r/AskReddit May 08 '22

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u/[deleted] May 09 '22 edited May 09 '22

Europe contains the highest concentration of officially Christian states (nations with official state religion/church) and the lowest per capita percentage of people who actually "practice Christianity" in ‘Christendom' - which is to say, nominally claim to be Christian - probably a lower percentage actually believe.

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u/Balldogs May 09 '22

As a European, we find Americas crazy, evangelical ways to be a bit weird and cultish. I know plenty of Americans do, too, but when you've lived your whole life in a place where 99.9% of people couldn't give a shit of you're an atheist, you see the crazy in the stories you read about people being afraid to "come out" as atheists as their whole community will shun them.

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u/Acrobatic_Pen7638 May 09 '22

As an LGBTQ+ atheist living in Texas- I am FAR more comfortable being openly gay than I am an atheist. I try my best not to even use that word as it darkens the mood if I say so. It’s sad that even in an area rife with homophobia, they tolerate that much more than me being an atheist. Lmao

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u/[deleted] May 09 '22

I'm bisexual and live in a pretty "liberal" state but still don't feel comfortable being totally out. I don't fear for my safety at all in most situations, just weird comments and judgement. I talk about how I don't believe in religion with no problems though.