After discovering reddit a few weeks ago I've discovered that in the US 'coming out' as an atheist is a touchy subject... as an atheist in the UK, the thought of this boggles my mind.
As an American, I have no idea why someone thinks that. It really isn't the touchy. At least it has never been anywhere I have lived, and that's a lot of places.
Glad someone else thinks so. Most of the places mentioned seem to be either southern or central states. Regardless, the fact that it happens at all is weird.