Received 8.31.2001

I came across your website and certainly found it interesting for lack of a better word. I read your reasoning for being a "closet atheist" and I certainly don't blame you for not wanting to be open about your beliefs. But there are a few things that I don't understand. Throughout your site, you complain a lot about religious people constantly trying to convert you and others. That they are somehow impinging upon your own rights by speaking their opinions and beliefs. Here is where I have a problem. By creating and promoting this website, are you not using it as a missionary tool, same as those you are against? By opening a door for people who share your same thoughts, or opening a door for those who are unsure, are you not using the same tactics as those you are against?

By promoting this website, you are spreading your thoughts, opinions and beliefs to a large media. With this mind, why are you so against those who are doing the same? Just because their beliefs differ from yours, why have you made it a point to bash their beliefs? Now I know you are thinking that those same religious people also bash people who hold your beliefs, so why not defend them? As I see it, the bottom line is another misguided 
battle between freedom of speech and expression vs. censorship. I am sure you agree that no matter what beliefs one may hold, the basic right to speak is one of the most important. However, you yourself would rather the "religious" be silenced. I find that rather hypocritical, don't you? If you have the right to promote your thoughts and opinions, why can't that religious? You may not agree with their beliefs, they may not agree with yours...but in the grand scheme of things...who cares? Live and let live! The religious believe they will go to heaven (or whatever they call their salvation) because of what they believe. You believe we will just turn off like a light. In the end, whatever really happens, happens.

I consider myself agnostic. I don't follow one religion, but do believe in a higher power. I am not afraid to express that to people when they ask. As I stated before, I understand your hesitation when people inquire about your beliefs, but if you do truly believe what you preach, why don't you come out of the closet? If the corporation you speak of is as diverse as you describe, you should have no problems expressing yourself when confronted. If you do encounter problems, I am sure you are intelligent enough file the necessary complaints...just like women, homosexuals, minorities and others do when discriminated against. My long-winded point, is that it seems to me that you follow more of a mob mentality...constantly being egged on by those who respond to your site. If you truly believe what you believe as strongly as you express, let yourself be known. I find you more of a coward, trying to get attention by shocking people, yet remaining faceless.

If this is really what you believe, please be my guest and live a good life. But don't come down on others who want to live their own lives simply because they don't agree with you. I know you don't like it when they do the same to you. In the end, we will all find out what really happens, but by then it won't matter. My basic belief is...I don't care what anyone's 
personal beliefs are...so long as they are respectful and helpful to others.

Isn't that the bottom line?

My Reply:

Although I think you may have misunderstood my message, we still seem to agree on many counts.  There are a few points where we don't, so I will start there.

Maintaining this website is not incompatible with my stance against unsolicited religious conversion.  A website is a passive medium and very different from going door-to-door to spread a message, or befriending someone as a means to convert them, or funding missionaries to supplant indigenous cultures. People who are curious may seek me out, but my message is never received involuntarily.

I think anyone who has read more than a little of my site knows I am not a proponent of censorship. The point I do make is that in secular environments, where religion has no bearing, it should be kept private. This applies to atheists and religious alike.  Religious and atheist material does not belong in the work place anymore than it belongs in government, and for the same reasons.  These are places that have been secularized to protect those in religious minorities, though many forget that this includes atheists.  Christian prayer in public schools, for example, may unite Christians, but it ostracizes the non-Christians, making them feel less welcome.

You say your basic belief is that you don't care what anyone's personal beliefs are...so long as they are respectful and helpful to others. I absolutely agree.  In fact that could be stated as the theme of this website.  Where our opinions differ, however, is that I think unsolicited attempts to convert people are disrespectful and even insulting.  Here is a link to an essay where I discuss why, which you may have already read.

You will be assimilated!  Why unsolicited attempts to convert people are the ultimate insult.

In regard to the title of this web site, here is a link to a letter where I discussed this with a previous reader.

8.9.2001 A reader warns other atheists not to reveal their atheism to religious parents.  My long reply discusses the closet atheist issue and the title of this web site. 

Thanks for writing.