I live in the south. I am constantly reminded that Christianity is the majority religion around here. But on days like today – Easter – I am bombarded with Jesus posts.
This is my second Easter as an atheist. Last year, I had to work on Easter, so while the day was a little odd, I was busy, so it didn’t bother me too much.
This year is different, though. Today I stayed home to study for finals, while my parents went to the church where my younger sister directs the choir. I know my parents knew I was busy, but it was strange being excluded from the normal festivities.
In the south, today is a day where people like us are reminded – constantly – that we are different. Our social media pages are flooded with virtue-signaling posts, with people proclaiming their religion without any fear. And that’s fine.
But what sucks the most is that I can’t do the same thing with my own beliefs.
Here in the south, it is taboo to be openly atheist. It is taboo to talk openly about what you believe…unless you’re Christian.
On days like today, I am reminded that if I were to post something about how freeing atheism is, about how I don’t believe in God, or even just mentioning that I am an atheist, I would be hounded and shunned from certain people simply for expressing my beliefs in the same way Christians express theirs.
Today, I am met with Bible verses. I’m met with Facebook statuses like this one:
Today, I want to make it clear that I am a Christian, and I Love Jesus Christ! I believe that Jesus Is the Son of God, that He was crucified on a cross, died for my sins and rose again on the 3rd day to offer me salvation. He loves me dearly and forgives my sins. The Bible says if I deny him, he will deny me before his Father In Heaven. This Is The best challenge I’ve ever seen on Facebook. and quite frankly for those that know me…. this is a no-brainer. No matter your faith you have nothing to lose. So If you love Jesus and you’re not ashamed, just replace my name with yours and make this your update. I stand for Jesus every day…And I love Him in every way! ✝️
If I were to make my own status as an atheist that said:
Today, I want to make it clear that I am an atheist, and I don’t believe in God! I believe the stories in the Bible, the Quran, and every other holy book are fiction. I love myself as I am and I am responsible for my own actions. I believe that evolution is a true fact, and that separation of church and state should be followed. If we deny science, we will go nowhere in life. This is the best challenge I’ve ever seen on Facebook, and quite frankly, for those that know me… this is a no-brainer. No matter your faith, you have nothing to lose. So if you don’t believe in God and you’re not ashamed, just make this your status. I stand for freedom from religion every day, and I love myself just the way I am!
I would be CRUCIFIED (pun intended).
Can you imagine posting something so controversial? Christian posts like these make anyone who doesn’t believe exactly like the person posting, whether intentional or not, seem wrong and bad. That isn’t okay.
Believing whatever you want shouldn’t be controversial.
Speaking up for what you believe should not be met with shame and hate.
If Christians can speak freely about their own religion and specific beliefs on Facebook, we should be able to do the same thing.
Even though I am bombarded with religious posts today, I still have people who I CAN express my beliefs with. I have a family who (somewhat) accepts me. I live in a place where I most likely won’t be killed for speaking out.
But days like today remind me of those who can’t speak out. There are people out there who can’t speak up for what they believe for fear of being killed.
It’s unfair that any of us have to censor ourselves. We should be able to express our beliefs in the same way Christians do.
So let’s change that.
Good After God 