Prejudice against atheists needs to end.

[MrLogic]

I disagree. Prejudice against atheists isn't high enough.

Let's step back for a minute here: since when has it been wrong to discriminate against someone based on the opinions that he expresses? In modern society we have rules against certain forms of discrimination, such as discrimination based on race, gender, and nationality. But all of these things are attributes that are beyond the control of an individual. People do, however, have complete control over what opinions they hold, and (more importantly) how they express them. Indeed we do it all the time. In the workplace, people who make sexual jokes are looked down upon. Arrogant individuals are typically viewed disfavorably. And every time you cast a vote at the polls, you discriminate for or against candidates based on their personal opinions.

Now, there are many atheists against whom I take no issue. But then there's those of you who are loud, obnoxious, offensive, and irreverent. In short: these atheists are annoying There's no moral or legal principle to prohibit discriminating against annoying people. The rest of us aren't asking you to change the color of your skin, your ethnicity, or even your economic class. But if you don't want to be discriminated against, then change your behavior.

What are you talking about? There isn't a more annoying religion that Christianity. I prefer Muslims blowing themselves up over Christian complains about "the morality of the country" and trying to put their fairy tales on our public schools and system of government. I don't see Jews complaining or Muslims. Why must Christians?

I'm telling you, it is as if it is written in the bible:

And the Lord said: "Go onto the world, and annoy the hell out of everyone

 

[Secundulus]

I prefer Muslims blowing themselves up over Christian complains about "the morality of the country" and trying to put their fairy tales on our public schools and system of government.

Wow, maybe atheists really don't have any morals.

 

[BeginnerOnAPath]

What are you talking about? There isn't a more annoying religion that Christianity. I prefer Muslims blowing themselves up over Christian complains about "the morality of the country" and trying to put their fairy tales on our public schools and system of government. I don't see Jews complaining or Muslims. Why must Christians?

I'm telling you, it is as if it is written in the bible:

Dude, no. I'll take people who complain in the media a lot and file lawsuits (leaving aside for a moment the ones that blow up abortion clinics, murder gays, molest children, or abuse their spouses) over people who blow themselves up every day of the week.

Violence is wrong, and much worse that peaceful political action.

 

[MrLogic]

Your post just goes to prove the point I was making. And FWIW I am a Christian with and IQ of around 140 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA.

So much for your lame theory!

It is not a theory. It is a survey. Don't fight me, fight the guy you made it, and me since I agree with him. Besides, what the survey said was that "as IQ increases, people are LESS LIKELY to be religious. That does not mean that all religious people have low IQ. Just most of them In the 90s% I say. You might be in that little 10%.

Now for atheist, is the same, just inverted.

 

[MrLogic]

Wow, maybe atheists really don't have any morals.

Dude, no. I'll take people who complain in the media a lot and file lawsuits (leaving aside for a moment the ones that blow up abortion clinics, murder gays, molest children, or abuse their spouses) over people who blow themselves up every day of the week.

Violence is wrong, and much worse that peaceful political action.

Both of you, you need to start watching Comedy Central so that you can understand the meaning of the word, "joke".

 

[arunma]

Religion is a protected category, too. http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/discrimination/ethnicdisc.htm

As you'll note, the survey I posted a link to said nothing about distrust of "only annoying atheists." It was atheists, period.

Most atheists tend to deny that atheism is a religion. Aside from the fact that I haven't suggested denying employment to atheists, may I ask on what basis you were planning to sue? Keep in mind that my suggestion thus far has not been to discriminate against people who hold atheistic beliefs, but against people who obnoxiously express their atheism.

I find your call for more prejudice against atheists bizarre, and indicative of your personal character, which appears in a highly unfavorable light. Note that I do not make this judgment on the basis of your Christianity, nor do I make it against all Christians. Just you.

Make whatever judgment you wish. I don't think you'll find a single American who doesn't discriminate against people based on the way that they conduct themselves in public.

Your post just goes to prove the point I was making. And FWIW I am a Christian with and IQ of around 140 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA.

So much for your lame theory!

I also find this theory to be a little funny, given that most people who cite it don't know the difference between statistical correlation and direct causal relationship. But since I'm usually equally or more educated than the people who parrot this to me (I have degrees in physics and mathematics myself), I usually don't pay much heed.

 

[BeginnerOnAPath]

Most atheists tend to deny that atheism is a religion. Aside from the fact that I haven't suggested denying employment to atheists, may I ask on what basis you were planning to sue? Keep in mind that my suggestion thus far has not been to discriminate against people who hold atheistic beliefs, but against people who obnoxiously express their atheism.



Make whatever judgment you wish. I don't think you'll find a single American who doesn't discriminate against people based on the way that they conduct themselves in public.



I also find this theory to be a little funny, given that most people who cite it don't know the difference between statistical correlation and direct causal relationship. But since I'm usually equally or more educated than the people who parrot this to me (I have degrees in physics and mathematics myself), I usually don't pay much heed.

I never claimed atheism was a religion. I'm saying that some people are protected by law on the basis of opinions they hold. Who is being obnoxious? So far, all some atheists have done is write books, go on TV, and argue on the internet. Christianists, meanwhile, try to impose their personal religious beliefs on others using the government. If all they did was write books, go on tv and argue on the internet, this country would be a very different place. Your perspective is just a little bit skewed.

 

[Secundulus]

I never claimed atheism was a religion. I'm saying that some people are protected by law on the basis of opinions they hold. Who is being obnoxious? So far, all some atheists have done is write books, go on TV, and argue on the internet.

"And argue on the internet" by telling us we are not as intelligent as the "elite". See the posts above.

 

[BeginnerOnAPath]

"And argue on the internet" by telling us we are not as intelligent as the "elite". See the posts above.

If you think that's enough to earn atheists collectively the title of "most distrusted minority," then I've really got to question your perspective, as well.

 

[glo1]

Atheists are the most distrusted minority in America. (http://www.ur.umn.edu/FMPro?-db=rel...ewsreleases/releasesdetail.html&ID=2816&-Find)

I hope that everyone here agrees that the situation described in the link above is intolerable and unjust. Atheists share the same morals and values as everyone else, because morals and values are not bound to belief in supernatural entities. That's a message that needs to be heard, loudly and repeatedly.

Well, I am married to an atheist, and I can assure you that he has very high moral standards. He is one of the most charitable, caring and tolerant people I know!

... although that's not to say that with God in his life, he could not reach greater heights still!

Peace

 

[BeginnerOnAPath]

Well, I am married to an atheist, and I can assure you that he has very high moral standards. He is one of the most charitable, caring and tolerant people I know!

... although that's not to say that with God in his life, he could not reach greater heights still!

Peace

I'm glad you and your husband can overcome your religious differences. Religion shouldn't trump love or tear people apart. My girlfriend had a tough time accepting it when I deconverted (she and I met at church), but we are still together, and still very much in love.

 

[arunma]

I never claimed atheism was a religion. I'm saying that some people are protected by law on the basis of opinions they hold. Who is being obnoxious? So far, all some atheists have done is write books, go on TV, and argue on the internet. Christianists, meanwhile, try to impose their personal religious beliefs on others using the government. If all they did was write books, go on tv and argue on the internet, this country would be a very different place. Your perspective is just a little bit skewed.

The protection against religious discrimination doesn't imply that all opinions are protected. For example, there was a time in American history (which possibly persists into the present day) when the American government actively discriminated against anyone who was affiliated with the Communist party. Not all opinions are equally protected.

Now as to the issue of how individuals act on their opinions, "Christianist" (by which you probably mean Christians) are well within our rights to allow our religious beliefs to inform our political views. Most peoples' political views are informed by their personal beliefs. Atheists do it too. It's fairly common for atheists to initiate lawsuits to ban school prayers, public religious displays, and various other such things. Not that I personally support this public religiosity, but it goes to show that atheists are as politically active as Christians. If the basis of your argument was that atheists are passive in the expression of their beliefs, then you should probably try again.

If you think that's enough to earn atheists collectively the title of "most distrusted minority," then I've really got to question your perspective, as well.

Seems like you're questioning the perspective of anyone who fails to agree with your point of view, which severely diminishes the importance of your judgment in the eyes of others. IOW, I don't feel too badly about being judged a "bad person," by someone who believes that everyone who disagrees with him is bad.

 

[glo1]

I'm glad you and your husband can overcome your religious differences. Religion shouldn't trump love or tear people apart. My girlfriend had a tough time accepting it when I deconverted (she and I met at church), but we are still together, and still very much in love.

It has not been an easy ride, and it continues to throw up real challenges and tensions ...

Unlike you, it was me who became a Christian four years ago - and it has been a real challenge for my husband to come to terms with. He ultimately really dislikes and is even disturbed by the idea of me believing in God (any god, in any way, shape or form).

I am asserting my right to follow my faith (without being 'in his face' about it), whereas he reserves his right to criticise it (without stopping me from following my faith) ...

And yes, our love remains strong, despite or perhaps because of our struggles ...

Peace

 

[PassionFruit]

Sometimes I think the reason why there's prejudice towards atheists is probably due to the belief that atheists don't have morals. I dunno, I guess it falls within that belief that you must have religion in order to have a moral compass.

That's good news about you and your husband glo1.

 

[Ramona]

And so, another well-intentioned thread descends into a flamepit. People aren't even trying to put on a polite front with which to mask their venom. What a disappointment.

I have no idea why I bother coming here anymore. It becomes more and more apparent to me that few people, if any, on CF are actually concerned with fellowship and love, but rather with being as condescending and self-righteous as possible without breaking any rules.

Human compassion and decency is not a board game you can win like Scrabble.

 

[Electric Skeptic]

It has not been an easy ride, and it continues to throw up real challenges and tensions ...

Unlike you, it was me who became a Christian four years ago - and it has been a real challenge for my husband to come to terms with. He ultimately really dislikes and is even disturbed by the idea of me believing in God (any god, in any way, shape or form).

I am asserting my right to follow my faith (without being 'in his face' about it), whereas he reserves his right to criticise it (without stopping me from following my faith) ...

And yes, our love remains strong, despite or perhaps because of our struggles ...

Peace

Congratulations, and kudos to your husband. If my wife became Christian, I believe divorce would be the result.

 

[belladonic-haze]

Atheists are the most distrusted minority in America. (http://www.ur.umn.edu/FMPro?-db=rel...ewsreleases/releasesdetail.html&ID=2816&-Find)

I hope that everyone here agrees that the situation described in the link above is intolerable and unjust. Atheists share the same morals and values as everyone else, because morals and values are not bound to belief in supernatural entities. That's a message that needs to be heard, loudly and repeatedly.

Amen!

Being prejudice is wrong. Simple. There is never a good reason to be prejudice.

 

[glo1]

Congratulations, and kudos to your husband. If my wife became Christian, I believe divorce would be the result.

Hey, what about kudos to me???!

I guess time has shown my husband that I am the very least not a worse person for being a Christian.
So, yeah, I hold some strange beliefs and I engage in some peculiar activities, but his worst fears have not become reality: I have neither started preaching at him or the children, nor have I trashed his music collection!

What exactly would be your greatest worry, if your wife ever became a Christian?

Peace

 

[AirPo]

I disagree. Prejudice against atheists isn't high enough.

Let's step back for a minute here: since when has it been wrong to discriminate against someone based on the opinions that he expresses? In modern society we have rules against certain forms of discrimination, such as discrimination based on race, gender, and nationality. But all of these things are attributes that are beyond the control of an individual. People do, however, have complete control over what opinions they hold, and (more importantly) how they express them. Indeed we do it all the time. In the workplace, people who make sexual jokes are looked down upon. Arrogant individuals are typically viewed disfavorably. And every time you cast a vote at the polls, you discriminate for or against candidates based on their personal opinions.

Now, there are many atheists against whom I take no issue. But then there's those of you who are loud, obnoxious, offensive, and irreverent. In short: these atheists are annoying There's no moral or legal principle to prohibit discriminating against annoying people. The rest of us aren't asking you to change the color of your skin, your ethnicity, or even your economic class. But if you don't want to be discriminated against, then change your behavior.

Sounds like a lot of christians I've meet right here on CF.
Maybe it has nothing to do with beliefe but with they way people treat others?

 

[dialee16]

These does not surprise me at all taking in consideration that most atheist are atheist because, well, we actually think. (sorry for saying it but I must be honest)

Thats very offensive. I think ALL the time, and it does wonders for me. You should try it some time

You know your post was actually the third least intelligent post I've sceen on these forums. (How ironic)

What are you talking about? There isn't a more annoying religion that Christianity. I prefer Muslims blowing themselves up over Christian complains about "the morality of the country" and trying to put their fairy tales on our public schools and system of government. I don't see Jews complaining or Muslims. Why must Christians?

And this is the second least intelligent post I've ever sceen on these forums. And look, they were both posted by the same person. What a surprise! Not...
Since you say it was a joke, i guess i also better tell you that it was one of the worst jokes I ever heard.

Congratulations, and kudos to your husband. If my wife became Christian, I believe divorce would be the result.

Yikes...