"Freedom we enjoy as Americans" - true?

Question

I quote someone here as I am not American. From what I have seen, if you state you are an atheist, you are treated like Bin Laden. Where is the freedom of speech American's hold so dear? Religious bigotry makes the US anything but 'free'.

Answer 1

I generally agree, but it is an exaggeration to say it puts us on a par with Bin Laden, of course.

I am a US citizen and I live in a generally well-educated, progressive, and tolerant part of the country. But because I am an atheist, I am more-or-less unable to be elected to public office, and I have never been able to vote for a winner to any public office that would be willing to protect my religious (or a-religious) rights.

In some parts of the country, I have been harrassed because I am an athiest. And I recently had a boss who treated me unfairly because of my beliefs.

Just look at Dr. Michael Newdow, the guy who sued his daughter's public school to stop them from leading the pledge with "under god" in it. Every member of the US Congress participated in a public pledge, with "under god" in it, just after the 9th Circuit Court ruled against the public schools.

And then the Supreme Court actually opined, incredibly, that "under god" was not really a religious statement. I'm serious. Newdow, of course, correctly replied that it is the most religious statement possible.

Legally, we are not a theocracy, but because the theists (and christians in particular) make up such a large majority of the people, they often stomp on the rights of minority religions and the a-religious. This is often out of uinintentional ignorance; some actual believe that we are supposed to be a christian country, for example, while others don't even know that we exist.

This is not the first, nor the last, time that minorities in this country get abused. Despite the US constitution's intent to protect the rights of minorities, we have had to add specific amendments to protect minorities (sex and race). We may have to do the same for religion/a-religion and sexual orientation.

Answer 2

Freedom here means, not just freedom . It's freedom with responsibility. Every country is different from dictating what the responsibility is. Many 3rd world countries have much more freedom, but those freedom also lacks any moral responsibilities for the person who's enjoying that freedom. But then hey, what is the definition of morality. It varies. Everyone defines sometimes their own moral values.
Some countries you can stand outside a liquor shop and drink. You can't do that here. Or maybe not everywhere in U.S. But is that a good moral thing to do?
who told they treat you like Bin Laden if you're an Atheist. Maybe online, where some religious people gang up on you. But in general in public this is one of the countries where religious values are decreasing every day. There are less than 20% of population who really go to church and really religious.

There is more freedom of religion in this country than anywhere else in the world, and I've lived all over. Not a frog in a well.

The reason why Bil Ladin hated, is not because fo the religion, it is because he's killing people in the name of religion.

Comapring Atheist to Bin Laden is really stupid. Only retards would do that.

Answer 3

Yeah, this is generally a position held by mostly non-Americans. I don't know why people who don't even live in our country have even stronger opinions about it than Americans do.

America is the most free country around. Period. There is no country where atheism is tolerated in the world as much as America. You don't think freedom of speech for atheists is guaranteed here? Then why do I see Richard Dawkins' "God Delusion" all over the place. Then why at the university (a prestigious, public one at that) I go to is atheism a mainstay in classroom discussions?

You can pretty much believe, and even say, even the craziest stuff here and unless it's a credible threat against the public or government you can say it.

With that said, America is a deeply religious nation. Unlike Europe and Canada, religion matters a great deal here. Atheists comprise maybe 10% (at most) of the American public. Atheists are respected here like anyone else would be. But most people are religious and they kind of expect other people to be. Some may try to convince you to have faith, others may tolerate you begrudgingly, but most will just let you do your own thing.

It's important for any society, but especially our super-democratic one, to have general societal standards. Being religious is one of them and there's nothing wrong with that unless you are punished for being an atheist.

Answer 4

Too broad an assumption.
If you narrow it down , state by state, then you could probably come closer to stating that some states are generally more inclined than others.. but not any more than you could stereotype a particular UK County having a particular consensus on some subject or another.

I would say though, that knowledge of the world is quiet limited in the US.... the news feeds are not impartial and people can only determine opinions from what knowledge they can assimilate. (which of course is why religion had such a strong hold on the uneducated world for many centuries.. thankfully receeding at a great pace now.)

Answer 5

Unfortunately, freedom of speech in the United States amounts only to the point of freedom of prosecution for stating one's views. It does not prevent one from being harmed for holding those views. (In the United States, we don't really prevent crime, but prosecute it after it occurs)

Anyway, the real problem is that many people here are simply juvenile. It's kind of like the angry child in the playground taking away the bat when he or she is picked last. When it comes to religion, if you don't believe the way they do, they get angry and think you are stupid or whatever. They can't imagine that someone holding a contrary position to theirs might still have a valid view. They feel threatened and lash out with anger and insults.

I think that part of the problem comes from religious schools that teach that any contrary view is demonic. Part of it comes from teaching that if one person is right, any contrary view is wrong. It stems from a philosophy that has no room for anything other than dichotomy. Things are either black or white; right or wrong. There is no possibility for a world in which differing views may be equally valid.

Psychology actually views strict black and white thinking as a symptom of mental illness. It's too bad that the rest of the world doesn't.

Answer 6

The freedom of speech is that I can state and have my religion and not be threatened with bodily harm, property damage, or government interference. If any of those happen, then I or my family have legal recourse. The other side of that is anyone my just as fervently disagree with me without those same repercussions. Murder is also illegal, but it still happens. That doesn't make the United States a country FULL of murderers.

Add just for the record, I am writing this as a NON-Christian.

Answer 7

While the comparison to Bin Laden is a little extreme athiests are treated as though there is something wrong with them here in the states, but then so are ALL non-Christians whether they are religious or not.

Answer 8

No, we do enjoy Freedom. But of course, like any society, the people who are "in charge or make the rules" will always have their say. This is simply being realistic. And yes, bigotry does run deep here, but its because of repressed desires and not because of freedom. Two totally different things.

So, while we have openness and freedom, of COURSE they do NOT come without a price, NOTHING DOES!

Answer 9

In a country where personal freedom is guaranteed by law, I find it highly unlikely. If Americans could get their hands on Bin Laden, surely he would get worse than disapproving looks.

Answer 10

Athesists aren't treated like Bin Laden. That's a very extremist point of view. I think people don't understand athesists since the religious types have always something to believe in but if you don't believe in anything it blows their minds. I am not an atheist but I am not saying they are treated like Bin Laden or anyone of that nature.