Atheism

Then again, I always wish that many religious people would not stand up so vocally and be counted so much ;-)

I used to be quiet about it, but now I'm pretty open about it. Joined The Satanic Temple and wear my shirt lots of places out and about and surprised when so many folks react positively to it. I like it.

Actually dated a girl in High School that was VERY devout Christian, though she wanted to do more things than I did, and she was constantly surprised that I was as moral as I was. She'd say I have such a strong belief in right and wrong, more than her even. And she asked how I even know what right and wrong was without the Bible. I was honestly stupified by the question. And I told her, because I understand that hurting people is hurting people and I don't need a book to tell me that.

I feel like we've also gotten confused on legality and morallity. I've already taught my 6 year old, though I'm sure he doesn't fully understand, that not everything that is right is legal and nothing everything that is legal is right.

It baffles me how religious (or pretend religious) the US is, and how ingrained in your politics it is.

Being an atheist in a rural area is not easy. One of the first questions someone asks is -what church do you go to? People look horrified when you mention atheism. My employer says Christian prayers over employee meals, with the head of HR clasping her hands, lowering her head, and praying right along. Constantly awkward. Religion has an iron grip out here.

I don't hide it, it's more of a Russell's teapot situation. It's not real, why would I talk about how I don't believe in imaginary things? I also don't openly talk about how I don't believe in Unicorns, or Dragons or Magic or anything like that.
Now Religion as a societal force is 100% real, but being anti-religion doesn't make you an atheist, it makes you a humanist.