There was a thread on atheist discrimination on the old site that i found quite interesting so i thought i'd start a new one.

I think it was Richard Dawkins who wrote about the studies conducted that showed in America, people would prefer a black, muslim, gay woman than an atheist for president. (Please feel free to correct me, i apologise if this information is not precisely correct, it was a while since i read it - but you get the point).

Personally, i have experienced a lot of discrimination for my atheism most of life as both a child and adult - even from people who claim they're not religious but view atheism as a 'bleak and un-intelligent' belief. The people who have these views however, are grossly uneducated about atheism or perhaps influenced by the negative a false depictions of atheists made by a Christian dominated society.


What about everyone else? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

As I said in my post in another thread, I truly feel sorry for atheists in the USA. You almost stand alone as a serious minority in your country, whereas most other modern Western, democratic countries are now very secular, and see belief in God and more so the ridiculous religious hocus pocus as primitive and somewhat juvenile.

Remember Betty, some incredibly intellectual people both past and present have declared their positions as atheists, including many of America's founding fathers.

These people that sometimes taunt you are not uneducated about atheism, because atheism quite simply is not any particular belief system and is not an organised movement (at least outside the USA). There is nothing to be educated in. There will never be a school subject devoted to atheism. Atheism is a mature, intelligent realisation by individuals that man has evolved far enough not to require imaginary friends and incredibly bizarre rituals to be able to lead an everyday existence.

Let's hope that there is never a book written as a bible to atheism, because I strongly believe that atheism is a very personal, individual disposition that needs no book of rules.

It isn't and never will be a religion.

I have never been attacked for my atheism. If I say out loud that I'm an atheist in public I would hear others agreeing with me.

I once got into a debate with a theist and it lasted only for a couple of minutes until 3 other atheists stepped in.

No worries about atheist discrimination here. Theists are more at risk of that.

KRW1612, i agree with what you've said
However, i'm not American. I'm Australian.
I'm glad to live in such a secular country - however, in saying that, i suppose the community i grew up in was one with many fundamentalist christians.
And Ace, that's fantastic that you are able to find yourself so easily backed up. I wish i could. If i said out loud i'm an atheist in public, i don't feel i would have the same reaction.
Perhaps it's just the people i hang around, who knows!

It was a study conducted at Minnesota university.

Here's the article:

http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/03/24/67686

However, this study was conducted in the US and even though Christians are the largest Religion:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm

The American mentality is strongly diverse and people's opinions change.

But you should watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KwpkzaVjzw

(August 26, 2008 at 7:41 am)BettyValentine Wrote: KRW1612, i agree with what you've said
However, i'm not American. I'm Australian.
I'm glad to live in such a secular country - however, in saying that, i suppose the community i grew up in was one with many fundamentalist christians.

Shit....are you talking Queensland????

I live in France, which is one of the few countries in the world to have separation of religion & state enshrined in its constitution. No religion taught in schools, no state funding for churches or mosques.
Most french people are simply irreligeous rather than atheist. The catholic church was very powerful, but these days very few people go to church outside of weddings, funerals and (infant) baptisms.
When religion has cropped up in conversation most people regard it as supertitious nonsense, of no relevance to their lives.

I think because USA has such a strong xian fundie base, the atheism has to be that more vocal and active to combat it. Here in France, because the church is becoming increasingly irrelevant, the lack of a belief in god has become no big thing either.

And that is as it should be - we don't feel the need to tell people that Santa isn't real do we?

(August 26, 2008 at 8:52 am)StewartP Wrote: I live in France, which is one of the few countries in the world to have separation of religion & state enshrined in its constitution. No religion taught in schools, no state funding for churches or mosques.
Most french people are simply irreligeous rather than atheist. The catholic church was very powerful, but these days very few people go to church outside of weddings, funerals and (infant) baptisms.
When religion has cropped up in conversation most people regard it as supertitious nonsense, of no relevance to their lives.

The same is here in Britain. Publically we're pretty laid back and not caring about Religion. But like the typical British with big mouths if we have an opinion on it we're going to let everyone know.

(August 26, 2008 at 8:11 am)Brick-top Wrote: But you should watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KwpkzaVjzw

Ken Ham is a fucktard. I loved the bit about the guy who wanted to grow up and get a "Nobel Prize in Creationism". The day that happens is that day I give up on science.

(August 26, 2008 at 7:50 pm)Tiberius Wrote:

(August 26, 2008 at 8:11 am)Brick-top Wrote: But you should watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KwpkzaVjzw

Ken Ham is a fucktard. I loved the bit about the guy who wanted to grow up and get a "Nobel Prize in Creationism". The day that happens is that day I give up on science.

He looked a few puppies short of a pet shop.

And did you notice Ken Ham looks a little bit like a monkey?