Atheists...

[Washington]

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

Although a default position, don't you think it also depends on maintaining appropriate behavior, wherein improper behavior can rightfully compromise such respect? I know that the respect I develop for anyone only remains until I'm given reason enough to withhold or modify it. And anyone who would disown one of their children for the reason you cite would immediately loose a tremendous amount of my respect. But that's me.

 

[OphidiaPhile]

Although a default position, don't you think it also depends on maintaining appropriate behavior, wherein improper behavior can rightfully compromise such respect? I know that the respect I develop for anyone only remains until I'm given reason enough to withhold or modify it. And anyone who would disown one of their children for the reason you cite would immediately loose a tremendous amount of my respect. But that's me.

I thoroughly agree with you but I also felt like he should be given the benefit of the doubt and I wanted her to know that her feelings are very important to me and I will try to make her happy and acknowledging her family is part of that.

 

[SiderealExalt]

Persecuted is way too strong a word. I did get people in my face while I was in the Marines for being an atheist. Some thought that I couldn't truely be a Marine and other crap if I didn't believe in God.

I got into it with some street preachers on Beal St. a few times but beyond that it's never been an issue. I still get the you're an athiest?! talk when I mention to people on rare occassions that I am one, but that all happened when I lived in the south. Since I've been back in Cali, I have yet for anyone to mess with me.

 

[quatona]

Do any of the atheists who post here ever feel persecuted for their "faith" ?

I don´t.

 

[flicka]

No, but I don't go talking up my beilefs (or lack of) the way religious folks do. I don't make myself a target, mostly because I'm not selling or trying to convince myself of anything. I've also "faked it" many times in my life just to avoid confrontation, and I'm not alone...not by a long shot.

 

[SiderealExalt]

No, but I don't go talking up my beilefs (or lack of) the way religious folks do. I don't make myself a target, mostly because I'm not selling or trying to convince myself of anything. I've also "faked it" many times in my life just to avoid confrontation, and I'm not alone...not by a long shot.

*raises hand* Quite a few times when friends wanted me to go with them to belview baptist church also known in town back in TN as Six Flags Over Jesus I had to fake it.

 

[Oneofthediaspora]

So the consensus would be "no" then.

Me neither; but then I'm not an atheist, I'm a Catholic (which you probably know because CF puts those useful little badges next to people's names. A bit like the Third Reich, but nicer).
Also I don't live in America, I live in England; which makes a big difference as people seem to perceive religion and religious differences very, er, differently.

By law I would not be allowed to be Prime Minister. This is a specific law against Catholics (atheists, muslims, buddhists etc could be PM as far as I know; and we have already had a Jewish PM).
I would also not be allowed to become King of England.

I don't see this as persecution though. In fact Britain is rather nice and tolerant to Catholics. British people's taxes pay for Catholic faith schools. Which worked out well for me, but I can understand how it might bug a lot of people.

In my own city up until about 60 years ago there was a degree of discrimination against Catholics regarding housing, jobs etc. and some violence against them (and from them in return let it be said). But I honestly think this was much more to do with the fact that they were Irish immigrants or the children and grandchildren of same, rather than any deep dislike of Catholicism.

So, no. I've definitely not suffered persecution as a result of my faith. If anything, I have benefitted. The state paid for (or heavily subsidised) an education by the Christian Brothers who were very dedicated and inspirational and gave me the education and confidence to think I could go to university and study medicine.

So that's my "religious persecution" story.

Why do Christians in the US feel persecuted?

Mike.

 

[Allegory]

It's some kind of complex they have. They see minority groups trying to become equal and somehow it's seen as a personal insult to them.