[jshen]

It's not incorrect. Just because you and some people you met were open about it doesn't mean that others keep it secret for various reasons.

When I was in the Army and in Bosnia I would eat in the chow tent every night. I was a private and there was a sergeant that worked there that I would chat with almost every night. Keep in mind that I was a private and he was a sgt, so he had a lot of power over me. One night he asked if I was a "good christian boy", and I said "nope, I'm an atheist". He never spoke to me again and would give me dirty looks if we ever made eye contact.

I learned pretty quick to keep my atheism to myself in the military. I've also learned that the same is true in many parts of this country.