I saw this brilliant video in which Ash Beckham  talks about closets and how we all have closets, and we all have hard, and we shouldn’t compare our hard with someone else, and that closets are no place to live.  And I absolutely loved it.  It really connected with me, and despite that, I am still in my own closet and sometimes think I might always be, at least to a degree.  I’ve considered sharing certain posts and videos on Facebook but avoid it as I don’t want to out myself to some people and I also don’t want to offend anyone.  And right or wrong I resent those feelings and I blame my fears, at least in part, on society.  Because the truth is, being an “Atheist” carries a certain stigma and somehow I feel like I need to precede I’m an Atheist with “I’m sorry but….” as if it’s something I need to apologize for.  Sometimes within minutes of meeting someone you find out that they believe in God, whether mentioning going to Church on Sunday or other opportunities to mention God.  But I’ve never found any easy natural way to let someone know I’m an Atheist. Coming out and saying “I’m an Atheist”, which if is in response to them mentioning God could be construed as disrespectful or confrontational, or if at a completely random moment, would just be awkward.  I’m out to some people, most of who are either Atheists themselves, or believe in God but aren’t necessarily religious.  For those people in my life who are merely acquaintances bordering on friendship it is less of an issue but for some of my other relationships I feel like there is an elephant in the room.