Atheism and freedom of speech

So, in a sense, you were forced to compomise your principles by the imposition of religion upon what shouldn't have had any religious component at all; your job with the government.

I had a pretty significant row with my oldest sister after she found out that I not only wasn't a Catholic (the religion of our childhood and hers still), but I wasn't a believer at all anymore.She seemed very threatened and was actually rather insulting. She assumed many, many things about my worldview without asking me a single thing about it. I don't think she has ever specifically known many Atheists or Agnostics, despite her being a professional woman living in a large city, so when she found out that her sister was one, well, I'm sure that was confusing and scary.I have lived in some pretty liberal places and have worked in at least one business where diversity and difference were very much embraced. I've had great discussions with coworkers all along the religious spectrum, although mostly I've encountered Christians of all sorts, Buddhists, Jews, Wiccans, Deists, and non-believers. Buth my workplace was unique, I am afraid.In general, I don't mention my Agnosticism unless I have some sign from my audience that it is OK to do so. I have no interest in making others uncomfortable or arguing with then nor do I particularly want to become the object of an conversion attempt.

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"Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends! Well I say there are some things we don't want to know! Important things!"
- Ned Flanders"Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

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Yes, but why share every aspect of one's life except this one thing?

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That's just it, juggs.The British tend to be far more private (and much less arrogant) as a culture than us in the US.One thing I noticed when I lived there is that people were far, far less liable to give their opinion about something to another unless they were specifically asked.Also, in general it was, unlike here in the US, considered perfectly OK to admit to not knowing anything about a subject. It was socially acceptable and even encouraged to be tentative and self-depricating about the level of one's knowledge on a subkect even if it was extensive.Which is interesting, considering British folks seem to me to be much better read on a wide variety of subjects than Americans.

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I agree with them being more private, but I don't know about less arrogant. They're constantly engaged in verbal jousting. Especially when they talk amongst themselves, they're always trying to subtly outwit their friend (i.e. opponent) in even normal conversations.

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I don't get how that is arrogant, though.

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The one's I've encountered were doing that verbal jousting, trying to outwit the other person as if it were some kind of game.

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I think you have it; it's a game.

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"Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends! Well I say there are some things we don't want to know! Important things!"
- Ned Flanders"Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

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Unless the Supreme Court revisits the issue, it is any student's right to remain seated and not recite the pledge with the rest of the class. However, the state may require the teacher to lead the class in reciting the pledge.

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Yeah, another way to get a kid ostracized or beat up.

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When I enter secular universities I feel their symbology all over the place.

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Er, can you explain what you mean, perhaps give some examples?I can't imagine what "secular symbology" would be, let alone something rather oppressive that you need to "suck up".Team mascots?Edited by schrafinator, : No reason given.

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I don't think there should be graveyards at all, as it seems like a terrible waste of land.

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In many cases, cemataries are the only large swath of green earth left in an otherwise concrete and steel jungle city, so they are hardly a waste of land.And can you please elaborate upon your claim that Atheism is everywhere in politics?I am really looking forward to knowing who all of the athiest lawmakers and other elected officals are in the country. Edited by schrafinator, : No reason given.