I have often wondered if atheists here find it difficult in their locality to speak out as being a non believer in the general public or if they find that they are ostrasized by family or friends and just how they feel about that.
Personally I am always willing to tackle someone who is trying to make a case for their beliefs and I quite enjoy it when I get the door knockers come to my place since I often sit down with them for long periods of time arguing about their position. I never try to belittle them and offer them refreshments and have always managed to keep it civil. I had one gentlemen come around with his wife for the better part of a year every sunday and probably still would if I had not moved.
The funny thing is that as time went along we talked less and less about the God / no god issue and more and more about life in general.
I think I am lucky to be living in this country and I wonder how much difficulty it is for others in the rest of the world.