Wow, So much to deal with.
I guess Ill start with the basics, that would be the opening questions you have asked, and then work my way along.
I assume this is your first question:
Now, I understand that many Americans may not agree with atheism on the whole (just as I do not agree with Christianity), but on an individual basis, are atheists really seen in such a bad light?
To clear the air, Atheism is not disbelief,
I do not believe in a God, but it is the Assurance that No God exist at all
There is no God, so when people say that Atheism is the lack of belief they are incorrect, it is not the lack of faith or belief, it is absolute faith or belief that there is no God.
If they simply do not believe, that is Agnostic, some people might join this with what is called Weak Atheism. They live up to their name as well, being weak. Since this group is normally the left overs that have either been beaten and squashed by apologetics on countless occasions and now have little recourse left but to give tired lines like Prove God exists or people that are just Atheist to rage against the machine and get attention. A Rebel type idea. Prime Traits would include comparing God to Santa Clause, or Big Foot, in a means to generate a Challenge to Gods followers, by using ridicule against a persons belief in God, (I miss the Invisible Pink Unicorn analogies), normally Arguments by Outrage would be common, and the ever common assurance of Faith, I just Disbelieve.
Strong Atheism, on the other hand is a different world, these are the proud and strong people that stand up and make the statement There is No God, and they hold to this positive statement. Which ultimately leads them to provide the support for their stance, which might explain why some Strong Atheist become weak ones, but that is a whole different matter. These can be wonderfully moral and good people, but they have chosen that God does not Exist. Normally these are very rare Atheist, and seldom are they willing to get into a debate.
You have a Final group, that is the God-Hating Atheist: Now I know that some might say that this is a contradiction, but, sadly this is a real group of people (And Very Large), they call themselves Atheist (Sometimes called Message Board Atheist), but in truth they simply hate Gods Followers a great many of them (That I have dealt with), do not even understand what the Bible teaches, or the vast different paths of Christianity. What I could gather is that normally the case is they had a very poor sampling, from most likely Family, regarding Christianity, and have decided to reject it because of a personal grudge or perceived wrong done to them by those Accursed Bible Beating Christians, in the rare other cases they are seeking a crusade against what they perceive as an injustice and they decided that God was the fault, and all his crazy followers.
All three of thee of these people would claim to be Atheist and as a Christian I can not clearly tell who is who, as I would not mind so much my child being with a Strong Atheist as they can be some wonderful people, they just refuse the existence of God.
So are Atheist in a bad light, Not really, they have some how, earned every little bit of contempt that has been placed upon them by the religious world, just as Christians somehow have earned every bit of contempt that they have received. All groups shall suffer by the actions of their lowest common detonator.
I hope I have answered this question for you.
1) You discover that your young child's best friend is from an atheist family.
Is the Child an Atheist?
What type of Atheism does the Family follow?
It has been my experience that self proclaimed Atheist family seems to have a level of apprehension and I have even experienced out right anger and outrage (Might have been controlled hostility) at me simply because I was talking about my faith.
So I would like to meet my Childs Friend, to see where they stood, and I would have to meet the family before my child would have been allowed to associate with them, so I could see what type of reaction my child would receive if she talked of her faith.
I know if my child was a believer, Jesus Loves me would just come out some time, and I would want to know the families reaction to that.
2) Your teenaged child begins dating an atheist.
Are we talking 13 or 19, what do you mean by Teenage?
Age is an important factor, so is gender!
My Daughter, I would have issues with her dating before 16, my son, I would rather he wait till 18. Just in case he makes a mistake, he would be old enough to stand up for himself and be a man, taking on the responsibilities of his stupidity.
As for the religion of the Other kid, not my problem. I have a say as long as my child is under my roof, after that, they are adults.
3) Your grown child wishes to marry an atheist.
I cool with that.
Just Tell me what Beach, Park, Municipal Community Building I should show up at, and the name of the Justice of the Peace that will be marrying them, so I can greet him properly.
4) Your child becomes an atheist.
Such is life.
5) Your child's teacher is an atheist.
Depends on the type of Atheist, and what subject they teach.
6) Your new boss is an atheist.
It has never been an issue, but if my Boss makes a deal of it, like saying things like God does not Exist in MY office building or making any other statements that conflicted or belittled my faith, I would have to quit.
7) A new co-worker is an atheist.
Unless they made a big deal of it, I would never know. If they did make a big deal of it, I would think they were attention seeking pathetic individuals, because I would assume they were playing on the idea that all the Christians should Run right over and try to convert the poor lost man. I would allow them to their peace, and leave them promptly if they brought up religion. If they bothered me, I would report them to my employer.
8) An atheist family moves into your close-knit neighbourhood.
Means less then nothing to me. But depends on how they present themselves.
9) You are in a military unit with an atheist commanding officer.
Moot questions, But once again, depends on the Type of Atheist they are.
10) An atheist wishes to participate in some secular church activity (eg-contribute to a bake sale, help raise money for charity).
Depends on the Atheist.
I hope I have answered your questions.
God Bless
Key
humm, interesting yes? The years go from the beginning of his death... that's 2006 years ago.
