How hard do you push your atheism on Facebook?

In my everyday life, I wear my atheism on my sleeve. I don't throw it in anyone's face, but I will react if the topic of religion comes up and my input is appropriate. I am open to friends and family about it, so nobody has any illusions about where I stand.

Lately, I've been increasingly vocal on Facebook about news that I feel warrants an atheist response. Most of those posts are largely ignored. I was raised Roman Catholic, and went to Catholic schools from 3rd grade all the way through college, so a majority of my friends on Facebook are Catholics. As such, my wall is often littered with bible quotes, links to religious articles, and all the pro-life/anti-abortion propaganda you can imagine. I am in a serious relationship with my girlfriend and we have spoken of marriage; she and her family are all Christians of various degrees. I generally don't shy away from letting my opinion of how ridiculous religious beliefs are, and probably lean towards what is currently (and errantly, imho) referred to as "militant" atheism.

I feel very strongly about raising objections when people make religious posts (if you can imagine what my wall was like after the quake in Japan, and all the "let's pray" responses, you can feel my pain) and I feel that in as much as people are free to give their faith lip-service, I should be able to offer opinions from the other side of the fence.

I'm at a point now where I feel like my outspoken criticism of religion is beginning to alienate people who I value as friends, and is in danger of causing a rift between me and my girlfriend (many of her friends and family are also friends on Facebook). While I have no qualms about losing friends who are of the "if you don't believe what I believe, we can't be friends" variety, I feel it goes deeper than that. I feel like my friends are feeling a more personal sting when I criticize their beliefs, which is often an unavoidable side-effect of being critical of religion.

As passionate as I am about remaining vocal and offering some balance to all the religiosity, and standing up for what I believe in, it is not worth losing those I hold dear to me. I hope to one day marry my girlfriend, and while she can accept the way I feel, I think she struggles with how outspoken I am about it. I intend to back off considerably, only responding when absolutely necessary. I feel a little weak and cowardly for letting others dictate my behaviour, but I have to be selfish and ignore it for the sake of keeping those close to me from getting fed up and walking away.

I guess my question is this: If you're "open" on Facebook with your atheism, how hard do you push it? Are you vocal, or more reserved? Do you think posting atheist articles and news stories about religious wrongdoings is going too far?

I've made up my mind, but I guess I'm looking to get some sense of how you guys feel.

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Permalink Reply by greengeekgirl on March 31, 2011 at 9:37pm

No problem re: the misinterpretation. I wasn't able to clear it up as effectively as possible earlier because the initial interpretation threw me for a loop, for sure--I wasn't sure how he got to "stand up for yourself" from what I had said (and then tried my best to clarify several times!).

I don't know that my family really finds my atheism crude. When I do write about atheism, I do it in a much more measured manner than my flippant comment above might lead one to believe ;) so I hope they don't find it so much offensive as disagreeable to their position. Some will think one foolish--I think my family is more sad for me than thinking I am foolish, though. I had a rough upbringing and they doubtless blame that for it. I do see what you mean, though. I just try to be thoughtful ^_^

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Permalink Reply by greengeekgirl on March 31, 2011 at 9:39pm

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Permalink Reply by M on March 31, 2011 at 8:43pm

I have myself as Atheist on FB. And sometimes I get riled up and post something on there that is more aimed at equal human rights but that people attribute to my atheism. Whatever. My husband's very religious Christian aunt told me on FB not long ago that she loves me even though I'm an atheist and not to worry, god was in charge even if I didn't believe it. I wanted to tell her I thought perhaps god was a terrible heroin addict or an alcoholic, or perhaps just lacks the appropriate attention span to be in charge, because he's doing a rather crappy job for someone who is supposed to love us all so much, but I didn't. :o) Keepin' the family peace, I suppose. Besides, she's a nice lady and not very bright. Those types are tough to convert with logic, plus it's hard to really be mean to them.

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Permalink Reply by greengeekgirl on March 31, 2011 at 8:56pm

I think that's a very sensible approach ^_^ it is a lot harder with family, especially when it's not quite YOUR family but your spouse's--I am careful what I post to my own family out of respect, I am double-darn careful about what I post to my husband's family (the ones who are not atheists) because I'm not the one who has to deal with the fallout.

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Permalink Reply by M on April 6, 2011 at 5:34pm

I'm sure I get prayed for a lot. :o)

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Permalink Reply by Christopher on March 31, 2011 at 9:36pm

I have found myself, as I get older, holding my tongue online, but not so much in person. As much as I love a good argument, I am convinced that no one will ever convert over a few postings online. It may encourage one person to think critically about their convictions, but I doubt that they will ever come to fruition.

Twitter is quickly becoming my atheist home though. I love following the topics, but I rarely do much about it anymore.

Just my two cents...

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Permalink Reply by Mason on March 31, 2011 at 11:04pm

I've been outspoken about it, but not to the point that I'm going around bashing on everyone's god-based statuses or constantly yelling about my atheism. I really just post a couple atheist links and quotes every now and then. And sometimes when people post something seriously anti-atheistic (such as a post about how atheists are selfish and evil) I'll usually call them on it. I'm actually engaged in a very long-winded debate with a couple theists on FB right now.

Oh also, I uploaded a picture that I made for Draw Mohammed Day. :D

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Permalink Reply by Sassan K. on March 31, 2011 at 11:48pm

Hi all! New member to this website but I am excited to check it out and see how it goes. I am excited to see like minded rationalists and look forward to communicating with you! :)

In regards to Facebook, I definitely communicate my feelings on "atheism" by providing scientific articles, political articles relating to Islamic fascism and other forms of religious extremism, and discussing these issues by providing youtube links and the sorts in things I find it interesting. I feel that a strong character in us is being ourselves. It is not that I am or am advocating to force people to become atheist. The only thing I tell people is to always question "why they believe what they believe" and to base their lives on logic, rationality, and evidence. Naturally, as science education increases and people start to understand the natural laws of the universe and how the world works, more people will become atheist. We can see this in the U.K. as 25% of people there have come out as atheist.

I live in Southern California and I know I may not live in other more conservative parts of America but I am sure some people may get "offended" that other points of views are being offered. Again, I am not FORCING my atheism per-say. I will provide links, articles, and videos to interesting things I find informative such as Christopher Hitchens doing his thing or some interesting Richard Dawkins' video; but I find my job being a lot easier by being a strong critic of Islam. While I have a problem with all monotheistic religions and find that to all be inherently evil, I find that the true evil of the world is Islam. I say this as someone who is Iranian-American and has firsthand seen what religion and Islam can do to ruin a once great nation. I recently was in Iran for 8+ months and one great thing about Iran is that Islam has no future inside of that nation as the youth are definitely not Muslim to any stretch of the imagination. I find that Islamic belief through the quran and hadith (I have read the quran) is much more evil and inflexible than the bible. The old testament is also very inherently evil but the new testament and the concept of Jesus Christ is much more benign than the evils of the child molesting prophet Muhammad and everything that constitutes that faith. The fact that most Muslims in the world are not evil people (and in particular America) is that most Muslims in the world don't practice their faith in the way that the quran demands. Christianity doesn't have the type of adherence and requirements imposed by the quran. In addition, in America most Muslims have assimilated and become American and truly do not practice their faith. Example: look at the cartoon drawings which caused all that uproar along with the pastor in Florida wanting to burn a copy of the quran. If someone wants to burn the bible, I am sure it will offend a lot of Christians; but the Christians are not so uncivilized and barbaric to act like animals. We went through the Dark Ages and Reformation and as a result, Christianity has become mostly secular. For example, our Presidents (including President Bush) may have believed in god but he didn't make his decisions based on god. In contrast, Iran is run by messianic and apocalyptic maniacs who are preparing for the return of the "hidden imam" and for the end of the world...

Therefore back to the discussion of Facebook...when I discuss Islam and the evils of Islam on my facebook people are more "accepting" I guess (including Christians) and it allows me to discuss the differences between the faiths but also the similarities in that the root of all the religions are inherently the same. This way, people are not "offended" as much as it is based on intellectual discussion. Regardless, I may have "lost a couple of friends" on facebook, but who cares?? Those people who are fake and intolerant were never good in the first place and at the end of the day, a couple of people may read and listen (esp. when it comes to science) and again, science naturally increases levels of atheism, logic, and rationality into most people.

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Permalink Reply by Caitlin on April 1, 2011 at 12:37pm

I talk about it sometimes, but I've lost plenty of friends and family members because of it. My best friend cut me out of her life after she found out and it still makes me sad.

I bring it up now and then, but not all the time. I don't want to set myself up for ridicule.

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Permalink Reply by Sassan K. on April 1, 2011 at 2:39pm

If they decide not to be your friends for who you are, they weren't your friends in the first place and didn't care for you in the first place. It's better to have those kind of people out of your life.

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Permalink Reply by Christian McFadden on April 3, 2011 at 9:47am

Wow, a much larger response than I anticipated. You guys rock!

I have backed off from being so militant (or more honest in my case, being so "dick-ish") and I think I'm better for it. Many of your responses gave me pause and made me reflect on how important my beliefs are, and how they don't always have to be at the forefront of my social being. My atheism does not have to be what defines me, and I don't need to keep a bullet chambered at all times, ready to fire at first opportunity.

Part of it is learning when speaking up is appropriate, but more importantly is knowing how to pick your battles. Asking myself "Will this gain anything? Will anyone care?" is a great gatekeeper, and helps me moderate how much I let my atheism creep onto my Facebook wall.

Thank you again for your replies. Proof positive that the Think Atheist community rocks hard.