Why is it so hard to be openly atheist in today's world

[Thumpalumpacus]

[abaris]

We certainly have a more religious population than the EU. That doesn't make us a theocracy.

The Irish republic was a near theocracy for the longest time. About one or two decades ago (time moves by so fast these days), there was this blown out of proportion scandal with Sinead O'Conor where at one of her concerts she tore up a picture of the pope and called out "this is the enemy". It pretty much ruined her career, which is rather ironic, since to this day she claims to be a christian. For decades the catholic clergy more or less called the political shots in Ireland. That only changed within the last two decades or so.

That said, the real difference between the US and the largest parts of Europe is the religious push towards lawmaking. Repesentatives carrying their bible into their decisions, on the state as well as on the national level. That wouldn't sit well in Europe. Also the constant claim to be a christian is something completely alien, since it doesn't add to the political credit. A European candidate couldn't run on that ticket. At least in most countries. Christian values and morality also isn't of any interest when it comes to politics. There are numerous politians, who are divorced or living in an affair without that having any influence on their careers. Even back in the early 70ies, the German chancellor Willy Brandt was known to be a womanizer, divorced several times, and he still was extremely popular. The long time mayors of Berlin, Hamburg and Paris were openly gay and they were reelected several times. The mayor of Hamburg even was a member of the christian democrats, who had no problems with his homosexuality.

I'm certainly not saying that the US are a theocracy, but the level of religion influencing politics is certainly higher than in most parts of Europe.

[pocaracas]

Two words: Silvio Berlusconi!

[Pyrrho]

[Whateverist]

The reason it is hard to be an atheist in the US today is that those who do believe take non-belief so personally. As a teacher, I've made it a conscious decision not to be disclosive about my religious status so as not to derail instruction. I'm not in teaching for the sake of influencing the content of young people's ideas, only their ability to think critically (for which math has no equal in the education of the young).

[Pyrrho]

The reason it is hard to be an atheist in the US today is that those who do believe take non-belief so personally. As a teacher, I've made it a conscious decision not to be disclosive about my religious status so as not to derail instruction. I'm not in teaching for the sake of influencing the content of young people's ideas, only their ability to think critically (for which math has no equal in the education of the young).

Yes, that is a wise policy. If you told your students that you were an atheist, many would not listen to you, and consequently would not learn as much. And really, whether you believe in a god or not is irrelevant to the solution to any purely mathematical problem.

[Cephus]

It's easier than it's ever been to be an open atheist. I'm sorry to hear about your "friend", but anyone who puts belief in imaginary friends above real people was never really your friend to begin with.

[Desert Diva]

There isn't a whole lot that is awesome about getting old, but one of the best bits is that moment when you decide you truly have no fucks to give for what other people think of you. It means you have fewer friends, but the friends you do have are actually real friends who like the real you.

[robvalue]

Hi Desert Diva, welcome Well said!

[QuarkDriven]

I read somewhere that an open atheist cannot run for office in this country.

As far as I know, you can run for office, but you will have an overwhelmingly good chance at failure... Nobody wants to vote for the atheist, and by nobody I of course mean the religious population...

One reason why I think it's so hard is cause it's not easy for atheists to be open about it.. In a world where people view atheists on par with rapists, its difficult to be open about your beliefs, or lack there of...You're right when you say people view atheists as "sub human" or as a second class citizen, even when everyone else is an athiest to all other gods out there... I suppose belief in different god to them is better then belief in no god... There are far more atheists out here (talking about the US) then we know there are... If more of us "come out" then little by little it will be more socially accpetable.

I for one, still am afraid to say anything even in my social circle and to my family.. I just don't have the courage to do that yet and I'm aware I'm a part of the problem I just stated. I don't know how my long term girlfriend is going to react and that scares me...