Do you think that people are prejudiced against atheists?

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• It sounds like the world has gone mad. No wonder there are so many Americans migrating here. I've never had such a problem in my own country.

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  by Anonymous on April 13th, 2007

• What's New Zealand like Redrum? You know really, not some magazine version. I could browse the internet all day and not really find out much.

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  by Phil in the Blank...backandtotheleft on December 3rd, 2007

• I truly feel amazed and appalled and also mystified at the insane use of a godgobbing National Anthem by the New Zealanders,before a sporting contest.
  "HEY Kiwis,Get rid of it!"
  When has singing a godgobbing song ever made any difference whatsoever to the outcome of a game?..........NEVER ! !

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  by HATING godgobbers is Auzziegob FUN on January 27th, 2008

• Pretty much nailed it Dean but usually it's hard to prove you were discriminated against because you're atheist especially for hmmm like a job or something but what if that was the reason you know...kind of like you can't always prove you didn't get it just because you're female or black.

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  by InfidelEbz on June 26th, 2008

• Thanks, and you have a point, it can be hard to know for sure if you've been discriminated against. I don't believe I have been, but I try to follow the Law of Charity and not assume the worst...however I don't think I could afford the repairs to my windows and lawn if I put a sign saying 'Home of a Proud Atheist' in my front yard.

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  by Deanjay on September 17th, 2009

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• that is inflammatory. the author would be under investigation in Australia.

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  by singwell-is off researching a lot on March 8th, 2007

• This person is obviously a nut case. Nut cases are not that specific about whom they hurt.

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  by unknown on March 30th, 2007

• Hmmm if she is a christian, shouldn't she be practicing forgiveness?

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  by steelhamster@aol.com on March 30th, 2007

• if she is, she should. but not everyone who wears the badge subscribes to the ethos.

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  by singwell-is off researching a lot on March 30th, 2007

• Are y'all talking about me?

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  by unknown on March 30th, 2007

• Nah, youre just paranoid IDNT :-p

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  by steelhamster@aol.com on March 30th, 2007

• I find that appalling. It makes me want to hit something, and I'm not a violent person. Good answer. +5

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  by FadingxSmiles on March 30th, 2007

• lol I guess so. I thought maybe y'all thought I was saying that kabuki was stupid. I hoped that that is not what happened.

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  by unknown on March 30th, 2007

• Just Alice is stupid!

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  by Phil in the Blank...backandtotheleft on December 3rd, 2007

• Scary.

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  by Shadowgirl777 on December 15th, 2007

• This writer is such an ignorant ass. The evidence shows that many the founders of the United States were Deists or even Agnostics or Atheists. Alice tries to welcome diversity in belief - but as she proved by saying "in any way you want (Baptist, Catholic, Methodist), she really wants to say "Christians Only".

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on December 22nd, 2007

• "I don’t care if they have never committed a crime, atheists are the reason crime is rampant." - This MUST be a parody of your typical christian. This person is either very clever at imitating christian fools or a genuine christian nutjob!

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  by Anonymous on January 9th, 2008

• Agreed! Well said Uberhuman, Anonymous.

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  by Phil in the Blank...backandtotheleft on January 9th, 2008

• Give me a break, since christians are the majority, blaMING THE ATHEISTS FOR ALL THE CRIME IS LAUGHABLE! who is filling up all of the prisons?? I'll give you a clue!!! ( they believe in god)!!
  I believe that the atheist population is ALL of the prisons in 1%!
  That woman is a certifiable nuit job!! and should keep her asinine opinions to herself, and not insult decent people, (atheists)! And ME!!!!!!!!!

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  by my truth on January 17th, 2008

• Ain't that the truth, my truth!

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  by Phil in the Blank...backandtotheleft on January 17th, 2008

• whoever said that is bigoted moron

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  by DiSTurBiA on January 22nd, 2008

• Funny thing about whoever wrote that article; they must not understand that freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. Plus, a lot of people think that Atheism is a religion (even though it's not) anyway, so I suppose it could work either way.

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  by BioGhost on February 15th, 2008

• Ignorance is daring
  Don't you know that most of our Funding Fathers were masons, and very likely atheists?
  The motto "in god we trust" was much later added by some bigots. By the way, for your comfort: non believers are the fastest growing group in Europe and in the USA. Without preaching, without mega bucks, without lobbies because it is natural that people grow smarter and better informed.

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  by vasti on April 9th, 2008

• Interesting point Vasti: If we had lobbies and mass conversion agents trying to force people into atheism, it would be growing exponentially quicker (though it's not doing too bad even without those things)

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on April 10th, 2008

• Thanks Anti-Semantic for your comment
  Well, that is exactly what happened in the Soviet Union, China, Cuba. The problem is that states do indoctrinate, too. Communism is as dogmatic as it is catholicism. I just mentioned a fact. I don't think that will be method. Agnosticism is a product of freedom.

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  by vasti on April 11th, 2008

• No I'm not advocating conversion by force either, I was just mentioning a fact as well. If anything, a slow and steady rise in numbers due to growing awareness, is much better than a mass propaganda campaign.

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on April 12th, 2008

• Indeed dear Anti-Semantic (close to anti-semitic, I a an agnostic Jew myself)
  The more educated societies get, they get smarter, and smarter is the same as being more critical. Critical minds can not square with dogma, will reject indoctrination and will produce NEW knowledge. They will not get stuck with Stone Age fairy tales but will create Art, Science, technology and authentic spirituality.

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  by vasti on April 13th, 2008

• Is this your opinion, too?

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  by Dr_Dredd on October 2nd, 2008

• Vasti, anti-semantic so well said :)
  
  I am tired of theists plastering crimes to atheists.....hmmm my cuz works in a prison, and sees more theists going in than atheists, or agnostics.

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  by DiSTurBiA on October 2nd, 2008

• As a christian God has laid it on my heart to urge you to read your bible. you should never judge anyone...thats God's job honey. with that said you have no business posting this sort of ignorance. it is people like you who clouded my perception so long of christians before i was born again. so next time instead of bashing someone else try and represent your christianity in a positive way rather than a negitve one. it will accomplish alot more and God will reward you for it.

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  by Anonymous on November 7th, 2008

• Well, remember that the above is a 'letter to the editor', not the actual user's opinion, if that's what you thought.

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on November 8th, 2008

• wow, xtians have no room to talk about judging people. They say only god is to judge people, yet so many xtians pass judgement all the time, hmmmm interesting.

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  by DiSTurBiA on November 11th, 2008

• Little hypocritical ain't it?!

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  by Phil in the Blank...backandtotheleft on November 11th, 2008

• you betcha

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  by DiSTurBiA on November 11th, 2008

• OH NO! Now you're starting to sound like Sarah Palin...lol
  Dog gonnit I hope she fades away.....

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  by Phil in the Blank...backandtotheleft on November 12th, 2008

• I wonder did they the last one know that most prisons in the entire world put togather has more theist prisorners than atheists.

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  by warex255 on September 28th, 2009

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• I have lost 2 job positions now due to others in the workplace discovering I'm childless-by-choice, non-churchgoing, & commonlaw married. I'm happily co-habitating, sleep late every day (work 2nd shift), & I see how they pull their hair out over their kids. All this has caused so much crap for me & mine. And I never once claimed to be Atheist to these people! How did they know?
  P.S. : Guess I shouldn't be so irreverent in general, how can I help it if I don't share the same common problems with those who have children & drive Mercedes? Seems like these people fear & tear away at anyone who clearly doesn't subscribe to their template of a proper person.

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  by Shadowgirl777 on December 15th, 2007

• Hey Shadowgirl, I'm all of those things too, but since I moved to Massachusetts I don't get crap from people anymore. Some areas of the country are more tolerant than others.

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  by lizvelrene on December 19th, 2007

• I agree with both of the above statements. Many American are very discriminatory against any non-christians (especially atheists), but if you go to many of the north-east states, particularly New York, you'll hopefully fit in much better.

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on December 22nd, 2007

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• I agree. In many cities and states and indeed on a federal level, atheists are forbidden to hold public office. How's that for discrimination?
  
  I believe that it is a form of bigotry, though. It probably stems from the christian misconception that atheists only pretend to be good people and because they don't believe in god, they can't possibly have any morals.

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on October 30th, 2008

• I think the SCOTUS has ruled on that (in the 1990s!)and while such state laws may be on the books, they are now unenforceable, officially at least.

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  by Deanjay on September 17th, 2009

• True, but a candidate still has to CLAIM to be religious and put on that front to be considered by the opiated masses.

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on September 18th, 2009

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• Interesting answer--one that made me realize that may be part of my own issue in relating to athiests. Thanks.

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  by pam i am on June 1st, 2007

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• Good point idne.

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  by ""Account Closed"" on August 29th, 2009

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• EXACTLY!

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  by FauxLo on January 14th, 2008

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• *raises clenched fist high above head*
  That's right!
  *makes joke*
  So surely therefore, the meek shall inheret the earth!
  People who don't attend the local church are snubbed in small towns, I should know. Just conducting errands has become a hassle, as we bought the oldest house in town & everyone knows where it is! Even simple purchases at local businesses don't redeem us to the neighborhood! Ridiculous.

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  by Shadowgirl777 on December 15th, 2007

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• Sorry I should have been more specific. People being Americans.

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  by MrLugubrious on February 27th, 2007

• Actually, most atheists are only prejudiced against actual religious belief, whereas religious people are prejudiced against atheists themselves.

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on December 22nd, 2007

• uberhuman, I agree, you should read the way the theist treat atheists on Y/A. They are beyond condescending, arrogant, and most of all insulting because we disagree, or because we dare to defend ourselves, and our position!

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  by my truth on January 17th, 2008

• Yes Loharv, but it tends to be more dangerous to tell people you're an atheist than to say you're Christian, for example.

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  by Jaje32 on August 5th, 2008

• Why would it be dangerous to tell people you're a member of the most ubiquitous, self-righteous religion in the world?

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on August 5th, 2008

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• Trust me, not sharing their beliefs is probably the most insulting thing you could do, if we listen to some of these people's testimonies. Wish more people were like you, my blood pressure is starting to go back to normal, now. :)

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  by Shadowgirl777 on December 15th, 2007

• Sadly, it's that very misconception that turns some of us from 'atheist' into 'militant atheist'.

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on September 18th, 2009

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• I agree with what you are saying, Answer bag is very accepting of many views. I do believe what the original question meant was an "American" society context.

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  by ReverendJeremiah on July 22nd, 2007

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• Well said! I'm not Christian, but I respect you, & God Bless You!

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  by Shadowgirl777 on December 15th, 2007

• That is a very loving view, but even you implicitly say in your last sentence - let God punish them. That's quite passive-aggressive.

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on December 22nd, 2007

• I am NOT a sinner, just because I don't believe in YOUR god! Maybe I consider YOU to be in the wrong, for pushing all of your dogma onto ME!
  And look at how many wars you wonderful people have started, and all the grief you have caused down through the ages to everyone who does NOT fall right in to line behind what YOU say!

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  by my truth on January 17th, 2008

• First of all, I wasn't talking to you. Secondly, I never claimed anyone here's a sinner. Thirdly, I'd encourage everyone to follow the truth, not dogma. Forth of all, there is no MY GOD, I'm an atheist. Fifth, people like Hitler and Stalin were all motivated by revolutionary political ideologies, not atheism. Sixth, don't yell - it's just rude. (of course, I wouldn't lynch you if you chose to yell anyway)

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  by ACCOUNT CLOSED on January 17th, 2008

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• And so many Christians' favorite whine is that THEY'RE the one's who are being persecuted. Typical.

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on September 18th, 2009

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• Check out Townhall.com, seems like someone blogs an anti-atheist piece every month or so, thrice on Christmas.

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  by Deanjay on September 17th, 2009

• There's an old saying: "You FIND what you LOOK FOR." I don't think about, nor do I care to look for people who are prejudiced against anyone...except maybe arse-holes.

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  by SABOTEUR on September 18th, 2009

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• Thanks for being one of the few. +5

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on September 18th, 2009

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• It sounds like you overcame that obstacle pretty well. +5

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on September 18th, 2009

• Uh, actually, Mr. Firefly, I'm not an atheist, but 2 very important people in my life are.

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  by Vaporeongirl on September 18th, 2009

• And still the sentiments are the same. Good for you.

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on September 18th, 2009

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• There are actually surveys showing that people (in the US at least) distrust atheists more than blacks, gays, hispanics, jews, or any other minority group. We aren't imagining it.

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  by randomness - is now a Maestro on October 20th, 2009

• Surveys aren't very scientific. But, if you have a study, please post it.

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  by angus1 on October 20th, 2009

• Research conducted at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 2006 discovered that atheists are the most distrusted minority group in the US. 47.6% of participants stated that they would disapprove if their child chose to marry an atheist, while only 33.5% would disapprove if their child was to marry a muslim, and only 27.2% if their child was to marry a black person.
  
  I found the study just now. It's called "Atheists As “Other”: Moral Boundaries and Cultural Membership in American Society".
  Look it up and read it. Discrimination in American society against atheists is evident.

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  by randomness - is now a Maestro on October 20th, 2009

• Disapproval and discrimination are not equivalent. Disapproving of someone's philosophies and not wanting one's grandchildren taught them is not discrimination.
   
  Would you disapprove of your daughter marrying someone whose philosophies you found offensive? Many Catholics or Jews would disapprove if their child married outside their religion because they want the family to be unified. It makes many things less difficult. It has to do with wanting people with like minds in the family, where they can share their most cherished relationship, their creator. Perhaps you can't understand the concept, I don't know.
    
  Also, from many people's perspective, if a person does not even believe in God at all, they have a different basis for their value system, and that value system may be very different.

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  by angus1 on October 21st, 2009

• This study didn't only ask questions about marriage, that was just the section I happened to decide to talk about. The study also showed that a high percentage of people would refuse to vote for an atheist presidential candidate, regardless of his/her platform. This percentage was much higher than the percentage of people who would refuse to vote for a muslim, a gay, a black, a woman, etc.
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  And no, I wouldn't disapprove if my daughter wanted to marry someone who had offensive philosophies. If she loved him, and he treated her well, I'd be happy, regardless of his beliefs. I do understand the concept, I am a former christian, I just don't agree with it.

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  by randomness - is now a Maestro on October 21st, 2009

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• Thanks for your answer. It isn't even necessarily that I am an atheist (which I am), but a recent survey of 2,000 people found that atheists were ranked below Muslims, immigrants, homosexuals, and other minority groups in 'sharing their vision of American society'

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  by MrLugubrious on February 26th, 2007

• Maybe so, Shawn, but which candidate would you be more likely to vote for, an atheist with a solid plan of action and a better grasp of the issues at hand or a Christian who freely admits that they don't have all the answers, but instead will let God lead his/her hand? Just curious.

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  by Rufus_T_Firefly on September 18th, 2009