Slate: Why Won't America Accept Its Atheists?

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 2:54pm

After watching the Bill Maher video Jordan posted, I was reminded of an article I read yesterday on Slate about atheism in America. I have to agree that atheism often feels like one of the last unspoken taboos in our society.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/ft/2012/02/atheism_in_america_why_won_t_the_u_s_accept_its_atheists_.html

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 3:32pm

1. Atheists are not some secret society that has to hide out under some cloak of secrecy. There have been many vocal atheists in the US. In NYC, many weekends, there is an atheist tent set up in front of the Time Warner building. Obviously being an atheist in Bible Belt Texas is going to be more difficult than in NYC, but that's the way life is.

2. Religious people are seeing their belief system disintegrating daily. Religion is highly disrespected in the US and people are holding tightly to their beliefs because freedom of religion is a dying principle.

3. Atheists are trying to create a new minority like blacks and gays. In a few years we will be the Minority States of America.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 3:34pm

[Yawper]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 3:52pm

Why won't American atheists accept non-atheists?

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 4:00pm

I accept anyone who doesn't try to shove their religious beliefs down my throat, just as I don't proselytize non-belief to anyone. Unfortunately, my respect of other people's beliefs isn't always reciprocated when it comes to my non-belief. In my personal experience (note those words), I've found non-religious people to be much more accepting of all faiths and choices than the other way around, but Goth will probably come on here and claim that I'm spreading my godless liberal rhetoric to demonize poor defenseless Christians.

Updated On: 2/6/12 at 04:00 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 4:05pm

"Unfortunately, my respect of other people's beliefs isn't always reciprocated when it comes to my non-belief."

Maybe you should try being less hateful and more accepting of other people's beliefs.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 4:07pm

That makes no sense but what else would I expect from you?

Updated On: 2/6/12 at 04:07 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 4:11pm

^^^That's why you're not respected.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 4:14pm

You don't respect me, Goth? Really? I'm gonna lose sleep tonight.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 4:53pm

In my personal experience (note those words), I've found non-religious people to be much more accepting of all faiths and choices than the other way around

I've seen it too. I don't consider myself an atheist but I do not align myself with any religion either. I feel the word "spiritual" describes me better than "religious". I do believe that we are not "alone". But, I do not believe in the teachings of any of the sects.

I have been told that I am going to Hell. That I am evil. All because I don't go to a building once a week to kneel with people who just go because they think it's right. I often wonder how many actually live their lives in kindness and love.

Just yesterday I was speaking to my mother and she told me about what the priest had said in church. He had told the parish that they should give up their medical insurance if their company covers birth control and abortions. Give up their medical insurance? The average person has no choice what company to use; their company decides that. So, what now? Quit your job and find a company that uses the "right" insurance company? Yeah, good luck with that. Is it better to let the people have massive medical bills than be with a company that covers birth control? I will never understand how he can advise people to do something so foolish.

I am accepting of the beliefs of others. I will not tell you that you are wrong because I feel there is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to this topic. But, I have been told I am "wrong" many times.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 5:14pm

I'd be geninely interested to know how Goth feels his religion is disrespected and Yawper feels unaccepted. Not in arguments on a message board, but on a day-to-day basis.

Eris has expressed his experiences of being disrespected and not accepted. I think every gay person can tell similar tales, as can many Muslims and Sikhs, to take a couple of examples.

I consider myself moderately devout, and I can't recall a single instance of intolerance on the part of atheists in my own life. No one has ever protested at any baptisms I've attended, or shouted anti-Christian epithets outside any churches I've been to.

So I'm curious to know how this disrespect and non-acceptance plays out in everyday life.








Updated On: 2/6/12 at 05:14 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 5:52pm

Eris,

That story horrifies me.



I think another reason people are un-accepting of Atheists is the very fact that if they accept your beliefs, then there might just be a chance that you are right and that their entire belief system is false.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 6:32pm

All religious people are atheists in a way, disbelieving in "your" God and only accepting what they believe is true.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 6:35pm

True dat

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/6/12 at 6:41pm

We should tell them that we just believe in one less God than they do. And for people like Goth, thats what we call a "way homer".

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 1:29am

3. Atheists are trying to create a new minority like blacks and gays. In a few years we will be the Minority States of America.

G-d, you're such a ****ing moron, GOTH. Yes, that's right, "we're trying to create an new minority, like blacks and gay"s You forgot "jews". Join the Ku Klux Klan, TROLL.,

http://newsbusters.org/bios/gothampc.html Updated On: 2/7/12 at 01:29 AM

[Yawper]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 8:14am

"He had told the parish that they should give up their medical insurance if their company covers birth control and abortions. Give up their medical insurance?"

Someone should remind the priest that insurance itself is a hedge on divine will...

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 8:22am

Easy to say from a man who's health care and housing are covered for life by the church.

[D2]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 8:36am

I lost whatever respect I had for the church when our pastor preached that it was a sin to watch "Maude" on TV because the character had an abortion.

A week later the winner of our school's Halloween Costume Competition was a boy who dressed as "Maude."

(And no, it wasn't me. I went as a piano. Not even an "Honorable Mention. )

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 8:40am

I thinnk there are far, far more atheists in this country than we know. People like to wear their religion on their sleeves, and argue about how their religion is better than yours. But given how people act toward one another, there's no way they can actually believe there is an all-powerful being who will judge them into eternity. Too many people behave in a godless manner for them to truly believe in a god. My actions are based on what I believe to be right and wrong; though I was raised in a religions family my adult morality is now based on that upbringing, it's based on my own experiences.

[Yawper]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 8:55am

Those who like to use religion as an excuse for their bad behavior (typically political at core) aren't who one should look to as the good examples of embodying a faith (be they judgmental Bible thumpers, illegal settlement builders, or suicide bombers).

Updated On: 2/7/12 at 08:55 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 9:02am

[Yawper]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 9:09am

atheists have to have something to believe in for there to be a sense of purpose to life, even if it's just lolcats.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 9:10am

So true Yapwer.

And I do bow at the altar of the lolcat.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/7/12 at 9:50am

thetinymagic2, are you so devoid of anything interesting in your life that you have to stalk me around the internet?

Updated On: 2/7/12 at 09:50 AM