AOF Activities & Events

Is heresy safe for younger people?

That wise old wiseguy, Voltaire, said: "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." Hmm, yes. So when you're young, a bit unsteady in the world, is it really a good idea to declare doubt about religion? Will friends turn away, will elders frown, will family kick you out? What if you're in the job market?

Many 20-somethings say they've never felt any anti-atheist bias. But many 50-somethings (and older) still remember unpleasant blacklashes for speaking openly about their non-theism.

Even now the landscape is changing back. Harsh fundamentalism strengthens its presence in government, and we never know who might want to make our lives difficult. A hiring manager, a college admissions clerk, a police officer, a neighbor? Emergency medical personnel? Bias happens, and happens every day.

So what do you advise? Would it depend on the company you keep? Let's philosophize about this.