“Take Off Your Bracelets”

Let’s talk about double standards.

You’ve seen them. Bible verses on home decor. Cross necklaces. T-shirts with words like “faith” on them. WWJD bracelets. Guest room bibles. Nativity sets. Or maybe you’ve heard it. “Let’s bow our heads and thank the Lord for our dinner.”

All of these things are expressions of faith, and among Christians, are normal.

But when I simply wear a bracelet with the word “atheist” on it, suddenly I’m being offensive or disrespectful.

How is that fair?

Here’s a hint: it isn’t.

I have four bracelets with the word “atheist” on them, and one that simply alludes to atheism. To me, wearing these are the same as a Christian wearing a cross necklace or a WWJD t-shirt. But to others, it is me pushing my beliefs on them.

I’m home from college for Memorial Day right now, and my aunt, uncle, and teenage cousins are spending the weekend at my parents’ house.

Before they arrived, my dad (a former Catholic who I would call an agnostic, cultural Christian) took me off to the side and said, “Take your bracelets off before your cousins get here.”

Now, I love my parents, and for the most part, I can talk about being an atheist around them. We disagree on fundamental religious beliefs, but I can generally be open around them. I’ve had similar conversations to the one above that didn’t end too well.

My cousins, on the other hand, don’t know about my lack of belief (as far as I’m aware). Their family is religious, but our families as a whole tend to avoid the topic around each other.

But I refuse to pretend I don’t exist.

If my family members can wear cross necklaces, I can wear atheism bracelets.

I’m not standing around actively watching atheist videos around them. I’m not handing them copies of “The God Delusion.” I’m simply existing.

My cousins are old enough to understand that people like me exist.

If they ask me questions, I’d be happy to openly discuss things with them. But as of right now, I’m doing the same thing they are. Existing.

And I’m not going to hide, simply because my religious family wants me to. I’m openly, vocally atheist, because the general public has a bad view of people like me.

If more people know I’m an atheist, maybe they’ll change their minds.

Maybe they’ll understand that atheists can be friendly, kind, caring, open-minded, respectful people who just want to make the world a better place.

I refuse to let people keep believing that atheists are evil, immoral, mean, people.

I refuse to hide.