The following is an interview with an Atheist couple who are a strong, positive example of a religion-free marriage. Both hold key roles in the Atheist community and demonstrate a true love for life. For privacy purposes, only their first names are mentioned.

1) Can you both please briefly describe how you were raised; were your parents religious?

Scott: I was raised Southern Baptist. Everyone in my family is either Southern Baptist or General Baptist although I don’t remember the difference. As a child, my mother would always take my sister and I to church every Sunday while my father slept in most Sundays. After my parents divorced, when I was 12, my father took me to church on the weekends that he had me and my mother took me to her new church when I was with her. I decided to be baptized when I was 16. I don’t remember what I expected to happen after the experience, but I do recall feeling absolutely no change in myself at all.

Abi: My father came from a long line of Lutherans and my mother’s side was Christian or Mormon. They both are now “Closet Agnostics” and always told my sister and I to explore who we were. We both turned out Atheist. Growing up was tough in an extremely religious, small town in Indiana. I was teased daily, called the spawn of satan, and was even told to kill myself since I was different. I knew there were others like me out there but did not know how to find them.

2) When did you know you were an Atheist? Was there a turning point such as a life event or a specific argument that lead you to Atheism?

Scott: I was driving home from work when I was 18 and I was just thinking about the inconsistent issues with the bible and trying to figure out how dinosaurs fit into biblical history. That was when I had an epiphany and came to the conclusion that there were no god or gods. I did not even know what an Atheist was until years later. As soon as I knew what an Atheist was I began to call myself an Atheist.

Abi: I always knew that there was no god, but wasn’t sure what I was called. I explored Wicca (mostly to scare away the religious bullies), but still had trouble with the god/goddess worship. In 2002 I met a Skeptic and Freethinker in a paranormal group I was in who was an Atheist and felt I had finally put a name to my lifelong disbelief.

3) How did you two meet? Did you have a religious wedding ceremony?

Scott: In 2008, I did a search on Facebook for female Atheists in the area. I messaged Abi and we went from there.

Abi: We had an Atheist wedding which I am very proud of! We got pressure from Scott’s side of the family for not performing the ceremony in a church, but keeping it Atheist was our dream. We had my parents in our corner which was a big help. There was no god and no praying. Completely religion free.

4) Are you both open about being Atheist to your family, co-workers, and friends? If so, were/are there difficulties within any of those relationships?

Scott: My parents didn’t find out that I was an Atheist until I was 21. They still do not accept it and my father thinks I am going through a phase. Half of my family and none of my co-workers know that I’m Atheist and that’s the way I prefer to keep it to avoid conflict.

Abi: I am always open to friends and family. Friends just joke that I am the “heathen one”. I am more weary around co-workers, but if I feel comfortable, I will let them know. The only issues with me being an Atheist were when I was in high school. My music teacher forced me to stand while “Hallelujah” was playing or I would get a grade deduction. Still frustrates me that I didn’t fight it.

5) How does it feel to be Atheist in society today?

Scott: I feel that there is still a great deal of discrimination against Atheists but the tide is turning and we are becoming more and more socially accepted.

Abi: I am proud to be an Atheist! I think these religiously biased bills being proposed and passed by congress will push us to be more vocal. It is about time to remind people that we are out here. Even today, however, “Atheist” still has a bad image attached to it even though our numbers continue to grow. This new Atheist generation gives me hope for a secular future

6) What would you say to religious people or people who disagree with you?

Scott: I try to engage in debates if the situation arises but I do not seek them out. If they are not able to accept facts and use reason and logic then I won’t waste my time trying to debate with stubborn people.

Abi: I say it is their right to disagree, thanks to our constitution. As long as someone’s religion does not personally affect me, I don’t care. We just have to remind people that Secular Americans are not communists, baby eaters, evil, or un-American. We are your neighbors, your friends, your family. We are here to stay.

7) What would you say to other Atheists out there?

Abi: We say get out there! Our numbers are growing and our voices need to be heard. Get online to find an Atheist group near you for support and friendship. Don’t let religion bully you.