Around here people assume atheists is code for 'devil worshipper'.

I used to work with someone who marveled that I’m not Christian because I’m kind and moral. As if a religious group has the patent on kindness and morality. ‍

When I left the Mormon church most of my former brethren and sisteren kept well away. About two years later I encountered in town a family with who I had been very close in my church going days , after talking with them for a few minutes, the husband said "It's amazing how well you are doing I would have thought by now..." and then he blushed and stopped himself, I just smiled.
Many godbotherers really do believe the myth that we become atheist "in order to sin" as if enough of them don't do so anyway.
When they find we have not become baby eating, debauched, drunkards who have been abandoned by god and the world it really does confuse them.Why have not been smitted by the righteous wrath of the Lords holy fire, why are we not walling in misery? To them it just does not seem fair.

Yes, funny that, many so called Christians have these pre conceived ideas about nobody but Christians can be "nice" and yet they have so many problems with sexual misconduct by their very own pastor/priests, and they vote for Donald.

There's a bit of everything in every group. The good and the bad. No exception. Most of my friends are religious but they are very educated and open minded.

Nobody ever assumes I am Christian. Or nice.

I'm just wondering how you get a Baptist who doesn't condemn LGBT folks, and admits to evolution ? That's more than enough around here to get crosses burned into ones lawn and be uninvited to the rapture party.

As long as we make assumptions about the "other side" we'll never truly have world peace.

Reality is that most christians assume things constantly whereas non believers are very reticent to assume things due to our natural skepticism.

I cannot tell you how many times I've been assumed that for the same "being nice" reason. :::eyeroll:::

Beliefs will have influence. But there are many other factors that determine the character of an individual.

How is your sister doing?

Perhaps the woman who invited you to church was horrified to think that you might bring a virus of doubt into her congregation.

I'll just second paddies comment. Amazing isn't it. And I hope your sister is back to her regular schedule very soon if not already.

I love it when I get to challenge a stereotype like this! Especially with people from my former religion because we were indoctrinated to believe that former members are mentally diseased and lead by Satan. Nope, I’m the same as I always was, I just don’t follow the religion anymore.

I hope your sister has a speedy recovery.
Unfortunately, many x-tains assume only other x-tains can be decent people and that anyone who is not x-tain is a bad person.

She should be horrified she assumed you were christian

I’m sure they’ll get over it.

Good and not so good in every group

Agreed.

I can handle the Jimmy Carter evangelicals. As I like to remind some people, liberal evangelicals helped FDR do the New Deal.
And, except for the Rick Santorum Catholics, most really accept science and evolution (not sure about that catholic school in Kentucky), but the church accepts evolution.

I always try to wait for people to show me who and what they are, does not take as much thought.

I hear what your saying the last 2 paragraphs. One the biggest reasons I left religion over 2 years ago, but wish it was 20, is I wanted to be myself. I live my life I see fit.