I live in the Bible belt. I look around and there is no deigning it. From them trying to pass a bill that evolution won’t be taught in public schools anymore to the fact that every other block boasts a church this is evident. Most of the time this isn’t much of a thing for me, I have been surrounded by Christians most of my life.
For those of you not in the know, my hubby and I are Atheist. We don’t make a big deal out of this, most of the time we don’t even tell anyone. I keep out of religious debates, no sense in outing myself to the whole state. I don’t enjoy being the eye of a shit storm, if you will. I just hide in plan sight, or at least I used to.
I accidentally done something bad. I was hopped up on caffeine and sugar before Christmas break and some little comment was said. Can’t recall just what exactly, but must have been about church and Christmas. And I just let ‘er rip, I said’ “I’m an Atheist.” right out loud. Everyone stopped turned to me, starring and then my good friend C.D. says, “No you’re not.”. Which cracked me up.
Just because one goes along quietly listening and not fighting for their own opinion doesn’t mean that they agree with you one hundred percent. It just means that they are too lazy to start an argument over something that neither side will ever win. I can’t change your mind and you won’t change mine, and I am okay with that.
Later on that night, C.D. tells me, “You are the first Atheist that I have ever met.”. I smile, ’cause I know she loves and accepts me probably better than my family would if I ever cared to be so blunt with them.
A few days later, we get a new guy on our line at work. He is nice and really fun to joke with. We talk about stuff, he is not as outgoing as we are, so it is hard to get more than a one word answer out of him.
He cracks up when I mention that we have karaoke Fridays. (Like that’s a joke. :) When you work 12 hours in a row, you have to do something to stay awake and focused.)
Anyway, we are getting along really well. And then he mentions that he is Muslim. He tells just me, and I wonder if he is “in hiding” just like I was. I am like cool, whatever.
Later, I start to worry. Don’t some Muslim people hate us because we are Godless heathens? Wouldn’t being an Atheist qualify me for President of the Godless heathens club? Will he be mean to me if someone says something? Will he hate me? I am still me, a crazy, funny, goof ball.
I see no sense in worrying myself to death and so I tell him, better to face things head on just like always. He is shocked, and it took a couple of days for him to wrap his head around me. But, now things are back to normal. Of course, you never know what people are really thinking, but we are fine on the surface. And sometimes, that is enough.
