Atheists...

[Oneofthediaspora]

Do any of the atheists who post here ever feel persecuted for their "faith" ? (or lack of faith, or worldview ... whatever. I'm not looking to debate whether atheism is a faith position here).

I'm not talking about atheists who may also happen to pro-choice or gay and as a result of these incidentals feel persecuted.
I'm wondering if there are any atheists who as a direct result of not believing in God feel they have been persecuted.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Braunwyn]

First, faith is a poor choice of words even though you corrected the statment. But no, I don't feel persecuted. There are some random folk that blather on about us being heathens, immoral, etc, and make all kinds of erroneous assumptions but I don't think that has anything to do with me personally rather emotional/mental issues on their part.

 

[cantata]

No, I don't feel persecuted.

I do know of some people who have been essentially disowned by their families for moving from theism to agnosticism, deism, or atheism, though. "Persecution" is not the right word for those situations, but it does really suck for them.

 

[God-free]

I'm wondering if there are any atheists who as a direct result of not believing in God feel they have been persecuted.

Thanks,
Mike

So far, I have not personally experienced persecution as a direct result of my atheism. However, there are people, some very powerful people, who wouldn't think twice about persecuting atheists en masse if they could.

August 27, 1987:

Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush was asked if he recognized the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are atheists. His reply was:

"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
​

I shudder to think what Mr. Bush would like to have done with atheists who live in this country and those who have, are, and will serve in the US military (yes, there are atheists in foxholes).

~Barbara

 

[jcook922]

Feeling persecuted without being actually limited in your ability to speak your piece is just being over-sensitive if you ask me. Do I feel annoyed when people call Humanist opinions garbage when we're usually one of the most reasonable and moderate groups of people around? Yes. I'm not an Atheist, not all Humanists are, but Christians tend to treat me like I am because I'm not a Christian.

To Barbara: Humanist in foxholes if that counts, I'm a servicemember.

 

[Andreusz]

I've never experienced persecution for my atheism, but like Cantata I do know some people who've been disowned by their families because of it.

 

[Paulos23]

Personally, no.

But my chances for getting into public office is greatly reduced. And in some settings I would be forced to pretend to pray. Or just shut my mouth when it comes to religious discussions.

In short, as long as I stay in the 'box' and I am quiet I am not persecuted. It is just tiring being in a box.

 

[Bobfr]

No, never. I live in France and one third of the population is atheist, so it would be difficult to persecute us ^ ^

However there are still laws which are influenced by Roman Catholics roots of this country, like holidays period. There is also one region where the Church is still financed by the state, because when the church/state separation was enacted, this region was under german control, and when we took it back, a special deragotary law was enacted.

If I were americans, I think I would feel a bit persecuted, since according to a poll, most of Americans would not vote for an atheist at the presidential election.

Liberal % Moderate % Conservative %
Catholic 97 95 94
Black 95 94 92
Jewish 93 91 91
A woman 96 89 82
Hispanic 92 87 84
Mormon 75 77 76
Married three times 74 71 60
72 years of age 59 52 63
A homosexual 81 57 36
An atheist 67 48 29

Seems that in this country, if you do not believe in any God, you're not a « normal » person.

 

[keith99]

The vast majority of athiests, agnostics and others or minimal faith in the U.S. rarely wear their 'faith' on their sleeve. There is no way of telling who is and who is not in most situations. This serves to minimize the chances for persecution.

Athiests also seem to be less willing to use the word for less extreme forms of discrimination or personal rejection.

 

[craigerNY]

I have been berated and condescended to for it but I'd hardly call that persecution. I mean it is not like someone is at war against a holiday of mine or something oppressive like that...........

 

[gwenmead]

Persecuted? No.

Sometimes alienated, misrepresented, vilified, or misunderstood? Yes.

Religious solicitors at my door look at me as if I eat babies for breakfast when I mention my atheism, and I am sure there are plenty of people in my culture would just rather I shut up and go away and let them turn my nation into a full-blown Christian theocracy. But nobody has outlawed atheism, nobody comes after me with guns or fire hoses or burns crosses on my lawn, or has denied me a job or living space because I am an atheist. There are no internment camps for atheists yet, and we're still allowed to walk down the street without having to wear some identifying mark somewhere.

So no, I don't feel particularly persecuted.

Neither do I feel any sympathy for Christians in America who cry persecution, incidentally.

 

[truthshift]

Do any of the atheists who post here ever feel persecuted for their "faith" ? (or lack of faith, or worldview ... whatever. I'm not looking to debate whether atheism is a faith position here).

I'm not talking about atheists who may also happen to pro-choice or gay and as a result of these incidentals feel persecuted.
I'm wondering if there are any atheists who as a direct result of not believing in God feel they have been persecuted.

Thanks,
Mike

Thanks for asking Mike,

Really, there is not a set system of beliefs in Atheism. Atheism is not a religion it's just a refutal of some or all belief systems. So, we don't actually have a "faith". We merely will not accept the common one.

I know you aren't looking to debate that but, I like to clear that up so there is no confusion.

Well, here, I do not feel persecuted persay. I joined this forum in an attempt to engage in debates and discover some truth and maybe work to a common solution with various believers.

However, I will say that in society, there is a certain amount of persecution/pressure from the Christian majority.

3-6% of the population is Atheist

74% is Christian

There are currently 7 states in which Atheists cannot hold a public office.

I've seen stories recently on the news where atheists were evicted from apartment buildings after it was discovered that they were atheists.

A lot of confusion and frustration comes from people clumping gays and atheists together as one group of people. I understand how christians feel about both but they are two separate things. But both groups get pressure for both.

Lots of believers feel that their faith is under fire from atheism and it's a common belief that we've got your ideals on the run and that christianity is in some sort of danger. The reality of it is, is that most of the militant athiests are purely reactionary.

So, here on the forum. I can feel the tension but I do not feel persecuted. I am here by choice.

Out in society, when people laugh and ask me if I believe I'm going to turn in to a tree when I die(dane cook joke) after I tell them I'm an atheist. I cringe a little because it shows me that they dont understand what atheism is and it shows me that they don't respect it. So, yes, I feel a little persecuted out there. It's not unexpected though, so I'm not going to play a victim.

-E

 

[Washington]

I think keith99 was correct in noting that, unlike religious folk who " wear their 'faith' on their sleeve," or simply become known for their faith by their participation in various religious activities, atheists and agnostics are seldom in situations where their belief becomes apparent. Like political preferences; unless the occasion arises where there is reason for expressing it, it remains an unknown. Therefore, there is very little chance for bias or persecution to present itself.

 

[Oneofthediaspora]

Religious solicitors at my door look at me as if I eat babies for breakfast when I mention my atheism

Now that's just plain wrong.
Everyone knows that atheists eat kittens and bunnies for breakfast.

I'm not overly impressed with American Christians claiming to be persecuted either.
They should spend some time in China or Saudi Arabia.

Mike.

 

[gwenmead]

Everyone knows that atheists eat kittens and bunnies for breakfast.

Actually our regional atheist breakfast specialty is gay Christian puppies, served with wheat toast and a side of hash browns and raspberry jam.

Christians crying persecution here is ridiculous.

 

[Isambard]

Only when back home. Its not uncommon to be denied a job/fired, have parents shoo you away from their daughters, or just be mistrusted in general for being an atheist in Peru.

 

[OphidiaPhile]

I live in CA so I have never been persecuted here but I have in the south where I lived for two years when I was a kid and knew I was an atheist at that time. Parents would not allow their kids to be friends with me once they found out I was an atheist, in fact I was beat up pretty bad at the age of ten by two local guys that were about 19 or 20 and the police turned a blind eye to it.

I am now persecuted by my girlfriends father, he refuses to associate with me and has refused to give permission to marry her, all because I am an atheist (as is she). He has also stated that if we do get married anyway, which we will do, he will permanently disown her and she is an absolutely wonderful caring human being.

 

[Bobfr]

has refused to give permission to marry her

You still ask permission to the father of your gf in the USA ?!!

 

[Washington]

You still ask permission to the father of your gf in the USA ?!!

Some, very few, do.

 

[OphidiaPhile]

You still ask permission to the father of your gf in the USA ?!!

I feel like he should at least be shown respect as her father.