Atheists still the most hated minority

[Brian37]

I'd much rather be a hated atheist than a loved believer any day.  I prefer reality to delusion.

Oh, absolutely, agreed.

it's not the greatest being an atheist in this country.  No one bats an eye when someone says something hateful towards atheists.  But it's a hell of a lot worse for atheists in other countries, and that's the perspective I choose to take on the whole thing.

You may not agree with me on this,
but this part of your comment ties into why I take issue with people saying that Islamophobia = Racism.

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the bravery, individuality and sacrifice it can take for an Arab born in an Islamic country, to become an Apostate.

I admire an Apostate Arab, Islamic-nationality ex-muslim far more than many western Atheists I know.

Well yes and no on the "Islamophobia". There are morons who have a phobia for other's religions, there might even be a clinical word for that kind of phobia. But there are racists who fear even non violent Muslims. But I agree though, it isn't always racist or a phobia when someone is blaspheming or ridiculing a claim. While the west should not presume guilt and protect any and all minorities whatever their label, that still is not a licence to hide behind a religious label to avoid criticism. So for me, that gets a "it depends" on context of situation as to if it is bigotry and racism or merely blasphemy.

Oh and yes, even with atheists in the west, we have it good compared to Christians, and minority Muslims and even X Muslims still living in the more theocratic parts of the Middle East. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is my hero, I couldn't have done what she did.