I may well be the only 'out' atheist in Northern Ireland - only joking but it seems that way sometimes - I can cope up to a certain level and then, if it starts to get too much I sort of run away - Like saying "Oh! is that the time I really must dash! Dinner to cook!" I don't feel the need to be cutting because at the end of the day it only really matters to me what I think of myself. I have friends here though and they tease me by saying things like "And what does our wee atheist think of that then?" Other countries, Other customs - No one in England where I am from has ever asked me about my religion.
My best friend went to seminary school to be a pastor. We never speak about religion at all and he knows that I am an atheist. I get along great with him because we both respect each others right to our own beliefs. We have been friends for over twenty years.
I have hired, fired and coexisted with folks of all walks of life. I have also coexisted with very religious people also. I live by the motto of, "live and let live". My opinion is none of their business unless they solicit it and what they think or what their opinion of me is none of my business. My friends and I enjoy each others company not each others religiousness/ politics.
My best friend is a deist. I do not desire friendship with anyone more extreme than a religious moderate. I dislike both the far right and far left.