Yep, I have a new reputation at VH (our homeschooling school). I am now known as the friendly atheist. Of course many atheists around the blogosphere know the friendly atheist to be this guy. And I am in no way trying to compete with him, because he’s the actual friendly atheist. 
Why am I known in my community as the friendly atheist? Well… a super smart (and oh so cute) young boy wrote a presentation about atheism in general and about me in particular, for one of his classes at VH. The presentation was excellent, humorous and interesting. And the parents, who came to listen to their children’s presentations, listened carefully and watched more carefully, as they recognized the friendly atheist girl to be sitting right there in the classroom.
Now I have of course experienced all kinds of reactions to my atheism, generally negative, sometimes neutral, and very few times positive. Not so at VH. I have been stopped many times today by parents, commenting on the presentation, and giving me positive feedback.
I have generally been careful to address my atheism around others. Not only because I try to avoid useless discussions, but also because sometimes I’m afraid of attacks or some other kind of hostility. Kind of silly, isn’t it? But my own personal experience has taught me to be cautious. Briefly I considered calling myself something else, like humanist or secularist or whatever, since the word atheist to some people seems to equal the word devil.
Many atheists around the country feel the need to change their “label” to something other than atheist, in order to be more “popular”. Well, the truth is, this reminds me a bit of school. Be popular, and you’ll be accepted by the other popular people. And well, I’m not a fan of schools, or popularity. But more importantly, I want to make people realize that no matter what you call us (humanist, agnostic, secularist or any other word)… we are still atheists. Like me the way I am or well, don’t like me. But don’t expect me to be someone else, because you can’t handle the a-word.
I like to be known around VH as the friendly atheist. It’s a good name. If I can change people’s perception of what atheism is even just in a very small way, then I know I have changed the world just a little bit. Plus, I show my children, that it’s okay to be proud of who you are. “Good night, Mommy, the friendly atheist” said my daughter to me a few minutes ago. It’s all good.
And to the real “Friendly Atheist”, you so totally rock!!!