteR666]

@@LadyMurasaki44 Sorry to hear that.. Its crazy.

[@katieelisabeth6036]

Mad how divisive these things can be, how some people in these 'all loving' religions turn their backs on people who decide it's not for them. Bit contradictory if you ask me

[@rooost9856]

Ikr!

[@fcchannel6162]

well again the bible teaches hate the sin in not the person some people are in churches being taught by preacher who are unreilgious themselves so that problem explain them try christianity are told to love the person in not the sin its almost like a family member who is addicted to drug you love the person but you hate they do drugs type thing

[@bastian9713]

The word you mean is hypocritical

[@kylejamessmithproductions7848]

I'm an athiest, full blown. And I'm Irish. I'm also 16. When I came out it was during school especially in relegious education where, they only teach Christian views. Even people my age thought it was strange and I became an outcast. But I stayed true to who I am. My friends who are athiest, agnostic or Catholic still love me for who I am. For that I am glad. Through the help of this channel and many more I can now have large religeous debates in class and not feel isolated or outnumbered because I have science and facts to help with my arguments. Gmc, I thank you. Kyle

[@idemongamer3246]

I can relate to your story but the only difference is I’m in Saudi Arabia, my family suspected that i was an atheist that’s when I’ve just left Islam when I tried to express my feeling in subtle way they started to threaten me intel I pretended like I repented from my “false beliefs” that was 2014. My aunt found out my hidden books and confirmed her suspicions about me, she took pictures and sent it to someone. So i had to come out to the only people I trusted my sister and my cousin, so if disappeared they’d know the true story.

[@BigHeretic]

With an aunt like that, who needs enemies. Edit : name removed.

[@HermanWillems]

I respect you alot. Under islam it's even harder than Christians.

[@timrscott]

You should seek asylum in Canada.

[@idemongamer3246]

Fred Funk i will but right now Everyone is watching me

[@timrscott]

Best of luck.

[@annieandersson9463]

Coming from Sweden, this is an entirely new perspective for me. I've of course heard of coming out with your sexuality, but religion? I have understood that the USA is very different when it comes to stuff like this, but your story makes it all very real. The stories tend to be broad stroke, good/bad tales where the inherent evil of atheism/religiousness is clear, but this made it all so much more complex. I feel like I have a little bit better understanding of the world and the people in it. Thank you

[@arieson7715]

In the lesser known places of america, like parts of the country don't really care if you're athiest (Unless you are being a fuckhead telling everyone that you think their stupid for believing god)

[@arieson7715]

@@pixiepandaplush I never said it was okay to be a jackass to atheist, its fucking dumb to do that.

[@GaijinMom]

Sweden here too, I know there are parts of America that are like a different world.. but this video is just so .. weird! Is he coming out as an atheist or a serial killer ?!

[@israelthacker8568]

It's only this bad in very religous families or communities. In most of America it's rude to talk about religion. I grew up in a very Christian family and it is difficult to come out as atheist, but people outside the family don't really care.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

@@arieson7715 How about criticizing FUCKHEADS who INSULT people & call them stupid just for believing in Marxism or Communism or Socialism or animal rights or antinatalism?

[@lordnecrorder8476]

The fact that people have to make a coming out for not believing in an imaginary evil invisible dictator is really terrible

[@user-bo1fg6tw5e]

As someone "in the closet" both religion wise and sexuality wise, it's weird how many parallels there are. For example, whenever I say something relating to my problems with religion, I'll get the whole "oh, you're young and still figuring things out, you'll find God and be fully faithful again soon," similar to the whole "young people don't really know their sexuality, they'll be straight when they're older" argument. The way it feels is somewhat similar too. The idea of having to hide part of yourself, one that you personally know is only a small part of your character, but feeling like telling people would be a big deal and lead to disappointment or attempts to "fix" you. And then that keeps you from speaking your mind; hell, I actually have a harder time defending athiesm in front of my family than I do defending LGBTQ stuff, because you can be straight and still an ally, but not so much a Christian and still defend athiest beliefs. Both are hard to hide, because it means you have to dance around things or even bite your toungue if those topics come up. Thanks for making this videos, and all the others. Your videos have really helped me figure out my own beliefs and find the truth, along with providing a place where people can come and debate/learn in a less volatile way. Thank you for being honest and helping people

[@randomneko9]

i do not envy your position. You have to contend with far more than i do. I do hope you have found yourself a good support network.

[@trashedpanda586]

L 013 I definitely know how you feel. I only came out to my parents a year ago as trans and at the time it was only because I wanted to start transition and so I knew I couldn't hide it anymore (near mid-20s so I don't tend to get the "you're still young" but I have a baby face so I can from someone that don't know me). However, at the time, I was solidly set on never coming out as atheist to my parents because I felt like it could never happen. I'm still very hesitant about the idea because I worry that at least one of them is going to try to tie my being trans and being atheist together as something that's "corrupting" me or something like that (basically try to tell me where I went wrong and how to "fix it"). Good luck to you, and know that there's someone else here that fully understands your struggle.

[@Ian-bf4yk]

Oh yeah.

[@everythinghyrum]

I totally get you, I've grown up Mormon and still live in a Mormon household with my parents, and a few years ago at the age of 13 or 14 I started coming out to my family and friends as gay. My parents weren't too sure about how to feel, and it was a really confusing and difficult time. But I still believed in God throughout the whole ordeal, hoping everything would somehow workout. Just recently I went through a second round of self discovery and started to realize that mormonism and religion as a whole makes very little sense. I started realizing that I'm an atheist, and it was kinda Kickstarted by me coming to terms with being gay. I still haven't told my parents that I'm a full on atheist, but I have talked to them about my doubts. It's just kinda of funny that I have to come out twice.

[@dimitar4y]

It's cultist behavior. Simple as.

[@maxhenke92]

In Germany it goes like this: - Do you believe in some kind of higher existence? - No, I don't. If questioner.isreligious == true { - Well, you should. - No, thanks. I made up my mind. } German life goes on.

[@buttersquids]

My Uncle came out as atheist, which is the unfortunate reason my Dad no longer speaks to him. Having a Christian fundamentalist Dad is interesting...

[@buttersquids]

@I am really back people very true

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

GOOD for your uncle! Tell your worthless piece of trash BREEDER that there is NOTHING he can do about forcing his COURAGEOUS PATRIOTIC INTELLIGENT BROTHER to believe in garbage like gods.

[@joycelinlgbtq]

That's a bit much. Instead of tearing down the OP's father just show support and encourage them to reach out to their uncle who could probably use the support and company.

[@Ellie_2810]

Just tell him god made dogs alergic to chocolate

[@skuzzles7467]

"Am i my brothers keeper?" Well apparently not if he's an athiest, lmao

[@liezlroux5390]

Just want to say thank you. Still don't have the courage to came out to my people, but maybe someday...

[@cade8986]

It’s gonna feel good. Better than being yourself only to yourself

[@johaniusantonius6116]

Weirdest shit I ever seen. The US is so different from Northern Europe

[@FatheredPuma81]

That's just a total understatement. We don't accept tons of incompatible migrants, give them tons of money for being here, praise their religion as the religion of peace, ban most if not all criticism on their beliefs, ignore it when they on mass groom and rape underaged kids, jail those who speak out, etc the list goes on. Although there are likely places in Northern Western Europe which do have extreme religious people such as those he had to deal with. Overall though 99% of people don't have to worry about this. I don't think I've even been asked if i'm religious by anyone.

[@icantcomeupwithagoodusername]

*Sigh* Why cant us nordic people have any fun?

[@noldocelu3326]

FatheredPuma81 Like that bhati fella, who 2 years after leaving Norway to be a terrorist, people started discussing if it was right to stop his welfare... which btw was double of what an average Norwegian would get.

[@noldocelu3326]

To me Americans seem more discriminative and pretentious than Europeans. On the other hand, Chocodiles! :D And lot's of good entertainment.

[@typical5719]

Free speech is definitely better In America

[@Visshaldar]

my 12 yo daughter likes to wear long skirts b/c that's just her style. a few weeks ago in class a kid asked her what church she belonged to (assuming the skirts were part of her religion) she proceeded to tell them flat out that she's not a christian at all, like it was no big deal and it just blew my mind (and the other kids' minds) my husband and i describe ourselves as agnostic but we have always encouraged our daughter to ask questions and to search for evidence on her own. we've even allowed her to go to churches with friends. what we have never done is admitted to being agnostic to anyone aside from a few family members and a handful of acquaintances. having been raised int he south i am acutely aware that many people would not only ostracize us but not let their kids come over if they knew. i was so proud of my kid that she could own her beliefs so publicly when i feel like i can't.

[@DISCO-munication]

You are a great parent and should be proud of yourself!! You did a good job.

[@starbreaker6740]

This is wholesome

[@danochy5522]

As a New Zealander, the idea that an atheist would be discriminated against in a western country is mind-boggling to me. We just don't get that sort of thing over here. Even Islamophobia levels are low here.

[@rital3309]

It's the same over here in Europe (Germany) people don't care if you believe in God or not.

[@imaginarychip4916]

@@rital3309 But germans is little islamphopia I don't blame em honestly i see that muslims make alot of trouble in german But not in norway they're nice for some reason

[@rital3309]

@@imaginarychip4916 But that has nothing to do with religion it's how they behave themselves.

[@Timspt8]

About the same here in the Netherlands(Europe), nobody really cares

[@Steampunkzz]

Im from CT and I never hear about anyone being targeted for being Athiest though it may be just my state thats the odd one out.

[@ahmedelemam3639]

Took two years? Man i have been undercover for 10 years because im not afraid of hearting anybody's feeling, I was afraid for my life

[@TheRealCatof]

Stay safe, that's most important.

[@hape3862]

I grew up in a 90% catholic rural little farmers village in Bavaria, Germany and served my whole childhood and youth as an altar boy. Later I entered a priest seminary and studied catholic theology at university to become a catholic priest. After four years of studies I left because I'm gay and didn't want to live a double life. Neither my coming out as gay nor - years later - as an atheist bothered ANY ONE of my relatives, friends and not even my former spiritual counselors - we all have exactly the same relationships as before. -- As a European, I cannot imagine how bigoted and narrow-minded US-American society is.

[@alexanderwerner1779]

Dagobert Duck it's really surprising to us, especially when you consider we looked up to the US in so many other areas.

[@hape3862]

Dom_90: Hihi, ja, es ist nicht mehr viel übrig vom kathöllischen Bayern.

[@jonathanfriedel]

"...how bigoted and narrow-minded US-American society is..." and getting far worse in the Bible Belt. I watch the news and feel like I live in a country that did not exist 20 years ago. Perhaps it is the light getting brighter before it burns out. Religion in America has gone crazy mad the last few years.

[@randomneko9]

history is littered with examples of bigotry, hatred and all manner of nasty things taking root. Maybe in twenty years we will look back and wonder how we could have been so foolish as to allow the clergy to take control. Then again we may be paying reparations for atrocities we committed in the name of that same clergy. I just hope that through activism and openness i can pull my nation away from theocracy.

[@hape3862]

Chief Nerd: "...how bigoted and narrow-minded US-American society is..." - honestly I hesitated to write this sentence down, as I of course know that there are many many perfectly reasonable Americans, too. What bewilders us Europeans the most, I think, is that no one could ever be elected in any office, if he/she doesn't at least pretend to be a christian.

[@theonionpirate1076]

How dare you turn your back on our lord and savior, The Flying Spaghetti Monster! Repent now or suffer his saucy wrath.

[@alienamongstaliens]

This joke is pasta sell-by date...

[@eastchchkea6475]

False noodle deceiver! All should worship the true creator Mr Bear. All loving, soft and cuddly. All praise our lord and stuffed saviour Mr Bear.

[@somethingsomewhat8860]

HEATHENS! THE NOODLES WRATH WILL DEVOUR ALL

[@chupacabraazul6669]

@theOnionPirate I ate the flying spaghetti monster...

[@sofetchxx]

RAMEN

[@milkywegian]

I’m 14 and I became an atheist from Muslim a year or two ago I just recently came out thanks to you and other skeptics and free thinkers. Though its been hard for me my dad thinks I’m a spoiled kid and friends shame me and to avoid making them reach out to the teachers and call me out I just agree with their every beliefs and I say I respect there beliefs. It’s been really hard but it’s worth it.

[@milkywegian]

I’m more of an agnostic though but I would rather invest my time on me and making the world a better place than worshipping a dictator.

[@Confident-Village148]

NafiuGamer someone I can relate to, but I'm 18😂

[@milkywegian]

Grace-Monroe Hepburn Kelly I’m just lucky that I had the ability to freely think before anybody programmed me.

[@chrisnikolov2152]

NafiuGamer You are strong, stay safe 🙏

[@alastairbond7104]

chrisl0081234 and if you do watch Sargon of Akkad watch Shaun and Jen because he literally destroys every line of reasoning from Sargon

[@atlas6533]

I’m 14, i recently had a long conversation with my dad about my faith, or lack thereof rather. This comes after hundreds of hours of research involving atheism, Christianity, Islam, and many other religions. I talked to both my pastor and youth minister many times and both of them were rather supportive of me doing my own research and when I told them I was an atheist they were both accepting. My dad too, luckily. We all agreed that you cannot choose to believe something just as you cannot choose to dislike someone or can’t choose to fly. It’s not a choice. And if there is a god, he will understand this.

[@TheMrblessed]

I wish I had your strength and wisdom at 14.

[@Hellwaterva]

in my eyes it sounds like you are more agnostic than atheist but you do you man

[@anna5224]

Something similar happened to me recently (I started questioning things at 9, then it escalated these months), honestly my parents are convinced that divine destiny will eventually bring me back to the faith. I feel very bad for them having to deal with this kind of kid but after doing research, I find it repulsive I think I will try to wait it out till I can move out then just subtly leave.

[@ANTIMONcom]

Pfff. America being wierd again

[@IronheadOfScroteus]

Lol!

[@MT-pf1pv]

*weird

[@anonymaus8191]

I met a Christian once...

[@arieson7715]

Pfff people not knowing how to spell words.

[@chrow3908]

@@arieson7715 Well maybe by referring that 'America is weird' you would assume that he Isn't From America and that maybe he isn't a native english speaker and therefore his English isn't really good. I hate ignorant native English speakers who awlays mention grammar when talking with someone on the Internet without considering from where they are.

[@fossforever512]

I literally always forget you’re married xD

[@paulban1477]

Its_ Me it's the baby face.

[@spookykidbunny]

Paul Ban it really is

[@joop5415]

I'm only an occasional viewer. How old is he? I thought he was like 18 or 19. No idea he was married.

[@siukong]

That sentence is a paradox

[@GiubileiFernando]

People marry su fucking young. They baely know themselves and they're already making a lifetime comiment o someone else.

[@Faustobellissimo]

I too have stopped believing in Santa Claus, but I never felt the need to come out as "an adult"...

[@andreiserban2409]

Fausto Levantesi fuuu, santa isnt real?

[@discomutt1503]

LIAR LIAR LYAR

[@alecboucher5984]

Fausto Levantesi but santa is real

[@FerroNeoBoron]

James, why do you think atheists are pitiful? I watched part of your video and I think when physicists refer to an observer in quantum mechanics they mean that being in contact with a system subject to position-momentum uncertainty ( or the equivalent ) has made either the position highly certain and the momentum highly uncertain or vice versa and copies information from the quantum system to a larger system which can't maintain that uncertainty as well as the quantum system can.

[@OldSkullInn]

I realized a week or so back that I would rather risk burning in an unimaginable hell for all of eternity against the chance of going to Valhalla and sitting at the feasting table with Odin. While I don't believe in either scenario, if I have to choose, I want mead, meat, warrior women, fire, loud music, and battle every night.

[@Ann-qg4wf]

Being an atheist is hard, im surrounded by christians specially my family. Here in the phil, once you dont believe their "God" automatically your immoral, rude, selfish, ungreatful and worst person living on earth. Im just glad that there are some youtube channel thats speaks for us like Atheist Joy Philippines and foreign ones. Thankyou for sharing your experience, it means a lot to every atheist or agnostic out there.♥️

[@faisal4178]

Just imagine being an atheist in saudi arabia 🥲

[@faisal4178]

If i tell them that iam an atheist they will kill me 😔

[@nathanlabrador7664]

Eyy, I'm Filipino too! As someone who's stopped believing in Christianity and is on the process of deconstructing from the faith, I feel your struggle. My family is full of devout Christians (me and my brother are the only ones who don't believe in God anymore), and coming out to them is a scary prospect especially considering the fact that Born Again Christians in the Philippines view atheists as immoral monsters.

[@PixTax]

This is so weird to hear as an European Atheist . 0.0 We tend to be the norm.

[@georgH]

Exactly!

[@desiderata8811]

chrisl0081234 do you think leaving Jehova Witnesses or Mormons is easy ? It’s like Drew described.

[@Mim-mg3rk]

R M I left JW. I can't describe how hard that was. They messed me up so bad :(

[@desiderata8811]

Mim 4 I’m really happy for you. Keep away from any other superstition.

[@Mim-mg3rk]

R M thank you! I am a firm atheist now. and I believe that world would be a much better place without any religion.

[@sageexotics1589]

I think my favourite part of when I came out, is finding out my mom’s an atheist too. Turns out my mom raised me and my brother neutral. We went to a Christian school, but otherwise my mom was very scientific. My mom left the fear (hell) and award (heaven) out of the picture. Me and my brother chose for ourselves. I think the whole thing is interesting. Another interesting thing I’ve seen, is one of my very clever friends. She was raised very Christian, her mom is one of the extremely religious type, ya know, anti-gay, anti fricken tattoos, trump supporter, you get it. Anyway I was surprised to learn that without any help from me, she became an atheist. It was short lived though. She came out to me, but we both agreed the best course of action was to stop hiding it from everyone else. She came out to her mom. We were twelve at the time, and of course we heavily reliant on our parents. Her mom wasn’t happy. Her mother forced her back into Christianity, made her read religious books, ranted about why it was wrong not to be religious. But the last straw for my friend was when her mother took her to see her grandparents in Poland. At first it was ok, we were texting and she was saying it was so annoying how they made her pray every day and all the church. By the end of it, though, she was very religious. I mean she came home a completely different person. I don’t know what they did to her there, but they won. They completely changed her. Her views were warped so badly, she didn’t think the same way. She was no longer kind, skeptical, and open-minded. She became just as bigoted as her mother and grandparents. We’re no longer friends because of that. At that age, we were inseparable. Losing her like that made me fall into a dark place. All because of religion. And her mother wouldn’t let her daughter choose who she wanted to be. It’s crazy.

[@HandballDinosaur]

I'm from Poland. People here are very religious, but they are not thinking. 97% of people are Catholics, but only around 10% are practicing religion. People don't really think about that what are they believing in. They don't understand a simple arguments, they are just listening what church is saying, nothing else matter. Even with that, it's not so hard to be atheist here. Most people don't really care about it(like i said, 97% Catholics, but only 10% are practicing). But if you have a close experience with those 10%, they will treat like a devil or some other stuff(they called me "Marx" many times, just because i don't believe in any concept of god). I mean in Poland if you live in religious family it's really easy to get into it and be manipulated and indoctrinated. I was a catholic too, i was really into it, but like an author of the video i came out as an atheist after i had many doubts that came from science. At least my christian friends are still with me and they respect me as a thinking person, what is really good for me, because now i know that they are my real friends. I hope some day your friend will be able to come out as an atheist or whatever she want, without being manipulated or forced. Also sorry for my english, like i said I'm from Poland and they teached me german for like a 13 years back in the school.

[@Distimmer]

:(

[@somethingsomewhat8860]

Tbh I became atheist simply because of this "wait, why doesn't the Bible mention the dinosaurs?" Then that led to a spiral of questions and boom, I'm an atheist.

[@mayravixx25]

scott mcindoe So I’m not the only one who found that odd?

[@somethingsomewhat8860]

RavenChan I guess so, but I was about 7 and pretty into dinosaurs so maybe that's why

[@epicchannel758]

scott mcindoe i mean that's valid, but honestly i find that kind of funny lol

[@somethingsomewhat8860]

Fabio yea lol

[@JustinK0]

Naa, it just shows ignorance. The word dinosaurs was coined in 1841-ish, and the first English bible was in the 16th century or something (Tyndale Bible?).. so why would you expect it to say dinosaurs? it does use behemoth though. “Behemoth” in Hebrew means gigantic beast. some people would claim its talking about an elephant or hippopotamus, but neither of those fit with "his tail like a cedar" when described. Im not surprised if you became an atheist do to ignorance, seems like that's the case nowadays. although when it comes to not knowing something i think the correct term for that is agnostic. its not possible to "know" that something doesnt exist when its outside our own knowledge capacity.

[@pauljsm]

I'm really glad I've came across this channel 😊 Coming out isn't easy... I came out as gay long ago, but I haven't yet come out as an atheist nor as a long time patient of depression (the latter scares me the most; so much stigma!)

[@kittenmastermind660]

Most people will assume you an atheist if you're gay.

[@Antiling_the_Squidkid]

​@@kittenmastermind660 I had no idea/sarcasm

[@octotruman2541]

I just somehow stumbled upon atheist videos when I was halfway through 5th grade at a Lutheran school, they were something else and helped me finally think outside of the religious box. I think it was during New Years 2017 going into 2018, I thought of it as a new year. While my parents weren’t really religious and wanted me to believe in anything I want to be, I told my mom and she was fine with it and was just how I wanted it to happen. I went though many slow stages and finally knew I was an atheist, I told one of my best friends who was a Lutheran, he didn’t comment on it much but didn’t shut me out we remained friends but never talked about it again. I started hearing everything differently at my school, seeing stuff at a different view point and always stood my ground. Moving into 6th grade religion got longer and more serious, this obviously wasn’t a good time of course for me. Things got worse, we had an island project and someone said they wouldn’t let gay people on their island. But then something worse, our teacher said that the US needs to only promote Christianity, he said she were down falling as a nation because we were on the fence about religion. I said that we need diversity, I believe that others should not be pressured by the government in which the place they live in to be a Christian, he said “I wonder if Jesus would walk around saying, it is ok for other people not to believe in me.” Then he said he doesn’t personally accept anyone who doesn’t believe in Jesus. I don’t really want to be accepted by the old creep anyway.

[@arieson7715]

You got some crazy ass people there.

[@KenshinUshiroda]

Ah, America the land of the free.

[@jn8712]

Land of the Free!* *terms and conditions may apply

[@taylordavison6849]

We're supposed to be a Secular nation, but Christian fundamentalists want to change that.

[@jollycooperation7446]

We got freedom of speech (your opinions dont matter when some pussy get offended easily) Freedom of press (post the truth but is denied cuz Money solves everything) Freedom of religion (shouted at and hated for having a different god) Someone offended you, so you kill that someone in the name of your god so its not illegal and you just pay off the press to keep silent.

[@signantwolf6502]

@@jn8712 I almost never say it, so you be proud of this. "LOL"

[@Longtack55]

How about that "Leader of the Free World?" yuk yuk yuk.

[@das096]

My favorite response came when my mom found out I was an atheist and she said "I was just hoping to see you in heaven." And my response was "Then you didn't read the bible's dicriptions of heaven well enough ."

[@das096]

lynx lot “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night ... They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” so lets say I'm wrong and the bibles right this single verse says she can't miss me at all in heaven. Even if we take it 100% literally she wouldn't have the time,god keeps some brutal work hours. Ther may also be a verse on heaven being a personal heaven but I can't remember for sure so dont quote me on that one!...P.S. Which is sweet ?

[@das096]

@David Anewman awww who me ?!?!

[@das096]

@David Anewman Well ive been called that lol, but I don't think its accurate. I used to be a Christian and corrected that behaviour real quick...by reading the bible ;P

[@das096]

@David Anewman If I need "converted eyes" to understand the book that was written to convert me I feel like Gods playing with a bit of a stacked deck, but I feel we have gotten off topic. So are the words I wrote accurate to the bible or not?

[@Mochielite]

@David Anewman I don't think anyone can understand the bible since it's just... bad. Statements go against each other, God does a lot of terrible things, it's filled with slavery, murder and rape. This is supposed to be the holy book, so i guess i don't quite understand what is so amazing about it.

[@NoName-pu5ls]

recently I was told to never return to group therapy for stating I was an atheist, but oh they kept my $400

[@NoName-pu5ls]

@Berry Blue backwards small town PA

[@spectacledman]

@@NoName-pu5ls I know I'm late to this party, but if you still can, take them to court!

[@LittleHotels]

That's really weird. American christians must be strange beings.

[@yeshuahfullofit2.083]

They most certainly are. ; ) pbs.twimg.com/media/B7w_8QNCQAEAT5c.png:large

[@tissuepaper9962]

There's good and bad, just like any group. The more extreme their beliefs, the more extreme their convictions.

[@curtisyue182]

Pat Robertson, Jim Baker, Peter Popoff, Ray Comfort. As an American, all these names come to mind.

[@Zomboy123456789]

David Anewman If I didn't know you were joking I'd call you delusional... youarejokingright?

[@yeshuahfullofit2.083]

*David Anewman* All self-professed xians are. You fucks are really good at it. You've been doing it for over 2000 years. pbs.twimg.com/media/B7w_8QNCQAEAT5c.png:large

[@ahmedelnageh507]

You're a good person dude. I'm glad your coming out was positive ❤

[@PurpleKnightmare]

From his story, it sounds mostly positive.

[@fLaMePr0oF]

Your account pretty much sums up the reasons behind my own abandoning of faith: 1. Accepting evolution and rejecting creationism (and all of the wonderful scientific and rational thinking which follows this first step) 2. Accepting that being gay isn't a choice, harmful or wrong 3. Accepting that the Bible has errors (and in particular in my case that the christian god is a very poor standard for morality - when your holy book commands how you should beat your slaves, it is disqualified as a source of morality) Anyway, I encourage the many who have harboured these kind of doubts, sometimes for years, ditching your faith is NOT the end of the world, indeed, for me it was the beginning of the most fruitful and fulfilled chapter of my life so far :)

[@jamessheesley5484]

well of course the bible has errors, it was written by guys that have been dead for going on 2000 years. It is not the word of god, just something some guy you have never met says god thinks, like he would know. Its not even the same book as it was, its been edited by a bunch of guys you have never met so many times it may a well be a work of fiction. In fact a work of fiction almost always is a lot more internally consistent.

[@eltooyo2]

Wow! As a Gay man, I can tell you that your coming out experience very closely mirrors my own. I think of you as an LGBTQ ally but clearly you''re that rare straight ally who's actually had to walk the walk. Thank you for your story.

[@mz6367]

I'm gay too and for a while I had believed that this man is straight ,until he mentioned his wife! I'm glad that we have allies like him!

[@mamasnightmare1]

Oh Drew, take it from a gay man. the more vicious the response is, the bigger their own doubt.

[@Biskawow]

I know its a known issue, and even pope told them to stop it, but why the fuck do Christians in USA hate gays? WTF is up with that?

[@jochemvanlogten9438]

mamasnightmare1 Preach!

[@blackenedizzycore]

Mario D. Zmaj Basically because they're taught to. America being a very religious country many children grow up in super fundamentalist households where they're taught from a young age being gay is bad and a sin.

[@taratothemax1350]

Mario D. Zmaj because magic sky dad says so

[@studtistics2448]

Ricky Menendez you need to troll better than that.

[@Cosmological]

Good to hear your story. I'm glad you've been able to come out and have a mostly positive response. 😊

[@lutze5086]

Cosmological ~america~

[@karly378]

My South African parents threatened to kick me out the house if I didn’t pray or do Christian stuff with them like the holy communion etc. I had to tell them that I will continue to pray just so that I didn’t get kicked out. Mind you, I’m a minor. It’s wild out here in SA lol.

[@-gemberkoekje-5547]

As if they think you could trick God into thinking you still believed in him.

[@karly378]

@@-gemberkoekje-5547 bro fr🤣

[@pezvonpez]

That's really awful, hope you are/will be okay

[@bdf2718]

"Just read this book" is *great* advice. Just read the Bible thoroughly and you'll come away an atheist. It's the people who don't read the Bible who are (believing) Christians.

[@anotherfoundsheep1773]

That's not true.

[@tylerbrown3135]

I know plenty who have read it multiple times and believe without a doubt

[@josheberhardt4030]

Well you see the difference between people who read the Bible and become atheist and those who become devout afterwards is that those who remain Christian afterwards know how to read the Bible, they understand the history of the book and it's formation, that it is a collection of poetry, letters, Proverbs, historical documents, and eyewitness accounts they know what they're reading and how it's meant to be interpreted, they understand passages in context; context of the Bible, context of the book and chapters it's wrote in, and context of the culture and words whether it's Jewish or greek and how parallels are used between old and new testament. I would even argue that the only reason people discredit the Bible is due to lack of education on the topic, after all most of the time when people try to refute the argument for the existence of a God they say something about a magic "sky daddy" who comforts people when they think about death and mock others for believing in it even though that's not at all what the religious side argues. You can't debate a topic when one side is talking about a glorified Santa clause and the religious crowd is debating the God and apologetics of great minds such as Thomas Aquinas and C.S. Louis

[@justanotherpoweraddict7918]

bdf2718 Funny you say that, because I knew a person irl who is a devoted Christian, with the whole package of prayers before meal and sleep, church every Sunday, etc Never read the whole Bible, and wouldn't even touch the King Jame's version And another who claimed "God don't make people sick" while I secretly laughed in Egyptian

[@bdf2718]

+another found sheep +Josh Eberhardt When I wrote about reading the Bible as a path to disbelief I, of course, meant reading it *fully,* *comprehending* it and *analysing* it. If you just dip into it, you'll continue to believe it. If you read it in full without comprehending it, you'll continue to believe it. If you read it in full without analysing it, without becoming aware of the internal contradictions, without becoming aware of the contradictions with reality, you'll continue to believe it. A local university with a respected department of theology states that of the people doing a theology degree, 50% will have lost their faith by the time they graduate. You may express surprise that the number is so high. I'm surprised it is so low: you're supposed to be intelligent to be allowed to do a university degree. To Josh Eberhardt especially, was the last supper the passover supper or was it on the day of preparation the day before? You're the scholar, you tell me. And if you're *really* a scholar, explain why the difference of opinion and why the Catholic Church retained John in the canon when they reject so much of his gospel. And then tell me if you found the answer as hilarious as I did. Probably not, because you believe this crap.

[@mopoii399]

As a half Brit/French, this is REALLY weird ...

[@theocean1973]

I remember a story of a British journalist asking Tony Blair, "Prime Minister, is it really true that you actually *PRAAAAY* with George Bush?" And he said, through the surprised laughter of the crowd, "Oh, no no! No no! It's not true!" Don't know if that story is true or not, but it shows how differently the Brits view religion in public life.

[@ailsamairi]

@@theocean1973 You're a lot more likely to be mocked for being religious here. A lot of people see western europe as islamophobic, but christianity is mocked just as much. I think in general we tend to see any religion as a very old fashioned concept.

[@medexamtoolscom]

I would expect it to be easy, since you're half brit half french you should already hate yourself.

[@ragefacememeaholic5366]

As an American this really weird...

[@MetalGamer666]

@@theocean1973 Yeah, most public figures here (northern European country) would never admit to actually believing in the supernatural things in the bible. At least not in my country. They would maybe call themselves christian, or say that "I believe that there is more between heaven and earth than we know" (most scientists believe this as well), but never that they actually believe in wonders and supernatural events as described in the bible.

[@goncalocarneiro3043]

Aren't I lucky that I live in a country that doesn't care. My closest contacts never once spoke to me about religion and when I finally talked to them about it, turns out they were atheists for the most part, and one of the few friends I had that wasn't atheist was Christian and after speaking to me about it for a while he in a matter of weeks grew enough doubts to agree with me in the end. I consider myself lucky.

[@democracydignityhumanrights]

Gonçalo Carneiro being from the rural south in America I can’t even imagine what that’s like. A friend of mine is very skeptical of religion, I’m not sure he’s an atheist, but he isn’t a Christian, another friend of mine is gay and I was the second person he came out to because he knew I wouldn’t judge him, but I don’t think he’s really an atheist either, he just sort of doesn’t care, everyone else including the first friend I mentioned’s girlfriend is a Christian, although between me and him we have managed to plant a lot of doubts in her head, she still gets squeamish when we make jokes where we praise Satan 😂, my girlfriend is from China and is a Buddhist, when I told my girlfriend I was an atheist she was a bit shocked because she thought Americans were all religious, but she didn’t have a problem with it because China is a very atheist country. On the flip side I’ve even had people threaten to beat me up when I’ve casually mentioned I was an atheist during discussions so I’m careful about who I say it to, and I’ve had people cut me out of their life when they found out I was an atheist by things I posted on Facebook (which I no longer have), and of course the usual stuff where people try to talk to me about religion and convert me back half of the time when they see me. My dad was accepting of it but my mom had an extremely hard time and some times gets belligerent with me about it and has even punched me in the face for it, as an adult. I occasionally get messages from people I knew growing up trying to get me to try church too 😂 it’s fucking ridiculous sometimes.

[@democracydignityhumanrights]

I want to add on one of those occasions where people threatened to beat me up for it did lead to a fight where I had to defend myself. I kicked the dudes ass pretty bad lol

[@goncalocarneiro3043]

Quite sad really.

[@PurpleKnightmare]

I am lucky too, two of my longtime friends from high school are atheist. One calls himself agnostic, but that was because he never paid much attention to religion and does not really understand what atheist means. lol The word atheist is just an answer to one question, "Do you believe in god?"

[@goncalocarneiro3043]

Well, you can always ask him if he is an atheist again and say that he can be atheist and agnostic at the same time.

[@adavis5926]

I got tired of listening to family members preach their "godliness" to me, with me out of respect remaining silent because I did not agree and didn't want to hurt their feelings.

[@helpapleh]

Good thing I'm from Russia. Almost nobody believes in God, at least nobody I know. I didn't even know that it's so common to do it.

[@PennyDreadful1]

Well there is no argument for the non existence of a god than living in Russia. Just kidding! Please don't invade me! If you do we'll have to like gather twigs and bushes around or houses and set them on fire to make you think it's been raided already like last time and I really don't want to have to do that. I'm very lazy!

[@user-cw7bj7sz2k]

Is Ivan Drago okay from that beating he took?

[@Broomie63]

You can thank Joseph Stalin for creating a nation of atheists

[@cearfarseer9725]

@@Broomie63 Well at least he had some good ideas it seems.

[@ArturBaidi]

Most Russians are religious, especially old people. Most Russians believe in god. It's the Orthodox church which made people homophobic (anti-LGBT) there. !Eastern Germany and Czechia are atheist and they are pro-LGBT! Stalin was a homophobic atheist, but he was Orthodox before. You probably live in Moscow or Sankt Petersburg which are more atheist than rest of Russia.

[@AlexWalkerSmith]

I had no idea it could be such a big deal to "come out" as an atheist. I'm glad you're taking the effort to maintain your relationships like that. I grew up in a secular family, in a secular city in the Bay Area of California. We moved to a small town in Iowa when I was 8 years old, and that's when I first learned about Christianity in detail. Even as an 8-year-old, I had no issue arguing logically with anyone who tried to convert me. I was told countless times that I was going to go to Hell unless I "accepted Jesus in to my heart". I remember occasionally attending church with a friend of mine (just to tag along, really) and being shocked and embarrassed at what my friend did every Sunday. In middle school when we approached the topic of evolution, students had to have their parents sign a permission slip in order to stay in class for the topic. I had to have my parents explain to me that Christians don't believe in evolution, and I couldn't understand why that meant they wouldn't be allowed to learn about it in school. I accidentally attended a private Christian university (I honestly don't know how it slipped past me during the entire enrollment process) and that's when I learned about progressive Christians. The Christians I met there actually accept all types of religion AND non-religion, and didn't think I was going to Hell. For the first time in my life, I was told by Christians that I would be going to Heaven regardless of my non-belief, and I was so confused. These Christians even accepted gay people, encouraging and even CELEBRATING people who came out as gay. They would still try to convert me, but they never tried to hold eternal punishment over my head. I left college in 2009 and moved back to city life on the West Coast. In California, it seems like everyone is an atheist, and they even go so far as to passionately HATE Christians. At this point in my life, my politics and non-religion is my own business, because it really seems like everyone hates everyone for everything. Last week, I learned that a specific friend of mine is Catholic. I've known this person for years, and he just never mentioned it. Upon learning of his faith, I panicked and asked if I'd ever said anything that offended him over the years (because I tend to ramble uncensored) and he assured me I hadn't. Speaking of rambling, I didn't really intend to write this much, lol

[@ciaareinthecommentssection9575]

Some atheist never get the experience of "progressive Christians." That is what creates the seething anti-theists. Admittedly, i was very mean online with Christians but in person i have always been kind to them even while respectfully disagreeing. I don't blame those atheists who are mean to Christians though, Christianity is a bloody cult of hatred- it just happens to have some nice forms in some nice people. Now, I justdon't give a fuck, wisdom will do that.

[@AlexWalkerSmith]

Yeah, the on-campus church was the giveaway. I said to my friend, "huh... a church on campus? Seems a little strange." He laughed and said "It would be even weirder for a Christian school to NOT have a church." If I had been drinking water at that moment, I would have violently spat everywhere.

[@AlexWalkerSmith]

Oh, if I hadn't experienced those "progressive Christians", I may have continued my life as an anti-Christian bigot. I don't know what the percentages are, but I like to think there are actually more progressive types these days. But I have known my fair share of mean-spirited Christians, and I've been told many times that I was going to burn in Hell. The town in Iowa I grew up in was about 2 sq. miles across, and had about 7,000 people living there... and more than 30 churches.

[@mischr13]

I'm in California and yeah, people are pretty chill here. There still are a lot of Christians in my area, but they're mostly I guess what you would call progressive Christians.

[@AlexWalkerSmith]

chrisl0081234 Yep, I had no interest whether or not any college had a church, so I never even thought to ask. And yeah, I suppose I would’ve been mildly surprised to see a church at ANY college I went to.

[@Codex7777]

It does seem strange, looking at this from a European perspective. I'm in the UK. Most people here aren't religious. Even those that are are, tend to be so in a fairly vague and uncommitted way. Less than 5% of people attend church once a month, or more. Apart from the very small minority from fundamentalist backgrounds, who've been sheltered from wider society, 'coming out' as an atheist isn't really a big thing. In fact, for the overwhelming majority, it's not a thing at all. Nobody bats an eyelid if you say you don't believe in god/s. If anything, it's probably the other way round. A little bit at least. As being fundamentally religious is seen, by most, as a little weird. Generally speaking, I think the things we find strangest about American society are the gun culture and the widespread religious fundamentalism.

[@louisa1514]

Codex7777 I'm from the uk too, and I always thought that we were a highly atheist country because I'd never really been exposed to religion except for in re at school. It's only in the past few years that I've realised that we're actually a really Christian country, it just isn't talked about. Two friends at college mentioned having very religious parents, while I had to walk past this house that would constantly put up a new religious poster every week. I also recently found out that my brother-in-laws parents are actually mildly religious. Then you have the churches everywhere (I had assumed they were just traditional and acted more as community centres than serving any true theological purpose) which are everywhere. I've also heard that in some areas of Scotland, there are actually conflicts between different Christian sects (I can't remember which ones). Obviously this is all just personal experience and media coverage, so it's hardly accurate and probably varies depending on the region. It just makes me doubt the country as a whole. How atheist do you think we truly are? Or are most people just following tradition without actually believing in anything?

[@Codex7777]

Well, in the rolling survey, conducted by the National Census Bureau, the majority describe themselves as non-religious. The figure is likely even higher, as many put down the religion of their parents, or the church they were christened/baptised into, even though not actually religious. Church attendance has been falling for most of the last century. Those who attend church regularly, (once a month, or more) is now at well below 5%. There has been a rise in evangelical, charismatic churches, usually set up by recent immigrant communities, but this has been more than offset by dramatic falls in attendance in the more established churches. Even marriage, which were traditionally held in church, even if the couple weren't particularly religious, has seen a reversal, with most marriages now taking place elsewhere. Religion often appears more prevalent than it actually is, because it is given disproportional exposure by the media and is supported by the establishment. For instance, if there's a disaster, or tragedy, somewhere, the media will invariably interview a local priest/vicar/pastor, even if they had no direct link to the event. On any discussion re' ethics or morals, the religious viewpoints will always be given undue prominence. Some of this is just lazy journalism, some of it is deliberate. As for the establishment, well, the monarch is Head of the Anglican Church. We thus have a state religion. There is no separation of church and state. Thus virtually every national or state occasion is given a religious element. Bishops sit in the House of Lords, by right. Religious programming, on tv and radio is mandatory. A significant number of state schools are controlled by churches and prayer and religious assemblies are mandatory in schools. Religion also receives extra protection from criticism, under the law. Though the blasphemy law was abolished over a decade ago. No other area of social and public life receives such special protection. The Anglican Church is also extremely wealthy, holding investments of well over £7 billion. It's also one of the UK's largest landholders. Tbh, the effect of all this wealth, privilege and favour, has put peple off religion. Especially the mandatory educational and broadcast privileges. Many children have grown up seeing religion as boring and something that was forced upon them. As a consequence many have grown up indifferent to religion, at best. However, the fact that Christianity is made so visible and is given such a loud voice, makes people believe that it's much more popular than it actually is.

[@chaoseclipse0121]

Ironically, all of the Abrahamic Religions' values are in direct opposition to what American values are. Seriously, if you replace "God" or "Allah" with "Mother Russia" (Not current Russia, I mean old-school Communist Russia), then quite literally there's no difference between the Abrahamic Religions and Communism, and it's absolutely terrifying to know the people who follow these religions don't realize they're practicing Communism without even being aware of it in a country which completely opposes those ideals, and then uses their religion to try to change the country to reflect those ideals, to make those who don't believe in their ideals to suffer legally by forcing the government to do their dirty work for them. As far as gun "culture" goes, you have to remember when America first formed, they were essentially fleeing nations that were religiously controlled to begin with, hence why the initial government formed in America had church and government separated. Guns then became the primary means to defend one's home from threats, both foreign and domestic, and continued to be that way as America rapidly expanded westward where law enforcement took a very long time to catch up with said expansion. Even now in America, law enforcement is still too inadequate for the size of the country, as it can take up to 15 minutes in some places for the police to show up, which is 15 minutes of which you're at the mercy of assailants who are armed and dangerous and are more than likely intending to cause you severe bodily harm or death just to take your stuff or worse. Plus let's face it, since firearms are so abundant in America, taking away the firearms from the general public doesn't take away the weapons from criminals who sure aren't going to follow gun bans, it just makes it to where law abiding citizens can't defend themselves from being attacked. Taking away guns at this point isn't going to make things better in America, it's just going to make them worse as the general public will be easy prey for well armed criminals.

[@melissam6931]

I'm from Canada and as far as I know it's similarly a non-issue here

[@alienamongstaliens]

Another tiny but huge difference between UK and US politics - I don't hear any politician in the UK ending their speech "may God bless you" or "God bless the UK". Separation of church and state is a bloody sham in some countries and their politicians regard it as political suicide NOT to (say they) believe in a god, thus it becomes a self-perpetuating loop of utter ignorance and fear. Votes are more important than honesty.

[@colew9330]

I just watched an add for God’s not dead! I’m laughing so hard! 😂😂😂

[@katyungodly]

They’re paying atheist channels, it’s a win 😂

[@kevinquiroz5384]

@@katyungodly 200 IQ

[@rachelinreality2726]

Knowledge is a privilege and a burden. Thanks for doing your part to create a world where less people have to 'come out' for non-belief. #nonstampcollector

[@anotherfoundsheep1773]

Rachel in Reality "...but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." - 2 Corinthians 10: 12

[@rachelinreality2726]

Personally I prefer verses 4-6 :)

[@anotherfoundsheep1773]

Rachel in Reality hmm, interesting. How come?

[@rachelinreality2726]

Reminds me of some good feelings I used to get from my beliefs. It sounds so epic to have divine power to break down spiritual strongholds. It felt great to be part of something I thought was so important. Also, verse 5 has been quoted to me when I was discussing something (I don't remember what) and when I asked how the argument would be destroyed I didn't get an answer. If I'm wrong, I'd like to know how.

[@shanayenel]

Rachel in Reality just keep going whenever I think about quitting he strengthen me with more power

[@yasselesca]

I'm from Switzerland, here, nobody cares about your religious status. For us it sounds just ridiculous that someone has to "come out" as an atheist. Most people here are an atheist or agnostic anyway. Love your channel, keep up the good videos!

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Great to hear, Nera!!

[@kafeh3300]

I'm pretty late to your comment but it's pretty much the same here in France, rare are the one who care about people's beliefs

[@yoursonisold8743]

Oh, I'm pretty sure you do care a little though. Especially when the religion is Islam and you wanna keep it out no matter what lol Austria and Switzerland aren't the most open minded about Muslims. Then again, it's understandable.

[@kafeh3300]

@@yoursonisold8743 I was talking about their beliefs, setting aside the terrorist stereotypes and sh*t like that

[@obviouslyme2906]

Swiss guy here too :)

[@Bri_1219]

I've been thinking about "coming out" to friends a lot lately. I think your video will help. Thanks!

[@seansaurus9301]

Good luck!

[@alexanderwerner1779]

Good luck!

[@alexanderwerner1779]

chrisl0081234 in Europe it's hard to be religious, so it's the way it should be.

[@alexanderwerner1779]

chrisl0081234 I'm from Germany, yes there lots of churches still active but being atheist is the normal thing even in Bavaria you aren't in a bad position. Although some religious try to turn back the clock they fail in most cases and at least in front of court.

[@NetAndyCz]

+chrisl0081234 I am just thinking how anyone ever needs to come out as disabled. I never told you I am deaf and I read your lips, so please look at me when you are talking to me and I hope we can still be friends...

[@Mal-bl1ui]

I'm in the middle of coming out as agnostic to my evangelical church. So far, a couple of friends were very encouraging. But the pastors have said they're "devastated" but deeply love me. It's pretty close to the slog I expected. But I had to rip the band-aid off. I told them very kindly about my change in beliefs, but their beliefs include fear of me burning forever in conscious torment. (Long sigh). We'll see where this goes.