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

[heyjimbo2013]

At least here in the United States. I live in Phoenix, Arizona which is dominated heavily by Catholics and Mormons and other Christian denominations. I had this really good friend who was Mormon, and we've been best friends since Freshman year. And just last November I told her I didn't believe in God and she got quite mad about it and said that she didn't want to be my friend anymore because of it. What's ironic is that her other excuse is that she only wanted to hang around people who believed in God because they're a better influence, but she's the one who goes to Vegas and drinks and grinds with random men at clubs.

It seems like all we really want is to just be treated equally and not like subhumans or second class. I read somewhere that an open atheist cannot run for office in this country. (Not 100% how true that is, but if someone knows anymore on this; please, let me know). I don't go around forcing my atheism on others. But apparently Christians somehow think they should be permitted to force their religious beliefs down everyone's throats through government and such. But if someone who's an atheist lets out a small little peep, they will demonized and publicly shammed for it. At least in the part of the country I live in.

This is just something I've never understood.

Now I do know that atheism is widely accepted in countries in Northern Europe.

You atheists are fucking retarded hee hee. You dont believe in anything and you just dont want to have any rules or morals to follow and if you were christian and you becane atheist then youre throwing a fit like a five year old bitch either way ur stupid lolz

[Whateverist]

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...

It is so unfair to be born into a family and social network which is structured around beliefs which require less regard for reality than you possess.

But such is your lot. As you begin to choose who to let into your social network going forward you might want to start placing a higher value on them accepting the real you. As the portion of your social circle grows to include a significant portion which knows and accepts you, you'll be able to take more risks with those who don't know what it is you believe. They don't all need to know. That's entirely up to you. Best of luck.

[QuarkDriven]

You atheists are fucking retarded hee hee. You dont believe in anything and you just dont want to have any rules or morals to follow and if you were christian and you becane atheist then youre throwing a fit like a five year old bitch either way ur stupid lolz

Seems to me like you're the one throwing a fit like "a five year old bitch" just now.... We're having a rational conversation and you jump in all wound up with your panties up your asshole talking about not having any rules to follow or morals... thats a totally different conversation and if you're willing to talk like an adult, I'm sure people here will be willing to talk back... However, if you're going to come here and insult people with your terrible grammar then take your fake supernatural invisible diety and get the fuck out...

oh and if you need a god to tell you right from wrong and tell you how to live your life, then you're just an asshole....
Have a nice day

PS. hee hee and lolz

[abaris]

You atheists are fucking retarded hee hee. You dont believe in anything and you just dont want to have any rules or morals to follow and if you were christian and you becane atheist then youre throwing a fit like a five year old bitch either way ur stupid lolz

Nice to meet you too.

I get it, spelling isn't your strong suit. But I'm sure there are other hidden qualities to your humble self.

[Desert Diva]

You atheists are fucking retarded hee hee. You dont believe in anything and you just dont want to have any rules or morals to follow and if you were christian and you becane atheist then youre throwing a fit like a five year old bitch either way ur stupid lolz

I believe in not using ablist slurs like "retarded." I believe in not writing like an illiterate when I'm calling other people stupid. I believe it is really funny that people accuse atheists of just not wanting to have any rules, when atheists are extremely underrepresented in jail populations per capita. I believe it is incredibly amusing to watch a religionist accuse others of throwing a fit while he lays on his back, slamming his virtual head and feet on the forum floor, screaming like a three year old in between bouts of holding his virtual breath until he turns blue.

[pocaracas]

I smell poe.

[Cyberman]

I'm guessing 2013 is when he was born.

[LostLocke]

You atheists are fucking retarded hee hee. You dont believe in anything and you just dont want to have any rules or morals to follow and if you were christian and you becane atheist then youre throwing a fit like a five year old bitch either way ur stupid lolz

[Pyrrho]

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...

You had my sympathy and respect right up to the last sentence.

(You can run for office if you are openly an atheist, but you should not expect to win that way, at least for most offices in most areas in the U.S.)

You are being unfair to your girlfriend if you are pretending with her. You need to either tell her or break up with her. And it will be better for you to be with someone who can accept you as you are with your beliefs. You can, if you wish, ease her into the idea, by asking her pointed questions about religion, and see how she reacts. But you should be doing this right away. If you really care about her, you don't want to be suckering her into false beliefs about yourself. How would you feel if she were keeping some great secret from you, that she had reason to believe would be really important to you? You want an honest relationship, don't you?

[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...

You had my sympathy and respect right up to the last sentence.

(You can run for office if you are openly an atheist, but you should not expect to win that way, at least for most offices in most areas in the U.S.)

You are being unfair to your girlfriend if you are pretending with her. You need to either tell her or break up with her. And it will be better for you to be with someone who can accept you as you are with your beliefs. You can, if you wish, ease her into the idea, by asking her pointed questions about religion, and see how she reacts. But you should be doing this right away. If you really care about her, you don't want to be suckering her into false beliefs about yourself. How would you feel if she were keeping some great secret from you, that she had reason to believe would be really important to you? You want an honest relationship, don't you?

You're absolutely right... she needs to know who I am and what I believe/don't believe. There's no argument there....