It's similar in GA. I could certainly be fired for it. My children have been harassed by teachers, friends, and other parents because I am not a "proper christian woman", despite my not being "out". It really sucks.

I understand where you’re coming from being from SC. I have started to come out to select people at work and friends and have been surprised to find other atheists. It’s honestly just something we don’t talk about. I’m starting to think there are more of us than we realize. I mean the numbers are still pretty low but I’m a little more hopeful for my children.

How is that legal?

I down in the trenches with you. I'm in Greenville, SC...home of Bob Jones University. Ugh!
At times, I really want to just leave to a more atheist friendly state. Other times I feel like I'm needed here to fight the good fight, so to speak. The Bible Belt is the front line man. We need more atheists here to help wake people up from their fantasy. I wish we'd get more events with prominent speakers like Harris, Dawkins, etc. But they tend to go to more amiable locations in the US.

Christian sharia law is alive and well in this country. You can now discriminate against LGBT people in business, housing, and employment, if your bigotry is based on religion.

Yes, can't run for elective office but how about joining the military? There is so much hatred in America toward atheists, that I have elected to run for office here in Hawaii. And I'm an atheist!

Move to Portland, OR. They have the lowest church attendance of any major city in the country.

I understand. Am in bible belt in MO. Atheists or agnostics are rare. In fact, I don't know any. It can be a little depressing. At least we have this site to vent and keep in touch.