Non-Theists: Do you hide it?

[spiritually inclined]

For a long time I have rejected traditional god concepts and have come to the conclusion that the word "god" is not an appropriate word to describe anything I believe in. I have ceased to identify insights and even profound experiences (some may say spiritual?) with the word "God" because typically that entails that such human experiences are derived from somewhere outside of the human brain.

However, when I don't know someone well -- or I just don't want to argue with a troll -- I find myself softening the word "atheist" with agnostic, or non-theist, or even post-theist, which are all appropriate words, yet atheist seems like the easiest way to define my views. Often-times I avoid the discussion altogether.

As non-theists, do you hide your non-beliefs from certain people or all people? Or soften the issue by avoiding the word "atheist"? Or, like I often do, try to stay out of it (at least with family)? How ethical is it to do this?

Are there significant differences in how individuals define the words atheist, non-theist, or post-theist?

Thanks,
James

[stephenw]

Hi James.
I'm not sure I should respond here. But.... I believe in God, not in a theistic sense but as a projection of my own mind. God is a mechanism to make sense of the wonder in which I find myself. As such I don't feel I'm either an atheist or a theist. I regard myself as stuck in a place that I don't really have the vocabulary for. I don't hide my beliefs, I just have difficulty expressing them.

[spiritually inclined]

Hi James.
I'm not sure I should respond here. But.... I believe in God, not in a theistic sense but as a projection of my own mind. God is a mechanism to make sense of the wonder in which I find myself. As such I don't feel I'm either an atheist or a theist. I regard myself as stuck in a place that I don't really have the vocabulary for. I don't hide my beliefs, I just have difficulty expressing them.

I know what you mean, and I do think religious people, even Christians, can be non-theists, at least when Christianity is non-literalized. However, I think all of the God language is generally confusing to people; it requires non-theists who nonetheless refer to some impersonal god or source of love to define what a god is in some other way.

However, the word "God" means so many things to so many people that I could believe in God -- that is, if you define God as the universe, or matter, or the sun, or some part of my brain. But why call it God?

James

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by spiritually inclined

As non-theists, do you hide your non-beliefs from certain people or all people?

Yes, although it's not non-belief so much as I know what it is I do believe.

Originally Posted by spiritually inclined

Or, like I often do, try to stay out of it (at least with family)? How ethical is it to do this?

Also yes. I don't see it as a matter of ethics.

Originally Posted by spiritually inclined

Are there significant differences in how individuals define the words atheist, non-theist, or post-theist?

Of course.

[stacey bo bacey]

I do hide it from a lot of people. It's just not generally accepted in my opinion. Once you get to know someone, and if you find you're becoming friends with them, you can usually tell if they're going to be cool with that fact or not.

I'm very open, though, and excited about my newfound unbelief in god so I have been saying whatever is on my mind (if it fits in the conversation, I don't just announce it). Like today. My works sells several little signs that say things like "Prayer changes everything," "For God so loved the world, he gave us [insert sport]," "In God We Trust," and other things referring directly to god and how powerful/compassionate he is. Also, angel figurines & statues, decorative boxes with religious themes, etc. So I was thinking, what would happen if someone made signs that were atheistic in nature and we sold them? I figure almost every would have a conniption and damn near have a heart attack over it. How is that fair?? Why must people who do not believe in god not only hide that fact but suppress it?

[UnTheist]

Ya, I do. Nobody in my school knows, or in my extended family. I have told my mother, though, so she would stop forcing me to go to church.

It's just not worth dealing with, IMO.

[Storm]

Originally Posted by spiritually inclined

For a long time I have rejected traditional god concepts and have come to the conclusion that the word "god" is not an appropriate word to describe anything I believe in. I have ceased to identify insights and even profound experiences (some may say spiritual?) with the word "God" because typically that entails that such human experiences are derived from somewhere outside of the human brain.

"God" isn't my preferred word, either, but I use it anyway. It's a convenient shorthand to avoid subjecting the uninterested to lengthy lectures on my beliefs.

As non-theists, do you hide your non-beliefs from certain people or all people? Or soften the issue by avoiding the word "atheist"? Or, like I often do, try to stay out of it (at least with family)? How ethical is it to do this?

I only avoid it with my grandmother. I'm still in the closet with her as well, and for the same reason: while I don't believe she would reject me, she might well believe I'm going to Hell, and I don't want to upset her like that.

I wrestle with the ethics of my obfuscation on both counts. I feel hypocritical and dishonest about it. OTOH, I feel the need to protect her. It's a tangle.

Are there significant differences in how individuals define the words atheist, non-theist, or post-theist?

Well, to me, non-theism does not imply atheism (as my title should make apparent), only a lack of what I've heard described as Classical Theism: the belief that God is a supernatural entity, usually the Creator. Non-theism is rejection of that specific God-concept, whereas atheism is a rejection of all God-concepts.

I'm not familiar with the term "post-theism." How would you define that one?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by spiritually inclined

As non-theists, do you hide your non-beliefs from certain people or all people? Or soften the issue by avoiding the word "atheist"? Or, like I often do, try to stay out of it (at least with family)? How ethical is it to do this?

I try not to discuss my beliefs with my in-laws; they handled me being non-Catholic. Them finding out that I'm not a Christian at all would probably be an issue. Telling them that I'm an atheist... yow. When I think about how that family dinner would play out, I don't see it ending well.

That being said, if they ever flat-out asked me, I wouldn't lie about it. For me, the ethical problem would arise with me deliberately misleading people; in this situation, I don't feel a particular duty to correct people's false assumptions.