Atheism is not just about not believing in a god.You think thats what it's about at first.But when you find how other people react with scorn ,condemnation and outrage about something that seems perfectly obvious to you, it becomes something much more.You are entering another world ...a world where you don't just go along to please others, a world in which you stand by yourself when others don't, a world in which you begin to understand other people who are deemed " different " in some way and to develop compassion for them. Its a lonely world in some ways , because maybe you don't get invited to certain social events anymore ( especially among a crowd like the one you're involved with.) but for some reason the world is actually friendlier and bigger because you can relate to all people , even those throughout time who have had to strike out on their own for what they feel is their inner truth.What could be lonlier than living a lie?

This is actually the most important truth in the world and this is the most important relationship you can develop-the one one with yourself.There's no need for confrontation but neither is there a need to evade .When you have stood up for what you believe all kind of restraints will begin to crumble as society's dictates are seen to be just like their god -someone's idea of how it SHOULD be.And you 'll have to recreate your ethical system from the ground up,And you will make mistakes .And be happy to make mistakes because

now YOU truly are living .

Liberal fundamentalists?

This person is a total drama queen. Nobody cares whether the writer is atheist, gay, Communist or a masterbater. Really, the school, your parents, your friends, nobody cares. Tell them or don't tell them, I'm sure they will say "whatever."

In order to becoming a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Oklahoma, I had to sign an oath stating that I was not then nor never had been a member of the American Communist Party. I wasn't, nor had I been, but I was morally and ethically opposed to this noxious remnant from the McCarthy era. Nevertheless, I signed the form, and walked away feeling offended by the process, rather than guilty at the lie. The university asked me an impertinent and inappropriate question; to continue along my educational and professional path, I had to bend the truth. Telling truth to power is an admirable way to live your life, but I suggest waiting until you are financially independent before becoming too idealistic about philosophical, political, or religious information you are forced to supply on an application -- especially when the information requested is a relic of the past.

As for what you tell your friends and family, that depends on who you are. For me, I can live without full disclosure, but I can not live with those I love the most believing I'm the opposite of who I am.

Since you cannot prove that God does not exist, you take it on faith. Therefore, Athiesm is, by definition, faith. It's just a faith in NOT god rather than God.

Agnosticism is the only possible view for a true rationalist / empiricist.

I will address one point of yours not to pick on you but because you are the most recent one to bring it up. I really think the LW has to sort a lot of stuff out for himself and this will be a process for him and not a bolt of lightening.

The point I disagree with you and others with is the idea that because he signed that oath he is bound to leave the school if he no longer believes in it. This oath could be taken to be a contract extracted under duress if he did not know about it before he was admitted and then he transferred there (thus cutting off other options). If the college did not advertise that this oath would be required prominently and loudly in their recruitment materials, then it is they who are the hypocrites. If they don't make it very clear to students BEFORE they enroll that this sort of pressure will be brought to bear then the college is acting in bad faith.

If the college does not advertise this nasty little arm-twisting prominently, it could be because they don't want to in some way run afoul of government money that they may actually benefit from. If they are completely privately funded, then okay. However if students who go to their school get ANY government aid to attend college then the college is in violation (IMHO only perhaps) of the Wall of Separation that is implicit in the Constitution of the United States.

These new-born atheists are sometimes young and do not realize that discrimination based upon religious belief has been often prevalent in the past. During the MacCarthy era when communism was the bogey man, oath of religious adherence were required for many people. You could not teach school in Arizona for instance if you did not profess a belief in God. The willingness of certain factions of government and/or institutions to make people fall into line concerning their personal beliefs should be either ignored by people like the LW or actively resisted. He might, for instance, file a lawsuit, but I can't really see him doing that. If he wants to stay at that school for whatever reason, I don't think he is being dishonest by staying.

To read more about how people in America's past have fought religious oppression you might want to read about the late, great Madalyn Murray O'Hair:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madalyn_Murray_O'Hair

Colleges are interested in several things -- did your tuition check clear? Are alumni contributions increasing? Are we being sued by anyone? They really don't care whether some sophmore is an atheist or is jerking off in the rest room (as long as you clean up afterwards).

Your parents are interested in several things -- are you going to be financially independent or will you be a drain on them forever? Are you going to be some help in their old age? Are you doing at least one thing that we can brag about to other people our age? Since you are graduating college, you really have answered all their concerns. They really don't care whether you are an atheist or jerking off in the shower when you visit (as long as you clean up afterwards).

Your friends are interested in several things -- are you fun to party with? Can we network with you to get employment later? If gender appropriate, do you put out? They really don't care whether your an atheist or whether you jerk off. They don't even care if you clean up afterwards.