Many letters here urge LW to remain quiet because "you can't know," "it isn't polite to discuss religion," "it isn't anybody's business," "nobody wants to discuss religion," "it will only make people uncomfortable."

LW, please note these are "rules" that the religious only impose on the non-religious because they don't want to be questioned. I have never seen the religious apply these rules to themselves.

Do not keep quiet only to 'respect' the views of the religious. I can guarantee they do not show that respect to anyone else.

You tried to see what it might be like to be an atheist but you really brushed by a major one: being an atheist does not mean that one is amoral, nor do religious institutions have any monopoly on ethics or morality. We understand from an early age, well before we can comprehend anyone's idea of a god, what "right" is and what "wrong" is. Our species depends on our taking care of each other and treating fellow humans ethically.

Further, I know a few Christians who say that they "do the right thing" because they are afraid of Hell, but I honestly do not believe that this is the primary reason they do good. If it is then they are supremely selfish humans and I doubt that defines most Christians. No. They care about others, just as I care about others (and I am an atheist).

I go on about this because this is one of the most misunderstood facts about atheists, promoted by people like Dr. Laura, who - because she was previously immoral when she rejected religion - defines "atheist" as "lacking in morals". There is in fact a biological basis for caring for others - shoot, even Meerkats care about each other and they don't worship anything!

Of course none of this explains why this particular person chose to lie to his school. I suspect it was a weak moment and was the path of least resistance. The fact that he is suffering over the lie suggests that the lie is now biting him in the ass.

LW, I have something like an opposite problem: I'm not an atheist (although I'm no fan of organized religion or of Christian Fundies in particular) but most of my friends are. Further, my atheist friends are rather evangelical about their beliefs and are, generally speaking, more obnoxious about it than most religious evangelicals I've met are. It's a real strain to keep my mouth shut most of the time ... I have gently made my beliefs known for the sake of not stifling myself, but, on the whole, I let them blather on about how anyone who believes in any level of spirituality can't possibly be remotely intelligent (despite the fact that I'm several graduate degrees ahead of any of them).

It's tiresome and sometimes I excuse myself from the table, but, on the whole, it's been a good tactic. They're my friends and I enjoy their company regardless of whether we agree on this particular point (it helps that I think atheists, on the whole, do far less harm in the world than theists!), but this is, otherwise, a conversation that can never be resolved by virtue of its very nature. It is possible, in other words, to live your life according to your beliefs without actively engaging anyone & everyone who disagrees (this is something I'm waiting for my atheist friends to learn). I would never stop arguing with my friends in the most irritating, circular manner possible if I took them up on every opportunity for disagreement that they offer. Life is too short for that.

You don't need to be a fundamentalist on this issue, whatever side of the fence you're on. You're happy with the conclusion you've arrived at, great. Go out and live your life. You don't need to wave a flag unless someone really, really sticks one in your face first. If that happens, go to town on them. Otherwise, just BE.

I would like to agree with another comment here, however, in suggesting that you consider transferring out of this university of yours. There's a big difference in the quality and methods of religiously affiliated educational institutions (Notre Dame vs. Bob Jones University, for instance), but the odds are, if they're asking you to sign a stupid pseudo-contract professing your "Faith," your education is being colored by their ideology. It behooves you to get the best education you can, and I would suggest that such a university is not providing it--and, further, if it is of the Bob Jones variety, is not an institution that will look good on a resume later anyway (unless you're applying for a job with the Bush Justice Dept.). If you're will to take a lesser education for the sake of ideology, great, but, in your case, you don't want to sacrifice your professional future for an ideology you don't even believe in.

as an undergraduate you may have an interesting chance to observe the beliefs of your classmates, and whether you share those beliefs or not does not matter too much insofar as you have the chance to see what the others think. but since it is christianity that is at issue, it might be worthwhile to keep your eye on one or two things. for example, if you were having problems with your property being stolen or your apartment broken into, would your classmates help you protect your apartment. if you were stranded in your car, would your classmates call or lend a hand. there is nothing wrong with separating ideology from friendship or even human decency. and there is nothing wrong with observing a total lack of human decency in a community when that is an observable fact. you have the right to leave a community when you believe the causes are sufficient. and you may find that a community of atheists assists you in your inquiries in positive ways that may in the end lead to a philosophy or ideology that you find adds to your knowledge of reality in positive ways. most people have a lot of thoughts about the ideology they claim to espouse, whatever it may be. there are also in univeristy communities individuals who are drawing a paycheck and who really don't give a damn about you, and who will exploit you or damage you if given the opportunity. those are the people you don't want to open up to philosophically. maybe start by sifting through things carefully, then decide what you would like to do. but don't give your authority figures any leverage on your views, start with people whom you trust, and make them a small and select group. it may be very useful to your undergraduate experience to be on the outside of the prevailing winds. if i sound like a college professor it is because i adjuncted teaching college. undergrad is a difficult time. good luck.