Update:
Finally the source of Myers animosity becomes apparent. He wants to be socially acceptable outside his atheist acquaintances.
We don’t have a problem with scientists being accepted socially. We have a problem with atheists> being accepted socially. We wouldn’t have to worry about this as a problem in science education if those two sets did not intersect…but unfortunately, they do. They intersect a lot. So what do you want that intersecting set to do? Never, ever mention their disbelief to avoid adding that unnecessary layer?
I don’t really think his atheism in and of itself is the problem. Jehovah’s Witnesses aren’t socially acceptable to most people either but that’s not because of their beliefs, per se, it’s because they feel compelled to tell everyone what they believe. Anyone, unless you’re among your own kind, is generally a social pariah if they bring up their religious beliefs to people who may have different beliefs. What a faux pas. So yes, Paul, exactly what you do is keep your religion and your politics to yourself if you’re concerned about making friends and influencing people in whatever mixed group you find yourself in. If you don’t care to be socially accepted then by all means be the guy that never gets invited to the same place twice – burning bridges behind you can be great fun and they cast a such a lovely light. But if you want to get invited back then stifle yourself at least until you know who’s safe to talk about what with. For you, it’s probably too late to expect to fit in with like the parents at your kids’ school because with the internet everyone’s going to have your number right from the word go. Word travels fast. I’m sure that really endears you with your wife if she hasn’t left you yet. At this point you might have to change your name and move to a new city. Or join an evangelical atheist church or whatever you people do to meet others of your own kind and plan on that being the only place you’ll ever find anyone that doesn’t try to stay on the other side of the room when you’re around.