Atheists have youever suffered any discrimination or awkward moments because of your atheism?

Answer 1

Every time a girl I'm dating asks me if I believe in God I say to myself, "Well, you know this isn't going anywhere."

Religious chicks will date you. But after a time they get hyper religious on you and then they want to find a "good Christian man"

Answer 2

I have been badly treated by my mother's side of the family for many years for being an atheist. I refuse to take part in any religious ceremonies such as christenings and church weddings because I feel very uncomfortable, and now they have virtually cut off all contact with me. Although I have to say I am not all that bothered by it.

Also when I was a child I was thrown out of a bible class (back in the days when I was still exploring my beliefs) for asking a question about evolution which I felt was unsatisfactorily answered in the lesson!

All in a day's work though!

Answer 3

Awkward moments, yeah. I was at a political rally the other day that kicked off with a prayer. This doesn't really bother me generally, but they wanted everyone to hold hands. I kept trying to escape to the edges of the crowd, and people kept grabbing at my hands. I ended up just leaving.

I would have stuck around if they'd just invoked a moment of silence, or even if they had a preacher get up and say something. But asking everyone to hold hands makes an assumption about the nature of the audience that excludes anyone who doesn't fit their stereotype.

Answer 4

Yup, all the time.

Family gatherings tend to be the pits for me. I enjoy them up until somebody brings up politics or religion, then I get really uncomfortable about it. In terms of politics, my family considers themselves liberal, but when I look at myself and them, they look quite conservative. I don't dare say a word on my political views lest a fight start.

Same for religion, only that's worse. I can somewhat discuss politics if I avoid hot-button topics(ie: abortion, the Iraq war, etc). Religion I'm completely screwed on. My whole family's religious, I'm the lone atheist where only my my mother and husband knows about it. Rest of the family might suspect, though I'm hoping they're blind to it and just think I'm a "lazy Christian" for not going to church. I can deal with that. I don't want to think about what'd happen if they learned the truth.

So...even though they don't know I'm atheist, I already know they disapprove of atheists and I feel quite discriminated against as I can't even talk about things that matter to me and them without being verbally attacked among other things. Anytime I've tried in the past, the moment I disagree, a fight starts. I know what'll happen if I say anything, so I just shut up and avoid it. I hate it, but I can do little else.

Work was the same way. I quit a couple of jobs because my co-workers wouldn't shut up about religion and how "great" it was to be a Christian living in a "Christian nation". I couldn't join in, hated listening to it, and can safely say I don't miss those places and people.

Online, I've also lost friends over religion and politics. I used to have a very nice and thorough editor for my writing who I got along with great until I found out she was a very, very devout Christian. Nearly made the mistake of discussing my frustration with my family with her. I asked and found out she thought that even a Buddhist would go to Hell, so I felt awkward and a little embarrassed and then the friendship eventually disintegrated afterward. Another friend is openly conservative and Christian and we've gotten into online arguements over things like the Pledge's "under God" arguement.

I'm not the only one steamed over that. She did the same thing to another friend. So it's mostly awkward, embarrassing moments, friends finding out I'm atheist at the same time I find out they're devout. The discrimination is mostly within my family and I've dealt with that for years, even when I was a believer. I'm unfortunately used to it.

Answer 5

No, however I don't try to convince people to give up their religion. I do not argue religion unless someone attempts to shove his beliefs down my throat.
I very strongly believe that religion should be kept in the churches. Occasionally, someone will give a long religious spiel here on answers. To me, that is not the way to go. More people are driven away by that then are drawn to that person's belief.
If a person feels the need, he will seek out religious advice, or join a church. If he doesn't, leave him alone.

Answer 6

Is it discrimination: It relies upon the form you do it. Is it stupid: very evaluate this. The atheist is making the declare that the worldwide could nicely be defined via organic activities, you're making the declare that the worldwide replaced into created via a supernatural being who controls each and every situation in existence and passes judgement on the top as quickly as all of us bypass to magical nation-states for all eternity... Which of the persons in this communicate needs to preserve their place?

Answer 7

You see the discrimination happening right here in Yahoo! Answers!!!!!!... Most religious, ignorant freaks believe that just because Atheist believe in NO God, they automatically must have NO knowledge.

Answer 8

All the time. Especially when the religion thing comes up in new relationships. I have learned just to keep my mouth shut. It's sad that christians, catholics, jews, etc. can talk about their "religion" all they want, but when I make my views aware, I am looked at like I am the scum of the earth.

Answer 9

who doesn't? all people have suffered at least once from such thing not just atheists.

Answer 10

often , around my wife's family .