If you asked me to think of the most bigoted, most homophobic people I've ever known, it would be a toss up between three people. Two are atheists, one is a Christian.
Based on this limited sample of Christian and atheist homophobes I've known, I'd say that religion provides justification for bigotry. It's easy to understand why Christians would be more brazen about their bigoted feelings.
Atheist homophobes certainly exist. I've known a few others than the two I mentioned. However, they are more likely to be closet homophobes, especially now that it's become socially unacceptable in some circles to be that way. By "closet homophobe" I mean people who use words like "homo" or "that's so gay" or slip and crack a gay joke and then, apparently realizing they've been impolitic, backpeddle with a disingenuous "um, not that there's anything wrong with that" or "Hey, I'm not bigoted. What do I care what two freaks do as long as they keep it out of my face?" You just know from their tone of voice and other clues that they are no less bigoted than their Christian counterparts but they just can't justify it.
The end of religion won't mean the end of irrationality/bigotry. It will just mean the end of an easy justification for it.
Based on this limited sample of Christian and atheist homophobes I've known, I'd say that religion provides justification for bigotry. It's easy to understand why Christians would be more brazen about their bigoted feelings.
Atheist homophobes certainly exist. I've known a few others than the two I mentioned. However, they are more likely to be closet homophobes, especially now that it's become socially unacceptable in some circles to be that way. By "closet homophobe" I mean people who use words like "homo" or "that's so gay" or slip and crack a gay joke and then, apparently realizing they've been impolitic, backpeddle with a disingenuous "um, not that there's anything wrong with that" or "Hey, I'm not bigoted. What do I care what two freaks do as long as they keep it out of my face?" You just know from their tone of voice and other clues that they are no less bigoted than their Christian counterparts but they just can't justify it.
The end of religion won't mean the end of irrationality/bigotry. It will just mean the end of an easy justification for it.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
