[lmnt]

As a person not living in the US, I have a hard time understanding how "closeted atheists" are feeling oppressed by this. Do strangers come up to people and ask about their religion, and is the problem that you have to lie? In Sweden nobody really cares what you believe in, and it's kind of a social taboo to even bring it up during dinners etc.

[lliwta]

It's just like having to systemically lie about or not mention any other part of your life. We all do this about a variety of things every day.

> Do strangers come up to people and ask about their religion, and is the problem that you have to lie? There are certain situations where it can get awkward. E.g. if a boss or friend asks which church you attend.

I usually just elaborately lie and say I'm religious but "can't find a church I like".

That's actually pretty easy for me, because I grew up in a religious house and understand enough christian theology that I can pick something about any given church and maintain internal consistency in my complaints.

People sometimes think I'm pedantic, but usually don't know much systemic theology or church history, so I can just escalate the discussion to a point where they're unsure of themselves and come out looking a bit pedantic, but at least religious. They get to feel smug about the "emotional depth" of their belief, and I get out of the conversation without having make any dangerous lies (e.g. saying you attend a church you don't... bad idea).

That's way easier for me than the alternative, which usually involves an annoying and endless litany of invitations to the person's church or their friend's churches.

> and it's kind of a social taboo to even bring it up during dinners etc.

It's not formally acceptable to ask in a work setting, but depending on the part of the country, it's often informally acceptable (not talking about church-related things would be kind-of akin to a "no personal conversations at work" rule for much of the south and parts of the midwest).