Of course, there’s also the non-God version: “Some of your beliefs/claims/other idiosyncrasies drive me utterly bonkers, but I still care about you anyway.” I feel that way a lot.

I don’t think any of my friends read my pages though. That’s part of the reason I do it; I’m the only skeptic I know locally.

Your family does sound very cool! I had to laugh at your reference to your mom bragging to her friends about you, because that’s how I feel about my own daughter. It’s not the non-belief that I’m proud of, but the fact that she doesn’t let anyone tell her what to think.

The benefits of coming out by blog? I’m more confident in writing. If I had to do it in person, it would take me much longer to build up my reserves of confidence. Also, in writing, I have as much time and space to explain myself as I need. My family is very accepting, partly because they’re just really cool, but also because they know how much I’ve thought it through. How much? This much! *Points to tens of thousands of words worth of essays in the archives* Over the years, I’ve observed my mother transition from being somewhat angry about my atheism to being somewhat proud of it. As in, she tells her friends about it, in the same way she tells them about all my academic acomplishments. I don’t understand why she does this, but I credit my blog.

For all the advice and personal stories, thank you. Sincerely. Humbly.

Richard Wade, I’m still digesting your bits. I really appreciate taking the time to add that over at Le Café Witteveen too. I think we can all pull from your advice. Thank you.

I have to say, it’s been an incredibly freeing and a burden-alleviating experience to finally have it ALL out. If you haven’t done it already, I highly recommend it if it’s something that you want to do. I mean, I was already out, but to make it abundantly clear … priceless.

Cheers.