Hallo Casper,
I live in a city where very few people embrace free thinking live alone Atheism. Mutilation, non-vaccinated children, religious violence (including verbal) gullibility and worship for money dominate this area. God gets credit for every successful activity/ venture (including medical success, disaster response and many others). The more I try to champion freedom from religion and bring about healthy debate about non-existence of God/gods, the more I get isolated and shamed. Is it too late to come out? How can I and a few others survuve in this extremely skewed situation? Do we go back to being closet atheists?
Thank you for the great work you are doing Mate.
Sincerely,
Chatu.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts friend. I'm glad you enjoy my work. :)
So, you ask "Is it too late to have an impact?" This is a very good question. As you stated you are greatly outnumbered and it likely seems like a daunting task. In a world of 7 billion people, what impact can one person have?
I'll tell you something friend... It's never too late to have an impact. :)
The thing you have to remember is that you can't FORCE an impact and that is where many people seem to fail. They forget that one can accomplish far more by leading others from the front rather than cracking a whip from behind. I believe that we have our greatest impact when we lead by example. It is for this reason I strongly urge you to never return to living as a closeted atheist unless your life hangs in the balance. I would never suggest one martyr themselves for the cause of atheism, but if you are free to express your views and discention then you should do so.
You see, the very act of standing up and saying that you are who you are and will not simply try to fit in to avoid conflict can have far reaching impact. Those still in the closet may see this and be compelled to follow suit. If we remain in the shadows this will never end. That is why those of us who can speak freely have an obligation to do so because it's bigger than us.
I wish you all the best and I would offer you the words of Shakespeare, "To thine own self be true". The mark of a great man is integrity and the only way to maintain integrity is through honesty my friend. :)
Thank you Casper, I will indeed try to be bold in coming out. Integrity is standing by what I say as well as being honest with myself.
Just don't use that necklace when you do come forward.
(the one with the grenade) :)