bore me to tears

Have you taken the challenge?

Are You a Hardcore Atheist?

Copy and paste the list below on your own site, boldfacing the things you’ve done. (Feel free to add your own elaboration and commentary to each item!)

1. Participated in the Blasphemy Challenge.
2. Met at least one of the “Four Horsemen” (Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris) in person. 
   No, but I once got an email from Eugenie Scott!
3. Created an atheist blog.
   Does this blog count as as atheist blog?
4. Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone.
5. Gotten offended when someone called you an agnostic. 
   The word was used (by a family member) to make me sound “less extreme” or less unlikable or something. I was more annoyed than offended.
6. Been unable to watch Growing Pains reruns because of Kirk Cameron.
   I’ve ALWAYS been unable to watch Growing Pains.
7. Own more Bibles than most Christians you know. 
   Probably.
8. Have at least one Bible with your personal annotations regarding contradictions, disturbing parts, etc. 
   I still have the Bible that I annotated as a Christian; given that the whole damn thing is contradictory and disturbing, wouldn’t all of those annotations qualify? 
9. Have come out as an atheist to your family.
10. Attended a campus or off-campus atheist gathering.
11. Are a member of an organized atheist/Humanist/etc. organization.
12. Had a Humanist wedding ceremony.
13. Donated money to an atheist organization.
14. Have a bookshelf dedicated solely to Richard Dawkins. 
    I love Richard Dawkins as much as the next girl, but… a whole bookshelf?
15. Lost the friendship of someone you know because of your non-theism.
    Not that I’m aware of.
16. Tried to argue or have a discussion with someone who stopped you on the street to proselytize.
17. Had to hide your atheist beliefs on a first date because you didn’t want to scare him/her away.
18. Own a stockpile of atheist paraphernalia (bumper stickers, buttons, shirts, etc).
19. Attended a protest that involved religion.
20. Attended an atheist conference.
21. Subscribe to Pat Condell’s YouTube channel.
    He’s a little caustic for my tastes.
22. Started an atheist group in your area or school. 
    We’re not zoned for atheism where I live.
23. Successfully “de-converted” someone to atheism.
24. Have already made plans to donate your body to science after you die. 
    Not sure what this has to do with atheism.
25. Told someone you’re an atheist only because you wanted to see the person’s reaction. 
    No, but it sounds like fun  :)
26. Had to think twice before screaming “Oh God!” during sex. Or you said something else in its place.
    I’ve heard, you’re supposed to yell out “Oh, Sam Harris!!”
27. Lost a job because of your atheism.
28. Formed a bond with someone specifically because of your mutual atheism (meeting this person at a local gathering or conference doesn’t count). 
    Well, I’ve made online friends due, in part, to our mutual atheism.
29. Have crossed “In God We Trust” off of — or put a pro-church-state-separation stamp on — dollar bills. 
    Seems counter-productive.
30. Refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
    “Refused” is probably too strong a word in my case. I would say that I “abstain” from loyalty oaths. 
31. Said “Gesundheit!” (or nothing at all) after someone sneezed because you didn’t want to say “Bless you!”
    I say “bless you” out of habit.
32. Have ever chosen not to clasp your hands together out of fear someone might think you’re praying. 
    Uh, no.
33. Have turned on Christian TV because you need something entertaining to watch. 
    It makes me sad, actually, so I don’t watch it.
34. Are a 2^nd or 3^rd (or more) generation atheist.
35. Have “atheism” listed on your Facebook or dating profile — and not a euphemistic variant. 
    Facebook.
36. Attended an atheist’s funeral (i.e. a non-religious service).
37. Subscribe to an freethought magazine (e.g. Free Inquiry, Skeptic) 
    Both.
38. Have been interviewed by a reporter because of your atheism. 
    Every morning I have to shoo away reporters, standing on my lawn, hoping for an interview.
39. Written a letter-to-the-editor about an issue related to your non-belief in God. 
    I’ve posted replies to our paper’s online articles about local church/state issues.  Not sure if this counts.
40. Gave a friend or acquaintance a New Atheist book as a gift. 
    No, I’ve never been a good evangelist.
41. Wear pro-atheist clothing in public. 
    (see #40)
42. Have invited Mormons/Jehovah’s Witnesses into your house specifically because you wanted to argue with them. 
    Actually, I’ve always been kind to door-to-door evangelists, though I never engage them, as I know it’s pointless. 
43. Have been physically threatened (or beaten up) because you didn’t believe in God. 
44. Receive Google Alerts on “atheism” (or variants). 
    People do that?
45. Received fewer Christmas presents than expected because people assumed you didn’t celebrate it.
46. Visited The Creation Museum or saw Ben Stein’s Expelled just so you could keep tabs on the “enemy.”  
    No, I’ve already gone the extra mile by taking apologetics classes as a Christian.   
47. Refuse to tell anyone what your “sign” is… because it doesn’t matter at all. 
    I’ve been tempted.
48. Are on a mailing list for a Christian organization just so you can see what they’re up to…  
    Well, I do get Action Alerts! from some groups (like AFA). 
49. Have kept your eyes open while you watched others around you pray.
    Not in a creepy way that disrepects people though :S
50. Avoid even Unitarian churches because they’re too close to religion for you. 

0-10: Impressive, but not too far from agnosticism.
11-20: You are, literally, a “New Atheist.” But you now have something to strive for!  Go for the full 50! 12 points for me
21-30: You are an atheist, but babies aren’t running away from you. Yet.
31-40: You are the 5^th Horseman! Congratulations!
41-50: PZ Myers will now be taking lessons from you.

HT:  Friendly Atheist