�I never really had to so-to-speak. My parents have always known and my mom would always field those types of questions from relatives wanting to take my sister and I to church. As for my inlaws, dh and I both have told them on numerous occasions-- they just don't get it. The subject of religion has never really come up with any of my friends. It's just not something we've ever talked about.� �jazmommy 6/6/03
�I just told them. When religion/belief system comes up with new folks I am right up front. It is a natural part of my language as well (e.g. Oh Maude!...and constant joking be myself and friends that might be overheard, like "bless you anyway" or "bless your atheist self" or referring to me as a heathen)� � BCHostMamaG 6/6/03
�Oh boy. Umm, I'm not really out with my family. I am too much of a chicken. As far as they are concerned I'm not religious, but still believe in god, which I guess is partly true I suppose. I've talked about it with most of my friends, but some refuse to believe that I don't believe in a personal god.� �MightK 6/6/03
�I think my mom always knew. I have just recently had the courage to come out to other family members. I haven't really said "I'm an atheist" but have made comments to give them the idea that I am. Now with my friends, I'm a big fat chicken! I know this sounds stupid but I'm really afraid of their reactions. I don't like confrontation so I would rather just nod and smile to keep the peace.��steph4980 6/6/03
�I haven't really "come out" too much. My family and friends don't usually get into nitty gritty discussions of religious beliefs, but when the subject has come up, then I just spit out that I'm agnostic. It usually comes up in conversations where the people have the same beliefs as me (or lack thereof), or with people who do believe in God, but aren't all uptight about the issue because they acknowledge that their beliefs are just their feelings and not necessarily "truth".��LuvThatDyl 6/8/03
�I'm not sure that I ever made much of a splash. I've always been highly skeptical, and pretty useless in ever promoting or pretending I believed while I was being raised in the United Methodist church. It just seemed so obviously unreal to me, and I pretty much asked the questions that have you end up in the reverend's office often and early. My family all knows, and my mom pretends she doesn't know. But my dad is an agnostic atheist, which I didn't know growing up, and I found out his father and mother didn't believe, either. So I come by it honestly..... � �LoreleiG 6/8/03
�Just over time, very gradual. Hey, if others can profess a belief in some make-believe guy in the sky, then I can profess not to believe.� �Captain Feathersword 6/8/03
�I came out to myself in college, but didn�t know until later that I classified as an atheist. I have gradually been more and more open about it with my family, but my grandma and extended family doesn�t know (we aren�t close), and some of my co-workers and friends don�t either. I don�t deny it, but the subject doesn�t come up.��squishys_mom
�I've never had to come out to anyone. They have known since I was a child I've always been a non-believer. They don't think of me any less. With strangers its never been, �Hi, my name is Cindi and I'm an agnostic.� *Real* life isn't like that.��Cindi_Doll 6/17/03
�I stopped going to church and when I was asked replied �Because I don't believe.���khm217 6/17/03
�As far as "coming out" is concerned I have always been out. My dad is an atheist and my mom is a sunday xian. I can't stand sunday xians. They act all high and mighty on that special day, like they are better than me. My stepfather was raised catholic so that was a big problem when he married my mom. He makes a point to try to put me on the spot to perform religious acts. Also when I was a kid he never went to church because "he went to enough church in his life" and now it was my turn. I got grounded when I wouldn't go to church or if I slept through it. I attended a week long church camp for 5 years of my life. I enjoyed the camp and made lots of friends but I payed no mind to all the religious prattle. None of the other kids had a problem with my not believing in god but the camp instructors went out of their ways to try to get me to convert. Never I say.�-- itsagirl-born!5/24 7/26/03