I don’t have any issues with someone being an atheist. However as you mentioned; it can “open a can of worms”. And, to many long term expats, or even some travelers that I’ve come across the can of worms is not what they want.

In many places where someone mentions they are an atheist it can bring the “converters” out. Or, bring about too many questions that people simply aren’t interested in answering. As I’m sure you know from your travels, religion aside, many people just don’t want a debate of any kind when traveling!

And, yes there are also people that do like and enjoy this conversation when traveling, I personally, do not.

Hence when asked, I say “a little bit of everything”.

I must say I completely understand your approach to the religion question, it makes for an easy life and conflict avoidance. However, what I find quite disturbing here in the comments is the commont thread of “everything is grand.. except saying athiest”, like its taboo. Now I am well travelled and I am not a babe in the woods, I realise in a stongly opinionated religious country this standing can open a can of worms. However for some of us it is the truth, and I think its somewhat hypocritical for people to say in the same breath “We must be tolerant of all people religions” yet feel its best to hide the fact that your beliefs are athiest.

I myself have never shied away from telling people the truth when posed this question, as I think its important to recognise the differences between us, and open discussion is the antidote to religious dogma. Just to illustrate, I have openly admitted and discussed my athism in places like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Sudan, Nigeria, all strongly religious. Without ever an issue and it sparked interesting not heated discussion when posed in the correct light. Just felt I needed to play devils advocate here.

Good luck in all your travels and keep the great shots coming.

Was not in Burkina so can’t say about there. Though I do concur about the atheist stand causing issues. I’ve met several travelers and expats who say this and it seems to cause more problems than anything else!

Yes I agree with you. Respect is a two way street. In India I met a few travelers who announced something quote derogatory during a religious ceremony as they thought the swastika emblazoned depictions was a form of Nazi worship.

Unfortunately they made a big fuss and were quite vocal about their opinions. History and truth aside, even if they did think that. It would still have been better to leave quietly. Instead not only were they wrong in their assumptions, they embarrassed themselves, and could have ended up causing serious problems for themselves.

Like you said, keeping a level head and being polite is stalwart advice!

P.S. For anyone unsure about the 卐 symbol I referred to, here’s a wikipedia link to information about the swastika symbol

Glad you like the article. Yea the “little bit of everything,” has helped me out of more than one ‘intense’ situation in various places around the world. I’ve never had anything too intense here so far.

Pneumonia x 2, now that’s hard to top. Glad to hear you fully recovered though.

The very best on someday soon getting to the Philippines!!

We booked tickets to Philippines already in 2005, but never got there because we both (what’s the odds for that happening????!!!) got pneumonia – and that was not even on a trip, it was at home here in Sweden! It took us half a year to recover and then in the autumn we went to South America instead.

Funny enough, we’ve never managed to get to the Philippines after that either, something always comes in between…. But one day….